A reflective account on starting to deliver therapy as an assistant psychologist in an adult intellectual disability service

Abstract

Easy read summary■This paper highlights the experience of an Assistant Psychologist, learning how to conduct individual psychotherapy with clients with a learning disability.■Many challenges were faced when starting to conduct therapy and a lot was learnt from the experience.■Suggestions are offered on how to support people with learning disabilities to access Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.■Having an assistant psychologist conduct psychotherapy, under supervision, had several benefits and provided many insights into becoming a therapist.Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for psychological issues with adults with intellectual disabilities (ID). To utilise service resources efficiently, assistant psychologists (APs) were taught the basics of CBT to allow them to work with appropriate clients under clinical supervision. This paper reflects upon my experience as an AP in learning how to conduct individual psychotherapy with clients with an ID. Comments are made on the many challenges I faced during the therapy sessions and on supporting people with ID in general. The benefits of having an AP conducting individual therapy are also discussed.