Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder, or group of disorders, characterized by psychotic symptoms that alter a person's perception, thoughts, affects and behavior (NICE, 2009). Tai and Turkington (2009) define cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) as an evidence-based talking therapy that attempts cognitive and behavioral change based on an individualized formulation of the client's personal history, problems, and worldviews. CBT as a treatment for schizophrenia can be understood within a broader framework of CBT applied to a range of mental disorders such as anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression (Tai and Turkington, 2009 ). CBT was built on behavioral principles that emphasized clear relationships between cognition, physiology, and emotion (Beck, 1952). This essay will explore CBT as a therapy for individuals with schizophrenia. The historical context and development of CBT, the aims and principles, and evidence of the strengths and weaknesses of the therapy will be briefly discussed. Implications for mental health nursing practice will also be discussed. The focus of this essay is on the intervention and the psychosocial nature which will be brought together in the conclusion. According to Gamble and Brennan (2000), the effectiveness of schizophrenia medications in relieving patients of psychotic symptoms is limited. Although patients received adequate medication, some experienced little or no benefit and nearly half of them still had psychotic symptoms. They are also more likely to suffer from relapse (Gamble and Brennan, 2000). Furthermore, Valmaggia, et al. (2005) found that 50% of patients who are fully adherent to antipsychotic drug regimens still have ongoing positive... half of article ......zophrenia: 12-month follow-up. Br. J Psychiatry; 174:500–504 Turkington, D, Kingdon, D, & Rathod, S (2006), “Outcomes of a study of the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioural intervention by mental health nurses in schizophrenia”, British Journal of Psychiatry, 11, 1, pp. 36-40Turkington D, Dudley R, Warman DM and Beck AT (2006) Cognitive behavioral therapy for schizophrenia: a focus review, Spring 2006; 4: 223 - 233.Valmaggia LR, van der Gaag M, Tarrier N, Pijnenborg M, Slooff CJ. (2005) Cognitive behavioral therapy for refractory psychotic symptoms of schizophrenia resistant to atypical antipsychotic drugs The British Journal of Psychiatry (2005) 186: 324-330 Wykes T, Steel C, Everitt B and Tarrier N (2008) Cognitive behavioral therapy for schizophrenia: Effect sizes, clinical models, and methodological rigor Schizophrenia Bulletin 34(3): 523-537