Rewriting the story: can a talking therapy help people shed self-stigma and reclaim their identity?
NCT ID NCT07735481
First seen Jul 30, 2026 · Last updated Aug 06, 2026 · Updated 3 times
Summary
This trial tests whether Narrative Enhancement and Cognitive Therapy (NECT), a 12-session group program, can help adults with severe mental health disorders — including substance use disorders — overcome self-stigma and promote personal recovery. About 106 participants receiving outpatient psychiatric care will be randomly assigned to either NECT plus usual care or a comparison group that does not target self-stigma. The study measures changes in recovery, self-stigma, and empowerment after the intervention and at follow-up.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Narrative Enhancement Cognitive Therapy (NECT) — a structured group intervention combining psychoeducation, cognitive restructuring, and narrative exercises
- What this could lead to
- If it works, NECT could offer a practical, low-cost group therapy to help people with mental health disorders reduce self-stigma and improve personal recovery.
- What could go wrong
- This is a relatively small trial (106 participants) testing a behavioral intervention, so results may not generalize widely. The therapy requires weekly sessions for 12 weeks, and benefits may not persist long-term.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Geneva University Hospital
Geneva, Canton of Geneva, 1205, Switzerland
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