Caring for the Carer: cognitive behavioral therapy support for caregivers of people who experienced psychosis
Official title: Caring for the Carer
Run by University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill · NCT07167641 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This program will try a 20-session cognitive behavioral therapy to see if it is acceptable, feasible, and helps wellbeing for caregivers of people who have experienced psychosis.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 18 Years to 99 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 60 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Chapel Hill, North Carolina) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | September 11, 2025 |
| Main results expected | March 31, 2027 |
| Study ends | March 31, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | November 2, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07167641 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults (18+) who are parents, caregivers, or supporters of a young person referred to a UNC CSC program for first-episode psychosis within the past three years, who can complete assessments and consent to audio recording of sessions are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
Caregivers who are engaged in legal action against the loved one, whose loved one never experienced psychosis, non-English speakers, or those unable to commit to 20 sessions are unlikely to benefit from this program.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This pilot will recruit 30 caregivers or supporters referred to two coordinated specialty care (CSC) clinics and deliver a novel individual CBT intervention over 20 sessions across about six months. Sessions are provided weekly or bi‑weekly by trained master’s- or doctoral-level therapists and are audio recorded to check fidelity. Participants complete measures of experiences, wellbeing, and support at baseline and after treatment and receive compensation for assessments. The main aim is to test acceptability and feasibility, with a secondary aim of examining changes in caregiver wellbeing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, caregivers could experience reduced burden and improved wellbeing and coping skills from targeted CBT support.
How similar studies have gone: Related family- and caregiver-focused CBT and psychoeducational programs for psychosis have shown improvements in caregiver wellbeing and burden, though this specific CBT intervention for supporters regardless of patient treatment engagement is novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * The participants must be a parent, caregiver, or supporter of a young person who has been referred to a CSC program for First Episode Psychosis (FEP) in the past 3 years. A parent or supporter is considered eligible for the study if their young person was referred to the program but chose not or was unable to engage in CSC or is currently on the waitlist for FEP treatment. * Parent, caregiver, or supporter must be at least 18 years of age * Participants recruited from UNC CSC programs * Parent, caregiver, or supporter must be able to engage in research assessments and consent to audio recording sessions for fidelity ratings Exclusion Criteria: * Parent, caregiver, or supporter is currently engaged in legal action against the loved one receiving services/experiencing psychosis * Parent, caregiver, or supporter's loved one has never experienced psychosis * Parent, caregiver, or supporter does not speak English
Where it's running
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Kelsey A Ludwig, PhD — UNC Chapel Hill
- Study coordinator: David J Rauscher, BA
- Email: david_rauscher@med.unc.edu
- Phone: 919-348-9779
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.