Service users’ first accounts of experiencing endings from a psychological service or therapy: a systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis

Webb, Kimberley; Schroder, Thomas A.; Gresswell, David M.

Abstract

Purpose: To review and synthesis the qualitative literature on service users’ experiences of endings from a psychological service or therapy.
Methods: A systematic search of the peer-reviewed literature was conducted. Studies were identified using specific inclusion criteria and included in the synthesis. A modified CASP tool was used to critically appraise the quality of the papers. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesize the findings from the included studies.
Results: Twelve papers were identified which met the inclusion criteria. The interpretation of findings suggested three key themes: anticipation of ending, service user control and sense of responsibility. Studies were geographically spread and of high quality.
Conclusions: The review highlights the importance of service users’ perspectives in understanding the experiences of endings. The findings complement existing literature and provide new interpretations. Considerations for practice in the UK were limited however the review does provide directions for future research.

Citation

Webb, K., Schroder, T. A., & Gresswell, D. M. (2018). Service users’ first accounts of experiencing endings from a psychological service or therapy: a systematic review and meta-ethnographic synthesis. Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice, https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12201

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Sep 21, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Nov 2, 2018
• Publication Date: Nov 2, 2018
• Deposit Date: Nov 19, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Nov 3, 2019
• Journal: Psychology and Psychotherapy: Theory, Research and Practice
• Electronic ISSN: 2044-8341
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.12201
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1281930
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/papt.12201
• Contract Date: Nov 19, 2018