Charged Spaces: exploring autistic trainee and newly qualified psychotherapists’ experiences of Personal Development groups during training

I am an autistic student at the University of Warwick studying on the MSc in Psychotherapy and Counselling. My research project will explore the experiences of Personal Development (PD) groups during an integrative training programme from the perspective of trainee and newly qualified psychotherapists and counsellors who are autistic. (Please note that PD groups are also referred to as group process, experiential groups and encounter groups by different trainings/institutions.)

There are currently no published studies exploring neurodivergent psychotherapists’ experiences of PD groups. This research begins to address this gap and contributes to the growing conversation around neurodiversity in the counselling and psychotherapy professions.

The study potentially benefits trainees, educators and clients by informing more inclusive practice and offering practical recommendations for PD group facilitation and design.

Participants will be invited to take part in one semi-structured interview lasting between 60-90 minutes, conducted online via Microsoft Teams. You will be sent the interview questions in advance. The interview will be audio-recorded (with your consent) and later transcribed.

All data will be anonymised. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may skip any questions or stop the interview at any time. Prior to the interview, you’ll be invited to a short informal conversation with the researcher to talk through the process, discuss any questions or concerns, and make any requests around access (such as regular breaks during the interview).

Who can participate?

Trainee or newly qualified psychotherapists/counsellors who are autistic (trainees must be in their third year of training (or beyond) and newly qualified psychotherapists/counsellors must have qualified within the last two years).

Participants who identify as autistic (an official autism diagnosis is not required and participants may be multiply neurodivergent).

Participants who have participated in PD group for at least two academic years.

Participants with integrative trainings to help maintain a relatively homogenous sample in terms of training context.

To view the participant information sheet, please see here.
For more information or to take part, please see here.