Can Imagination Change Upsetting Memories of Trauma?

Research suggests that imagination is a powerful tool to change images inside our heads (e.g. memories) and make them less upsetting. It is thought that this occurs through changing the meaning attached to the memory (e.g. I am weak), therefore making it less upsetting to remember.

Research has also linked some people's experience of psychosis to distressing trauma memories. Despite this, little is known about whether using imagination to change memories is helpful for people with psychosis. This project will look at whether a talking therapy that uses imagination to change trauma memories helps people with psychosis. This project will specifically look at whether this therapy helps; change the meaning linked to memory, make the memory less upsetting and frequent, and increase sense of control over the memory.

This project will recruit six to twelve people with psychosis. Participants will be recruited from services within South London and the Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust's Psychosis Clinical Academic Group. Participants will first be interviewed about their posttraumatic stress difficulties, experiences of psychosis, mental health, and wellbeing. In this appointment, participants will also identify a traumatic memory to focus on during the talking therapy. Four questions about the trauma memory will be asked every day for the remainder of the project.

Participants will then wait between one to three weeks before they receive three therapy sessions. Comparing participants to themselves for different periods of time makes sure that their memories do not become less upsetting over time, without therapy.

After therapy, participants will continue daily measures for two weeks, with an appointment in the middle (i.e. one week post therapy). This appointment will include questions about posttraumatic stress difficulties, wellbeing and satisfaction with therapy. Participation will last between 6-8 weeks. Participants will be reimbursed for their time