ABSTRACT
This chapter is about, what impact can the corona crisis have on our mental health? Besides the relational tensions that can arise from living on top of each other, many of us are also stuck in one negative story. The chapter is about the importance making room for stories that are not about corona. It discusses about work that consisting of broadening people's horizon by letting participants discover that they consist of multiple stories. This will have an enormous impact on the mental well-being of a large part of the population, which will have lots of consequences. That is why it is important to actively make room for other stories right now, in the middle of the pandemic. Memories from the past and dreams for the future. This is a responsibility one has to take towards one's own mental health (and resilience), just as we have to do for others. Sharing other stories and making sure people don't get stuck in that one difficult story is just as much part of caring about each other and will help us get through this crisis healthier. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
This chapter describe a Storytelling and Narrative Medicine pilot study which focused on communication in therapeutic settings. The research was carried out by a group of Italian Health Care professionals (HCP) from Calambrone Institute for Rehabilitation (IRC), at the IRCCS Stella Maris Foundation, along with a group of parents of patients with disabilities. However, because of the Covid-19 outbreak in Italy, many of the participants found themselves in lockdown in their own homes with their children. To evaluate the efficacy of storytelling as a tool for emotional and communication support, the authors submitted to both the HCP and parents two original online surveys to get information on their current emotional state. The assessed areas were personal stress, the relationship with children and family members, and the relationship with colleagues and professionals. The chapter focuses on emotional and psychological consequences that lack of social and therapeutic interactions might have produced. This short but effective educational intervention gives skills and knowledge to structure one's feelings and thoughts in a narrative form, equipping the participants with the resources to perceive themselves and their life experiences as the elements of the story. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Objective: Evaluation of the practical effectiveness of a Narrative Medicine (MN)-based intervention on adaptive capacity and relapse prevention in patients with severe mental illness (SMIs) residing in a protected community during the Pandemic due to Covid 19. Method: During the second lockdown, in a residential community with 20 subjects all suffering from SIMs, a group of 6 patients was included in an experimental protocol designed on the principles of MN and compared in parallel with a control group of the same number of patients. The clinical evolution was measured with standardized assessment tools (GAF;CGI;BPRS;MMSE;EuroQoL) together with a nonstandardized qualitative methodology. The total duration of the study was 16 weeks. Results: At the end of the study there was a significant improvement in the score of CGI, GAF, BPRS and in particular, about the latter, in the dimensions of: feelings of guilt, suspiciousness, hostility, affective flattening. On a qualitative level, there was a parallel improvement in the ability to express and recognize emotions with favorable effects on relationships. At the same time, a greater satisfaction of the operators was appreciated. There were no relapses and no need for hospitalization or changes in ongoing therapy. Conclusions: Our experience has shown that during the stressful event of the pandemic, rather than foreseeable relapses, the MN approach has led to an improvement of the clinical picture not only in the patients of the study, but also, albeit to a lesser extent, in the other guests of the community. At the same time, increased satisfaction of the operators was appreciated. The integration between EBM-based clinical practice and MN appears to be a promising field of research for further studies on patients with SMIs in residential care regarding appropriateness of interventions, quality of treatments, cost-effectiveness and optimization of resources. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved) (Italian) Oggetto: Valutazione dell'efficacia pratica di un intervento basato sulla Medicina Narrativa (MN) su capacita di adattamento e prevenzione delle ricadute in Pazienti affetti da Malattia Mentale Severa (SMIs) residenti in una comunita protetta durante la Pandemia dovuta a Covid 19 Metodo: Durante il secondo lockdown, in una comunita residenziale con 20 soggetti tutti affetti da SIMs, un gruppo di 6 pazienti e stato inserito in un protocollo sperimentale progettato sui principi della MN e confrontato parallelamente a un gruppo di controllo di altrettanti pazienti. L'evoluzione clinica e stata misurata con strumenti di valutazione standardizzati (GAF;CGI;BPRS;MMSE;EuroQoL) congiuntamente a una metodologia qualitativa non standardizzata. La durata complessiva dello studio e stata di 16 settimane. Risultati: A conclusione dello studio si e osservato un significativo miglioramento del punteggio di CGI;GAF;BPRS e in particolare, circa quest'ultima, nelle dimensioni di: sentimenti di colpa, sospettosita, ostilita, appiattimento affettivo. Sul piano qualitativo si riscontrava un miglioramento parallelo della capacita di esprimere e riconoscere le emozioni con ricadute favorevoli sulle relazioni. Congiuntamente si e apprezzata una maggiore soddisfazione degli operatori. Non si sono verificate ricadute e non sono stati necessari ricoveri o variazioni delle terapie in corso. Conclusioni: Dalla nostra esperienza e risultato che durante l'evento stressante della pandemia, piuttosto che prevedibili riacutizzazioni, attraverso l'approccio basato sulla MN si e ottenuto un miglioramento del quadro clinico non solo nei pazienti dello studio, ma di riflesso, seppure in minor misura, anche negli altri ospiti della comunita. Contestualmente si e apprezzata una maggiore soddisfazione degli operatori. L'integrazione tra pratica clinica basata sulla EBM a MN appare un promettente campo di ricerca per ulteriori studi su Pazienti con SMIs in assistenza residenziale riguardo appropriatezza degli interventi, qualita dei trattamenti, economicita e ottimizzazione delle risorse. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved)
ABSTRACT
Background: Residential transitions have long been recognised as challenging for people with learning disabilities and can be packed with problem stories. Narrative Therapy practices have the potential to centre the voice of people with learning disabilities;to enable alternative stories to be told;and to shine a light on their own and their support system's resources for change. Methods: Colin, a 36-year-old man with Down syndrome and a learning disability, met with the first author for nine sessions. Narrative Therapy practices (also drawing on systemic ideas) were used, including the Tree of Life, Outsider Witness Practice, Therapeutic Documentation and Definitional Ceremony. Feedback from Colin and the staff team was gathered through qualitative and quantitative means. Findings: Colin was keen to share his life stories and explored ideas about his "new life”, wanting to "stay strong” and "stay happy”. Staff noted an improvement in household stress and perceived ability to support Colin. An improvement in quality of life was also demonstrated with a self-report questionnaire. Conclusions: By acknowledging the power of language, narrative practices offer tools to help people with learning disabilities and their support system in making sense of and navigating important life transitions. © 2023 The Authors. British Journal of Learning Disabilities published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
ABSTRACT
Background Paediatric Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Temporally Associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-Ts) is a rare inflammatory condition affecting children and young people (CYP). Many CYP report behavioural/mood changes concentration difficulties and increased isolation which for some occurred following an admission to intensive care. This workshop aimed to reduce CYPs' experiences of isolation using a strength-based Narrative Therapy group approach. Methods The workshop was co-facilitated by a photography artist psychologists and ID clinical team in local gallery to create a safe therapeutic space. The workshop involved activities to allow CYP to explore their identity through the use of photography and to enable them to share their stories of their PIMS-TS experiences with their peers. The participants completed pre and post outcome evaluation measures and a free text feedback form. Two weeks following the workshop parents/carers and CYP were contacted to participate in a semi structured interview to evaluate the impact of the workshop on CYP relationship to their health condition and hospital experience. Results The workshop was attended by 9 CYP (aged 8-11 years). Participants indicated that the workshop had led to increased comfort and confidence in talking about their health condition and that they had appreciated the opportunity to meet other CYP. Discussion Feedback suggests that an arts-based workshop was an effective peer support-based psychological intervention. Conclusion These findings suggest that there are psychological benefits to narrative therapy-based arts group for CYP post discharge to share and reflect on their health and hospital experiences with those who have lived through similar experiences. Given that treatment protocols are still being refined for PIMS-TS the findings of this project suggest that CYP and families may benefit from follow-up interventions to better understand and identify their psychological needs post diagnosis.
ABSTRACT
The International Classification of Diseases-11 th Revision (ICD-11) includes the diagnosis of complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). Clinical practice guidelines support the use of phased care for individuals with CPTSD. This case study illustrates the use of synchronous telehealth to deliver phased treatment to a rural woman veteran with CPTSD. Mrs. A experienced sexual, physical, and emotional abuse throughout her life, perpetrated by family members, intimate partners, and military authority figures. She sought treatment for posttraumatic nightmares and body image issues;she also had pain related to fibromyalgia and chronic migraine headaches. Mrs. A participated in 19 sessions of Skills Training in Affective and Interpersonal Regulation (STAIR) Narrative therapy via synchronous telehealth. Trauma and eating disorder symptoms were assessed before and after treatment and the patient demonstrated clinically significant improvement on measures of these disorders. Patient-provider working alliance and quality of life were assessed post-treatment. Synchronous telehealth use drastically increased with the onset of COVID-19;however, little information on treating CPTSD via synchronous video teleconferencing is available. This case study illustrates an evidence-based, phased therapy for CPTSD while highlighting the feasibility and value of in-home delivery of psychotherapy for CPTSD via synchronous telehealth.Copyright © The Author(s) 2023.
