Relating therapy for people who hear voices: perspectives from clients, family members, referrers and therapists.

Current psychological models of voice hearing emphasise the personal meaning that individuals attribute to the voice hearing experience. Recent developments in theory and research have highlighted the importance of the relationship between the hearer and the voice. This study aims to contribute to this area of research, by exploring the experience and usefulness of a new form of 'Relating Therapy' that aims to modify distressing relationships with voices. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten participants and explored the experience and usefulness of a pilot of Relating Therapy: three therapists, three voice hearers, two relatives and two referrers. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three themes that emerged from the analysis are presented for discussion: engaging with the therapeutic model; developing a new relating style; and how change is described and defined by participants. This study is consistent with the growing body of theory and research that highlights the interpersonal nature of the voice hearing experience. It also offers tentative support for a therapeutic framework that aims to modify distressing relationships with voices as a means of bringing about positive change. Clinical implications and areas for future research are outlined. 

Hayward M ，Fuller E 《-》

Relating therapy for people who hear voices: a case series.

This paper presents a series of cases to explore the development and value of a form of relating therapy for people who hear voices. The therapy is theoretically underpinned by Birtchnell's Relating Theory and offers a therapeutic space where hearers can explore and seek to change the relationship with their predominant voice. Five cases are presented to illustrate the processes of: (1) exploring similarities between relating to the voice and relating socially; (2) enhancing awareness of reciprocity with the voice-hearer relationship; and (3) using assertiveness training and empty chair work to facilitate change. Results were encouraging as change in control and/or distress was apparent for four of the cases. Changes in patterns of relating to voices were also apparent.

Hayward M ，Overton J ，Dorey T ，Denney J ... -  《-》

'Relating' to voices: Exploring the relevance of this concept to people who hear voices.

Chin JT ，Hayward M ，Drinnan A 《PSYCHOLOGY AND PSYCHOTHERAPY-THEORY RESEARCH AND PRACTICE》

Voice hearing within the context of hearers' social worlds: an interpretative phenomenological analysis.

Research has found relational qualities of power and intimacy to exist within hearer-voice interactions. The present study aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the interpersonal context of voice hearing by exploring participants' relationships with their voices and other people in their lives. This research was designed in consultation with service users and employed a qualitative, phenomenological, and idiographic design using semi-structured interviews. Ten participants, recruited via mental health services, and who reported hearing voices in the previous week, completed the interviews. These were transcribed verbatim and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Five themes resulted from the analysis. Theme 1: 'person and voice' demonstrated that participants' voices often reflected the identity, but not always the quality of social acquaintances. Theme 2: 'voices changing and confirming relationship with the self' explored the impact of voice hearing in producing an inferior sense-of-self in comparison to others. Theme 3: 'a battle for control' centred on issues of control and a dilemma of independence within voice relationships. Theme 4: 'friendships facilitating the ability to cope' and theme 5: 'voices creating distance in social relationships' explored experiences of social relationships within the context of voice hearing, and highlighted the impact of social isolation for voice hearers. The study demonstrated the potential role of qualitative research in developing theories of voice hearing. It extended previous research by highlighting the interface between voices and the social world of the hearer, including reciprocal influences of social relationships on voices and coping. Improving voice hearers' sense-of-self may be a key factor in reducing the distress caused by voices.

Mawson A ，Berry K ，Murray C ，Hayward M ... -  《-》

'You don't talk about the voices': voice hearers and community mental health nurses talk about responding to voice hearing experiences.

Coffey M ，Hewitt J 《-》