Themes and Techniques in Cycles of Change in the Psychotherapy Treatment of Women Who Experienced Violence: An Exploratory Study

ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to identify and analyze cycles of change present in the psychotherapeutic treatment of women with a history of intimate partner violence. The sessions were audio-recorded and transcribed with the aid of the software TCM. Then, Theme Analysis was used for analysis of the transcribed cycles of change. There was a total of 78 cycles of change, and all therapy sessions that were analyzed produced at least one cycle of change. The main techniques were Socratic questioning, downward arrow, psychoeducation on violence and emotions, and protection skills training. The themes that were frequently reported by the participants were family relationships, gender violence, intimate partner violence, and social support. There was evidence that the protocol leads to therapeutic change, with good continuity between sessions.

KEYWORDS:

• Cycles of Change
• Violence against women
• Intimate Partner Violence
• Psychotherapy

Acknowledgments

The study received financial support from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) by number 304571/2016-4.

Disclosure statement

All authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Ethical Standards and Informed Consent

All procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul, under the number 1.000.590 and with resolution 466/12 of the Brazilian Ministry of Health) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2000. Informed consent was obtained from all patients for being included in the study.

Additional information

Funding

The study was supported by a grant from the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) and the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES).