Let me be me: Investigating transgender clients' experiences of their therapeutic relationship with their counsellor

Abstract

Background: Many transgender individuals experience stigmatisation, victimisation and discrimination and, as a result, have become reliant on counselling services. Previous research indicates that transgender clients have experienced a mixture of negative and positive experiences of counselling and their therapeutic relationships. However, there is limited research that specifically explores the components of therapeutic relationships and transgender clients' experiences of them. Aim: This study aimed to investigate how transgender clients experience their therapeutic relationship with their counsellor. Method: This study used semistructured interviews and interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three adult participants who identified as transgender and had at least three counselling sessions in the past were recruited. Findings: Key findings indicated positive impacts of the counsellors' congruence, the importance of counsellors having basic knowledge and awareness of the challenges that transgender people may face and how the clients' development of self-awareness aided their evaluations and re-evaluations of their experiences of their therapeutic relationships. Limitations: Due to the small sample size, the findings cannot be generalised to the wider transgender population. Implications for Policy: Further research is needed to support the development of affirmative counselling for transgender clients. Implications for Practice: Counsellors are encouraged to work to respond to the needs of their clients at whatever stage in their process, to acquire basic knowledge and awareness of the challenges that some transgender people may face and to engage with their personal development and reflexivity around gender and identity. Conclusion: Transgender clients reported both positive and negative experiences of their therapeutic relationships with reference to their own and their counsellors' contributions. Positive experiences were largely associated with the counsellors' use of congruence and working affirmatively, and negative experiences were largely associated with counsellors working nonaffirmatively.