Counselling & Psychotherapy Research最新文献

{"title":"Patients' and Psychotherapists' Evaluation of Remote Psychotherapy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: What Can We Learn for Future Extraordinary Circumstances and Public Health Emergencies?","authors":"Marlena L. Itz,&nbsp;Anne Katrin Risch,&nbsp;Antonia Holl-Gutschke,&nbsp;Luise Keck,&nbsp;Gabriele Wilz","doi":"10.1002/capr.70228","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70228","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Introduction</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>During the COVID-19 pandemic, psychotherapists and patients experienced a rapid, unplanned transition from face-to-face to remote therapy. Understanding their experiences with this transition may help inform the implementation of remote psychotherapy during future extraordinary circumstances and public health emergencies.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>We aimed to investigate patients' and therapists' expectations, therapeutic relationship and overall satisfaction with remote therapy compared to face-to-face therapy during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Eighty-three patients and 32 psychotherapists at a university cognitive behavioural therapy outpatient clinic filled out a handwritten survey, including Likert scales and open questions regarding the aspects listed above.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Overall, patients had optimistic expectations, appraised the therapeutic relationship positively and were mostly ‘very satisfied’ with remote therapy, regardless of whether they received telephone or video therapy (<i>p</i>s ≥ 0.121). Therapists were more critical in terms of expectations, satisfaction and their appraisal of the therapeutic relationship, especially for telephone compared to video therapy (<i>p</i>s ≤ 0.015).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Remote psychotherapy offers a viable substitution to face-to-face therapy in the context of extraordinary circumstances and public health emergencies. Patients were overall satisfied with remote therapy forms and felt like they were in good hands with their therapists.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Implication</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The more critical appraisal from therapists highlights the need for adapted intervention techniques and specific training for delivering remote therapy.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70228","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149014692","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Path Towards Self-Awareness: A Longitudinal IPA Study Exploring Hindering Self-Focused Attention in Counsellors-in-Training","authors":"Catherine M.-H. Toh,&nbsp;Joanna Barlas,&nbsp;Smita Singh","doi":"10.1002/capr.70227","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70227","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Hindering self-focused attention (HSA) refers to momentary experiences of internal self-focus involving cognitive, emotional and bodily disruptions that may heighten vulnerability to stress among counsellors-in-training. Previous research has primarily been cross-sectional and conducted in Western training contexts, limiting understanding of its temporal and cultural dimensions.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study explored experiences associated with HSA and how these experiences evolved over time within the Singapore training context.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A longitudinal designed was adopted, with semi-structured interviews conducted at two time points over an 18-month period with 10 participants. The transcribed interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), resulting in seven subthemes organised into two Group Experiential Themes (GETs).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Findings</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>GET 1. HSA as a Vulnerability Shaped by the Developing Self: (a) Manifestations of HSA through thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations and behaviours; (b) Cultural and familial foundations of HSA; (c) Childhood experiences shaping HSA; and (d) HSA as a learned coping strategy; and GET 2. HSA as a Meaningful Signal Within the Developing Professional Self: (a) HSA in negotiating developing professional competence; (b) HSA in embracing professional vulnerability; and (c) HSA as a catalyst for professional growth. HSA is used as an interpretative lens to organise recurrent experiential patterns of self-focused attentional disruption across cognitive, emotional, somatic and relational domains. Findings suggest that such experiences, shaped by cultural and developmental contexts, may initially challenge trainees' emerging professional identity, particularly amid concerns about hierarchy, face, achievement and emotional expression. Over time, participants described increasingly reflective and integrated ways of engaging with these experiences, alongside greater professional consolidation in advanced training stages.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The findings highlight the importance of culturally responsive approaches to counsellor training and supervision that attend to the developmental transformation of self-focused attentional experiences.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70227","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149014677","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Recovery-Based Messaging Promoting Post-Traumatic Growth for Student Survivors of Sexualised Assault","authors":"Kavi Gandhi,&nbsp;Jon Woodend,&nbsp;Julia O'Loughlin","doi":"10.1002/capr.70231","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70231","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objective</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study supports counselling psychology practice by constructing considerations for recovery-based messaging (RBM) tailored to promote post-traumatic growth (PTG; RBMxPTG) for survivors of sexualised assault (SA).</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To do this, this study conducted in-depth one-on-one interviews with current and past university students who have survived SA, and who are in the later stages (i.e., not the acute aftermath) of recovery.