Child and Adolescent Counsellors and Psychotherapists’ Understanding and Experiences of Working with Young People with Developmental Coordination Disorder

RESEARCH PARTICIPATION INVITATION

Child and Adolescent Counsellors and Psychotherapists' Understanding and Experiences of Working with Young People with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD/Dyspraxia)

About the Study

This qualitative study explores how child and adolescent counsellors, psychotherapists and clinical psychologists understand and perceive their experiences of working with children and young people who have Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), also known as dyspraxia. DCD affects an estimated 2–6% of children and young people, yet research into therapeutic responses to the condition remains almost absent from the literature, despite the well-documented emotional and psychological consequences of DCD, including elevated rates of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. There is a significant gap in our understanding of how practitioners currently work with this group and the challenges and insights they encounter in the therapy room.

This study aims to address that gap by gathering the perspectives and experiences of qualified practitioners working directly with CYP with DCD. Your voice matters.

Who We Are Looking For

You may be eligible to participate if you:

• Are you a qualified and currently practising Psychotherapist, Counsellor, Play Therapist or Creative Arts Therapist
• Are registered with BACP
• Have at least 3 years' post-qualification experience working with children and/or adolescents
• Have experience working therapeutically with CYP who have a diagnosis of, or are suspected of having, DCD/Dyspraxia
• Worked or have worked in a school, third-sector organisation, CAMHS, or private practice setting

All therapeutic modalities are welcome, including integrative, person-centred, psychodynamic, CBT, play therapy and creative arts therapy approaches.

Data Collection and What's Involved

Participation involves one semi-structured online interview lasting approximately 60–75 minutes, conducted via Microsoft Teams. The interview will explore your experiences, understandings and reflections on working therapeutically with CYP with DCD. You are not required to have specialist knowledge of DCD; your practitioner experience and perspective are what this research values. Interviews will be audio-recorded with your consent. Recordings will be stored on a password-protected, encrypted University of Roehampton OneDrive. All transcripts will be anonymised, your name, workplace and any identifying details will be replaced with pseudonyms. Only the researcher and supervisor will have access to the data.

Data will be handled in accordance with the UK Data Protection Act (2018) and the University of Roehampton's ethical guidelines. Following the interview, you will receive a debrief sheet containing a summary of the study and contact details for relevant support resources. You may withdraw from the study without consequence at any point up to two weeks after your interview.

How to Register Your Interest

To express your interest or ask any questions, please contact the researcher directly by email. You will then receive a full Participant Information Sheet to read at your own pace. If you are happy to proceed, you will be asked to complete a consent form before your interview is arranged.

Please see here for more information.

Contact: Chrissy Brake, MA Integrative Counselling & Psychotherapy for Children, Adolescents & Families University of Roehampton | Supervisor: Dr Robert Allan