Background: Psychological treatment is recommended for both depression andsocial anxiety disorder (SAD) in adolescents, but those who have both disorders,may experience challenges in navigating the interpersonal context of therapy. Yet,little is known about how adolescents with depression and comorbid SAD experiencepsychological therapy. Using qualitative data, collected post-therapy as part of arandomised control trial of psychological therapies for depression, we aimed to gaininsight into this.Method: A subsample of ten interviews were purposely sampled, focusing onadolescents who had both depression and social anxiety at baseline. Interviewswere analysed using reflective thematic analysis (RTA).Results: Three overarching themes were developed: 1) Therapy as supportingemotional growth, 2) Therapy as an emotionally risky and vulnerable process, and 3)Building relational safety in the therapeutic relationship, which was especially vital fornavigating adolescents’ difficulties of showing vulnerability and fears of negativeevaluation.Conclusion: Overall, these findings highlight the opportunities and challenges thattherapy provides, capturing the relational and emotional challenges faced byadolescents with depression and comorbid social anxiety in navigating therapy.These findings have clinical implications and emphasise the importance of therapistsbuilding trust slowly, through demonstrating a non-judgemental, caring, andcollaborative approach.
| Date of Award | 10 Sept 2025 |
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| Original language | English |
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| Awarding Institution | |
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| Supervisor | Maria Loades (Supervisor) & Olivia Collier (Supervisor) |
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Doctorate in Clinical Psychology : Main Research Portfolio: 1) What treatment elements are included in CBT based youth mental health interventions in Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs)? A scoping review; 2) How is an evidence-based loneliness infographic useful to wellbeing practitioners who work with young people in school and community-based settings and how could it be improved?; 3) How do young people with depression and comorbid social anxiety experience psychological therapy? A qualitative investigation.
McGillivray, L. (Author). 10 Sept 2025
Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)