Survivor-led guidelines for conducting trauma-informed psychological therapy assessments: Development and modified...

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Trauma Studies

Background:

• Inadequate psychological therapy assessment practices can lead to service user harm, dropout, and poor outcomes.
• There is a lack of research and standardized guidelines for effective psychological therapy assessments.
• Assessment is a critical juncture for service user engagement and treatment trajectory.

Purpose of the Study:

• To generate evidence-based, trauma-informed guidelines for psychological therapy assessments.
• To improve the quality and effectiveness of initial psychological therapy assessments.
• To reduce harm and dropout rates associated with inadequate assessment practices.

Main Methods:

• A survivor-led study conducted in England, guided by Service User and Clinician Advisory Groups.
• Multi-stage approach: literature review, qualitative research, workshops, expert consultation, and a modified Delphi study with 59 participants.
• Guidelines finalized through analysis of Delphi feedback and expert consultation.

Main Results:

• Developed eight core principles for trauma-informed psychological therapy assessments.
• Key principles include 'focus on relationships', 'from systems to people', and 'healing environments'.
• All guideline items were endorsed by over 90% of Delphi participants.

Conclusions:

• Experiential knowledge from survivors was crucial in developing guidelines that address power dynamics and oppression.
• The guidelines highlight the importance of relational aspects and understanding trauma within assessments.
• Future research should evaluate the implementation and impact of these guidelines on service user outcomes.