Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis
Research output: Thesis › Doctoral Thesis
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TY - BOOK
T1 - Moving the mind with the body
T2 - experiences of integrating body-based approaches within talking therapy
AU - Thompson, Sarah
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - This thesis consists of three papers: a systematic literature review, research paper and critical appraisal. The literature review comprised a qualitative meta-synthesis that sought to understand clients’ experiences of yoga adjunct to or integrated with psychotherapy. Twelve studies were included, yielding two overarching themes and four subthemes. These were: ‘Discovering one’s body as a safe space’ (Opening up ‘space’; Being with discomfort – holding the edges of one’s suffering), and ‘A transformative sense of connection and flow’ (Expanding and deepening the psychotherapeutic process; Affirming one’s life and reclaiming one’s self – catalysing change). The themes highlighted that clients felt it was natural and beneficial to combine yoga and psychotherapy, and that this was instrumental in deepening self-awareness and promoting overall therapeutic effectiveness.The research paper explores the experiences and perspectives of clinical psychologists integrating body-based approaches within their clinical practice. Thematic analysis was undertaken using interview data provided by seven participants. Three themes were developed, two of which were each composed of two further sub-themes. The themes were: ‘Embodied Integration: Bridging the Personal and Professional’ (Out from Behind the Lanyard; Positioning One’s Therapeutic Stance within the Professional Landscape), ‘Becoming Unstuck with the Body’ (A Moving Dialogue; "In Sync and in Team with their Body”), and ‘Other Bodyworkers – Door Ajar or Wide Open?’. The themes explored how embodied practices enhanced therapeutic momentum, deepened client self-agency, and required personal authenticity and careful navigation of professional boundaries.The critical appraisal reviews the work presented in this thesis, including reflections on conducting the research process as a trainee clinical psychologist and novice researcher.
AB - This thesis consists of three papers: a systematic literature review, research paper and critical appraisal. The literature review comprised a qualitative meta-synthesis that sought to understand clients’ experiences of yoga adjunct to or integrated with psychotherapy. Twelve studies were included, yielding two overarching themes and four subthemes. These were: ‘Discovering one’s body as a safe space’ (Opening up ‘space’; Being with discomfort – holding the edges of one’s suffering), and ‘A transformative sense of connection and flow’ (Expanding and deepening the psychotherapeutic process; Affirming one’s life and reclaiming one’s self – catalysing change). The themes highlighted that clients felt it was natural and beneficial to combine yoga and psychotherapy, and that this was instrumental in deepening self-awareness and promoting overall therapeutic effectiveness.The research paper explores the experiences and perspectives of clinical psychologists integrating body-based approaches within their clinical practice. Thematic analysis was undertaken using interview data provided by seven participants. Three themes were developed, two of which were each composed of two further sub-themes. The themes were: ‘Embodied Integration: Bridging the Personal and Professional’ (Out from Behind the Lanyard; Positioning One’s Therapeutic Stance within the Professional Landscape), ‘Becoming Unstuck with the Body’ (A Moving Dialogue; "In Sync and in Team with their Body”), and ‘Other Bodyworkers – Door Ajar or Wide Open?’. The themes explored how embodied practices enhanced therapeutic momentum, deepened client self-agency, and required personal authenticity and careful navigation of professional boundaries.The critical appraisal reviews the work presented in this thesis, including reflections on conducting the research process as a trainee clinical psychologist and novice researcher.
U2 - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2844
DO - 10.17635/lancaster/thesis/2844
M3 - Doctoral Thesis
PB - Lancaster University
ER -