A method for treating mental disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder comprises applying peripheral blood from a patient or subject to an apheresis column loaded with a solid support comprising a binding reagent capable of specifically binding to a chemokine receptor, optionally the chemokine receptor CCR9, CCR1, CCR3 and/or CCR5 immobilized directly or indirectly on the support thus removing chemokine receptor, optionally CCR9, CCR1, CCR3 and/or CCR5 expressing cells from the peripheral blood of the patient or subject. Various companion diagnostic methods and useful binding reagents are also described.
