A client focused perspective of the effectiveness of Counselling for Depression (CfD)

Background In the UK, only one in four people with a diagnosis of depression receive any form of treatment. To address this, the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme was established with the main therapeutic approach being cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). This raised concern regarding client choice, prompting the development of a new evidence-based manualised therapy, namely ‘Counselling for Depression’ [CfD]. To date, the client's view of the effectiveness of CfD has not been researched. Aims The aims of this study were twofold: (1) to explore and evaluate CfD from the perspective of the client and (2) to inform the counselling profession of the client's perception of what is occurring within this therapeutic approach. Methodology This qualitative study used Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, the ideographic aspect valuing each individual narrative and the contribution it makes towards a larger account of the phenomenon from a small group of people. Twelve participants receiving CfD completed a Helpful Aspects of Therapy questionnaire after each counselling session, with ten participating in a semi-structured interview post counselling. Findings Four superordinate themes were identified: A helpful process, Client's view of a counsellor, Gains and Negative aspects. Participants perceived this model of therapy as helpful, feeling understood by their counsellors and able to work through issues in a safe therapeutic relationship. Negative findings related to counselling being ‘hard work’ and a dislike of the time limitation that curtailed the work. Implications Participants believed this type of counselling met their needs, reassuring practitioners that CfD is helpful to their clients

An evaluation of the Support Our Sisters programme : introduced across Greater Manchester

This report presents an evaluation of a number of projects that have been developed under theauspices of the ‘Support Our Sisters’ (SOS) programme, initially funded in 2012 by the Henry SmithCharity and hosted by New Steps for African Communities (NESTAC), a third sector organisation basedin Rochdale, Greater Manchester. While the initial SOS project was funded by the Henry Smith Charity,subsequent funding was secured from Comic Relief, Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA)and Manchester City Council to continue and expand the initial work. This work continues to date. Theevaluation has been carried out by two researchers at the University of Salford; Professor SueMcAndrew and Dr Eunice Ayodeji. The evaluation takes account of six projects; (1) The SOS Clinic (adult service); (2) The Guardian Project(a service aimed at children and young girls); (3) Peer Mentoring Project; (4) Youth Peer MentoringProject; (5) FGM Education; (6) FGM Community Engagement Initiatives; a Health Advocacy Project.The evaluation provides statistical information and qualitative data regarding the experiences of anumber of people involved in the projects: women who have received counselling for FGM and itsimplications; female peer support workers (peer mentors), male peer support workers (peer mentors)and those staff who have been managing the various projects. This evaluative report is divided into eight sections; section 1 offers the reader an overview of FGM;section 2 gives a brief outline of how the evaluation was conducted; section 3 reports on the statisticalevidence emerging from the six projects; section 4 presents vignettes of four of the women who,through the project, have received counselling; section 5 focuses on the experiences of two male peermentors; section 6 reports the experiences of a groups of female peer mentors, and section 7 offersthe lived experience of staff managing the projects. The final section, 8, offers a summary of thestrengths of the projects, makes recommendations based on the evidence presented and considerswhat the future holds in terms of building on what has already been achieved

Hearing the voices of young people who self-harm : implications for service providers

The incidence of adolescent self-harm and suicidal behaviour has increased globally, with many adolescents repeating the behaviour. While studies indicate that large numbers of adolescents who self-harm do not seek professional help, research focusing on barriers to help seeking from an adolescent perspective is limited. Locally, a rise in reported and unreported rates of self-harm and a number of suspected child suicides prompted the commissioning of a research project to ascertain young people’s experiences of help and support for self-harm and how their future needs could be best met. Qualitative research, adopting an interpretive phenomenological analysis, was used to elicit narratives of adolescents engaging in self-harm. Data were collected via 1:1 interviews with seven participants and analysed in two stages: an analysis of each individual narrative, and thematic analysis across the group. Three themes were identified: (i) cutting out the stress; (ii) stepping onto the path of help; and (iii) cutting to the chase. In conclusion, mental health nurses have a vital role in providing knowledge and support to those likely to have initial contact with this vulnerable group and to the wider population, ensuring we more effectively address the increasing use of this risky behaviour among young people

Mental health challenges facing male survivors of child sexual abuse: implications for mental health nurses

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is an issue of epidemic proportions in the United Kingdom (UK) and an international public health problem. Evidence suggests that in the UK one in twenty children have been sexually abused, with one in three not telling anyone about it at the time of the abuse. Conservative estimates suggest that around one in six men have experienced sexual abuse before the age of 18. CSA has been correlated with the development of numerous mental health problems, abused men often displaying externalising behaviours, including substance misuse, ‘risky’ sexual behaviours, anti-social behaviour, and offending. This paper reports on one aspect of a research study focusing specifically on male survivors of CSA and its effect on their mental health. Using narrative research, face to face interviews were used to collect the stories of four men who participated in the research. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis used a two-phase approach; initially, each narrative was analysed as a whole, with an across transcripts analysis then being carried out identifying shared themes emerging from the individual stories. Whilst findings from the second phase of the analysis identifies four themes, it is the theme of ‘Blocking the Memories’ that is the focus for this paper. Making a valuable contribution to existent knowledge regarding the experiences of men who were sexually abused as children, this paper will help to inform mental health practitioners who are likely to deliver care to male survivors of CSA

A Qualitative Study Exploring the Impact the Self-Compassion App Has on Levels of Compassion, Self-Criticism, and Wellbeing

Self-guided, smartphone apps may be helpful in reducing symptoms associated with psychological distress and may boost wellbeing, and levels of compassion. To our knowledge this is the first study to examine the impact a 28-day app based on Compassion Focused Therapy and Compassionate Mind Training has on participant’s levels of compassion, wellbeing, and self-criticism. The Self-Compassion App includes exercises, meditations, quotes, a daily wisdom, and audios, all of which aim to help individuals develop compassion for themselves, experience compassion from others, and be more compassionate to other people. The aim of the study was to explore participants’ experiences of the app, including ease of use, preferred sessions, barriers, as well as perceived impact on well-being, self-compassion, and self-criticism. Nine members of staff and eight students from The University of Salford took part in two focus groups; one for staff and one for students approximately four-six weeks after use of the app. The analysis highlighted eight themes: (1) Thinking of my experiences differently (2) Soothing the threat: Managing the three systems (3) Stop, reflect, and befriend the self-critic (4) Looking after me: The therapist within (5) Fears, Blocks, and Resistances (6) Looking back at the good things in life (7) Gender of Therapist (8) An ap(p)t App. Following use of the app, participants reported that they were more supportive of themselves, connected with their compassionate self, befriended their inner critic, experienced gratitude, and in times of personal struggles, reminded themselves that the present moment was an opportunity for compassion to be applied. The COVID-19 pandemic had, and continues to have, a negative impact on the mental health of many people. Therefore considering interventions that utilise technology with the aim of boosting wellbeing, levels of compassion, and reducing self-criticism is imperative

A Tale of Two Stories: A Narrative of Bulimia in a Research Study of Anorexia, and the Dilemmas of a Novice Researcher.

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: Firstly, it reports on one man's experience of bulimia. After being interviewed it became evident that he did not meet the inclusion criteria for the study, which was focussed on anorexia in men. Secondly, the paper explores the implications for a novice researcher of including someone in a study who does not meet the inclusion criteria. The researcher's story reflects upon the implications of self-doubt when embarking upon sensitive research, and the morality of holding onto a rogue participant's story. It offers others an opportunity to consider and learn from this experience

Exploring male survivors of childhood sexual abuse experiences of specialist counselling services

Global estimates suggest 5% to 10% of men report experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA). However, male CSA is significantly underreported, with men being reluctant to disclose due to vulnerability, stigmatisation, homophobic responses, and fearing a loss of masculinity. A lack of research and service provision targeted towards men suggests male survivors of CSA are marginalised. This qualitative study, using a narrative approach, focused on four adult male survivors of CSA. The aim of the study was to explore their experiences of engaging in counselling and support services for CSA from non-statutory and voluntary organisations. Face-to-face narrative interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Analysis was undertaken using a two-phase approach; firstly, each narrative was analysed as a whole, secondly, an across transcripts analysis was carried out to identify shared themes and divergences that emerged from the individual stories. In this paper findings from the second phase of the analysis are presented. Three themes regarding male survivors’ experiences of specialist counselling services were identified; ‘Trust Me, I’m a Doctor,’ ‘Trust me, I’m a Counsellor,’ and ‘Counsellor or Mother?’ This is the first academic study focusing specifically on men’s experience of support for CSA in the United Kingdom from a service user perspective. Making an original contribution to the knowledge base regarding counselling experiences and the effectiveness of therapy for male CSA survivors, it will help to inform professional counselling services who are likely to come into contact with male survivors of CSA