title: Clinical psychology service users' experiences of confidentiality and informed consent: a qualitative analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore and describe the experience of clinical psychology service users in relation to the processes associated with confidentiality and the generation of informed consent in individual therapy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A qualitative interview-based study employing interpretative phenomenological analysis was conducted with service users. User researchers were active collaborators in the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  A focus group of four users was convened to explore issues related to confidentiality and consent, which then informed the development of the semi-structured interview schedule. Twelve users of community mental health clinical psychology services were interviewed by user researchers. A user researcher and a clinical psychologist undertook joint analysis of the data. A second clinical psychologist facilitated reflexivity and wider consideration of validity issues.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main themes were identified from the data: being referred; the participant's feelings, mental health difficulties, and their impact; relationships with workers and carers; and autonomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The meaningfulness of processes of discussing confidentiality, and generating informed consent, can be improved by psychologists placing a greater emphasis on choice, control, autonomy, individual preferences, and actively involving the user in dialogue on repeated occasions.
authors.affiliation: Psychological Health Sheffield/Sheffield Health & Social Care NHS Foundation Trust, Northlands Community Health Centre, Southey Hill, Sheffield, UK. sue.martindale@shsc.nhs.uk
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Martindale
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chambers
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy; D003156:Community Mental Health Services; D003219:Confidentiality; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D055815:Young Adult