What is the aim of the research?

To explore your experience of leaving psychotherapy/counselling 'early' or before you had planned to. 

 

Why you might want to be interviewed?

You have recently or in the past decided to leave counselling / psychother therapy, once or more than once, because you felt it was no longer ‘working’, it wasn’t what you expected, or you felt confused or unsure about your experience and wish to share your story.  

 

What would be the benefit of agreeing to take part?

You will provide, from the client's perspective, vital insight into the reasons you decided to leave. Experiences, that often remain untold and unheard by professionals. Obtaining your feedback, including any views on how it could have been different, could greatly help improve the delivery of counselling and psychotherapy services and contribute to greater understanding of  an under-researched and often ignored part of the process of counselling and psychotherapy.   

 

What will it involve?

A taped conversational style interview lasting around 30 to 60 minutes. This will be arranged at a mutually agreed time and location – in person or via skype.

 

Can I take part? Yes – if you:

• did not leave individual psychotherapy / counselling for practical reasons: e.g. financial concerns, moving, having children, your partner objected / restricted you, your therapist ended

• did not have counselling / psychotherapy with a trainee practitioner (we can ascertain this together if you are unsure) for around 3 months before leaving

• are not currently qualified or in the process of qualifying as a psychotherapist

• do not have a psychiatric diagnosis, are under extreme mental distress, or suicidal

 

What next?

If you are interested in taking part please contact me using the form below. We can talk via email or phone to decide if participating in the project is right for you, and meets the study sampling criteria.

 

Who am I?

I am a finalist undertaking a research dissertation for an MA in Integrative Psychotherapy. I have also been a researcher in evidence-based health and social care for the past 10 years.

 

Will you maintain confidentiality and safety? (Ethics)

Yes. Ethical approval for this study has been granted by the Minster Centre Ethics Committee and is guided by the BACP Ethical guidelines for researching counselling and psychotherapy (Bond 2004). Interviews will be conducted in a sensitive and safe manner, and all details will remain confidential and be anonymised. Full details regarding the ethics of this project can be obtained from me.