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Promoting Recovery by Overcoming Self-stigma in Mental Health Disorders With a Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) Group Intervention
Sponsor: Louise Penzenstadler
Summary
This study will evaluate whether Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) can promote recovery among adults living with severe mental health disorders, including substance use disorders. NECT is a structured group intervention that combines education about stigma, cognitive techniques to challenge internalized negative beliefs, and narrative exercises that help participants develop a broader identity beyond their diagnosis. Approximately 106 adults receiving outpatient or day-hospital psychiatric care at Geneva University Hospitals will be randomly assigned to receive either usual care plus 12 weekly NECT sessions or usual care plus 12 comparison group sessions that do not specifically address self-stigma or recovery. The study will examine whether NECT improves recovery after the intervention and whether any benefits are maintained over time.
Official title: Promoting Recovery by Overcoming Self-stigma in Mental Health Disorders With a Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) Group Intervention - A Randomized Controlled Trial and Qualitative Study
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
106
Start Date
2026-10-01
Completion Date
2029-09-30
Last Updated
2026-07-30
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Narrative Enhancement Cognitive Therapy
NECT is a manualized group intervention comprising 12 weekly 90-minute sessions delivered to groups of approximately eight participants. It combines psychoeducation about stigma and self-stigma, cognitive restructuring of internalized negative beliefs, and narrative exercises that help participants develop a more integrated identity beyond mental illness. Sessions are co-facilitated by a trained mental health professional and a peer practitioner. Individual make-up sessions may be offered for missed sessions.
Control Group Sessions
Twelve weekly group sessions in which participants discuss topics such as their weekly activities, without specific psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational content targeting self-stigma or recovery. Treatment as usual continues throughout.
Locations (1)
Geneva University Hospital
Geneva, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland