Helpful aspects of a psychoeducational program for individuals with complex dissociation: An update for the Finding Solid Ground program

Purpose: Complex dissociative disorders (CDDs) are prevalent among psychotherapy clients, and research suggests carefully paced treatment for CDDs is helpful. The purpose of the present study is to qualitatively explore helpful and meaningful aspects of the TOP DD Network programme, a web-based adjunctive psychoeducational programme for the psychotherapeutic treatment of clients with CDDs. Methods: TOP DD Network programme participants (88 clients and 113 therapists) identified helpful and meaningful aspects of their participation in response to two open textbox questions. Framework analysis was used to qualitatively analyze client and therapist responses. Findings: Participants found the TOP DD Network programme helpful and meaningful in nuanced ways. Three themes were created: (1) Components of the Programme (subthemes: content, structure), (2) Change-Facilitating Processes (subthemes: heightened human connection, receiving external empathy and compassion, contributing to something bigger, improved therapeutic work and relationship), and (3) Outcomes (subthemes: insight, increased hope, self-compassion, increased safety and functioning). The most emphasized theme was components of the programme, which captured its content and structure. Conclusion: Clients and therapists in the TOP DD Network programme described the programme’s components and processes as helpfully facilitating positive outcomes in the treatment of CDDs. Therapists may consider integrating the components and processes in the programme into their practice with clients with CDDs.

Evidence-based treatments are urgently needed for individuals with trauma-related dissociation (TRD), including severe dissociative disorders, the dissociative posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) subtype, and complex PTSD (International Classification of Diseases-10). TRD is strongly associated with severe trauma, a more refractory treatment course, and high suicidality and nonsuicidal self-injury. We evaluated changes in symptoms and adaptive capacities in individuals with high TRD through participation in an adjunctive online program based on the Finding Solid Ground (FSG) psychoeducational program. We provide an interim report on an ongoing, randomized controlled trial of FSG on an international sample of 291 outpatients with dissociative identity disorder, dissociative PTSD, other specified dissociative disorders, complex PTSD, or dissociative disorder, unspecified (International Classification of Diseases-10). Outpatient therapists continued to provide psychotherapy. Participants were randomly assigned to either receive immediate access to FSG or be on a 6-month waitlist before accessing FSG. We did not exclude for suicidality, nonsuicidal self-injury, recent or concurrent hospitalization, or substance abuse. Although initially comparable on outcome measures, at 6 months into the study, the Immediate FSG group showed significant improvement in emotion regulation, PTSD symptoms, self-compassion, and adaptive capacities in comparison to the Waitlist group. At 12 months, the Immediate group showed large effect size changes in these areas compared to study entry (|g|s = 0.95-1.32). The Waitlist group showed comparable improvements after accessing the FSG program for 6 months. This randomized controlled trial demonstrates that adding FSG to psychotherapy of individuals with TRD results in improvements in emotion regulation, PTSD symptoms, self-compassion, and adaptive functioning. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

Primary progressive aphasia is a language-based dementia that initially spares other cognitive domains; however, aphasia interferes with many life roles such as work and interpersonal relationships. Psycho-educational programs, such as support groups have been shown to be effective for persons with Alzheimer's dementia; however, little is known regarding their effectiveness for persons with primary progressive aphasia. This paper describes the development of a program that offers support, education and activities for persons with primary progressive aphasia and their care-partners and its feasibility. Development and structure of pilot and formal intervention groups are described. Thematic analysis of both groups included the following themes: (1) coping with limitations and language decline; (2) dealing with increased dependency; (3) expressing resilience and making adaptations; (4) experiencing stigma (pilot group) and confronting stigma (intervention group); (5) experiencing self-confidence; and (6) feeling a sense of belonging. The knowledge gained from this process may be useful in designing programs for individuals with aphasic dementia and preserved insight. Evidence-based data from supportive interventions for persons with primary progressive aphasia and their care-partners are needed.

