Promoting Recovery by Overcoming Self-stigma in Mental Health Disorders With a Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT) Group Intervention

Sponsor
Louise Penzenstadler
Study ID
NCT07735481
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Mental Disorders
  • Substance Use Disorders

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Narrative Enhancement Cognitive Therapy — BEHAVIORAL
    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 — BEHAVIORAL
    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.

Study Details

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.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 30, 2026
Start date
Oct 1, 2026
Status verified
Aug 2026
Primary completion
Sep 30, 2028
Completion
Sep 30, 2029

Study Design

Enrollment
106 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: NECT
    Treatment as usual plus 12 weekly 90-minute NECT group sessions combining psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and narrative exercises to reduce self-stigma and support recovery.
  • Active Comparator: Control Group
    Treatment as usual plus 12 weekly group sessions without specific psychotherapeutic or psychoeducational content targeting self-stigma or recovery

Primary Outcome Measure

Change in personal recovery measured by the Recovery Assessment Scale [ Time Frame: Baseline to post-intervention, approximately 12 weeks. ]

Central Contacts

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