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Delivering cognitive analytic consultancy to community mental health teams: Initial practice‐based evidence from a multi‐site evaluation
Author(s) -
Kellett Stephen,
Ghag Jeetender,
Ackroyd Katie,
Freshwater Kate,
Finch Jayne,
Freear Adam,
Hartley Judith,
SimmondsBuckley Mel
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
psychology and psychotherapy: theory, research and practice
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.102
H-Index - 62
eISSN - 2044-8341
pISSN - 1476-0835
DOI - 10.1111/papt.12221
Subject(s) - psychology , attendance , competence (human resources) , distress , mental health , alliance , clinical psychology , psychiatry , social psychology , economics , economic growth , political science , law
Objectives This study sought to employ the hourglass model to frame the methodological evolution of outcome studies concerning 5‐session cognitive analytic consultancy (CAC). Design Pre‐post mixed methods evaluation (study one) and mixed methods case series (study two). Methods In study one, three sites generated acceptability and pre‐post effectiveness outcomes from N = 58 care dyads, supplemented with qualitative interviewing. The client outcome measures included the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, Personality Structure Questionnaire, Work and Social Adjustment Questionnaire, Service Engagement Scale, and the Working Alliance Inventory. Study two was a mixed methods case series ( N = 5) using an A/B phase design with a 6‐week follow‐up. Client outcome measures were the Personality Structure Questionnaire, Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, and the Working Alliance Inventory, and the staff outcome measures were the Working Alliance Inventory, Maslach Burnout Inventory, and the Perceived Competence Scale. Results In study one, the cross‐site dropout rate from CAC was 28.40% (the completion rate varied from 58 to 100%) and full CAC attendance rates ranged from 61 to 100%. Significant reductions in client distress were observed at two sites. Qualitative themes highlighted increased awareness and understanding across care dyads. In study two, there was zero dropout and full attendance. Clients were significantly less fragmented, and staff felt significantly more competent and less exhausted. Potential mechanisms of change were the effective process skills of the consultant and that emotionally difficult CAC processes were helpful. Conclusions Cognitive analytic consultancy appears a promising approach to staff consultation, and testing in a clinical trial is now indicated. Practitioner points CAC is a suitable method of consultation for care dyads struggling to work effectively together in CMHTs. Staff feel more competent and clients feel less fragmented following CAC, and the benefits of CAC appear to be maintained over follow‐up time. CAC processes can be difficult for care coordinator and client, but this is not an impediment to change.