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Doctorate in Clinical Psychology : Research Portfolio Submitted in Part Fulfilment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
: 1) How Has Nonviolent Resistance Therapy Been Adapted, and What Are the Outcomes? A Systematic Review and Narrative Synthesis; 2) Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in Higher Education: Trauma-Informed Pedagogy in the Supervision Space – What Does the University of Bath Doctorate in Clinical Psychology Programme Do Well, and What Improvements Can Be Made?; 3) What Are the Implications of Training in Nonviolent Resistance Therapy for Practitioners Inside and Outside the Therapy Room? A Qualitative Study.

  • Elizabeth Henshaw

Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

Abstract

Previous research suggests that therapeutic training can positively influence practitioners' reflexivity, compassion, self-awareness, acceptance, and ability to manage uncertainty. Understanding the impact of therapeutic training is important for the practitioners involved and the broader community, as training may improve practitioner well-being, minimize burnout, and highlight areas for ongoing professional development. This study investigated whether training in Nonviolent Resistance Therapy (NVR) impacted practitioners. This study utilised a qualitative design; 10 semi-structured interviews were conducted on whether training in NVR had impacted practitioners outside of their professional role. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis, and results indicated two themes and six subthemes (1a-c; 2 d-f). 1) Transforming through NVR training; a) personal growth; b) a relational or role shift; c) a toolkit to help me cope; 2) NVR is a personal journey / from learning to embodiment; d) a path to existing values; e) it affects people differently; f) leads to new opportunities. Similar to previous research, this study found that therapeutic training positively impacted practitioners, for example, increased self-compassion, acceptance and coping. New findings from this study were that therapeutic techniques are also applied systemically, and that bi-directional spillage can occur in novel situations and within broader relationships (e.g., the community). Clinical and research implications and limitations are also discussed.
Date of Award25 Jun 2025
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • University of Bath
SupervisorVuokko Wallace (Supervisor), Jo Daniels (Supervisor), Rachel Paskell (Supervisor) & Chloe Constable (Supervisor)

Keywords

  • Nonviolent Resistance
  • NVR
  • Therapeutic Training
  • Practitioners
  • Impact
  • Therapists
  • Pedagogy
  • Higher Education
  • trauma-informed approaches
  • Supervision
  • Adaptations
  • child and adolescent mental health
  • Family Therapy

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