Patient perspectives on the enduring effect of psychodynamic therapy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How patients report the enduring effect of psychodynamic psychotherapy 2 years post-treatment in an NHS psychotherapy department
IRAS ID
352282
Contact name
Thomas Edward Walker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
NOCLOR on behalf of West London NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 9 months, 30 days
Research summary
Our primary research question is; ‘What are patients’ perspectives on the enduring effect of their long term psychodynamic psychotherapy at two years post-treatment.’
Long term psychodynamic psychotherapy (LTPP) refers to individual or group psychotherapy based on psychoanalytic theory and practice. Sessions taking place weekly for one or two years. The are few studies investigating patients experience of LTPP. There are no studies looking at the enduring effect of LTPP provided within the NHS. Provision of mental health treatments in the NHS is increasingly skewed toward crisis or short term treatments. Our study seeks to understand patient’s perspectives of the enduring effect of long-term psychotherapy within the NHS.
Patients referred to our service tend to have complex mental disorders. This term denotes longer duration and/ or multiple problems. Our patients typically present with a combination of mood disorders and/or personality disorders. Shorter term treatments are ineffective in this population.
Patients who had their last session of psychodynamic therapy with the Ealing Psychotherapy Department 2 years previously (18months – 36 months range) will be invited to participate in this study. To ensure a broad range of views are obtained, any patient who was assessed by the department, offered psychotherapy and attended at least one session of therapy will be invited to participate.
The study will be carried out through 1:1 interviews with a study researcher either face to face in our departmental building, South East House at St Bernards Hospital, Ealing or as an online meeting. Participation in the study will involve a meeting to discuss the study, a semi-structured interview and completion of a psychometric questionnaire.
REC name
South Central - Hampshire A Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SC/0203
Date of REC Opinion
20 Jul 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion