Current research views psychosis as a continuum rather than a dichotomous category, ranging from mild perceptual experiences to complex disorders such as schizophrenia. Neurobiological research emphasizes the Stress-Vulnerability Model, which explores the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental factors or trauma.

Long-term studies demonstrate that early intervention, particularly during the "critical period" of the first two years following symptom onset, is the most significant predictor of improved prognosis and social functioning. Today, clinical research places increasing emphasis not only on reducing positive symptoms (such as delusions and hallucinations) but also on improving cognitive and social functioning. This is achieved through a combination of tailored pharmacological treatment, psychosocial interventions, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for psychosis (CBTp).

This research area is led by Prof. Ilanit Hasson-Ohayon, a senior faculty member in the psychology department. Her research focuses on developing interventions in psychiatric rehabilitation, clinical insight, and internalized stigma in mental disorders, as well as psycho-oncology and processes of loss and bereavement.

Igra, L., Roe, D., Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Lysaker, P. H.,  Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2020) “Making sense of my diagnosis”: Assimilating psychoeducation into metacognitive psychotherapy for individuals with schizophrenia. Journal of Psychotherapy Integration.

Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Roe, D., Igra, L., Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2022). Re-owning motherhood in Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) with a woman diagnosed with schizophrenia: Lessons from a case study. Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy

Igra, L., Sened H., Lavi-Rotenberg A. Pijnenborg, M., Lysaker, P. & Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2023). Emotional experience and metacognition among people with schizophrenia: Analysis of session by session and outcome of metacognitive-oriented psychotherapy. Journal of Psychiatric Research.

Igra, L., Shilon, S., Kivity, Y., Atzil-Slonim, D., Lavi-Rotenberg A., & Hasson-Ohayon I. (2023) Examining the associations between difficulties in emotion regulation and symptomatic outcome measures among individuals with different mental disorders. Frontiers in Psychology 14, 944457

Hasson-Ohayon, I., Igra, L., Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Goldzweig, G., Lysaker, P., (2023). Findings from a randomized controlled trial of Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy for people with schizophrenia: effects on metacognition and symptoms. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice

Lavi‐Rotenberg, A., Kivity, Y., Igra, L., Atzil‐Slonim, D., & Hasson‐Ohayon, I. (2023). A dyadic session‐by‐session assessment of therapeutic alliance and short‐term outcome among clients with schizophrenia in comparison with clients with emotional disorders. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, 96(4), 1029-1043.‏ https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12494

Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Frishman, N., Igra, L., Gilboa-Schechtman, E., & Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2024). Beyond One's Attitude Toward the Self: The Role of Social Anxiety in Self-Stigma Among Individuals With Schizophrenia. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 212(1), 28-32.‏ : 10.1097/NMD.0000000000001724

Alfi-Yogev, T., Kivity, Y., Atzil-Slonim, D., Paz, A., Igra, L., Lavi- Rotenberg, A., & Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2024). Transdiagnostic Effects of Therapist Self-Disclosure on Diverse Emotional Experiences of Clients with Emotional Disorders and Schizophrenia. Journal of Clinical Psychology. DOI: 10.1002/jclp.23648

Bloch-Raz, S., Igra, L., Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Pijnenborg, G.H.M., van der Meer, L., Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2024). Emotion regulation and self-stigma among people with schizophrenia: The mediating role of depression. Stigma and Health

Tsuck-Ram, N., Moka, A., Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Igra, L., Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2024). Subjective Experience and Perceived Benefits in Clients with Schizophrenia Following Participation in Metacognition Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT). Behavioral Sciences; 14(6):450. https://doi.org/10.3390/bs14060450

Bercovich, A., Goldzweig, G.,  Igra, L.,  Lavi-Rotenberg, A., Gumley, A., Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2020). The interactive effect of metacognition and self-compassion on predicting meaning in life among individuals with schizophrenia. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Journal, doi: 10.1037/prj0000413.

Arnon-Ribenfeld, N., Bloom, R., Atzil-Slonim, D., Peri, T., de Jong, S. Hasson-Ohayon, I. (2019).  Metacognitive Reflection and Insight Therapy (MERIT) among people with schizophrenia: lessons from two case studies. American Journal of Psychotherapy, 71(4):175-185  

Hasson-Ohayon, I., Arnon-Ribenfeld, N., Hamm, J., Lysaker, P, (2018). Agency before action: the application of behavioral activation in psychotherapy with persons with psychosis. Psychotherapy, 54(3), 245.