Service users’ experiences of a 6-week remotely delivered theraplay-informed group intervention for carers: A qualitative service evaluation.

Abstract

The novel coronavirus pandemic and associated mitigation efforts have had an unprecedented impact on the routine delivery of play therapies. Recommendations to socially distance led to several services adapting their standard practice, to begin delivering therapeutic support remotely, via online video-based communication platforms. This posed several challenges for practitioners delivering Theraplay and Theraplay-informed practice, due to the importance of physical touch and proximity during Theraplay. To mediate these challenges and to ensure a Theraplay-informed therapeutic offer could be provided to carers of children who have experienced early developmental trauma and attachment disruptions, a service in the North of England developed a 6-week, remotely delivered, Theraplayinformed group intervention for caregivers. Therefore, this qualitative service evaluation utilized thematic analysis to explore service users' experiences of the novel intervention, with a focus on exploring the retrospective feasibility and acceptability of the intervention. A total 12 service users who were predominantly female (66.66%) with an average age of 50.58 years were recruited. The group facilitator collected the interview data via three semistructured focus groups. Thematic analysis was utilized to analyze the transcripts, and several credibility checks were completed. The thematic analysis resulted in the identification of five main themes: (a) positive experience, (b) benefits of peer support, (c) skills and knowledge gained, (d) impact on child and carer, and (e) commitment to play postgroup. The findings indicate that the provision of a 6-week, remotely delivered, Theraplay-informed group intervention for caregivers is both feasible and acceptable in routine practice. Implications for practice are discussed.