Psychological Treatment for a BRCA gene mutation carrier in a Clinical Genetics Service using Solution Focused Therapy (SFT): – A Case Study
Abstract:
Solution focused therapy (SFT) has been successfully used with a range of physical health conditions and is often described as an empowering and optimistic therapy model. Some of the psychosocial issues that arise during the process of genetic testing include, dealing with the emotional impact of a genetic diagnosis, dealing with making difficult decisions and managing challenging health conditions. This case study describes the result of using SFT with a patient diagnosed with a BRCA2 gene mutation and prior to this a cancer diagnosis. The patient was referred for counselling after experiencing high cancer anxiety and low mood and was provided with 10 sessions of SFT over 12 months. The patient reported improvements in her mood and reduction in anxiety symptoms by the fifth session. After a small setback the patient showed further improvements after 5 more sessions, and several months following the end of treatment she reported that the improvements had been sustained. On a scale of 0-10 (with 10 being the best she could be feeling) she reported herself at a four at the start of therapy, and at a seven at the end. When asked for feedback about the treatment the patient reported that the sessions had helped her reconnect with her inner strengths and resources and that she felt more empowered to be able to manage similar issues in the future. It was felt by the authors that the SFT approach helped in particular by focusing on what the patient was already doing to help herself and then building on this, and also it helped by empowering her to use pre-existing strategies to manage her mental health. It was also felt that the SFT techniques of exploring and refining best hopes were particularly useful. Conclusion: This case study provided initial evidence for the utility of SFT in the field of clinical genetics, and might be helpful for clinicians during routine genetic appointments, or during longer term psychological interventions. Further investigation into the utility of this approach would be helpful.
