Reflecting participant’s experiences of completing a new psychotherapy through a mirror – “It’s like the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party”
25 June 2025
Note from Dr. Francesca: “I’m honoured to invite Dr Ross Taylor to share the findings of his Doctorate in Clinical Psychology research into Mindful Interbeing Mirror Therapy (MIMT) at the University of Birmingham.”
As a research group, we have completed our first research study into what the experience of taking part in Mindful Interbeing Mirror Therapy (MIMT) is like. Our participants outlined how MIMT’s weird and wonderful techniques helped them cultivate self-compassion and how their experience offered them lasting hope in their lives. We are hopeful our research can help promote interest among clinicians and researchers of the approach.
What is MIMT and why research it?
Mindful Interbeing Mirror Therapy (MIMT) is a recently developed, trauma-focused psychotherapy. Drawing in part from other contemporary trauma therapy models, MIMT is unique in its approach; for example, the patient and therapist interact through a large mirror (see Dr Francesca’s blog post regarding what MIMT entails). The focus of MIMT is to help patients build an experiential connection with avoided emotional states (thought to be linked to an individual experiencing adverse events) alongside the therapist, who acts as an emotional regulator. Despite MIMT being used in various locations across the UK (and beyond!), there is limited evidence regarding its processes, effectiveness, or experience. Consequently, in exploring perspectives on MIMT, we proposed this would provide an initial knowledge platform to develop a better understanding of how MIMT is viewed by those who take part in it.
How was the research undertaken?
Using an established qualitative methodology – Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis – we explored the experiences of six individuals who have completed MIMT. Within this group were those who had previously completed a different type of therapy so we could better clarify what it was about MIMT, rather than just what experiences of therapy were like more broadly. Once our participant pool was identified, we then completed longer-form and semi-structured interviews, mainly asking what their experience was like and how they made sense of the process. Ethical approval was provided and monitored within the University of Birmingham.
What did we find?
Results indicated that participants felt the emotional intensity of engaging with the mirror – for example, looking at themselves as they were talking helped them to build their understanding of themselves. This building connection to themselves was reflected in them noticing with more clarity their vulnerability (e.g., their emotional pain) as well as the shame they felt for experiencing this. Specific techniques of MIMT, including the use of the mirror and therapist dialogue, were reported to help participants feel emotions became more tangible, whilst other ineffable experiences provided lasting hope. One participant named this process as being “like the Mad Hatter’s tea party” – in the sense that through an unusual process it gave them “more chairs” and choices in how they can live their life, for example, with less shame. In addition to the techniques of MIMT, the therapeutic relationship was consistently described as essential. Whilst sharing elements with other therapeutic approaches, our findings suggested that MIMT appears promising for individuals distressed through past traumatic experiences.
What’s next?
Our research highlighted several clinical suggestions, including the importance of good supervision and training in MIMT, particularly given the intensity of the therapy. We also found that whilst some participants described having sudden insights as a result of MIMT, other participants did not, which may be validating information for current and future MIMT clients. We are currently in the process of identifying and seeking peer review. If you are interested in hearing more about this research, please contact us!
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