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of eight themes were constructed from interviews using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). <i>Growth Within Reality</i> emphasises acknowledging survivors' pain while offering grounded hope for growth. <i>Building a Long-Term Toolbox</i> highlights the value of survivors developing practical tools for ongoing recovery. <i>Communities with Open Arms</i> stresses the importance of support systems that welcome survivors without implying deficiency. <i>Language That Meets Survivors Where They Are At</i> focusses on memorable, guiding language that supports recovery. <i>Clearing the Way for All People</i> calls for inclusive messaging that avoids reinforcing stereotypes or placing expectations on survivors. <i>Choosing the Pathways of Recovery</i> promotes presenting diverse recovery options, supporting survivor choice. <i>Normalising the Ongoing Recovery Process</i> frames recovery as a continuous journey, not as a fixed endpoint. <i>Education That Affirms</i> encourages messaging that clarifies what SA can include and validates survivor responses to reduce self-blame. Across the themes, participants suggested RBMxPTG that promotes survivors' autonomy and fosters meaningful social connection through shared narratives.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Implications of this study support the initiation of a body of literature within counselling psychology that integrates PTG with RBM: facilitating the exploration of further considerations that may be important for survivors of SA.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70231","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149014675","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"‘All of It Was Hard. And All of It Was Necessary’: A Reflexive Thematic Analysis of Service User Experience of Group Schema Therapy for Borderline Personality Disorder","authors":"Kathleen McGlynn,&nbsp;Emma Smith","doi":"10.1002/capr.70219","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70219","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Group Schema Therapy is supported by a good evidence base as an effective treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder. Though we are continuing to learn about its mechanisms of change and how it is experienced, published research has not yet explored the experiences of service users in UK Tier 3 mental health services.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aim</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>To explore service users' experiences of GST for BPD in a naturalistic Tier 3 Personality Disorder service in the United Kingdom.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Dyadic and triadic interviews were held with participants who had a primary diagnosis of BPD and had completed at least a year of GST. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Safety and trust were central in the experiences of GST for BPD. Safety was tied to consistency and cohesion in the group, and when present, the group became a tool for self-exploration. With safety, a journey in developing trust was possible, making experiential learning exercises accessible, including exploration of the Happy Child mode. The role of therapists in supporting the development of safety and trust was related to GST's stance of ‘limited reparenting’.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Quality of service user experience hinged on abilities to feel safe and develop trust. Supporting these abilities should therefore be prioritised in the implementation of GST. Further research is needed to understand how different populations develop these abilities in GST.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-09-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70219","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149014676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feasibility and Acceptability of a Newly Developed Mindfulness Follow-On Group Program ‘Deepening Mindfulness and Mindful Communication’: A Pilot Study","authors":"Maya J. Schroevers,&nbsp;Jun Wang,&nbsp;Zohair Elabd,&nbsp;Frits Koster","doi":"10.1002/capr.70182","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70182","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Despite evidence for the benefits of long-term sustained practice, there is a limited availability of evidence-based follow-on mindfulness-based programs for those who participated in the initial 8-week program. Therefore, we developed and evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of a newly developed follow-on group program that aims to broaden and deepen mindfulness and compassion skills in daily life and in contact with others.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>In total, 55 course participants completed validated questionnaires before and after the course. Five teachers providing the program reported on their treatment adherence and participants' attendance. Descriptive statistics and paired <i>t</i>-tests were used.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Teachers' adherence was high as well as participants' attendance. Regarding acceptability, participants reported a high satisfaction with the program and perceived improvements in their mindful presence, bodily awareness, self-care, mindful communication, sense of connection to themselves and others and a reduced reactivity in daily activities and in contact with others. Exploratory pre-post intervention analyses showed significant changes in bodily awareness, mindfulness, interpersonal mindfulness and self-compassion. Mental health did not significantly change over time.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This new follow-on mindfulness-based group program was found to be highly feasible and acceptable. While preliminary, these promising findings warrant larger scale controlled research in more heterogenous samples, to examine more robustly (moderators of) the short- and long-term efficacy of the program and its underlying mechanisms. Mindfulness teachers who want to offer this program are encouraged to first do a specialised training and supervision, to learn how to teach this program as intended.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70182","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148466841","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vicarious Trauma: The Psychological Impact on Counsellors and Psychotherapists Working With Survivors of Sexual Abuse","authors":"Deborah Down,&nbsp;Alison M. Bacon","doi":"10.1002/capr.70183","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70183","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Vicarious trauma (VT), the psychological distress that occurs from exposure to the trauma of others, is prevalent among therapists, but has not previously been explored in those working specifically with survivors of sexual trauma. This qualitative study explores counsellors‘ and psychotherapists‘ experiences of VT when working with survivors of sexual abuse.