Questioning diagnoses in clinical practice: a thematic analysis of clinical psychologists’ accounts of working beyond diagnosis in the United Kingdom

Abstract

Background: The British Psychological Society proposes that clinical psychologists are well placed to move beyond psychiatric diagnoses and develop alternative practices.

Aims: This study sought to explore what the application of these guiding principles looks like in clinical practice, the challenges faced and possible routes forward.

Methods: A purpose-designed survey was completed by 305 respondents and a thematic analysis completed.

Results: Thematic analysis was used to identify five superordinate themes relating to individuals, relational, others, structures and society, comprising of a total of 21 group themes. The presented group themes highlight an array of approaches to practicing beyond diagnosis and factors that help and hinder such action; from scaffolding change, becoming leaders, relating to the multi-disciplinary team, restructuring services and the processes of change. A key concept was “playing the diagnostic game”.

Conclusions: “Playing the diagnostic game” enables psychologists to manage an array of tensions and anxieties: conflicts between belief and practice, relationships with colleagues, and dilemmas of position and power. It also potentially limits a concerted questioning of diagnosis and consideration of alternatives. An alternative conceptual framework for non-diagnostic practice is needed to aid the collective efforts of clinical psychologists developing their practice beyond diagnosis, some of which have been highlighted in this study. Until then, ways of mitigating the perceived threats to questioning diagnosis need further exploration, theorising and backing.

Keywords:

• Clinical psychology, psychological formulation
• psychiatric diagnosis
• questioning disorder
• DSM

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.