Primärvårdspsykologers upplevelser av KBT-inriktad psykoterapi med flyktingpatienter – en tolkande fenomenologisk analys

Sammanfattning: The purpose of the study was to examine primary care psychologists' experiences of CBT-focused psychotherapy with refugees undergoing post-migration stress. The study examines experiences of psychologists working amidst the circumstances brought on by Sweden’s recent influx of refugees. Additionally, the study focuses on individuals’ experiences of psychological treatment with refugees in a primary care setting using specific CBT techniques and strategies promoting the therapeutic alliance. The basis of the study was semi-structured interviews with four primary care psychologists. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and four distinguishing main themes were identified: Therapeutic boundary issues; Feeling isolated at work; Working in a setting with limited therapeutic methods despite patients’ extraordinary circumstances; and Development as a refugee-treating psychologist. The study suggests that psychologists in a primary care setting experience working with refugee patients as emotionally straining, and that they lack support and adequate therapeutic techniques. Psychoeducation, acceptance-based interventions and a focus on therapeutic alliance were perceived as relevant treatment techniques. The study provides initial insight into how Swedish psychologists experience CBT treatment with refugees in a primary care setting and might inspire future research that could generate new knowledge within the subject area.