Breaking the silence: How might men's experiences of therapy inform the ICP approach?

My name is Samuel Clott, and I am studying Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy MSc at the University of Derby. My dissertation research is titled “Breaking the Silence: How might Men’s experiences of therapy inform the Integrative Psychotherapeutic Approach?”

This study will be looking to explore adult men’s lived experience of therapy using an Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Research has shown that men access therapy less and have fewer positive outcomes than women. By focussing on their experiences of therapy, key themes may be identified to help reveal the shortcomings of talking therapy and potential implications for the Integrative Psychotherapeutic approach.

To be eligible for this study, participants must: Be a male aged 18+ and have had four sessions minimum of talking therapy.

What will happen in the study?

This study will consist of a roughly one-hour interview done digitally over Microsoft teams. The interview will be semi structured and simply exploring what you felt went right or wrong with your therapy. The audio of this interview will be recorded but you will be anonymised to maintain confidentiality and your data will be stored securely until the research project is completed. Participants may request breaks during the interview and can withdraw from the interview at any point. There is a two-week window post interview where you may also withdraw your data from the study.

Why this research matters

Galdas (2005), states that across the developed world, the health of men is an urgent need for attention. When it comes to mental health service Pattyn (2015), states that there is a gender gap. Men make fewer admissions to mental health professionals than women. This research aims to investigate why men might access therapy and why there are fewer positive outcomes for men in therapy. Through this, the Integrative Approach might be better informed and prepared to reduce this gender gap in therapy.

Please see flyer here.

Please see participant information sheet here.

If you have any further questions, please contact me at 100445207@unimail.derby.ac.uk for more information.