Providing a new transdiagnostic emotion-focused pain treatment in a clinical context: therapists' experiences of facilitators and barriers

Providing new psychological treatments in clinical settings requires implementation strategies adapted to the organizational context. This study explored how licensed psychologists experienced their context when providing a new transdiagnostic psychological treatment, "the hybrid treatment", to treat comorbid pain and emotional problems in a clinical setting. We aimed to identify which contextual factors the therapists experienced as facilitating or hindering, to gain a better understanding of important considerations when planning a future implementation strategy. Contextual factors were identified using the Consolidated Framework of Implementation Research (CFIR) in data collection and analysis. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (N = 9). Thematic analysis resulted in the identification of five main influencing factors: Perception of the intervention's adaptability, prioritization of the patient's needs, leadership engagement, structure for collaboration, and therapists' professional engagement. The results highlight the importance of ensuring a clearly stated mandate for the key individuals involved. The findings may guide future implementation of new psychological treatments into regular care, to enhance facilitators and overcome barriers.