An investigation into the application and processes of manualised group body psychotherapy for depressive disorder in a clinical trial

Abstract

Background: Body-oriented psychological therapy (BOPT) has been described as effective in addressing depressive symptoms. There is, however, a paucity of research into the processes leading to change and the actual experience of the patients and the therapist in delivering BOPT interventions. Method: Secondary qualitative analysis of data obtained within an exploratory randomised controlled trial of manualised body psychotherapy (BPT) for patients with chronic depression, analysing qualitative aspects of change processes during therapy, was conducted. Results: At the beginning of therapy, most patients presented with a restricted, emotionally dissociated and inwardly directed range of expressive behaviours, associated with isolation of emotions from self-awareness. Clinically relevant changes in body postures and gestures were associated with feelings of empowerment; connecting repressed anger with feelings of sadness appears to have resulted in enhanced levels of self-confidence and improvements of depressed mood. Body satisfaction scores improved slightly. Conclusion: Patients with chronic depression may benefit from specific BPT interventions. These interventions appear to be particularly effective in assisting patients to identify and express a wide range of feelings.

Keywords::

• body psychotherapy
• depression
• embodiment

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Layla Smith, Dance Movement Psychotherapist, who committed herself with professionalism and enthusiasm to this research project, and co-therapists, Gorettti Barjacoba (Dance Movement Psychotherapist) and Stavros Orfanides (Psychologist), for their very helpful contribution.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nina L.R. Papadopoulos

Nina L.R. Papadopoulos is a Senior Dance Movement Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor working in the National Health Service (NHS) and in private practice in the UK. She is involved nationally and internationally in the training of Dance Movement Psychotherapists as well as professionals working in the field of refugees and other displaced persons. Since 1999, she has been involved in research projects in the NHS extending the applications of body-oriented psychotherapy disorder.

Frank Röhricht

Frank Röhricht, Consultant Psychiatrist and Body Psychotherapist, is the Clinical Director of East London NHS Foundation Trust. He is a Honorary Professor at the Centre for Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex, and a Honorary Professor of Psychiatry at St. Georges Medical School, University of Nicosia, Cyprus. He is also a Patron of the Association of Dance Movement Psychotherapy UK, and the Chair of German Section of European Association of Body Psychotherapy Scientific Committee. He is a leading research expert in body psychotherapy in mental health.