Therapists’ experience of the therapeutic relationship when working with adults adopted as infants

Abstract

Context & FocusEarly experiences can have an influence on the adult’s ability to form trusting relationships with others, this can include therapists. Currently, there is a lack of empirical and theoretical understanding of the complexities of the therapeutic relationship when working with adults who were adopted. This study sought to understand the nature of this therapeutic relationship as experienced by therapists.MethodologySix homogenous adoption-counsellor participants were purposively sampled; semi-structured interviews were conducted and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). This enabled detailed exploration of the experience of adoption counsellors currently working with adult adoptees.FindingsAnalysis produced three master themes: An awareness of the early rejection in all stages of the therapeutic process; a personal commitment to provide a corrective emotional experience; and the psychological consequences of working with adult adopted clients for therapists. The analysis emphasised the challenges that participants perceived in terms of establishing, maintaining and ending the therapeutic relationship with adopted adults.DiscussionThe findings of this study extend the pre-existing research base by emphasising the interconnectedness of the personal and professional experiences of adoption counsellors and the need for flexibility in their practice in each phase of the therapeutic process, predominantly with regard to therapeutic boundaries and engaging in a different ending experience. The study highlights practical implications, particularly the importance of familiarisation with certain aspects of adoption due to their likely influence on the therapeutic relationship, and the need for reflective practice.