Helpful and unhelpful processes in psychological therapy for female substance users: an interpretative phenomenological analysis

ABSTRACT

In this study we explored helpful and unhelpful processes in psychological therapy for women with a diagnosis of substance use disorder (SUD). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women, seven of whom were white; and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Three superordinate themes emerged: What words can’t express – finding another language, Identification with my therapist, and Getting towards acceptance. Emerging clinical implications are that therapists should consider strategies for helping clients with SUD “de-shame”; and be willing to challenge their resistance and avoidance from an empathic, accepting, and professional standpoint. Creative methods may help clients to identify and express their feelings, while the availability of therapists with their own histories of recovery may support hope and change.

KEYWORDS:

• Addiction
• substance use disorder
• helpful and unhelpful factors
• gender
• qualitative methods

Acknowledgements

We would like to acknowledge the eight female participants that took the time to contribute to this study and the addiction charities that facilitated the recruitment process. We would also like to thank Dr Russel Ayling for his invaluable insight.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane Halsall

Jane Halsall is a Chartered Counselling Psychologist. She holds an MSc in Addiction Psychology and trained as an addictions counsellor. Jane has over 10 years of study, research and clinical experience behind her within the NHS, charity, and private sector. She is registered with numerous bodies, including the Health Care and Professions Council, BACP, and the British Psychological Society.

Mick Cooper

Mick Cooper is Professor of Counselling Psychology at the University of Roehampton, where he is Director of the Centre for Research in Social and psychological Transformation (CREST). Mick is a chartered psychologist, a UKCP-registered existential psychotherapist, and a Fellow of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy. Mick is author and editor of a range of texts on person-centred, existential, and relational approaches to therapy. His latest book is Integrating counselling and psychotherapy: Directionality, synergy, and social change (Sage, 2019).