Journeys into Recovery: Family Narratives of First Episode Psychosis and Behavioural Family Therapy

This thesis explores the journeys undertaken by families when someone experiences a first episode of psychosis (FEP), and the family seeks help and receives treatment. A review of the literature on families' experiences of help-seeking for FEP provides a focus on the beginning of this time. The literature is synthesised to reveal a journey through the early help-seeking experience, and the extent to which experiences are shared between carers and individuals with FEP is explored. The empirical research paper provides insight into families' experiences further along on their journey; presenting a qualitative study on family narratives of FEP and Behavioural Family Therapy (BFT). Families completing BFT were interviewed, and narrative analysis was used to identify their shared narratives and the subplots within these. A broad narrative of the journey from illness to recovery is presented, with subplots within each broad phase of the journey considered. The extent to which narratives can provide evidence of effectiveness in BFT is explored, as well as consideration of how such narratives may aid recovery. The role of parental power in maintaining family narratives is considered, and further research and clinical implications are discussed. The reflective review paper presents a reflective background and critique of the literature review and empirical research study, as well as an extended discussion of some points within these. The author's journey through the creation of this thesis is presented, within the wider context of clinical psychology research. Decisions made during creation of the thesis are elucidated, and the limitations and value of the thesis are considered. This reflective journey begins with the author's own epistemological position, and consideration of how this influenced the thesis, and ends with consideration of personal learning points gained during completion of the thesis.