Service user experience of adapted dialectical behaviour therapy in a community adult mental health setting.
BACKGROUND
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT), a skill-based cognitive behavioural treatment, is increasingly used in the treatment of borderline personality disorder (BPD).


OBJECTIVE
The study examined service users' perspective on the effectiveness of an adapted DBT programme, delivered within a community adult mental health setting.


METHODS
Semi-structured interviews and focus groups were conducted with eight participants with a diagnosis of BPD about their experience of the programme.


RESULTS
Thematic analysis focused on two key themes: evaluation of therapy and treatment impact. Therapy-specific factors and personal challenges emerged as important themes. Treatment impact raised issues relating to a renewed sense of identity and changes in daily life.


CONCLUSIONS
The study describes the positive and negative experiences of service users with BPD attending an adapted DBT programme.
School of Psychology, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland. pamelamcsherry@yahoo.co.uk
Pamela
P
McSherry
Caroline
C
O'Connor
David
D
Hevey
Pat
P
Gibbons
D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D001883:Borderline Personality Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015397:Program Evaluation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome