Introduction to Self-Help for Distressing Voices

An invaluable guide to dealing with distressing voices from leading experts

Hearing voices can be highly distressing and impact our health, well-being and day-to-day lives. This self-help guide explains what voices are, what causes them and how to cope with this distressing experience..

Using clinically proven cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques, this book will help you to recognise the link between your thoughts, beliefs and relationships, and the distressing voices you hear. This book will help you to:

· Understand the voices and cope with them more effectively
· Explore and re-evaluate beliefs that you hold about yourself and the voices
· Develop some assertiveness skills
· Set personal goals for the future

Cassie Hazell is a Research Fellow at the University of Sussex, and Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Mark Hayward is the Director of Research at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sussex. Mark has been working with and learning from people who hear distressing voices for the past twenty years.

Clara Strauss is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Research Fellow at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, and an Honorary Senior Lecturer at the University of Sussex. Clara has worked for many years with people distressed by hearing voices. She is particularly interested in finding out more about the experience of hearing voices and in finding ways to reduce the distress that voices can cause. Clara is part of a research team, along with Mark, David and others, who have been evaluating a range of therapies for people distressed by hearing voices.

David Kingdon is a Community Psychiatrist and Clinical Director working in Southampton. He is Professor of Mental Health Care Delivery at the University of Southampton. David has published many papers, book chapters and books about cognitive therapy of severe mental illness and mental health service development over the past several decades.