The lived experience of South Africans who received BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®)

Combrink, Rochelle

The lived experience of South Africans who received BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®)

Thesis / Dissertation

2026

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Faculty

Faculty of Health Sciences

Abstract

BrainWorking Recursive Therapy® (BWRT®) is an emerging, neuroscience-informed psychotherapeutic intervention that is reportedly client-centred, solution-focused, and distinct in that it does not require clients to disclose detailed personal histories or verbally revisit their distressing memories. Using visualisation techniques to process these distressing memories, BWRT® may offer a time- and cost-efficient alternative to traditional therapies - particularly in under-resourced South African settings where long-term treatment is often inaccessible. While the limited literature highlights its potential, most existing studies have focused on clinicians' perspectives, with limited insight into clients' lived experiences. This study explored the lived experiences of South African clients who received BWRT®, using a qualitative retrospective design and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Ten participants were recruited through purposive sampling, and data was collected via semi-structured online interviews. Interviews were then transcribed and analysed using NVivo software. Seven key themes emerged, namely: feelings of relief from distress, a sense of empowerment, experiences of BWRT® after one session, comparisons between BWRT® and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), difficulties encountered, openness to try BWRT®, and perceptions of clinician competency. Participants frequently reported substantial emotional relief and a sense of empowerment, often after a single session. While comparisons to traditional therapies such as CBT highlighted the perceived strengths of BWRT®, participants also described challenges encountered during their journey. Notably, openness to the therapy and clinician competence emerged as critical factors in shaping therapeutic outcomes. Although BWRT® shows promise as a brief intervention, its potential appears to be moderated by the therapeutic context, individual factors, and practitioner skill. These findings highlight the need for future research into the mechanisms underlying BWRT® and the contexts in which it may be most efficient