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Exploratory examination of clinician perspectives on positive memories and post‐traumatic stress disorder interventions
Author(s) -
Contractor Ateka A.,
Caldas Stephanie V.,
Dolan Megan,
Banducci Anne N.,
Jin Ling
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1002/capr.12267
Subject(s) - psychological intervention , psychology , clinical psychology , feeling , intervention (counseling) , traumatic stress , happiness , affect (linguistics) , psychotherapist , psychiatry , social psychology , communication
Despite the role of positive memories in the aetiology and maintenance of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), most PTSD interventions primarily focus on traumatic memories. To aid the development of a PTSD‐specific technique focused on processing positive memories, we gathered formative input from practicing clinicians on the content, format, feasibility and acceptability of this proposed intervention technique. We recruited licensed clinicians ( n = 46) through professional networks and psychology organisation Listservs, provided a description of a positive memory processing technique, and administered a questionnaire querying perspectives on the proposed technique. Most clinicians reported using positive memories in PTSD therapy (67.39%) and interest in addressing them in depth/frequently (71.74%). They reported that (a) positive memory processing could increase positive thoughts (82.50%), feelings (80%) and memory specificity (75%); (b) optimal intervention components included defining a positive memory as a peak experience (characterised by strong positive affect, a positive and impactful change on one's life, and overwhelming joy/happiness; 57.50%), identifying 1–3 memories (25.64%–33.33%), discussing them in session to elicit positive elements (68.57%–82.86%), tracking affect intensity/valence (57.14%), and using this technique to augment trauma‐focused interventions (57.14%); and (c) feasibility indicators included perceived acceptability to clients (80.65%) and clinicians (66.67%), practicality (51.61%), successful implementation considering resources/time (63.33%), ease of learning (51.61%) and positive impact on therapy satisfaction/tolerability (54.84%–58.06%). Taken together, our study provides parameters for the development and investigation of a PTSD‐specific positive memory processing technique.