Even seasoned clinicians can feel deskilled when trying to help to highly traumatized and dissociative patients. Together, this book and its accompanying workbook for patients provide an evidence-informed, pragmatic, and compassionate approach to the stabilization and treatment of complex trauma and dissociation. These books will help clinicians immediately implement ways to assess and treat traumatized individuals with a comprehensive therapeutic program that includes session-by-session Information Sheets and Exercises developed through the process of synthesizing decades of clinical experience, the results of the Treatment of Patients with Dissociative Disorders (TOP DD) studies, and feedback from individuals living with trauma-related disorders. Traumatized individuals who participated in the program as part of the TOP DD Network study were better able to manage emotions in healthy ways and reduced their levels of dissociation, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and self-injury. This book provides guidance on how to use the program in individual and group contexts, as well as expert recommendations for assessing dissociation and clinical vignettes that focus on how to overcome common obstacles in trauma treatment. The companion workbook includes the patient-facing Information Sheets and Exercises that are the foundation for the Finding Solid Ground program. Together, these books present a coherent, comprehensive approach to trauma treatment that rests upon a clearly articulated understanding of the neurobiological impacts of trauma. Clinicians of all levels of experience will find these books inspiring, informative, and accessible.

Supplemental Material for A Randomized Controlled Trial Assists Individuals With Complex Trauma and Dissociation in Finding Solid Ground

Adolescence is a critical developmental period where many biological, psychological, and social changes occur simultaneously. These changes can significantly influence adolescents' behavior in later developmental stages, either positively or negatively. Individual Psychology-based group programs and psycho-education practices are well-suited to youth because of their development-oriented and positive approach to human nature. This study investigates the effect of the Social Interest Development Psycho-Education Program on social interest in adolescents. The study adopts a 2x3 mixed experiment model and employs pre-test, post-test, and follow-up measurements via the Social Interest Scale for Adolescents. The researcher conducted the psycho-education program for the experimental group in ten 60-minute sessions and did not intervene in the control group. "Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test" and "Mann-Whitney U" were used for data analysis. According to the results, a psycho-education program applied to the experimental group increased total social interest. We determined a significant difference between the experimental and the control groups regarding the whole social interest and belonging according to the post-test scores of the students. Social Interest Development Psycho-educational program resulted in improvements in belonging, sensitivity, and help thanks to program implementation. The findings indicate that the Social Interest Development Psycho-educational program is an effective program for developing the total social interest levels of adolescents. In the follow-up test, it was observed that this change continued for the belonging sub-dimension, while the change in the level of social interest was not permanent.

The effectiveness of psychosocial interventions for stroke family caregivers and stroke survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

The Patients' Charter for Mental Health Services (DOH, 1997) states that a patient is entitled to both know and understand his or her diagnosis. Despite this, personality disordered clients are not always well informed about their disorder. Some will not be told their diagnosis because of concern that to do so would damage the therapeutic alliance. To test the hypothesis that the therapeutic alliance is not compromised by engaging in a psychoeducation programme that informs about personality disorder. Pilot study, pre-post design. Eighteen forensic in-patients and 16 community out-patients separately participated in a 4-session individual programme that focused on personality, personality disorder, and their own diagnosis. Understanding of these concepts was explored in a brief structured interview. Therapeutic alliance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Agnew relationship measure. For both samples, participation in the intervention resulted in a positive change in four of the five measured components of the therapeutic alliance. This change was rated more strongly by clients than therapists, and reached statistical significance for bond, partnership, and confidence subscales. Participants demonstrated improved knowledge of their disorder following the intervention, and all but one gave positive feedback. These findings support the hypothesis and suggest the therapeutic relationship is not impaired when a diagnosis of personality disorder is imparted using this psychoeducation programme.

Low rates of adherence to medical treatments and adverse emotional states are a widespread problem in advanced chronic kidney disease (ACKD). Motivational interviewing using the stages of change model is an effective combination in promoting behavior modifications. The objective of the present study was to determine the effectiveness of an individual, pre-dialysis intervention program (monthly sessions of 90min over a 6-month period) in terms of adherence, emotional state and health-related quality of life (HRQL). Forty-two patients were evaluated for adherence, depression, anxiety and HRQL with standardized self-report questionnaires. Biochemical markers were also registered. The results show that after the intervention, patients reported significantly higher levels of adherence, lower depression and anxiety levels, and better HRQL (i.e., general health and emotional role domains). Biochemical parameters were controlled significantly better after the intervention, except for iPTH. These findings highlight the potential benefit of applying individual psycho-educational intervention programs based on motivational interviewing and using the stages of change model to promote adherence and wellbeing in ACKD patients.

