Meaning-Making in the Aftermath of Trauma: A Grounded Theory Exploring Clients’ Meaning Making Processes Within Therapy

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Title
Meaning-Making in the Aftermath of Trauma: A Grounded Theory Exploring Clients’ Meaning Making Processes Within Therapy
Creator
Dr Fiona Kau
Supervisor
Prof Joanne Lusher and Dr Alastair Pipkin
Date
2025
Abstract
Making sense of experiences, ourselves, others, and the world is an innate human process, yet trauma can profoundly disrupt these frameworks. Psychotherapy may offer a space for survivors to reconstruct meaning or deepen their understanding of the meaning they attribute to their experiences. Previous research has explored meaning-making in relation to specific types of trauma and largely outside of therapy, but little is known about how meaning is made through therapy and in the context of trauma more broadly. Understanding clients’ perspectives on meaning-making within therapy may offer valuable insights into supporting those with histories of trauma and aid therapists in tailoring interventions more effectively. This study aimed to explore therapeutic meaning-making processes and helpful and unhelpful aspects of therapy. Six adults were recruited through social media and professional networks and interviewed using a semi-structured approach. Abbreviated grounded theory was used to analyse the data, adopting a social constructivist stance. This resulted in the development of the Therapy Meaning-Making Model for Trauma, which offers a way of conceptualising meaning-making as both a process and an outcome of therapeutic change. Two main forms of meaning-making emerged: meaning (about oneself and one’s way of relating to others) and Meaning (about and from the trauma). Helpful and unhelpful aspects of therapy were grouped into four overarching categories: exploratory and reflective processes, relational holding, therapeutic approach and stance, and therapeutic structure. The model aims to contribute to clinical practice, training, and research - particularly within Counselling Psychology - by offering a process oriented understanding of meaning-making in trauma recovery. It frames meaning-making as a cognitive, relational, reflective, and embodied process that appears to unfold dynamically within and beyond therapy. The model highlights the importance of attending to the whole therapeutic context rather than isolated techniques, aiming to support clients’ ongoing meaning-making, acknowledge the emotional complexity of this work, and minimise potential harm.
Subject
Psychology and Psychotherapy
Extent
210 Pages
Format
Document
degree
Doctorate, DPsych
Language
Eng
Date Issued
2025
Item sets
Theses or Dissertation