March 2013

The latest and third part of the research has involved conducting semi structured interviews with adults over 18 who have heard voices, hallucinations, had unusual experiences which most others don't,unusual perceptions,thinking ---and have experienced person-centred or non directive or experiential therapy and/or pre-therapy

Participants are sharing both helpful and unhelpful aspects of the therapy,how it may have impacted on them and the context of other important factors outside of the therapy which may have helped them.Participants they commented that they have found it useful to process their experiences in this way in the research,and sometimes identify future needs through such reflection.

I have an almost complete data set now but ideally need to interview two more people

I am gathering a rich data set which is constructively impacting on my practice and helping me to reflect on what might be elements of good practice as I begin to analyse some of this data set.

The first study final draft was in June PCEP Journal and the second two studies will be analysed,written up and submitted to journals

My real dissapointment is my lack of ability through international networking to find any participants who have experienced pre-therapy and are able to be interviewed.This may be partly because this type of work is not often identified specifically by staff or those who receive it and may be combined with other ways of working.However, the more general person-centred data is very interesting and I look forward to complete analysis

Final stages of project

January 2011

Data was successfully gathered on site one by a small research team and participating clients voiced positive feedback regarding their participation in the project.Participation via professional networks was limited due to changing referral pathways and so modifications and direct contact with service user organisations to recruit further participants was considered as the next step.

The research design was then modified to accomodate the above change and passed with NHS approval for an ammendment to the design,introducing a new level 3 of data gathering and participation (to compliment levels 1 and 2 which were orientated to more quantitative measures.)

Earlier data is in write up stage.

A paper based on Phase 1 of the PhD which involves the practioner interview is now available at http://strathprints.strath.ac.u/27399. on the University of Strathclyde website.


Participants needed

The final phase of structured qualitative interviews with clients or ex clients is now in progress.

Participants are sought from direct or indirect sources including practitioners,user groups,individuals,etc

I can be contacted on 07776 434 594 0r on wendy.traynor@strath.ac.uk by interested individuals

Data Collection

Sep 2009

Phase 2 of the Project has now fully commenced.

NHS ethical approval and University ethical approval have now been granted and insurance secured.

Data collection at site 1 has commenced

Possible additional sites are being discussed and we are open to contact from interested parties.

Any sites outside of the Uk will be fully supported to secure ethical approval in order to participate.

This research is a multiple site study in the UK and is part of a Doctoral Research project at the University of Strathclyde.The Chief Investigator of the study is Wendy Traynor and the supervisor is Professor Robert Elliott with Professor Mick Cooper as second supervisor.

Phase 1 of the study is now complete.This involved interviews with twenty practitioner of person-centred therapy(including pre-therapy), investigating perceived helpful practice and outcomes with psychotic process.A paper detailing Phase 1 has been submitted for publication and I will update this site once this paper is available.

We hope to begin data collection for Phase 2 (open clinical trial with embedded case study) in Spring 2009 and continue the research and data analysis for several years,tracking the therapy of participating clients using interviews and measures.

Person-Centred therapists/counsellors in UK services who may be interested in taking part in this study can contact me,Wendy, on WTraynorResearch@gmail.com and I will contact them with full information.

Psychosis (psychotic process) may involve hallucinations (hearing voices), disturbed thinking, or unusual experiences and ideas, which can sometimes have a significant negative effect on the person’s quality of life. Persons who experience psychotic processes often feel disempowered by these experiences and the ways they are treated in the mental health system. Person-centred therapy is a nonintrusive, relational approach that seeks to empower clients, and may complement other approaches to care of psychosis. However, there is very little research on the effectiveness and helpful factors involved in this approach. Therefore, the main purpose of this research is to evaluate and improve these person-centred approaches to psychotic processes.
Person-Centred therapists based in a variety of settings and experienced in working with clients with psychotic processes will be recruited. Clients experiencing psychotic processes will be recruited and screened for suitability for the research (clients with drug-induced psychosis or organic or over-riding medical needs will be excluded). Then, the process and outcome of their therapy will be monitored using several measures, completed by clients and therapists.