Are you an integrative psychotherapist or psychotherapeutic counsellor with experience of working with clients affected by betrayal trauma?

I am a postgraduate researcher on the MSc Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling programme at the University of Warwick, and I am inviting qualified practitioners to take part in a qualitative research study exploring therapeutic work with betrayal trauma. Betrayal trauma (Freyd, 1996) refers to harm caused within relationships of trust or attachment, often resulting in profound relational and psychological impact. While awareness of betrayal trauma is growing, much of the existing literature is grounded in medical or diagnostic frameworks. Although valuable, these approaches can risk overlooking the relational and meaning-making dimensions of clients’ experiences.

This study seeks to explore how integrative therapists understand and work with betrayal trauma in practice, with a particular focus on relational, ethical, and experiential aspects of the work. It aims to generate practice-based insights that reflect the complexity of therapeutic engagement in this area. The research takes a qualitative approach, informed by a critical realist and interpretivist perspective. This means it is interested not only in betrayal trauma as a lived and relational phenomenon, but also in how therapists make sense of their work through reflection, context, and clinical experience.

Participation would involve a one-to-one semi-structured interview (approximately 60 minutes), conducted online at a time convenient to you. The interview will explore your experiences of working with clients affected by betrayal trauma, including:

  • Relational challenges within the therapeutic process
  • Ethical considerations and dilemmas
  • The role of reflexivity and self-awareness
  • How you navigate boundaries, rupture, repair, and relational dynamics

The study uses Reflexive Thematic Analysis to explore patterns of meaning across participants’ accounts, with an emphasis on depth, nuance, and clinical relevance.

Who can take part?

Qualified integrative psychotherapists or psychotherapeutic counsellors currently practising or with recent clinical experience of working with clients affected by betrayal trauma.

Participation is entirely voluntary. All data will be treated confidentially and anonymised in line with ethical guidelines.

The study has received ethical approval from the University of Warwick.

It is hoped that this research will contribute to a richer understanding of betrayal trauma within integrative practice, supporting relationally attuned and ethically informed therapeutic work.

If you would like more information or would like to register to take part, please see here.

To view the participant information sheet, please see here.
If you have any questions, please contact: Susan Brennan