Clients’ experiences with a Trauma-sensitive mindfulness and compassion group intervention: a first-person perspective on change and change mechanisms

Abstract

Background: Trauma-related symptoms are common and there is a need for treatment interventions targeting underlying core vulnerabilities regardless of the client’s diagnosis. Mindfulness and Compassion interventions have shown promising results in trauma treatment. However, little is known of how clients experience such interventions. Objective: This study describes clients’ experiences of change after participating in a transdiagnostic group intervention, Trauma-sensitive Mindfulness and Compassion Group (TMC). Method: All 17 participants from two TMC groups were interviewed within one month of completing treatment. Transcripts were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis with a focus on how the participants experienced change and change mechanisms. Results: Three main themes of experienced change were developed: Becoming empowered; A new relationship to oneself and one’s body; and Gaining more freedom in relationships and life. Four main themes were developed to capture clients’ experiences of change mechanisms: New perspectives give understanding and hope; Accessing tools facilitates agency; Significant moments of awareness open up to new possibilities, and Circumstances in life that facilitate change. Conclusion: We discuss and reflect upon participants’ experiences of the effects of participating in a TMC group and the mental and emotional costs of doing the work and present a broader perspective on change processes overall.

Keywords:

• Trauma
• treatment
• CPTSD
• mindfulness
• compassion
• self-compassion
• clients’ perspective
• change mechanisms

Acknowledgements

Our deepest thanks go to the participants for sharing their stories and reflections with us and thereby laying the ground for the whole study. MW, KTS and SHS developed the study design and planned the data collection. MW and KTS conducted the interviews with supervision from SHS. MW analysed the data and designed the manuscript in close collaboration with SHS and KTS. All authors have approved the final manuscript.

Ethical Approval and Consent to Participate

The study was approved by the Norwegian Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics (2018/1371NORD). All participants took part in the study with fully informed consent.

Disclosure Statement

The first and second author have published the TMC manual and receive royalties for sales.