Staff and patient experience of improving access to psychological therapy group interventions for anxiety and depression

Abstract

Background

The improving access to psychological therapy (IAPT) initiative aims to provide widespread evidence-based psychological treatments for common mental health problems in the UK. Individual services have implemented National Institute for Clinical Excellence guidelines in various ways; some provide group-based therapy, whilst others do not.

Aims

The study investigates how patients and staff experience group-based therapy, what they find helpful and where improvements can be made.

Method

Forty-five semi-structured interviews were undertaken with staff and patients in three IAPT services. Framework analysis was used to analyse comments relating to patient experience in group-based treatment.

Results

The study found that patients can feel isolated with their symptoms and group-based interventions can normalise the illness, reducing stress. Individuals experience benefits and, in some cases, difficulties, in different ways. Some patients hear of the strategies that others have found useful, and observe others' progress, which may bring hope for their own recovery.

Conclusions

IAPT group-based interventions appear to aid recovery in different ways to one-to-one therapy, by normalising mental illness and increasing social contact. Greater understanding of the factors operating in group-based interventions might increase attendance and recovery facilitated by IAPT group interventions.

Keywords:

• group processes
• group therapy
• CBT
• qualitative
• anxiety
• depression

Acknowledgements

The authors express gratitude to the staff and patients who participated in the study, to Clare Carter for carrying out interviews, to Rebecca Hutton for coding data and to Katie Sanderson for editing the final draft. We also thank the South West Strategic Health Authority and PenCLARHC for funding the project. The views expressed in this publication are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the SHA or PenCLARHC.

Declaration of Interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest.