Democratic Approaches to Mental Healthcare in Which Therapeutic Relationships can Flourish

An alternative approach to mental healthcare for severe mental illness called ‘open dialogue’ (OD) is currently being trialled in the NHS. My research used a qualitative approach to develop understanding about the experiences of five families who had been using OD in the NHS. Each family was interviewed as a group and critical narrative analysis was used to analyse each family’s experience. This resulted in a series of idiographic narratives, which were then considered from the theoretical perspectives of empowerment and objectification. The findings are then explored from the perspectives of humanistic psychology and compassion. Possible applications of the research for the practice of OD are considered for professionals and users. Applications for the practice of counselling psychology are also considered, and ideas for future research are suggested.

Name dc:type.qualificationname

other

Level dc:type.qualificationlevel

doctoral

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

City, University of London

Year dc:date.issued

2017

Author dc:creator

• Closs, J.

• BF Psychology