Building bridges to observational perspectives: A grounded theory of therapy processes in psychosis

Abstract

Building bridges to observational perspectives summarizes the core process in psychological therapy in psychosis. Therapy in psychosis is understood as intimately linking the social and internal world in a dialogical process aimed at enhancing the client's functioning in the social world rather than at specifically developing the private mental experience of reflexivity or mentalizing.

Exploring the process of family interventions for psychosis in relation to attachment, attributions and problem‐maintaining cycles: an IPA study

“…Research suggests that negotiating shared understandings helps to develop new perspectives (Allen et al , ; Dilks et al , ). This study highlighted how important it was for family members to make sense of the development and maintenance of psychosis: it was powerful in shifting attributions.…”

“…Dilks et al () suggested that the client's interpretation of the difficulties is key. This research also highlights the importance of the family's interpretation.…”

“…Qualitative studies into FI and the course of recovery offer new light on processes underlying effective interventions. These include enabling changes in patterns of relating (Allen et al , ), identifying difficulties in interpersonal relationships that lead to problems communicating (Byrne and Morrison, ), improving communication (Budd and Hughes, ), helping to link the client's social and internal world (Dilks et al , ), developing new perspectives in both carers and clients (Stanbridge et al , ) and reducing hostility in family members by shifting attributions (Brewin, ).…”

Clinical correlates of distorted auditory perception in first‐episode psychosis

“…Growing evidence has highlighted the importance of meaning-making as an important coping strategy with which individuals with psychosis address the significant life disruption that accompanies the onset of their illness. [19][20][21] Moreover, facilitation of meaning-making, including cognitive evaluation of beliefs about one's psychosis, 22 has been hypothesized to be a key psychotherapeutic mechanism through which it can promote positive outcomes among individuals with psychosis. 23 Thus, the same neurological dysfunction that may lead to the experience of distorted auditory perceptions may also contribute to the coping and recovery efforts of individuals with first-episode psychosis.…”

The pregnant therapist and the psychotic client: A phenomenological understanding of the impact of the therapist’s pregnancy on the therapeutic process

“…The aim of therapy is to build bridges to a shared understanding and connection to the social world (Dilks, Tasker, & Wren, 2008). The idea of a pregnant therapist raises questions regarding these basic therapeutic assumptions such as how does being pregnant affect the shattered world of the psychotic client and whether by being pregnant the therapist further alienates the client from a shared social world?…”