The experiences of therapy from the perspectives of carers of people with dementia: An exploratory study

Abstract

Design: Interviews were conducted with six carers of people with dementia about their experience of receiving counselling/psychotherapy. Interviews were conducted in the carer's own home, and data were analysed thematically using a narrative approach. Findings: Three themes were identified from the data: ‘Still doing the best I can’ (identified as losses and processes of personal growth); ‘Feeling connected and being understood’ (identified as attributes believed to be important within the therapeutic relationship); and ‘Wanting to share information’ (identified as sharing information with someone ‘neutral’). Carers placed emphasis on the age of the therapist and the amount of therapist self-disclosure. Attending counselling and/or psychotherapy also helped the carer to find a ‘safe space’ to disclose and share concerns. Discussion: Carer loss and personal growth are explored, together with the importance of building therapeutic relationships and, for the therapist, seeking supervision when managing personal self-disclosure. The theme of therapist self disclosure is explored together with the importance of therapists seeking supervision when managing personal self-disclosure.

Keywords:

• carer
• carer's views on therapist
• dementia
• therapeutic relationship
• self-disclosure

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) for funding this study and the BACP research team for their guidance during the data collection process.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ruth Elvish

Biographies

Ruth Elvish is a clinical psychologist. Her research work is undertaken at the University of Manchester within the Dementia and Ageing Research Team, where she holds a number of research grants. Her clinical work is currently predominantly in the area of neuropsychological assessment of people with suspected dementia.

Rosanne Cawley

Rosanne Cawley is a research assistant. She currently works at the University of Manchester within the Dementia and Ageing Research Team. She has a background in psychology and has developed a particular interest in older adult services.

John Keady

John Keady is Professor of Mental Health Nursing and Older People and currently leads the Dementia and Ageing Research Team based at the University of Manchester. He has held a number of research grants and has published in a variety of peer-reviewed and practice journals on the subject of dementia. He is founding and co-editor of the Sage journal Dementia: The International Journal of Social Research and Practice.