Therapeutic relationships and individuals with learning disabilities
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Individuals with learning disabilities conceptualization's of the therapeutic relationship.
IRAS ID
295261
Contact name
Sarah Parker
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of West England
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 3 months, 1 days
Research summary
This research looks to gain an in-depth understanding of the experiences of individuals with learning disabilities (LD) having counselling. It will focus on whether the individual with LD feels empathised with, understood and on the same level as the counsellor, as these have been found to be important with a typically developing population. In addition, individuals with LD often report feeling a sense of ‘otherness’ and this can damage the therapeutic relationship.
The research questions being addressed are; how do individuals with LD experience different components of the therapeutic relationship? and Is the experience of therapy of people with LD consistent with an intersubjective view of the therapeutic relationship. These are important questions because over 40% of individuals with a learning disability may experience mental health difficulties, but they have limited support available to help them manage these problems. Compared to the wealth of research conducted on psychotherapy within the typically developing population, there is very limited research conducted with individuals with learning disabilities. As a result, many therapists do not feel they have the required skill set and so support is not offered where it should be. Therefore, this research is important because it will add to an under researched area, offering insight to what is important to individuals with LD having counselling. This will then help counsellors know how to best support these individuals.
The study is looking to recruit individuals currently having counselling within an NHS learning disability service. They need to have capacity to consent and a moderate to mild learning disability. As the study will use semi-structured interviews these will occur where the participant feels comfortable, for example, where they have counselling. Participants will be required to participate in one semi-structured interview lasting up to an hour, although breaks will be offered and the option to pause and so will the option to reconvene at a later date.REC name
London - Camberwell St Giles Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0444
Date of REC Opinion
5 Jul 2021
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion