Toward the recovery of a sense of self: An interpretative phenomenological analysis of patients' experience of body-oriented psychotherapy for schizophrenia

摘要

Objective: Increasing evidence supports the efficacy of body-oriented psychotherapy for\udschizophrenia. Yet, so far no research has investigated outcome in relation to therapy\udprocess: why and how body-oriented psychotherapy is effective. In this study we\udqualitatively explore participants’ experience of a manualized body-oriented\udpsychotherapy (BPT) for schizophrenia to shed light on the process of therapeutic\udchange. Method: We conducted in-depth interviews with 6 participants who completed\uda 10-week BPT group intervention. Interviews explored participants’ experience of\udchange and helpful aspects of therapy and were analysed using interpretative\udphenomenological analysis. Findings: We identified 6 master themes across the\udinterviews: (a) Being a whole: body-mind connection; (b) Being agentic and being able;\ud(c) Being unique and worthy: being accepted for who one is; (d) Changing interactions:\udengaging in authentic interpersonal contact; (e) Being part of a group: feeling\udintegrated; (f) Hope and investing in the future. Conclusion: We discuss the clinical\udimplications for each theme and bring the findings together by describing therapeutic\udchange in schizophrenia as a recovery of sense of self at different but interlocked levels.\ud\udMoreover, we put forward recommendations for both specific and common factors for\udschizophrenia therapy.