Goal Management Therapy is a structured, short-term, CBT-based, cognitive remediation program with an emphasis on mindfulness, and practice in planning and completion of goal-oriented behaviours. The primary objective of GMT is to train participants to interrupt ongoing, disruptive behaviour through the resumption of executive control, in order to define goal hierarchies and monitor performance in achieving goals. Sessions include instructional material, interactive tasks, discussion of real-life deficits, and homework/practice activities.
The matched psychosocial education control group will focus on educating participants on topics like brain function and neuroplasticity, and on practicing lifestyle interventions (e.g., sleep hygiene, stress management, exercise).
The study will take place in three phases:
Phase 1 will consist of 6 sessions of Goal Management Therapy and 6 sessions of psychosocial education among public safety personnel and civilians who are inpatients at a mental health and addiction facility.
Phase 2 will consist of 9 sessions of Goal Management Therapy and 9 sessions of psychosocial education among public safety personnel who are members of the local community.
Phase 3 will consist of 9 sessions of Goal Management Therapy and 9 sessions of psychosocial education among public safety personnel who are members of the local community. This phase will also use functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans to investigate potential changes in the neurobiology of participants' brains.
