Examining the Experience of Undergoing Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

ABSTRACT

This study used interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) to explore the lived experiences of five individuals diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) who underwent a group cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention program to address their symptoms. Two master themes were identified: experiences and processes of change and reflections on change. For all participants, the degree of group cohesion or connectedness they established with group members emerged as highly important in facilitating therapeutic progress. A number of technical elements of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) were also notable therapeutic factors, including questioning/rationalizing maladaptive interpretations about intrusions. However, the commonality of non-specific group processes as key features for subsequent therapeutic change prompts the need for further research in dynamics within CBT group interventions for OCD.

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Notes on contributors

Peter Black

Peter Black is a Graduate of the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Donncha Hanna is the Research Coordinator for the D.Clin.Psych. Program in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Paul Quinn is a CBT Practitioner at the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Kevin Dyer is an Assistant Course Director in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast and a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Psychological Therapies Service, NHSCT, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Donncha Hanna

Peter Black is a Graduate of the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Donncha Hanna is the Research Coordinator for the D.Clin.Psych. Program in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Paul Quinn is a CBT Practitioner at the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Kevin Dyer is an Assistant Course Director in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast and a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Psychological Therapies Service, NHSCT, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Paul Quinn

Peter Black is a Graduate of the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Donncha Hanna is the Research Coordinator for the D.Clin.Psych. Program in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Paul Quinn is a CBT Practitioner at the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Kevin Dyer is an Assistant Course Director in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast and a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Psychological Therapies Service, NHSCT, Antrim, Northern Ireland.

Kevin Dyer

Peter Black is a Graduate of the Clinical Psychology Doctorate Program at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Donncha Hanna is the Research Coordinator for the D.Clin.Psych. Program in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast in Northern Ireland. Paul Quinn is a CBT Practitioner at the International Institute for Cognitive Therapy, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Kevin Dyer is an Assistant Course Director in the School of Psychology at Queen’s University Belfast and a Consultant Clinical Psychologist in Psychological Therapies Service, NHSCT, Antrim, Northern Ireland.