Exposed, Scaffolded and Connected – Foster Carers’ Experiences of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Paper one is a narrative literature review which explores the effectiveness of traumafocused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) following childhood interpersonal trauma for reducing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and disturbances to self-organisation (DSO) in young people. Findings suggested TFCBT effectively reduced PTSD symptoms following interpersonal trauma, with some sustained improvements found at follow-up. Tentative support for the effectiveness of TF-CBT in reducing DSO symptoms was found, however, significant methodological flaws warrant further research. Paper two is an empirical research paper exploring foster carers’ experiences of Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy (DDP). Ten foster carers participated in semistructured interviews which were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Four Group Experiential Themes and eleven subthemes were formed; from disbelief to clarity, scaffolded and safe, attuned and connected, and “It’s worth it”. Findings suggest that DDP was experienced as a worthwhile yet demanding process for foster carers’, which led to a greater self-understanding and a more attuned carer-child relationship. Findings further suggest due care and attention need to be paid to ensure foster carers are providing informed consent to engage in DDP, with subsequent due attention being paid to the experience of and support for foster carers through the therapy. Future research exploring the experience and effectiveness of such support, as well as exploring the experience of kinship carers and young people within DDP, and the model’s effectiveness, is needed. Paper three is an executive summary which aims to provide an accessible overview of paper two. Two participants provided feedback on its accessibility, layout and content. This paper will be disseminated to all participants who took part in the study and can also be disseminated to foster carers’ who may be curious about what DDP could entail, as well as supporting social workers and clinicians.