Voice hearers’ experiences of the Making Sense of Voices approach in an NHS setting

Steel, Craig; Schnackenberg, Joachim; Travers, Zoe; Longden, Eleanor; Greenfield, Emily A.; Meredith, Lynette; Perry, Hayley; Corstens, Dirk

doi:10.1080/17522439.2019.1707859

Cited by 17 publications

(23 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Engagement with the voices and hallucinations was a predominantly positive experience. These findings bring additional support to the Making Sense of Voices-approach to therapy (Steel et al, 2020 ), which advocates engagement and understanding of the voices rather than dampening them with medication. Psychological interventions such as Talking with Voices therapy (Longden et al, 2021 ) could be useful for increasing resilience, and in helping people to navigate through the new, complex circumstances related to the global pandemic.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

"COVID-19 spreads round the planet, and so do paranoid thoughts". A qualitative investigation into personal experiences of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2021

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The COVID-19 pandemic is likely to affect people who have had previous experiences of psychosis – either positively or negatively. A research gap exists in looking at qualitative experiences of the pandemic. In the present study, we address the research gap in those who self-identified as having psychosis via Reddit discussion forum posts, collecting data from a popular online community. Sixty-five posts were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Five overarching themes were identifie; declining mental health, changed psychosis experiences, personal coping experiences, social connectedness and disconnectedness, and COVID-19 as a metaphor. The data show that there are varied experiences associated with the pandemic. People who have experiences of psychosis do not only have vulnerabilities but may also perceive themselves as having strengths that allow them to cope better.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 58%

"COVID-19 spreads round the planet, and so do paranoid thoughts". A qualitative investigation into personal experiences of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

et al. 2021

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“…Communicating with voices also appeared to bring about positive changes in how participants related to their EDV, inspiring both compassion and more assertive boundary setting. Positive outcomes have been reported in other voice experiencing groups following Voice Dialogue, including increased control, reduced distress, and insight into the meaning of voices (Steel et al, 2020). Interestingly, participants in this study did not report that establishing links between voices and autobiographical events was a feature of Voice Dialogue.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…That said, not all participants in this study experienced Voice Dialogue positively. Accordingly, it is important to respect individuals' attitudes towards chairwork; rather than adopting an expert‐led framework, we agree that clinicians should approach Voice Dialogue collaboratively and consider the needs and preferences of those they work with (Steel et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Voice experiences, their association with psychological distress, how they are understood transdiagnostically and in the context of individuals' life experiences has begun to change over recent decades (e.g., Aleman & Laroi, 2008; Longden et al, 2012; Schnackenberg, Fleming, Walker, & Martin, 2018; Toh et al, 2015; Waters & Fernyhough, 2017). Rather than being a meaningless phenomenon, voices are understood to be an important source of meaning‐filled information regarding personal threats, vulnerability, and unresolved trauma (Romme & Escher, 2000; Steel et al, 2020). Furthermore, voices may serve a protective function insofar as it is psychologically advantageous to experience internal conflicts as voice‐like (Corstens et al, 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Interviewing anorexia: How do individuals given a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa experience Voice Dialogue with their eating disorder voice? A qualitative analysis

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Burnett‐Stuart

et al. 2021

Clin Psychology and Psychoth

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A proportion of individuals given an eating disorder diagnosis describe the experience of an eating disorder 'voice' (EDV). However, methods for working with this experience are currently lacking. Voice Dialogue (Stone & Stone, 1989) involves direct communication between a facilitator and parts of the self to increase awareness, understanding, and separation from inner voices. Adapted forms of this method have shown promise in working with voices in psychosis. This study aimed to explore the experience and acceptability of Voice Dialogue amongst individuals with anorexia nervosa who experience an EDV. Nine women participated in a semistructured interview following a single Voice Dialogue session. Interview transcripts were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three overarching themes were identified as follows: (i) "separating from the EDV";(ii) "better understanding of the EDV"; and (iii) "hopeful, motivated, and afraid of recovery". The majority of participants found Voice Dialogue acceptable and helpful for exploring their EDV. Whilst preliminary, the results suggest that Voice Dialogue has potential in terms of helping individuals establish a more constructive relationship with their EDV and motivating change. Further research is needed to build upon these findings. Implications for addressing the EDV using voice-focused interventions are explored.

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“…Although dialogical engagement with voices is employed and promoted within the survivor‐led Hearing Voices Movement (HVM: Corstens, Longden, McCarthy‐Jones, Waddingham, & Thomas, 2014), evidence from clinical services remains in development. In addition to the TwV study, empirical investigations are limited to a case series ( n = 15; Steel et al, 2019), and a small randomized control trial ([RCT] n = 12; Schnackenberg, Fleming, & Martin, 2017); yet while not all participants report a positive experience of communicating with voices (Steel et al, 2020), this emerging evidence‐base suggests provisional signals of efficacy and no indications for adverse events. It is hoped these results can be further refined through definitive, clinical and cost‐effectiveness trials.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A treatment protocol to guide the delivery of dialogical engagement with auditory hallucinations: Experience from the Talking With Voices pilot trial

et al. 2021

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Purpose To present a treatment protocol for delivering Talking With Voices, a novel intervention for people with psychosis that involves dialogical engagement with auditory hallucinations. Method This paper presents a manualized approach to therapy employed in the Talking With Voices trial, a feasibility and acceptability randomized control trial of 50 adult participants. A rationale for following a treatment manual is provided, followed by the theoretical underpinnings of the intervention and its principles and values, including the main tenet that voices can often be understood as dissociated parts of the self which serve a protective function by indicating social–emotional vulnerabilities. The four therapy phases for improving the relationship between the voice‐hearer and their voices are outlined: (1) engagement and psychoeducation, (2) creating a formulation, (3) dialoguing with voices, and (4) consolidating outcomes, including key milestones at each phase. Implementation issues are discussed, as well as recommendations for best practice and future research. Results The Talking With Voices treatment protocol indicates that it is feasible to manualize a dissociation‐based approach to support service users who are distressed by hearing voices. Conclusion For some individuals, it is possible to engage in productive dialogue with even extremely hostile or distressing voices. Developing coping strategies, creating a formulation, and ultimately establishing a dialogue with voices has the potential to improve the relationship between voice(s) and voice‐hearer. Further research is now required to evaluate feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy. Practitioner points It is feasible to integrate a dissociation model of voice‐hearing within a psychological intervention for people with psychosis. Combining psychosocial education, formulation and direct dialogue can be used to facilitate a more peaceful relationship between clients and their voices. Practitioners trained in other therapeutic modalities can draw on existing transferrable skills to dialogue with their clients’ voices. The input of those with lived experience of mental health difficulties has an important role in guiding treatment design and delivery.

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Voice hearers’ experiences of the Making Sense of Voices approach in an NHS setting

Cited by 17 publications

References 19 publications

"COVID-19 spreads round the planet, and so do paranoid thoughts". A qualitative investigation into personal experiences of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

"COVID-19 spreads round the planet, and so do paranoid thoughts". A qualitative investigation into personal experiences of psychosis during the COVID-19 pandemic

Interviewing anorexia: How do individuals given a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa experience Voice Dialogue with their eating disorder voice? A qualitative analysis

A treatment protocol to guide the delivery of dialogical engagement with auditory hallucinations: Experience from the Talking With Voices pilot trial

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