Narratives of trauma focused therapy for psychosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Narratives of trauma focused therapy for psychosis
IRAS ID
304072
Contact name
Susannah Colbert
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Salamons Institute of Applied Psychology
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
Psychosis has traditionally been seen as a biologically determined ‘illness’ driven by genetics or brain pathology (Miller, 2015) However, associations between adversity and psychosis have been well documented (Read et al., 2014). Extensive evidence links childhood trauma to an increased vulnerability for psychosis (Varese, 2012). Additionally, later life adversities (Beards et al., 2013) and adversity arising from social disadvantage are implicated causes of psychosis (Morgan et al., 2019).
Despite clear associations between trauma and the content of psychotic phenomena , psychosis is viewed as ‘co-morbid’ with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (van den Berg et al., 2015). Research regarding the psychological processes within these diagnoses indicates they are on a spectrum of reactions to trauma, sharing developmental and maintenance processes (Morrison et al., 2003), suggesting redundancy in diagnostic distinctions.
Emerging evidence suggests that trauma-focused therapy (TFT) may be an effective intervention for psychosis. TFT such as Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing (EMDR) and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT) have shown reductions in distress, victimisation and adverse events post treatment compared with waiting-list comparisons (van den Berg et al., 2016).
A primary aim of the research is to better understand the experiences of people with psychosis who have undertaken TFT, providing insight into the relationship between an individual’s trauma, their experiences of psychosis and the role TFT can play in change. An additional aim will address whether narratives depict dissociation and avoidance, as these are common within trauma and psychosis experiences. Understanding these processes may contribute to clinician’s knowledge in TFT.
Intended participants are people who have experienced psychosis and subsequently received TFT , recruited from NHS Trusts where TFT for psychosis is practiced. Participation will consist of an interview lasting up to 90 minutes, held virtually or within the familiar NHS sites. A qualitative interview design of Narrative Analysis will be used.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/LO/0131
Date of REC Opinion
7 Apr 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion