Jade Fullick is a trainee clinical psychologist with a research focus on trauma recovery and mental health in young adults. She is currently pursuing a doctoral degree at Cardiff University. You can connect with her on LinkedIn here, or email: fullickj@cardiff.ac.uk. 

Invitation To Take Part in Research: Exploring Positive Change After Trauma

Hi, I’m Jade Fullick, a trainee clinical psychologist, and I’m currently conducting research as part of my doctoral work at Cardiff University. My study dives into an important and often overlooked topic: how young adults who’ve experienced trauma, especially complex trauma, can experience positive changes through therapy. The formal term for this is ‘posttraumatic growth’, which recognises that people may sometimes emerge from trauma with newfound resilience or strengths. This isn’t about ignoring the challenges trauma brings, but rather offering hope that recovery can include unexpected positive shifts.

Why This Matters

For young adults who’ve gone through repeated early traumas—like difficulties in early relationships or other long-term stressors—the journey to healing can feel complex and delicate. For some people, talking therapy is an essential support in this process, but what makes it effective at promoting growth? My research aims to find out how therapy can be a catalyst for change, focusing on what helps individuals feel stronger, more resilient, or find new meaning in life after challenging experiences (both in and out of the therapy room).

The Study Process

In my research, I’m interviewing young adults between 18-25 who feel they've experienced growth after trauma and received some form of mental health support before turning 18. Through these conversations, I aim to build a model that therapists can use to understand and support growth in young adults who’ve faced complex trauma. Ultimately, I hope this model could guide therapists in developing better approaches for clients on similar journeys.

Why I’m Passionate About This Work

I believe that every trauma survivor’s journey is unique, and understanding these individual experiences can help us develop better mental health support. Hearing how young adults have navigated their paths through adversity and found hope is a privilege, and I’m motivated by the chance to make their insights useful for others.

How to take part

If you’re interested in taking part, please complete the survey here.