How group connection can transform MS support

At Overcoming MS, we know that living well with MS isn’t just about managing physical health. Emotional wellbeing is just as important. That’s why we were excited to speak with Dr Eva Fragkiadaki, Senior Lecturer in Counselling Psychology at the University of the West of England, in Bristol. 

Since 2009, Dr Fragkiadaki has worked in psychotherapy practice, supervision, training and research. During her postdoctoral studies, she began exploring the impact of psychotherapy on people with autoimmune conditions and was especially intrigued by the complex relationship between MS and depression. Her research has grown into a focus on tailoring psychological support for people with MS, leading to the creation of MyMS-Ally, an innovative online group programme co-developed with people living with MS. 

We caught up with Dr Fragkiadaki to hear more about her work, what she’s learned from her latest research, and why compassion and connection are at the heart of psychological support for people with MS. 

Q&A with Dr Eva Fragkiadaki

Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to focus on MS? 

I’ve been a counselling psychologist since 2009 and have always been interested in what makes therapy effective. In 2016, I began looking at psychotherapy for people with autoimmune conditions. I became fascinated by the strong link between MS and depression, and wanted to better understand how counselling could support people with MS. That led me to run a long-term study looking at what people actually found helpful or unhelpful, which became the foundation for my current work. 

What’s the idea behind MyMS-Ally and how did the study come about? 

We developed MyMS-Ally after examining our previous study, consulting existing literature and listening to people with MS and practitioners working in the field. It’s an online group support programme designed to reflect what people themselves said made the biggest difference in their experience of psychological support. The first version we ran was a pilot study – essentially a small-scale test to see what worked well and what could be improved. 

 The programme draws on well-known approaches: 

• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): understanding the link between thoughts, feelings and behaviours, and learning practical strategies to cope. 

• Mindfulness: paying attention to the present moment in a calm, non-judgemental way. 

• Narrative Therapy: exploring and reframing the personal stories we tell ourselves about MS. 

But rather than following a rigid protocol, MyMS-Ally combines these techniques in a flexible, group-based way that centres on lived experience. 

What did you learn from the pilot group? 

The biggest insight was that connection really matters. While the techniques were useful, what participants valued most was the supportive, compassionate environment of the group. Feeling understood, empowered and reassured during conversations had more impact than any single method. 

We also discovered that the nature of the participants’ disabilities – whether visible or hidden – shaped their experience. Shared traits helped build rapport, while differences sometimes posed challenges to involvement. Reframing personal stories around MS tuned out to be especially powerful, helping people find greater self-compassion. Ultimately, we recognised that change is a deeply personal process.  

How does this kind of support differ from something like CBT or mindfulness on their own? 

CBT and Mindfulness can be very effective, but they’re usually delivered in a standardised way. MyMS-Ally is different because it was co-created with people with MS. It blends elements of different therapies, but focuses on relationships, identity, and emotional processing in a group setting. It’s flexible, personal, and shaped by the community itself. 

At Overcoming MS, we often hear how our Retreats and Pathway courses help people feel connected and empowered. We’ve measured a 36% improvement in perceived physical wellbeing and a 37% improvement in perceived mental wellbeing in people who’ve attended. Do you think those experiences echo what you found? 

Yes, the improvements you’ve seen closely reflect the findings from the MyMS-Ally intervention pilot study. Both approaches emphasise the transformative power of group connection, emotional support, and tailored engagement. Overcoming MS participants reported significant improvements in physical and mental wellbeing and MyMS-Ally participants found that relational dynamics, empowerment, and open communication were more impactful than techniques alone. Both interventions highlight that meaningful change arises from personalised, compassionate environments that honour the complexity of living with MS. 

This was a pilot study. What’s next? 

The pilot gave us a wealth of insight into how future support can be more tailored and impactful. We plan to further investigate data-informed strategies for tailoring psychological interventions to align with the unique needs and preferences of people with MS. Our goal is to ensure that individuals with MS are actively engaged in shaping the direction and priorities of our research.  

Finally, what message would you share with someone newly diagnosed or struggling emotionally with MS? 

Know that you’re not alone; connection can be a powerful source of healing. Many people in our study shared how isolating MS felt at first, especially when symptoms were invisible or misunderstood. But through compassionate group support and open conversations, they began to feel more empowered, accepted, and able to integrate MS into their lives with greater confidence. There is strength in sharing, and support is out there, through people who truly understand what you’re going through. 

Why this matters

Dr Fragkiadaki’s research highlights what we’ve seen again and again in the Overcoming MS community: connection changes lives. Techniques like CBT can be helpful, but it’s the relationships, compassion and sense of belonging that make the biggest difference. 

Whether it’s starting a friendship in our app the Live Well Hub, taking part in a Pathway course, joining a Circle, or attending an event – the message is the same: you can help yourself, but you don’t have to do it alone.