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Semi-structured interviews uncovered complex emotional and psychological impacts, highlighting how exposure to traumatic sexual abuse narratives can affect counsellors‘ and psychotherapists‘ wellbeing, and professional and personal identity. A reflexive thematic analysis was conducted.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Four key themes were identified. (1) The Impact of VT reveals the emotional toll, including symptoms akin to PTSD, emotional exhaustion, and shifts in worldview. (2) The Wounded Healer theme reflects how counsellors‘ and psychotherapists‘ personal histories and vulnerabilities intersect with their professional roles and personal lives, sometimes increasing susceptibility to VT, but also deepening empathy, and having a reparative effect on the counsellor or psychotherapist. (3) Protective Strategies outlines the coping mechanisms employed, such as supervision, emotional and physical self-care, and boundary-setting, which help mitigate the effects of VT. (4) Finally, Positive and Meaningful Outcomes captures the transformative aspects of working with survivors, including personal growth, strengthened resilience, and a deepened sense of purpose.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study contributes to the understanding of VT in therapeutic sexual abuse contexts and underscores the importance of systemic support and reflective practice in safeguarding counsellors‘ and psychotherapists‘ mental health. It also highlights the potential for growth and meaning-making for counsellors and psychotherapists within trauma-informed work.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70183","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148466842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Research and Therapeutic Aims in Long-Term Group-Analytic Treatment for Personality Disorders: A Case Study on Patient Selection","authors":"Agnieszka Chrzczonowicz-Stępień,&nbsp;Katarzyna Czajkowska-Łukasiewicz,&nbsp;Zuzanna Adamska,&nbsp;Małgorzata Kardasz,&nbsp;Anna Zajenkowska","doi":"10.1002/capr.70190","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70190","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The increasing prevalence and clinical complexity of personality disorders creates a growing demand for long-term psychotherapeutic interventions. Nevertheless, the literature provides little guidance on how to select and allocate patients to long-term group treatment in a way that preserves an appropriate clinical balance within the group while simultaneously fulfilling methodological standards required for empirical investigation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The present study examines the allocation of patients with personality difficulties and disorders to two conditions of long-term group-analytic treatment: standard group analysis and a combined approach integrating mentalisation-based psychoeducational training (MBT-I) with group analysis.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>A total of 123 participants (ages 18–58, <i>M</i> = 32.67, <i>SD</i> = 9.55) were recruited through a private psychotherapy centre. The study reports the criteria for group eligibility, the assessment instruments employed, and the procedures used for patient allocation. Particular attention is given to the clinical and methodological challenges involved in appropriate patient selection and the practical limitations of achieving randomisation in long-term group treatments for personality disorders.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The two treatment conditions did not differ significantly in demographic or clinical characteristics, indicating that stratified randomisation was feasible within these constraints. However, individuals admitted to treatment presented with lower levels of personality functioning—especially in the domain of self-functioning—compared to those excluded.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion and Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>These findings point to the inherent tensions between clinical requirements and research design in studies of long-term group psychotherapy and offer methodological considerations grounded in both empirical data and clinical experience.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148466620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Between Protocol and Presence: Clinicians' Work in Suicide Risk Assessment","authors":"Katelyn Ward,&nbsp;Jeffrey P. Ansloos,&nbsp;Daniel Sanchez-Morales","doi":"10.1002/capr.70189","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70189","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Suicide risk assessment is a routine yet high-stakes aspect of mental health practice, shaped by protocols, institutional norms and legal obligations. Research has largely emphasised tools, prediction and procedural compliance, with less attention to how clinicians experience and enact this work.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This qualitative study examines suicide risk assessment as relational labour, exploring how clinicians define, navigate and live with risk in therapeutic relationships.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Semi-structured interviews with eight registered psychologists in Canada were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, generating eight themes across three domains.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>The first domain describes how participants make sense of risk through categorical thinking, emotional attunement and relational orientation. The second examines practice, including balancing protocols with flexibility, resisting pathologising and coercive approaches, engaging risk transparently and using conversations to support clients. The third highlights the emotional and ethical toll, marked by anxiety, moral distress and uncertainty.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Findings show suicide risk assessment as relational and ethical work shaped by institutional demands, clinical judgement and vulnerability.