Overcoming traumatic experiences: psychological therapy, recovery and reflections on the research process

Abstract

This research examined therapeutic approaches to trauma and post traumatic growth and recovery as a result of brief psychological intervention. Chapter one is a critical review of current therapeutic approaches used in the treatment of trauma and post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. The PTSD treatment literature indicates that the therapy most rigorously assessed and currently recommended by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) is trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. Despite this, the literature review indicated that other forms of therapy have been effective in reducing the symptoms of PTSD. The research indicated that clinicians are successfully using psychodynamic, integrative and person centred approaches in both an individual and group therapy format. Regardless of therapeutic approach used, issues of client motivation, timing of therapy and therapeutic alliance were important determinants in outcome. Chapter two is an empirical study, which focuses on the effect of brief psychological intervention on recovery from trauma. A mixed methodological design was used and five participants took part in the research. The results indicated that those participants whose trauma symptoms reduced had experienced recovery from their trauma. Participants cited underlying beliefs towards adversity, personal and contextual factors as important in facilitating recovery. Recommendations for further research and clinical implications were discussed. Chapter three provides the authors reflections upon the research process and methodological and ethical issues that arise when carrying out qualitative research with a trauma population