The Power Threat Meaning Framework (PTMF) is increasingly applied in forensic services to conceptualise psychological distress. However, limited research on its practical application hinders clinical understanding and full utilisation. This study aims to explore clinicians’ experiences integrating the PTMF within a Forensic Outreach Liaison service, highlighting its strengths, practical utility and barriers to broader implementation.
Six professionals participated in individual interviews, with data analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Bracketing, reflexive logs and an external audit were conducted to enhance reliability and credibility.
Two overarching themes emerged: understanding and meaning making and barriers to implementation, each with sub-themes. Findings indicate that the PTMF is conceptually valuable, enhancing professionals’ understanding of client presentations, informing clinical approaches and fostering reflection on power dynamics. It supports an integrative approach that complements existing models focusing on empowerment and trauma-informed care. However, challenges to full implementation remain, including resistance to change, dominance of the medical model, lack of standardisation and the framework’s complexity, which limits collaborative use.
This study highlights the clinical value of the PTMF in forensic community mental health services, with professionals endorsing it as a trauma-informed, evidence-based framework that enriches formulations, complements existing models and offers practical insights for implementation while addressing barriers to wider adoption.
This study enhances understanding of PTMF use in community forensic mental health, addressing a key research gap. Clinicians viewed the PTMF as a trauma-informed and empowering approach, although barriers to application persist. Supportive implementation strategies and further research are recommended.
