A portfolio of academic, therapeutic practice and research work: including an investigation of "she didn't know me from Adam and I didn't know her from Eve": an interpretative phenomenological analysis of lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer clients' experience of finding a therapist and beginning therapy

• Main Author: Maguire, Amy
• Published: University of Surrey 2013
• Subjects: 158.3
• Online Access: http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.604019

According to Liddle (1997) 'we know very little about gay and lesbian clients' utilisation of therapy' (p.ll). The objective of this research was to explore sexual-minority clients' subjective experience of finding a therapist and beginning therapy with them, capturing the complexity of this real life experience from the point of view of the sexual-minority client. Seven pal1ieipants who identified themselves as belonging to a sexual-minority were interviewed about their experience of finding a therapist and starting therapy. Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis, this study aimed to explore the subjective meaning that participants used to understand their experience. Five superordinate themes were identified within the data and these themes are discussed with reference to the existing literature. In particular, it is suggested that the participants' experience indicates the importance of working with an affirmative therapist, within an affirmative relationship. Implications and recommendations for therapy are considered and links with how counselling psychology's therapeutic and theoretical aims and practice can fit with the main findings are drawn.