Title of research: An exploration into skin cancer patients鈥� experiences of the helpful factors within psychotherapy: A grounded theory study.
About the researcher: I am Nikki, I am an experienced Psychological Therapist that has worked within health psychology over a number of years, specifically with oncology and skin cancer patients. It was during the course of this work I realised that skin cancer patients described their experiences of their cancer being dismissed and minimised. Therapy, therefore felt like a place where they could not only be seen and heard, but their cancer could be legitimatised. This inspired me to engage in research specific to this area, in a bid to increase awareness of the impact and the role therapy can play in supporting skin cancer patients.
Study Overview: This research seeks to understand skin cancer patients lived experiences of a skin cancer diagnosis that has required surgical intervention, prompting them to engage in a form of psychological therapy. The focus thus far has been to gain an understanding of what the helpful factors of psychotherapy are for skin cancer patients using grounded theory. I now have an emerging theory from this data that identifies core themes from participants lived experience, I now want to seek consultation from psychotherapy colleagues on my emerging theory in order to use your feedback to further inform my research findings using a focus group.
Participant Criteria:
鈥� Aged over 18
鈥� Are a qualified psychological therapist 鈥� Counsellor, Psychotherapist or Psychologist
鈥� Have experience of working with clients with skin cancer within the last 3 years
Interview Details:
鈥� One online focus group to be organised in April/May 2025
鈥� 60-90 minutes in length
Ethical approval:
This research has received ethical approval via the psychology research ethics committee at Middlesex University.
Contact details:
Nikki Swales
Tel: 07732362631
Email: nk906@live.mdx.ac.uk