Abstract
When it comes to the issue of how to treat persons with prominent schizotypal traits, therapeutic options are scarce. Despite the finding that one out of ten persons in the general population present schizotypal traits, there are no evidence-based interventions tailored to these traits. In the past few years, an attempt has been made to implement a psychotherapy that is focused on specific target mechanisms, namely Evolutionary Systems Therapy for Schizotypy (ESTS). The aim of this chapter is to present the conceptualization model of ESTS, its therapeutic protocol, and evidence supporting clinical utility. This new form of therapy integrates four main sources: evolutionary psychopathology, compassion-focused therapy, metacognitively oriented psychotherapy, and attachment theory. A few cases series and a first randomized controlled trial have reported promising results in achieving recovery. Further research is needed to confirm these preliminary findings.
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Cheli, S. (2023). Evolutionary Systems Therapy for Schizotypy: An Integrated Look at Attachment, Compassion and Metacognition. In: Cheli, S., Lysaker, P.H. (eds) A Dimensional Approach to Schizotypy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-41788-7_17
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