Group person-based cognitive therapy for distressing voices: Views from the hearers

Abstract

This study investigated the experiences of people who received a contemporary form of cognitive therapy for distressing voices. Eighteen people who heard distressing voices participated in an 8-session person-based cognitive therapy (PBCT) group and were then interviewed to elicit their experiences from the group. Data were gathered during a series of five posttherapy focus groups based on a semistructured interview schedule. A grounded theory approach was used to generate, work with, and understand the data. Four categories emerged: two representing the context for reflection and change and two representing the acceptance of voices and self and the changing sense of self. The conceptual and clinical implications of the findings are discussed.

Person-based cognitive therapy groups for distressing voices: a thematic analysis of participant experiences of the therapy

“…With specific reference to voice hearing, and consistent with the findings of Goodliffe et al (2010), the sub-theme of 'identity separate to voices' within the current study suggests the therapy helped participants to develop and strengthen a view of themselves in which hearing voices did not have 'master status' (Goffman, 1963), that is, a view of self not entirely dominated by hearing voices. In this way it is possible that the therapy began to reduce the influence of self-stigmatisation by helping participants to acknowledge aspects of identity beyond that of someone who hears voices.…”

“…A process of intentional iteration took place, whereby the interview schedule had been adapted from a previous schedule used by Goodliffe et al (2010) …”

“…Indeed, it is possible that improvements could be attributable to non-specific group therapy factors rather than to any one of the four theorised domains. Goodliffe et al (2010) used a grounded theory approach to analyse the experiences of participants within the initial six (of nine) PBCT groups conducted by Dannahy and colleagues. These initial groups were conducted over 8 weeks and participant accounts provided support for the first two domains (changes to beliefs about voices and beliefs about schema), though participants spoke less of mindfulness practice or a different conceptualisation of sense of self.…”

“They didn't tell us, they made us work it out ourselves”: Patient perspectives of a cognitive–behavioral program for rheumatoid arthritis fatigue

“…For several patients, a greater acceptance of RA and fatigue lay at the heart of their new approach to self-management. Moving from waiting for an external "cure" (e.g., a magic tablet) to a position of acceptance and understanding of the possibility of self-help has also been shown in other studies of group CBT for people with long-term conditions (36,37). This fits with the CBT aim of shifting patients' responses to symptoms from passive to active, as they are acknowledging that fatigue will not be cured but can be managed.…”

Investigating the Lived Experience of Recovery in People Who Hear Voices

“…Reclaiming a positive sense of self appears critical to recovery (Goodliffe, Hayward, Brown, Turton, & Dannahy, 2010;May, Strauss, Coyle, & Hayward, 2014). Indeed, in the current research, participants described being less distressed by critical or threatening voices when they had developed a stronger sense of self.…”