ABSTRACT
Mental health walk-in clinics (MHWCs) provide unscheduled and immediate support to children and families and remove common administrative barriers. This study explored the implementation of MHWCs across Ontario, CA. A brief provincial survey was conducted to identify agencies that provided MHWCs, which were then invited to complete an in-depth survey. The in-depth survey questions were formatted as multiple choice, yes/no, Likert scale, and open-ended questions, taking 20–25 min with the option of online or phone-based completion. A total of 18 (86%) agencies participated in the in-depth survey between September 2020 and April 2021. MHWCs are being used to provide timely and accessible services, as well as to serve as a point of intake. MHWCs are provided in different locations (e.g. agencies, schools) using different modalities (e.g. consulting break) and approaches (e.g. cognitive behavioural therapy, narrative therapy, solution focused therapy). Most agencies quickly adapted to COVID-19 restrictions by providing virtual MHWCs. The most common reasons for implementing MHWCs were to reduce waitlists, the strong evidence base, and an effort to meet families' needs. Different benefits and challenges associated with the implementation of MHWCs were reported. The results of this provincial study help better understand the implementation of MHWCs and how agencies adapted to COVID-19 and associated restrictions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Advances in Mental Health is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
ABSTRACT
Collective Narrative practices, such as Tree of life and Beads of life groups, have intentions of bringing people together to share their specialist knowledge and build a sense of community. We wanted to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through making these groups accessible online to young people living with health conditions in order to counter the social isolation and disconnectedness created by the pandemic. This paper discusses our specific online adaptations for both these groups as well as online 'Peer training' events. Young people who have participated in a group are invited to join the project as peer trainers who help facilitate, engage group participants, witness their stories and consult to the project. We have included the voices of two of our peer trainer consultants on their experiences. We also briefly reflect on the recent development of trialling hybrid groups.
ABSTRACT
This article briefly describes the development of a novel narrative therapy-based photography workshop group for children following acute hospital admission for Paediatric Inflammatory Multisystem Syndrome temporally associated with SARS-CoV-2 (PIMS-TS). The workshop was a collaboration between the psychology team, an artist and the medical multi-disciplinary team (MDT) to develop a group during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims were to reduce isolation and promote resilience and psychological recovery post discharge from hospital. Nine children aged 8-11 years joined the photography group. Parents (n = 8) and children (n = 8) provided feedback on the group through semi-structured telephone interviews. Thematic analysis of the interviews identified three narrative themes for parents: reducing isolation through shared experience, creative activity as a different experience of hospital, and the positive sharing of experiences after the day. The resulting narrative themes for the children included that the workshop was a fun and interactive day and an opportunity to share in hospital experience with peers.
ABSTRACT
Models of counselling and psychotherapy indicated for diagnoses of depression include brief, goal-oriented interventions such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Interpersonal Psychotherapy (IPT), and are favoured by state funded mental health services. Whilst effective in addressing low mood these modalities provide little scope to consider the effect of structural and social inequalities that contribute to the known determinants of poor mental health, which have been exacerbated as a result of Covid-19. Using a fictional case study, this article seeks to explore the impact of oppressive, gendered, societal discourse on Simone’s mental wellbeing during the Covid-19 outbreak. Using Narrative Therapy Principles, this article considers how Simone might use this therapeutic framework to reframe and re-author her experience, asking the question ‘what’s happened to me?’ instead of ‘what’s wrong with me?’ With the psychosocial legacy of Covid-19 predicted to be far reaching, opportunities exist for providers of counselling and psychotherapy to review the availability of therapeutic modalities that acknowledge the role and impact of social inequality and oppression on the lives of our clients. (English) [ FROM AUTHOR] RESUMEN Los modelos de asesoramiento y psicoterapia indicados para el diagnóstico de la depresión incluyen intervenciones breves, orientadas a objetivos tales como la terapia cognitivo-conductual (TCC) o la psicoterapia interpersonal (IPT), y son favorecidos por los servicios de salud mental financiados por el estado. Si bien son efectivas para abordar el bajo estado de ánimo, estas modalidades brindan poco margen para considerar el efecto de las desigualdades estructurales y sociales que contribuyen a los determinantes conocidos de la mala salud mental, que se han exacerbado como resultado de Covid-19. Utilizando un estudio de caso ficticio, este artículo busca explorar el impacto del discurso opresivo, de género y social en el bienestar mental de Simone durante el brote de Covid-19. Usando los Principios de Terapia Narrativa, este artículo considera cómo Simone podría usar este marco terapéutico para replantear y reescribir su experiencia, haciendo la pregunta ‘¿qué me ha pasado?’ en lugar de ‘¿qué me pasa?’ Dado que se prevé que el legado psicosocial de Covid-19 sea de gran alcance, existen oportunidades para que los proveedores de asesoramiento y psicoterapia revisen la disponibilidad de modalidades terapéuticas que reconozcan el papel y el impacto de la desigualdad social y la opresión en la vida de nuestros clientes. (Spanish) [ FROM AUTHOR] ABSTRAKT Beratungs- und Psychotherapiemodelle, die für die Diagnose einer Depression indiziert sind, umfassen kurze, zielorientierte Interventionen wie kognitive Verhaltenstherapie (CBT) oder interpersonelle Psychotherapie (IPT) und werden von staatlich finanzierten psychosozialen Diensten bevorzugt. Obwohl diese Modalitäten bei der Bekämpfung von Stimmungstiefs wirksam sind, bieten sie wenig Spielraum, um die Auswirkungen struktureller und sozialer Ungleichheiten zu berücksichtigen, die zu den bekannten Determinanten einer schlechten psychischen Gesundheit beitragen, die infolge von Covid-19 verschärft wurden. Anhand einer fiktiven Fallstudie versucht dieser Artikel, die Auswirkungen des repressiven, geschlechtsspezifischen, gesellschaftlichen Diskurses auf Simones psychisches Wohlbefinden während des Ausbruchs von Covid-19 zu untersuchen. Unter Verwendung der Prinzipien der Narrativen Therapie untersucht dieser Artikel, wie Simone diesen therapeutischen Rahmen nutzen könnte, um ihre Erfahrung neu zu formulieren und neu zu schreiben, indem sie die Frage stellt: “Was ist mit mir passiert?” anstelle von “Was ist los mit mir?” 19 voraussichtlich weitreichend sein wird, gibt es Möglichkeiten für Anbieter von Beratung und Psychotherapie, die Verfügbarkeit von therapeutischen Modalitäten zu überprüfen, die die Rolle und Auswirkung sozialer Ungleichheit und Unterdrückung auf das Leben unserer Klienten anerkennen. (German) [ FROM AUTHOR] ΠΕΡΙΛΗΨΗ Τα ενδεδειγμένα μοντέλα συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας για διαγνώσεις κατάθλιψης περιλαμβάνουν σύντομες, στοχευμένες παρεμβάσεις, όπως η Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) ή η Διαπροσωπική Ψυχοθεραπεία (IPT), και προτιμούνται από υπηρεσίες ψυχικής υγείας που χρηματοδοτούνται από το κράτος. Αν και είναι αποτελεσματικές για την αντιμετώπιση της μειωμένης διάθεσης, αυτές οι μέθοδοι παρέχουν μικρό περιθώριο εξέτασης της επίδρασης των δομικών και κοινωνικών ανισοτήτων που συμβάλλουν στους γνωστούς καθοριστικούς παράγοντες της κακής ψυχικής υγείας, οι οποίοι έχουν επιδεινωθεί ως αποτέλεσμα του Covid-19. Χρησιμοποιώντας μια φανταστική μελέτη περίπτωσης, αυτό το άρθρο επιδιώκει να διερευνήσει το αντίκτυπο του καταπιεστικού, έμφυλου, κοινωνικού λόγου στην ψυχική ευημερία της Simone κατά τη διάρκεια της πανδημίας Covid-19. Χρησιμοποιώντας τις Αρχές Αφηγηματικής Θεραπείας, αυτό το άρθρο εξετάζει πώς η Simone θα μπορούσε να χρησιμοποιήσει αυτό το θεραπευτικό πλαίσιο για να επαναπροσδιορίσει και να ξαναγράψει την εμπειρία της, θέτοντας την ερώτηση «τι μου συνέβη;» αντί για «τι πάει λάθος με εμένα;». Καθώς η ψυχοκοινωνική κληρονομιά του Covid-19 προβλέπεται να είναι εκτεταμένη, είναι ευκαιρία για τους παρόχους συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας να επανεξετάσουν τη διαθεσιμότητα θεραπευτικών τρόπων που αναγνωρίζουν το ρόλο και τον αντίκτυπο της κοινωνικής ανισότητας και καταπίεσης στις ζωές των πελατών μας. (Modern Greek) [ FROM AUTHOR] RIASSUNTO I modelli di counseling e psicoterapia indicati a clienti con diagnosi di depressione includono interventi brevi e orientati agli obiettivi come la terapia cognitivo- comportamentale (CBT) o la psicoterapia interpersonale (IPT) e sono favoriti dai servizi di salute mentale finanziati dallo stato. Sebbene efficaci nell’affrontare l’umore depresso, queste modalità offrono poco spazio per prendere in considerazione l’effetto delle disuguaglianze strutturali e sociali che contribuiscono ai noti determinanti della cattiva salute mentale, che sono stati esacerbati a causa del Covid-19. Utilizzando un caso di studio fittizio, questo articolo cerca di esplorare l’impatto del discorso oppressivo, di genere e sociale sul benessere mentale di Simone durante l’epidemia di Covid-19. Utilizzando i principi della Terapia Narrativa, questo articolo considera come Simone potrebbe usare questo quadro terapeutico per riformulare e ri-scrivere la sua esperienza, ponendo la domanda ‘Cosa mi è successo?’ invece di ‘Cosa c’è di sbagliato in me?’ Con la previsione di vasta portata dell’eredità psicosociale del Covid-19, emergono delle opportunità per i fornitori di percorsi di counseling e psicoterapia di riesaminare la disponibilità di modalità terapeutiche che riconoscano il ruolo e l’impatto della disuguaglianza sociale e dell’oppressione sulla vita dei nostri clienti. (Italian) [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling is the property of Routledge and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this article is to comprehend the reasons for the exponential growth and specificity of «burnout» of medical personnel during the COVID-19 pandemic and to substantiate the therapeutic potential of philosophy based on P. Ricoeur’s narrative identity theory. The pandemic has forced a new way of looking at the attitude to time, convincing us that in general we are not badly prepared for emergency medical care, but we are not coping with the problem in the long run. An example of this is the ineffectiveness of the treatment of many chronic diseases against the background of covid, which inscribe the disease in the time limits of the individual life. The temporality of patient care is partly determined by the nature of the organization of the health care worker’s work — its routinization and the emphasis placed on individual performance evaluation. This artificially creates conditions for the actual dilution of professional teams, creating competition between doctors, between services and between patients. Time turns out to be fragmented, and treatment, developed mainly for the short term, is reduced to a certain sequence of actions, sometimes without any real coherence. As a result of the disruption of temporality, the identity of the subject caring for the patient is blurred, the “meaning of the profession” is also questioned. The risks of burnout associated with a decrease in the level of responsibility of a medical worker and an increase in the probability of professional errors, require an understanding of the causes of subjective suffering experienced by medical workers and the construction of a collective narrative. Its necessity is also explained by the need to ensure the protection of the medical worker in the face of both the administration and the patient community, which requires a return to the collective history and the creation of a system of internal and external protective mechanisms of the medical community. This requirement, based on the public recognition of the value of medical staff work, is well respected in several leading Western countries and completely ignored in Russia. © 2022, Russian Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
ABSTRACT
Chronic pain is disabling and impacts an individual’s psychosocial and functioning in multiple areas. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) appears to be one of the psychotherapies that has good potential of prominent efficacy in managing chronic pain. This narrative review aims to provide the necessary information and latest development on the delivery, results efficacy and barriers of CBT in chronic pain management. A search was conducted at Pubmed and Web of Science in April 2021 yielding a total of 251 articles. After careful screening and filtration, a total of 21 articles was selected for this review. Of these 21 articles, CBT was observed to be commonly delivered through online, which helped to preserving cost, promoting adherence, having good efficacy and also safer during the time of the Covid-19 pandemic. Most of the articles showed significant efficacy of CBT in chronic pain management. In order to improve CBT for better efficacy, understanding and consideration towards mediators that affect pain outcome and barriers in implementation are crucial in developing modules in CBT for chronic pain management. As such, CBT can be improved by integrating customised components in the modules to target mediators specifically, and training can be provided for psychotherapist to combat the barrier of online communication and time management. For future research, direction can be focused on development of CBT modules that are specific to chronic pain management. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of IIUM Medical Journal Malaysia is the property of International Islamic University Malaysia, Faculty of Medicine and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)
ABSTRACT
Telehealth therapy has become a common platform to provide therapeutic services during the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to remain a viable option for services. Most mental health professionals had little prior experience in using this modality and have been experimenting with various ways of ensuring respectful, collaborative and effective ways of offering their services. A Decentered and Influential position offers numerous benefits that support anchoring therapists in a mindset that is conducive to optimized therapeutic conversations especially with people from socio-cultural and generational backgrounds different from their own. The value of this therapeutic position is illustrated by clinical work with a teenager struggling with violence towards family members during the quarantine. A description of clinical work where the therapist slipped to a centered position, and the re-engagement of a Decentered and Influential position, is exemplified by a discussion and preventive suggestions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)