AbstractA group‐based intervention aimed at helping forensic patients recovering from psychosis prevent future relapses and adjust to the experience of psychosis is described. The impact of the group appeared to depend on whether the patient accepted or denied his vulnerability to psychotic relapse at the outset. Those who accepted the possibility of relapse at the outset appeared to feel more in control of their illness, better able to cope with their symptoms and less fearful of relapse after the group‐based intervention. By comparison those who denied the possibility of relapse at the outset appeared to feel less in control of their illness, less able to cope with their symptoms and more fearful of relapse after the group‐based intervention. Small numbers preclude firm conclusions and further studies are called for. Copyright © 1998 Whurr Publishers Ltd.