Mind-Body Interventions for Chronic Pain and Trauma| A Qualitative Research Perspective on Group Psychotherapy Intervention

• Main Author: Kruer-Zerhusen, Adriane E.
• Language: EN
• Published: Union Institute and University 2016
• Subjects: Physical therapy|Behavioral psychology|Cognitive psychology
• Online Access: http://pqdtopen.proquest.com/#viewpdf?dispub=10076300

<p> This dissertation focused on advancing the current research on the connection between physical and psychological health. This study focused on two psychotherapy groups that integrate mind-body practices in the form of yoga, meditation, and relaxation. These groups were ongoing and are held once a week for one hour in an urban outpatient mental health clinic. Participants in these groups attended consistently for approximately 1-4 years and experienced a wide-range of trauma and chronic pain symptoms. Because the groups were active and running for several years, this study followed a qualitative research approach to comprehensively capture the participants&rsquo; subjective experience. Understanding the experience of these particular clients could prove to be advantageous to the field of psychology as it will help to elucidate the individual&rsquo;s experience of an integrated mind-body modality for trauma and pain treatment. Using phenomenological interviews, this study explored the subjective experience of individuals in these groups. In-depth interview questions focused on participants&rsquo; reactions to the mind-body interventions for combined physical and psychological symptom relief.</p>