Introduction:
Voice hearing is increasingly understood through perspectives beyond only medical understandings of the phenomenon, and interventions moving beyond a focus on ‘symptom reduction’. The idea of living with voices is increasingly accepted, a principle underpinning Hearing Voices Groups (HVGs). Research suggests HVGs hold clinical potential for voice hearers and may offer new directions for services to move to meet the diverse needs of voice hearers. This project explores the experiences of those attending community HVGs to better understand their benefits and barriers, including how groups may affect relationships with voices. Implications for mental health services are considered.
Method:
Through consultation and co-production with experts by experience, 6 self-identified voice hearers across two community HVGs participated in semi-structured interviews. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis was used to elicit individual and group themes.
Results:
Four group themes emerged. Groups facilitate a secure base experienced as empowering and flexible, where all perspectives are heard and respected. A shared experience of voice hearing and relational opportunities to facilitate connecting on a deeper level, where genuine relationships emerge, making changes to how members view themselves, others and society possible. Turning toward voices is supported, leading to a more sustainable and harmonious relationship with voices and an acceptance of their existence. Lastly, taking a leap of faith explores the experience of navigating new spaces and pushing through the resistance of voices.
Discussion:
Findings support existing HVG literature and the usefulness of groups as an alternative or addition to existing service provision. Results support the implementation of Trauma Informed Care and other relational approaches to voice hearing. Professionals’ confidence when working with voices and the experience of those not attending HVGs are potential areas for future research. Services should consider how they can exist harmoniously alongside HVGs and consider their frameworks in light of these findings.
