Brief psychosocial intervention (BPI) is a treatment for adolescent depression that has recently demonstrated clinical effectiveness in a controlled trial. The aim of this study is to explore experiences of adolescents with major depression receiving BPI treatment in the context of good treatment outcomes.
Method:
A subsample of five interviews from a larger study of adolescents’ experiences of BPI was purposively selected, focusing on good-outcome cases. Interviews were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis to provide a richer understanding of participants’ experiences of overcoming depression in the BPI group.
Results:
Four central themes were identified: ‘Being heard and feeling safe’, ‘Collaborative working enhancing therapy’, ‘Gaining a different perspective on one’s self and relationships’ and ‘A positive therapeutic relationship’.
Conclusion:
BPI is a novel approach with promising clinical effectiveness. Utilising adolescents’ experiences has revealed potential psychological mechanisms of good treatment response to BPI. Overall implications for clinical practice with depressed adolescents are discussed.
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