Service users’ experiences of participation in clinical psychology training

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore mental health service users’ experiences of involvement in a clinical psychology course.Design/methodology/approachFive participants were recruited from a service user and carer group aligned to a university professional clinical psychology course. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and data were analysed using an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).FindingsFour superordinate themes, group processes, advocating, transforming and power, were drawn from the data, with ten subthemes emerging capturing experiences on the personal, professional and group levels.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is not generalisable and has a small number of participants. However, many of the themes have resonance with existing literature.Practical implicationsService user initiatives need to consider the personal and contextual issues that service users may have experienced prior to their involvement. The needs of service user initiatives may change over time. Such initiatives must evolve in conjunction with the personal and political journeys of participants.Originality/valueFew studies have explored the experiences of mental health service users in clinical psychology training using a robust methodology. The current study suggests that eliciting these experiences highlights factors that facilitate involvement as well as the barriers.