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Therapeutic work with clients living in poverty
1EDB Consultancy, London, UK.
The International Journal of Social Psychiatry
|January 7, 2023
Summary
Therapists face challenges when working with clients experiencing poverty. Recognizing and addressing structural inequalities is crucial for effective mental health support.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Sociology
- Mental Health Research
Background:
- Increasing financial inequalities and the ubiquity of poverty impact mental health.
- The link between poverty and mental well-being is under-researched.
- Current cost-of-living crises exacerbate poverty-related mental health issues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore therapists' experiences working with clients affected by poverty.
- To understand the challenges and facilitators in therapeutic engagement with impoverished clients.
- To highlight the importance of poverty awareness in mental health practice.
Main Methods:
- Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight therapists.
- Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used for data analysis.
- Qualitative research design focused on lived experiences.
Main Results:
- Therapists reported 'Resilience in the struggle to engage with therapeutic work'.
- Challenges included 'Struggling to promote social activism' among clients.
- Therapists navigated 'Multiple challenges and barriers' in their practice.
- Three superordinate themes with sub-themes emerged from the analysis.
Conclusions:
- Structural inequalities, including poverty, significantly affect individuals but are often overlooked in therapy.
- Therapists must acknowledge and integrate awareness of poverty into their clinical work.
- Addressing poverty is essential for comprehensive mental health care and client well-being.
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