BodyMind Approach

Domain IV · Body-oriented psychotherapy · Helen Payne, Susan Brooks · 2004 · University of Hertfordshire, UK

What it is

What it is. TBMA is a facilitated group programme for adults with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), also called persistent bodily symptoms or somatic symptom disorder. Examples are IBS, chronic pain, fatigue and fibromyalgia-type presentations, often with anxiety or depression. Its authors…

Format

• TBMA runs in four stages. The within-session phases are described further below.
• Stage A: Referral, screening and preparation (about 1–2 weeks before the group).

Who practises it, and how they are trained or regulated

• 4-day TBMA training, then assessment and certification.
• Version followed: The BodyMind Approach (TBMA, a registered trademark) as Helen Payne and Susan Brooks (University of Hertfordshire) describe it for NHS primary care in Payne & Brooks 2018 and 2020 and Payne 2019. That version has an individual pre-course meeting, 12 two-hour group workshops, an individual exit meeting and a 6-month non-face-to-face follow-up. Session-level detail is filled in from the 2004–07 pilot…
• What it is. TBMA is a facilitated group programme for adults with medically unexplained symptoms (MUS), also called persistent bodily symptoms or somatic symptom disorder. Examples are IBS, chronic pain, fatigue and fibromyalgia-type presentations, often with anxiety or depression. Its authors frame it on purpose as a health-education or self-management "learning course", not as psychotherapy. Sessions are called…

Questions to explore with your client

• What drew you to it, and what are you hoping it will change?
• Is there physical contact? Was it explained beforehand, and do you feel free to say no or stop at any point?
• Does it involve any substance, plant preparation, remedy or supplement? Has your doctor or prescriber been told, especially about any medication you take?
• Does it involve intense or unusual breathing? Have you been told about the medical conditions for which that is not advised?
• Does it involve fasting, a special diet or 'detox'? Have you discussed this with your doctor?
• Who runs it, and what training or registration do they hold?
• What actually happens in a session or meeting, and how often?
• What does it cost, and is there pressure to commit to more?
• How do you feel afterwards, in the hours and days that follow?
• Does it fit with, or clash with, the work we do here?

What practitioners of it watch for

• hearing "stress" as blame. Reaffirm that the symptoms are real.
• "nothing helps". Prompt with what got them through the past week.
• rumination about symptoms. Steer prompts towards noticing and coping.
• someone leaving activated. Check in with them individually before they go.
• shutting down when pushing (link to assertiveness work in 4.25); pain flare-ups.

When to involve someone else

• New or worsening physical symptoms, or advice to stop or change prescribed medication: involve the client's doctor or prescriber.
• Signs of coercion, isolation from family and friends, escalating costs or secrecy: discuss openly and consider safeguarding.
• A crisis or thoughts of suicide: follow your crisis protocol. In the US, call or text 988; in the UK and Ireland, Samaritans on 116 123.

Drawn automatically from the guide's own sections. Stay curious: neither endorse nor dismiss what the client values, and check anything that matters against the full guide and its sources. Not medical advice.