Examining the Efficacy of a Virtual Group Program for Survivors of Complex Trauma: A Mixed-Methods Explanatory Study

This study examined the efficacy of a virtual, group-based treatment for individuals with histories of complex trauma and persistent mental illness. Participants reported significant positive changes in psychological symptoms, emotion regulation, beliefs about self and others, resilience, and dimensional Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms at post-treatment. These gains were maintained at follow-up. Deductive, reflexive thematic analysis was employed to better understand the program’s impact on ‘disturbances in self-organization’, with positive changes attributed to enhanced 1) processing, managing, and resolving painful emotions, 2) self-acceptance, self-investment, and motivation for change and 3) empathy, assertiveness, and boundary setting. Our virtual program may present an effective treatment with significant implications for enhancing service capacity for individuals struggling with the chronic and pervasive residual impacts of complex trauma.