'Not Becoming Mother': A Phenomenological Exploration of the Therapeutic Relationship with Transgender Clients.
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Authors
Harmon, Kevin
Donohue, Gráinne
Issue Date
2017-12-22
Type
Journal Article
Language
en
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
LGBTI clients present specific challenges for the mental health profession with key issues for transgender people identified as including isolation, fear, stigma, and family rejection, all of which contribute to the transgender community's high levels of depression, anxiety, substance misuse, self-harm, and suicide. This qualitative research paper explores the experiences of Irish psychotherapists working with transgender clients to explore specifically the nature of the therapeutic relationship. Using an interpretive phenomenological approach, it examines the subjective experience of three participant psychotherapists and endeavours to make sense of the phenomenology that emerged from semi-structured interviews. The phenomenological analysis of the data collected resulted in three salient themes emerging: (i) Therapeutic identification, (ii) Maternal countertransference, and (iii) Confusion. It is hoped that these findings which relate to the therapeutic relationship will be of utmost importance to others working within the mental health profession where recovery is dependent on the strength of this relationship.
Description
Citation
Harmon, K., & Donohue, G. (2018). 'Not Becoming Mother': A Phenomenological Exploration of the Therapeutic Relationship with Transgender Clients. Issues in mental health nursing, 39(1), 53–58. https://doi.org/10.1080/01612840.2017.1395932
Publisher
License
Journal
Issues in mental health nursing
Volume
39
Issue
1
PubMed ID
ISSN
1096-4673