“Revealing Therapy's Traces” After Termination: A Qualitative Change and Follow‐Up Study

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Background In psychotherapy research, clients' therapeutic change has been mainly addressed through quantitative studies centered on symptom reduction, leaving aside their perceptions about how this process occurs. However, clients' perspectives are crucial to clarify how therapy works and how change takes place. Objective This study aimed to understand clients' change experiences after receiving brief, focusing‐oriented psychotherapy at termination and at follow‐up. Method A qualitative approach was implemented using a phenomenological paradigm and grounded theory analysis. Participants were eight women between 18 and 44 years of age who had engaged in therapy for up to eight sessions. Semi‐structured interviews were conducted after termination and at follow‐ups between 8 and 12 months later. Results Results showed a central phenomenon of changes developing over time named “Revealing therapy's traces after termination”, involving a sequence of changes in different areas, such as the self, interpersonal relationships, connection with the body, regulation of emotions, and new understandings of the issues that motivated participants to engage in therapy. Conclusion We conclude that this brief form of psychotherapy has the potential to positively contribute to clients' long‐term mental health, which deserves further investigation.