Therapists and #MeToo: A Qualitative Survey of Personal Reactions and Professional Experiences

Abstract

The purpose of the present study was to understand how therapists were experiencing the #MeToo movement, both personally and professionally. In an anonymous online survey (via Qualtrics) sent to multiple therapist listservs and Facebook pages, training programs, and personal contacts, we asked therapists to respond to four open-ended questions about (a) their personal reactions to the #MeToo movement, (b) their clients’ reactions, (c) their subsequent interactions with clients, and (d) their ideas for change going forward. The convenience sample of 59 consisted of mostly liberal and feminist psychologists and counselors. They identified with diverse gender, racial/ethnic, and sexual orientation statuses, but most (78%) identified as women and over half (59%) as European American/White. We analyzed written narratives using grounded theory and consensual qualitative research methods. Six higher-order themes emerged: personal histories and reactions to the movement, complexities of response (optimism and concern), societal context shared by therapists and clients, clinical realities impacted by #MeToo, using standard and context-specific therapeutic strategies, and future directions (what therapists can do). We discuss findings in light of shared trauma (or shared reality), in which participants navigated their histories of sexual violence and media exposure while responding to clients, friends, family, and colleagues with similar experiences. Participants noted the need for increased self-care, as well as growth areas for the field, including the need for therapists to have increased awareness of issues of gender and power, intersectionality, and sexual violence treatment. Implications for the field and future research are discussed.

Keywords:

• #MeToo
• #MeToo movement
• psychotherapy
• sexual violence
• sexual harassment