At Risk Mental State (ARMS) Services

ARMS stands for the At Risk Mental State Service, we work with young people and adults aged between 14 and 35 years old for up to one year. Our aim is to help prevent or delay the development of a first episode of psychosis, and we support people with all aspects of their lives including mental wellbeing, social functioning, employment and general quality of life.

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Our criteria

Our criteria

Those aged between 14 and 35 years old who might meet our criteria fall into one of three groups.

These are as follows:

Vulnerability Group

People who have a family history of psychosis and significant difficulties in living their lives the way they want to.

 

Attenuated Psychosis Group

People who have confusing, distressing, or unusual experiences which are infrequent or unclear, and who are finding it difficult to live their lives the way they want to.

 

‘BLIP’ (Brief, Limited, Intermittent Psychosis) Group

People who have experienced an intense period of confusing, distressing, or unusual experiences which may be called psychosis, which went away within a week and without taking medication. People in this group also describe having difficulties living their lives the way they want to.

What is CBT?

What is CBT?

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or CBT is based on the theory that what we think (cognitions), what we do (behaviours) and how we feel (emotions and body sensations) are all connected and if you change on, you also change the others.

The therapy helps to explore ways to challenge unhelpful thoughts, beliefs, and assumptions. It introduces different coping strategies to help replace negative or unhelpful thoughts into a more positive and helpful way of thinking.

CBT is based on an individual’s specific needs, values, and strengths. Sessions are tailored to their goals for therapy with regular reviews to discuss progress or barriers to moving forward.