Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy for Psychosis (PITp)

A study of a talking therapy focused on feelings and relationships, for people who experience psychosis

Background and Purpose of the Study

Psychodynamic Interpersonal Therapy (PIT), sometimes called the Conversational Model, is a therapy that focuses on exploring difficult feelings and understanding relationship patterns. It involves a heart-to-heart conversation with a trained therapist, at your own pace, about whatever matters most to you.

PIT has been well-researched for other complex mental health difficulties. This study is the first to test whether it can be adapted and delivered for people experiencing psychosis within NHS services in Greater Manchester.

We have already completed an earlier stage of this work, gathering views from people with lived experience of psychosis, clinicians, and PIT therapists about how the therapy might need to be adapted. That work helped us to refine PITp. We are now running a small randomised controlled trial (RCT) to find out whether it is practical and acceptable to deliver PITp in NHS services, and to gather the information needed to plan a larger future study.

What Is the Study Testing?

This is a feasibility randomised controlled trial with around 40 participants. The aim is not to prove that PITp works, but to find out whether it can be delivered reliably within NHS psychosis services, and to collect the information needed to design a larger trial in the future.

Participants are randomly allocated by computer to one of two groups:

Group A: Usual care. The care you already receive from your NHS team, continuing as normal.

Group B: Usual care plus PITp. Your usual NHS care, plus weekly PITp sessions with a trained therapist for up to six months.

Both groups matter equally. Whether or not you receive PITp, your experiences as a participant help us understand how to improve talking therapy options for people with psychosis in the future.

What Happens If I Take Part?

1. Introduction and consent. A researcher will contact you to explain the study and answer any questions. If you decide to join, you will be asked to sign a consent form.
2. Baseline assessment (around 1 hour). A Research Worker will ask you questions about how you are feeling, your relationships, and your day-to-day experiences. You will receive £20 for this assessment.
3. Randomisation. A computer will allocate you at random to either usual care, or usual care plus PITp.
4. PITp sessions (if allocated). Weekly therapy sessions for up to six months with a trained therapist.
5. Follow-up assessment at six months (around 1 hour). Everyone in the study meets the Research Worker again six months later for the same set of questions. You will receive a further £20 for this.

Who Can Take Part?

You may be able to take part if you are aged 18 or over and are currently receiving care from Greater Manchester Mental Health (GMMH) NHS Foundation Trust for psychosis. Please get in touch and we will be happy to talk through whether the study might be right for you.

Safety, Ethics and Funding

The PITp trial has received a Favourable Opinion from the North West NHS Research Ethics Committee (REC reference 26/NW/0077, IRAS ID 367604). The study is sponsored by Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and funded by the NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship programme (Reference NIHR301573). Views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Who Leads the Study?

Chief Investigator: Dr Liz Murphy. The wider study team includes Dr Frank Margison, Dr Rebecca Hughes, Professor Richard Brown, Dr Joanna Brooks, Professor Sandra Bucci, and Professor Tony Morrison.

Find Out More or Get Involved

If you would like to know more about PITp, or think you might like to take part, please contact us using the details below. You can also speak directly to your GMMH care coordinator.

Jessica McGiffen (Assistant Clinical Research Practitioner): jessica.mcgiffen@gmmh.nhs.uk

0161 006 7158

Dr Liz Murphy (Chief Investigator): elizabeth.murphy@gmmh.nhs.uk, 07879 189 460, 0161 938 4568

PITp@gmmh.nhs.uk​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​