A Phenomenological Inquiry into the Experience of Receiving Individual Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) For Psychosis within a Psychosis Recovery Outreach Programme in Lebanon

Cognitive Behavioural therapy has been recognised as an evidence-based intervention for varied psychological and emotional difficulties and applied worldwide. However, CBT like other psychological interventions has been developed in Western, developed countries and therefore holds certain assumptions and values underlying the cultural context of its origin. The cultural context of individuals however does not only determine the expression of psychological distress but also constructions of cultural systems of healing and help-seeking behaviour. With this, questions arise around how individuals from different cultural contexts come to understand their experience of this intervention and what aspects of the intervention are useful and appropriate. Therefore, the current research aims to elucidate this question through a phenomenological inquiry. Four semi-structed interviews were conducted in English with four participants who received individual CBT for psychosis in a ‘psychosis recovery outreach programme’ (PROP) in Beirut, Lebanon. The phenomenon under study was explored by adopting a methodology informed by Max Van Manen’s hermeneutic phenomenology. The findings highlighted the importance of incorporating religious or spiritual beliefs in the conceptualisation and ways of coping with distress. The research also found the importance of beginning with certain interventions such as behavioural and social tasks over cognitive interventions. Problematic areas identified, included: the need to assess psychological readiness, the timing of interventions and therapists’ communication style within the therapeutic work. The implications for the field of Counselling Psychology and other allied health professionals are reviewed to offer an insight into individuals’ experience of this intervention. Finally, limitations of the study are identified and discussed.