Trial reportBMJ open2026
Exploring the acceptability of a brief, rapid-access, self-harm focussed talking therapy: a qualitative analysis of patient experiences.
Trial report in BMJ open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT04191122 (Community Outpatient Psychotherapy Engagement Service for Self-harm), which is not on this map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Community Outpatient Psychotherapy Engagement Service for Self-harm (COPESS): A Feasibility Study
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
10 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
objectiveTo explore the acceptability of the Community Outpatient Psychotherapy Engagement Service for Self-harm (COPESS) intervention and trial procedures for participants.
designA mixed-method approach and a single-blind randomised controlled trial design with 1:1 allocation to either COPESS plus treatment as usual or treatment as usual alone.
settingPrimary care.
participantsFifteen semistructured interviews were conducted with participants in the COPESS trial; eight were randomised to the intervention arm, and seven were randomised to the treatment-as-usual arm. Interviews lasted 30-60 min.
interventionCOPESS is a brief, relational psychotherapy delivered over 4 weekly sessions plus a follow-up, focusing on understanding difficult emotional states and their links to self-harm through here-and-now relational and emotional processes. ANALYSIS: Thematic analysis allowed exploration of themes important to participants in their experiences in the COPESS trial and their experiences of care for self-harm more generally.
findingsFive themes were identified as associated with the acceptability of the COPESS intervention and trial: self-harm as a primary problem, what I needed when I needed it, being heard and understood, online delivery of the intervention and lasting impacts. Participants generally expressed positive views about the intervention, citing a need for services that specifically target self-harm and an appreciation of the rapid access to help. Strong relationships with the therapist were highly valued and not diminished by online delivery of the intervention. Positive impacts continued post therapy sessions.
conclusionsThese results support the acceptability of the COPESS intervention, the need for self-harm specific services and support moving forward to a full trial.
trial registrationPre-registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04191122) on 9 December 2019.
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