PCE-CfD and Long Covid: An NHS Service Evaluation on the Benefits of Using Person-Centred Experiential Counselling...

Long Covid is a condition affecting multiple organ systems and the mental health of patients. To address this, two National Health Service (NHS) services in the West Midlands developed an integrated long-term conditions (LTCs) pathway, co-produced between a 'Post Covid' service and an NHS Talking Therapy service for anxiety and depression (TTAD). Eligible people with Long Covid were offered person-centred experiential counselling for depression (PCE-CfD) to help improve their mental health. Despite limited evidence for PCE-CfD in managing depression linked to LTCs, it was identified that a humanistic approach could help address the disrupted self-narratives that existed with this cohort of patients.

This NHS service evaluation investigated outcomes from clients with Long Covid who received PCE-CfD, specifically the impact on reduced depression and anxiety symptoms, and improved social and occupational functioning. It analysed pre- and post-treatment client/patient self-reported data using routine outcome measures, including the PHQ-9, GAD-7 and WSAS.

A non-experimental cohort design was used to analyse anonymised routinely collected secondary data. Data that met the inclusion criteria were extracted for treatment delivered between August 2022 and October 2024. Paired t-tests were used to examine whether there were significant improvements between pre- and post-treatment outcome measures.

For people with Long Covid that completed treatment (n = 31), three t-tests were completed showing a significant reduction from PCE-CfD treatment, in depression (p < 0.01), anxiety (p < 0.01) and social functioning (p < 0.05). Cohen's d values indicated a very large effect size for a treatment effect in the reduction of depression (d = 2.1) and anxiety symptoms (d = 1.2). Recovery rates were analysed, using the NHS Talking Therapy recovery rate calculation, which showed that 83.87% of the people with Long Covid who were treated reached 'recovery', a much higher rate than the 48% NHS England target.

This NHS service evaluation underscores the effectiveness of PCE-CfD in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as improving social and occupational functioning. These improvements observed in routine outcome measures highlight the benefits of offering a humanistic approach to people with Long Covid. These small but significant findings offer valuable insights into future service delivery and research in managing mental health challenges associated with chronic health conditions.

This NHS service evaluation uses secondary data analysis, meaning PPIE did not take place in advance. However, PPIE discussions could arise when disseminating its findings that could lead to further research in this area.