NAMI Ask the Expert: Cognition Series Part 1- Cognitive Remediation and Employment: The Thinking Skills for Work Program OD017

An on-demand video of the presentation is available here [opens in new tab].

About The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) is the nation’s largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to building better lives for the millions of Americans affected by mental illness. They are an alliance of more than 650 local Affiliates and 49 State organizations who work in your community to raise awareness and provide support and education to people with mental illness and their loved ones. Through awareness, advocacy and education, NAMI is committed to building stronger communities and a better future for everyone affected by mental illness.

Course Summary

Practice Level: Intermediate

This course, based on the Ask the Expert webinar series by NAMI, introduces participants to cognitive remediation and its integration with vocational rehabilitation through the Thinking Skills for Work program. It is part 1 of a 2 part cognition series. Part 1 emphasizes the role of cognition in recovery and employment outcomes for individuals living with serious mental illness. Participants are provided information about how cognitive difficulties such as attention, memory, planning, and processing speed affect job performance and how structured remediation combined with evidence-based vocational services can improve employment success, self-efficacy, and overall functioning.

The course, with an intended audience of social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and counselors, then presents evidence-based strategies in cognitive remediation and employment through the Thinking Skills for Work program, highlighting research, practical applications, and advocacy for client recovery and vocational success.

Course Format

This course contains a participant guide, practice test, and on-demand video (with a slide deck of the presentation).

Learning Objectives

1. Describe the cognitive domains most affected in serious mental illness and their impact on work outcomes.
2. Explain the core components of cognitive remediation.
3. Apply knowledge of cognitive self-management strategies to clinical and vocational contexts in order to support recovery and employment.

Course Syllabus

• Understanding Cognition and Employment
• Foundations of Cognitive Remediation
• The Thinking Skills for Work Program
• Evidence and Research Findings
• Implementation and Advocacy

Current References

Bond, G. R., Drake, R. E., & Becker, D. R. (2020). An update on individual placement and support. World Psychiatry, 19(3), 390–391. https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20784[opens in new tab]

Bowie, C. R., Bell, M. D., Fiszdon, J. M., Johannesen, J. K., Lindenmayer, J. P., McGurk, S. R., Medalia, A. A., Penadés, R., Saperstein, A. M., Twamley, E. W., Ueland, T., & Wykes, T. (2020). Cognitive remediation for schizophrenia: An expert working group white paper on core techniques. Schizophrenia research, 215, 49–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2019.10.047[opens in new tab]

Du, Q., Wei, Y., Ma, Y., Liu, C., Du, S., Zhang, Q., Gong, X., Yang, J., Li, Q, & Li, K. (2025). Efficacy of virtual reality–based interventions on cognitive function in patients with neuropsychiatric disorders: Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. JMIR Serious Games, 13(1), e67501. https://doi.org/10.2196/67501[opens in new tab]

East‐Richard, C., Cayouette, A., Allott, K., Anderson, É., Haesebaert, F., Cella, M., & Cellard, C. (2025). Cognitive remediation for adolescents with mental health disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 19(2), e70016. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.70016[opens in new tab]

McGurk, S. R., & Mueser, K. T. (2025). Introduction to the special issue: Recent advances in cognitive remediation for persons with serious mental illness. Behavior Modification, 49(5-6), 423–429. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455251371023[opens in new tab]

McGurk, S. R., Mueser, K. T., Feldman, K., Wolfe, R., & Pascaris, A. (2007). Cognitive training for supported employment: 2–3 year outcomes of a randomized controlled trial. American Journal of Psychiatry, 164(3), 437–441. https://doi.org/10.1176/ajp.2007.164.3.437[opens in new tab]

McGurk, S. R., Mueser, K. T., Xie, H., Bloch, P., DeTore, N. R., Pashka, N., Guarino, S., Ruiz, A., Elliot, C., Gagnon, H., Bailey, E., Fraser, V., Welsh, J., Cunningham, H., Razzano, L., Wolfe, R., & Drake, R. E. (2025). A dismantling study of comprehensive cognitive remediation for improving employment outcomes: what is the role of computer cognitive training?. Psychological Medicine, 55, e208. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0033291725100986[opens in new tab]

McGurk, S. R., Mueser, K. T., Xie, H., Welsh, J., Kaiser, S., Drake, R. E., Becker, D. R., Bailey, E., Fraser, G., Wolfe, R., & McHugo, G. J. (2015). Cognitive enhancement treatment for people with mental illness who do not respond to supported employment: A randomized controlled trial. The American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(9), 852–861. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2015.14030374[opens in new tab]

McGurk, S. R., & Mueser, K. T. (2021). Cognitive remediation for successful employment and psychiatric recovery: Thinking Skills for Work. Guilford Press.

Pruscino, I., Pope, K., Willoughby, K. K., & Miles, A. (2025). Employ Your Mind (EYM), a vocational rehabilitation and cognitive remediation program: The participants’ experience. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1624213. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1624213[opens in new tab]

Taylor, R., Cella, M., & Wykes, T. (2025). Cognitive remediation is an evidence-based psychological therapy: Isn’t it time it was treated like one? Behavior Modification, 49(5-6), 502–526. https://doi.org/10.1177/01454455251343303[opens in new tab]

Wykes, T., Huddy, V., Cellard, C., McGurk, S. R., & Czobor, P. (2011). A meta-analysis of cognitive remediation for schizophrenia: Methodology and effect sizes. American Journal of Psychiatry, 168(5), 472–485. https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ajp.2010.10060855[opens in new tab]

Instructors

Susan R. McGurk, PhD, Professor, Boston University Departments of Occupational Therapy, and Psychological and Brain Sciences, Director, Cognitive Initiatives, the Center for Psychiatric Rehabilitation

Susan R. McGurk, PhD, is a Professor in the Departments of Occupational Therapy and Psychological and Brain Sciences, and the Director of Cognitive Remediation Initiatives at the Center of Psychiatric Rehabilitation at Boston University. She is a clinical psychologist and neuropsychologist whose multi-faceted research program examines the role of cognitive functioning in employment, academic pursuits, and independent living in persons with serious mental illnesses, and methods and mechanisms of cognitive remediation aimed at improving cognitive abilities and community functioning in this population. Over 20 years ago Dr. McGurk and colleagues developed the Thinking Skills for Work (TSW) program, a comprehensive cognitive remediation intervention designed to enhance cognitive functioning and improve competitive work outcomes in persons receiving supported employment or other vocational rehabilitation services. Her work is supported by the Biobehavioral Research Foundation (formerly NARSAD), the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the National Institute for Disability and Independent Living Research and Rehabilitation (NIDILRR), New York State Office of Mental Health, and the Coalition of Voluntary Mental Health Agencies-New York Work Exchange. She has received the Gerard Hogarty Award for Excellence in Schizophrenia Research and was recognized by the National Rehabilitation Association with the Rehabilitation Practitioner of Distinction Award.

Nicole Errickson, LCSW

Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Georgia. She brings over 19 years experience in the social work field, primarily working in school systems as a school social worker and with the McKinney-Vento grant. Over her career, Nicole has had several opportunities to help develop and execute professional development events. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Alabama and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 8/8/24-8/8/27.

Social workers completing this course receive 1 clinical continuing education credits.

This course has been approved by CE4Less.com, as a NAADAC Approved Education Provider, for educational credits. NAADAC Provider #91345, CE4Less.com is responsible for all aspects of the programing.