The Effectiveness and Efficacy of the Combination of Pharmacotherapy and Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy Under the Recovery Perspective for Patients With Mental Health Disorders
Phase: PHASE1
Conditions: Anxiety, Depression, Obsessive-compulsive Disorder, Personality Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Schizophrenia, Psychotic Disorders, PTSD
Sponsor: Rakitzi, Stavroula

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                                                                                                      Athens, 23.04.2025 
Research protocol CBT 
The effectiveness and efficacy of the combination of pharmacotherapy and 
cognitive behavioral psychotherapy under the recovery perspective for patients 
with anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, PTSD, obsessive-compulsive 
disorders, personality disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and 
psychotic disorders. 
 
Dr. phil., Dipl.-Psych., Stavroula Rakitzi 
Clinical psychologist and cognitive behavioral psychotherapist 
Private practice 
ILISION 34 15771 Athens Greece 
2111180571 
6989766935 
Stavroula@Rakitzi.onmicrosoft.com 
Description linkedin Stavroula Rakitzi 
ORCID: http://0000-0002-5231-6619 
Polyxeni Georgila, M. D. Psychiatrist and cognitive behavioral psychotherapist 
Private practice 
ILISION 34 15771 Athens Greece 
6932905259 
polyxenigeorgila@gmail.com 
Description linkedin Polyxeni Georgila 
ORCID: http://0000-0003-3137-506X 
 

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Cognitive behavioral psychotherapy presents evidence-based psychotherapy and is 
one of the most effective psychotherapies today for all mental health disorders. Many 
studies are published.  
The combination of pharmacotherapy and cognitive behavioral psychotherapy is one 
of the most frequent treatments that we offer in our private practice. The recovery 
perspective, the combination of objective and subjective recovery plays an important 
role in our treatment. We would like to research the effectiveness and efficacy of 
pharmacotherapy in combination with individual CBT by anxiety disorders, depressive 
disorders, obsessive compulsive disorders, bipolar disorders, schizophrenia and 
psychotic disorders and personality disorders. 
Study population 
The outpatients from our private practice. Selection criteria:  
Inclusion criteria: age 18-65, IQ ≥ 80, diagnosis anxiety disorders, depression, 
obsessive-compulsive disorders, PTSD, personality disorders, bipolar disorders, 
schizophrenia and psychotic disorders. 
 Exclusion criteria: Substance abuse and head injury.  
 
 
Compliance with ethical standards 
Prior to the study’s inclusion, the patients will read and sign written informed consent  

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for their involvement in this research project. Information that could reveal the patients’  
identities was left out. The authors adhere to the APA ethical standards. 
Scientists who treat patients in private practices are not prohibited by Greek authorities  
from undertaking research projects. Private sector scientists’ research efforts are not  
reviewed by an ethical body. 
 
Measures 
Reliable and valid tests are going to be administered before the therapy, after the  
therapy and in a follow-up after 6 months after therapy.  
Aster et al. (2006) should be used before treatment to show the burden of cognitive  
dysfunction and intellectual ability, and it is repeatable after one year. An intelligence  
quotient (IQ) ≥ 80 is a necessary condition to participate in therapy. The Positive and 
Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) (Kay et al., 1987; Lykouras et al., 2005), 
WHODAS 2 0 (Koumpouros et al.,  2018; WHO, 2001) for disability and functional 
capacity, the Recovery Assessment  Scale-Domains and Stages (RAS-DS) (Hancock 
et al., 2019, 2023) for the evaluation  of the recovery process and clinical global 
impression scale (CGI) for the evaluation  of the global functioning (Busner & Targum, 
2007; Guy, 1976) The  symptom checklist 90-R (Donias et al., 1991), the Altman self-
rating Mania Scale  
(Altman et al., 1997) (Greek Version), the Young Mania Rating Scale (Young et al.,  
1978), the Symptoms Rating Scale for Depression and Anxiety (SRSDSA) (Bech,  
1993; Fountoulakis, 2003), the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D) (Hamilton, 1960) 
(the Greek version), the Montgomery and Asperg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) 
(Montgomery & Asperg, 1979; Williams & Kobak, 2008) (the Greek version)  
and the psychotic symptom rating scales (PSYRATS) (Haddock, 1999) can also be 
used. 
The project will begin in  May 2025 and finish in December 2027. 

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Statistical analysis 
A GLM and regression analysis should be performed to see if the therapy groups which 
receive pharmacotherapy and CBT are improved after the therapy and in a follow-up 
after 6 months. Effect sizes will also be computed. 
 
 
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