An Exploration of What Therapy is like for Ethnic Minority Clients Who Work with Therapists from Different Ethnic Minority Backgrounds to Themselves

Psychological therapies are an important part of a comprehensive mental health care system, but it appears ethnic minority individuals are less likely to access therapy, more likely to have negative experiences, drop out prematurely, and have poorer outcomes compared to the ethnic majority population.

Research indicates some ethnic minority clients’ therapy experiences are impacted by their therapist’s ethnic background (both positive and negative experiences), but majority of these studies have looked at ethnic majority therapists (White therapists) and ethnically matched therapists only. Unfortunately, there are no studies that specifically explore what therapy is like for ethnic minority clients who work with therapists from different ethnic minority backgrounds to themselves.

It is hoped the exploration of how ethnic minority clients experience/d therapy working an ethnic minority therapists in cross cultural/ethnic/racial dynamics will contribute valuable knowledge to the field of multicultural therapy. The study aims to recruit 6-8 participants, who meet the following inclusion criteria:

• Identify as an ethnic minority individual

• Be qualified as a BACP/UKCP/BPS accredited therapist or currently training on a BACP, UKCP or BPS accredited course

• Have past or current experience working with a therapist from a different ethnic background to themselves.

Participants would be invited to an informal interview, estimated to last up to an hour. You would have the option to meet online via Zoom or in-person at Metanoia or a private room at a commercial property in East London (Haggerston).

Participation is completely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study at any time with no negative consequences. All personal details will be anonymised to protect confidentiality and you will be fully debriefed to address any concerns.

The study is supervised by Dr Erin Reid, and has been granted ethical approval by a joint committee from Metanoia Institute and Middlesex University. If you are interested in taking part in the study or have any questions, please contact me at sahara.begum@metanoia.ac.uk or call 07903 671116.