Psychotherapy has long been recommended as adjunctive to pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder, but it is unclear which interventions are effective for which patients, over what intervals, and for what domains of outcome. This article reviews randomized trials of adjunctive psychotherapy for bipolar disorder. Eighteen trials of individual and group psychoeducation, systematic care, family therapy, interpersonal therapy, and cognitive-behavioral therapy are described. Relevant outcome variables include time to recovery, recurrence, duration of episodes, symptom severity, and psychosocial functioning. The effects of the treatment modalities varied according to the clinical condition of patients at the time of random assignment and the polarity of symptoms at follow-up. Family therapy, interpersonal therapy, and systematic care appeared to be most effective in preventing recurrences when initiated after an acute episode, whereas cognitive-behavioral therapy and group psychoeducation appeared to be most effective when initiated during a period of recovery. Individual psychoeducational and systematic care programs were more effective for manic than depressive symptoms, whereas family therapy and cognitive-behavioral therapy were more effective for depressive than manic symptoms. Adjunctive psychotherapy enhances the symptomatic and functional outcomes of bipolar disorder over 2-year periods. The various modalities differ in content, structure, and associated mediating mechanisms. Treatments that emphasize medication adherence and early recognition of mood symptoms have stronger effects on mania, whereas treatments that emphasize cognitive and interpersonal coping strategies have stronger effects on depression. The placement of psychotherapy within chronic care algorithms and its role as a preventative agent in the early stages of the disorder deserve investigation.

An Evaluation of a Psychoeducation Program in Individuals Diagnosed With Schizophrenia

Individuals with dissociative disorders (DDs) are underrecognized, underserved, and often severely psychiatrically ill, characterized by marked dissociative and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms with significant disability. Patients with DD have high rates of nonsuicidal self‐injury (NSSI) and suicide attempts. Despite this, there is a dearth of training about DDs. We report the outcome of a web‐based psychoeducational intervention for an international sample of 111 patients diagnosed with dissociative identity disorder (DID) or other complex DDs. The Treatment of Patients with Dissociative Disorders Network (TOP DD Network) program was designed to investigate whether, over the course of a web‐based psychoeducational program, DD patients would exhibit improved functioning and decreased symptoms, including among patients typically excluded from treatment studies for safety reasons. Using video, written, and behavioral practice exercises, the TOP DD Network program provided therapists and patients with education about DDs as well as skills for improving emotion regulation, managing safety issues, and decreasing symptoms. Participation was associated with reductions in dissociation and PTSD symptoms, improved emotion regulation, and higher adaptive capacities, with overall sample |d|s = 0.44–0.90, as well as reduced NSSI. The improvements in NSSI among the most self‐injurious patients were particularly striking. Although all patient groups showed significant improvements, individuals with higher levels of dissociation demonstrated greater and faster improvement compared to those lower in dissociation |d|s = 0.54–1.04 vs. |d|s = 0.24–0.75, respectively. These findings support dissemination of DD treatment training and initiation of treatment studies with randomized controlled designs.

Effects of the family schizophrenia psychoeducation program for individuals with recent onset schizophrenia in Viet Nam.

Background: Persons with severe mental illness are at high risk for trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but trauma-focused interventions are rarely delivered.Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of providing a psychoeducational program for individuals with SMI and PTSD in a psychiatric hospital, and to assess gains in knowledge and satisfaction with the program.Method: Seventy inpatient participants who met criteria for PTSD attended three sessions of a psychoeducational program using a group format of video and discussion. The participants completed a “knowledge of PTSD” questionnaire before and after the education programme.Results: Participants demonstrated significant increases in knowledge about trauma and PTSD, and reported high levels of satisfaction with the program.Conclusion: Findings support the use of this intervention as a first step in increasing knowledge about PTSD and stimulating motivation to seek future treatment.Declaration of Interest: None.

Évaluation d’un programme de psychoéducation individuel chez des patients hospitalisés pour un trouble bipolaire