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Hearing Voices Group: Methods Of Assessment



Methods of Assessment

Following the screening of referrals to meet the inclusion criteria it is important to follow the assessment procedure in order to provide consistent assessment data

  1. KGV
    The KGV assessment scale should start with the section on hallucinations then delusions, anxiety, depression, suicidality and elevated mood.

  2. The frequency of voice hearing over the last 24 hours

  3. B.A.V.Q.

  4. S.F.S.

  5. Interwoven with these assessments would be a brief history and a list of present coping mechanisms. If possible the events around the first episode of voice hearing could be explored.

A summary of the assessment should be sent to the voice hearer and checked with them, then a copy sent to referrer.

Inclusion Criteria


The participants must:

  1. Hear voices.
  2. Experience distress or disruption because of the voices
  3. Have a diagnosis of severe Mental Illness (Schizophrenia / Schizo-affective disorder)
  4. Have tried a variety of anti-psychotic medication with little effect on audio hallucinations
  5. Have a current key worker who will liaise with the group leaders.
  6. The voice hearers should ideally be attending the Day Centre where the Hearing Voices Group is held or on the caseload of the group leaders.

Assessment

 

  1. Referrals are received from key workers

  2. Assessment is arranged and uses the KGV assessment tool, which assess hallucinations; delusions; suicidality; depression; anxiety as well as other parameters. Other assessment tools included are the Social Functioning Scale, and The Beliefs About Voices Questionnaire. A Quality of Life Scale is being considered as part of the assessment.

Supervision


The facilitators will meet with other Hearing Voices Group facilitators for joint supervision with overall supervision offered by a Clinical Psychologist.