Preferred treatment outcomes in psychological therapy for voices: a comparison of staff and service-user perspectives

ABSTRACT

Background

As access to psychological therapy for voice-hearing continues to increase, it is important to understand what treatment outcomes may be particularly valued by those who coordinate, administer, and engage with such interventions.

Methods

Self-report cross-sectional questionnaires were distributed amongst samples of transdiagnostic voice-hearers and multidisciplinary mental health staff to identify and contrast opinions on the importance of different treatment outcomes for therapeutic work with voices.

Results

Responses were received by 89 service-users and 176 staff members. Both groups showed many similarities in their view of desirable treatment goals, although service-users were more likely to prioritise a clinically focussed view of recovery (voice cessation), while staff emphasised a more psychosocial view (to live the life one wants to while hearing voices).

Discussion

Study limitations and implications for clinical practice are discussed, including the value of collaborative goal setting when supporting clients who experience distressing voices.

KEYWORDS:

• Auditory hallucinations
• client-centred therapy
• treatment outcomes

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Nikita Basnet and Heather Peel for their assistance with data inputand the Greater Manchester Local Clinical Research Network for their help with facilitating the study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme (PDF-2017-10-050) and an NIHR Development and Skills Enhancement Award (NIHR301598) for EL. This article presents independent research funded by the NIHR: the views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.