Exploring Clients and Therapists Experiences of Trauma-Focused Therapies

Townshend, Annie Elizabeth

Abstract

This portfolio thesis contains three parts. Part One is a systematic literature review and Part Two is an empirical paper. Together they provide a greater understanding of clients’ and therapists’ experiences of trauma-focused therapies. Part Three forms the appendices.
Part One: A systematic literature review of clients’ experiences of trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT). The review identified 11 papers and completed a narrative synthesis of the qualitative data pertaining to clients’ descriptions of their experiences of TF-CBT. The synthesis constructed five themes. The review highlighted the range of emotions experienced by clients before, during and after TF-CBT. It demonstrated the importance gaining a deeper understanding of clients’ experiences of TF-CBT using qualitative research and highlighted the implications of this understanding for clinical practice.
Part Two: An empirical paper exploring therapists’ experiences of the flash technique (FT). Semi-structured interviews were completed with 15 participants; reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop and make sense of themes identified from the data. The study found that therapists perceived FT to be a useful tool to contain clients’ trauma-related distress and empowered clients to proceed to trauma processing. The study highlighted increased positive affect experienced by therapists implementing FT and the subsequent implications for therapists’ wellbeing.
Part Three: Appendices relating to the systematic literature and empirical paper, including a reflective account of the research and a statement of epistemology.

Citation

Townshend, A. E. Exploring Clients and Therapists Experiences of Trauma-Focused Therapies. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4435712

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Nov 9, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 15, 2023
• Keywords: Clinical psychology
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4435712
• Additional Information: Department of Psychology and Social Work; University of Hull
• Award Date: Sep 28, 2023