Prolonged grief disorder therapy (PGDT) is designed to help clients resolve a persistent and debilitating grief reaction. Clinical trial and routine evaluation evidence supports the efficacy of PGDT in resolving stuck grief, but as yet no qualitative evaluation has been undertaken. The current study qualitatively examined client experiences and views of PGDT delivered within the context of a National Health Service Talking Therapies (NHS-TT) quality improvement project in Devon, United Kingdom (UK). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 clients after completing PGDT which were analysed using the Framework Method. Clients reported being stuck with grief before treatment. PGDT was experienced as being acceptable to clients, resulting in profound changes to wellbeing and functioning. PGDT supported clients to move from denial and avoidance to acceptance and approach of their loss. Perceived change processes included normalising and validating grief, reconnecting to life values and goals, re-establishing social connection, and building emotional self-management skills, consistent with the logic model underpinning the intervention. A flexible, tailored therapeutic approach was emphasised as important for enhancing treatment experience and outcomes. Suggesting minor areas for improvement, some clients experienced homework tasks as repetitive and laborious, imaginal conversations were challenging for some, and the ending of therapy was at times described as painful. Clients felt PGDT was a valuable offering for NHS-TT services, offering something distinct from existing treatment pathways.
Key learning aims(1) To gain insight into clients lived experience of prolonged grief disorder (PGD).
(2) To become familiar with prolonged grief disorder therapy (PGDT) as a treatment for PGD in NHS Talking Therapies (NHS-TT) services.
(3) To understand client views of PGDT, including what brought them to treatment, impacts of treatment, how the therapy may work, helpful and unhelpful aspects of PGDT, and if PGDT is seen as acceptable.
(4) To understand client views of feasibility of implementation of PGDT in an NHS-TT setting.
