Experiences of accessing psychological therapies for self‐harm: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives
4 affiliations
- 1Division of Psychology and Mental Health, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester Manchester UK
- 2Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust Manchester UK
- 3Division of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health University of Manchester Manchester UK
- 4Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust Rotherham UK
Abstract
Objectives: While rates of self‐harm are rising in the United Kingdom, people who self‐harm can often struggle to access appropriate treatment. This study sought to explore adult stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences of the barriers to, and facilitators of, accessing support for self‐harm and also how services could be better tailored to meet needs.
Design: A cross‐sectional qualitative study.
Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted remotely with 19 participants in the United Kingdom, including 10 individuals with lived experience of self‐harm and nine mental health professionals that worked with people who self‐harm. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was used as a guiding framework throughout the study.
Results: Both stakeholder groups felt that services did not offer appropriate support; there were system‐level challenges and a sense of associated powerlessness. It was important to understand the person behind the behaviour, as a lack of understanding was reported to increase feelings of shame. Services that prioritise person‐centred care, expert‐by‐experience involvement and early intervention were valued. Professionals outlined the positives of brief interventions, while individuals who self‐harm held concerns about whether briefer interventions addressed complex difficulties.
Conclusions: Findings highlight important organisational barriers and potential facilitators that individuals who self‐harm may face when accessing psychological interventions. Results prompt the need for inclusive and easily accessible services.
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BibTeX
@article{chauhan2026experiences,
title = {{Experiences of accessing psychological therapies for self‐harm: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives}},
author = {Tara Chauhan and Kamelia Harris and Isabel Adeyemi and Cameron Latham and Catherine Robinson and Stephen Kellett and Peter Taylor},
journal = {Psychology and Psychotherapy},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1111/papt.70089},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.70089},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Experiences of accessing psychological therapies for self‐harm: A qualitative study of stakeholders' perspectives
AU - Tara Chauhan
AU - Kamelia Harris
AU - Isabel Adeyemi
AU - Cameron Latham
AU - Catherine Robinson
AU - Stephen Kellett
AU - Peter Taylor
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/02
JO - Psychology and Psychotherapy
DO - 10.1111/papt.70089
UR - https://doi.org/10.1111/papt.70089
AB - Objectives: While rates of self‐harm are rising in the United Kingdom, people who self‐harm can often struggle to access appropriate treatment. This study sought to explore adult stakeholders’ perspectives and experiences of the barriers to, and facilitators of, accessing support for self‐harm and also how services could be better tailored to meet needs. Design: A cross‐sectional qualitative study. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews were conducted remotely with 19 participants in the United Kingdom, including 10 individuals with lived experience of self‐harm and nine mental health professionals that worked with people who self‐harm. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to analyse the data. Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) was used as a guiding framework throughout the study. Results: Both stakeholder groups felt that services did not offer appropriate support; there were system‐level challenges and a sense of associated powerlessness. It was important to understand the person behind the behaviour, as a lack of understanding was reported to increase feelings of shame. Services that prioritise person‐centred care, expert‐by‐experience involvement and early intervention were valued. Professionals outlined the positives of brief interventions, while individuals who self‐harm held concerns about whether briefer interventions addressed complex difficulties. Conclusions: Findings highlight important organisational barriers and potential facilitators that individuals who self‐harm may face when accessing psychological interventions. Results prompt the need for inclusive and easily accessible services.
SN - 1476-0835
SN - 2044-8341
ER -