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Misalignments between protocols and good care appear structural, with implications for training, supervision and policy in Canada.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-07","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70189","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148462820","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Qualitative Evaluation of an Internet-Based Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Intervention: The Ostrich Community Programme for Debt-Related Mental Health Difficulties","authors":"Dawn Smail,&nbsp;Sarah Elison-Davies,&nbsp;Linda Dubrow-Marshall,&nbsp;Rod Dubrow-Marshall","doi":"10.1002/capr.70178","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70178","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Background</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Financial problems and associated mental health difficulties are growing concerns in the United Kingdom. The Ostrich Community (OC) Programme is an internet-based cognitive behavioural therapy–informed programme developed to support people experiencing debt-related distress.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Aims</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This qualitative study explored the influence of financial stressors on the physical and psychological health of individuals who engaged with the OC Programme. It also considered how participants' experiences could be understood in relation to the Five Areas cognitive behavioural therapy model.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Materials and Methods</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 participants attending health and community centres in Manchester, UK. Interview data were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. The themes identified from participants' accounts were then considered in relation to the Five Areas cognitive behavioural therapy model.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Six themes were identified: self-limiting thoughts, financial avoidance, triggers and drivers, impact of debt on mental health, impact of debt on physical health and results from taking action. Participants reported that debt-related stress affected their thoughts, emotions, behaviours, physical well-being and life circumstances. Some participants also described perceived benefits from taking action and engaging with the OC Programme.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Discussion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Mapping the themes onto the Five Areas model provides a structured way of understanding participants' experiences of debt-related mental health difficulties. The findings suggest that debt-related distress may involve interacting cognitive, emotional, behavioural, physical and situational factors.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusion</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study provides qualitative insights into the experiences of individuals managing debt-related distress and engaging with a CBT-informed digital intervention. The findings may be useful for counselling and psychotherapy practitioners working with clients affected by financial stress, although further research is needed to explore the programme across larger and more diverse samples.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70178","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148462878","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Personal and Social Identity in Serious Mental Illness Recovery: What Do Mental Health Practitioners Think?","authors":"Catriona Hay,&nbsp;Brynmor Lloyd-Evans,&nbsp;Maev Conneely","doi":"10.1002/capr.70184","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.70184","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 \u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Objectives</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Identity is our continuous, dynamic sense of self. Significant changes, such as experiencing serious mental illnesses (SMI), can impact identity. Intentionally negotiating identity is described as key to the personal recovery process by people with SMI, and many would like a chance to reflect on this process with their mental health practitioners (MHPs). Initial findings suggest this identity-focused work may impact well-being. Yet, little is known about whether or how identity currently features in mental health support, or about MHPs' views regarding this. This study aimed to address this gap.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Method</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>This study used a mixed-methods concurrent triangulation design. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from UK-based MHPs exploring their perspectives about inviting discussions about identity, using an online survey. Responses were analysed descriptively using percentages/frequencies and latent content analysis, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative results were analysed separately, then integrated.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Results</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>Of the 40 MHPs surveyed, most were psychologists, female, White and 24–35 years old. Most (~90%) felt that inviting a discussion about service users=' (SUs) sense of identity was important and supported recovery. However, only 50% reported frequently asking about it. Despite judging this important for SUs, challenges to discussing identity in practice were raised including risking overcomplicating discussions, time/service constraints and fear of ineptly guiding the conversation.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 \u0000 <section>\u0000 \u0000 <h3> Conclusions</h3>\u0000 \u0000 <p>MHPs think identity is central to recovery. However, many did not feel confident exploring the topic with SUs. Future research should replicate the study with a larger sample of mental health professionals and identify existing therapeutic tools that give space to reflect on identity that clinicians could be trained to deliver.</p>\u0000 </section>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":46997,"journal":{"name":"Counselling & Psychotherapy Research","volume":"26 3","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/capr.70184","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148386748","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}