What is helpful and unhelpful about psychological therapy from a Community Mental Health Team: Service user views

Abstract

Routine quantitative outcome measures are commonly used within mental health services to provide an overview of change made by service users from the beginning to end of therapy. Whilst this is useful, these measures do not provide insight into why any changes may, or may not, have occurred. This article explores the results of a qualitative service evaluation conducted in an NHS community mental health team (CMHT). The questionnaire asked service users about aspects of therapy that they found helpful or unhelpful. Crucially, the questionnaire gave voice to service users who did not complete therapy and thus did not complete the final quantitative outcome measure. Analysis of data using a thematic analysis approach identified several themes, 1) whether it was the right time to access therapy, 2) challenges in maintaining progress outside of therapy, 3) meeting service user expectations of therapy, 4) whether service users can be vulnerable, 5) impact of therapy on the service users understanding of themselves and their emotions, and 6) flexibility within the service structure. Overall, service users found therapy to be challenging, yet the support and flexibility offered by their therapist was valued. The team used the results to reflect on their practice and to implement changes moving forward.