Hearing, Non-Native BSL-Using Therapists’ Experiences of Working with Deaf Clients

: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis

Abstract

Therapists who identify as hearing and work with the Deaf community, both within counselling psychology and the wider therapeutic domain, are an under- researched population. Current literature highlights explanatory models of deafness, mental health issues in the Deaf community, the challenges Deaf individuals face in accessing mental health services, and their experiences in therapy. Considering the importance in preventing language barriers between therapists and Deaf clients, and of making effective psychotherapy available, this thesis explored how hearing therapists who are non-native British Sign Language (BSL) users experienced working with Deaf clients. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with five hearing therapists who are non-native BSL-users and work with Deaf clients. The interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), which is a qualitative methodological approach that focuses on lived experience and the meaning people give to it. Analysis of the interviews yielded three master themes. These were BSL as a Passport, Going on an Emotional Journey, and Using Strategies to Manage the Emotional Journey. Participants expressed how using BSL in their therapeutic work allowed them access into the Deaf world, but once they arrived, they faced many challenges, uncovered new insights about themselves and Deaf people, and came up with creative ways to work with this client group. Overall, it is argued that this research should raise awareness to counselling psychologists and other therapeutic practitioners that BSL is only a single aspect of Deaf culture and while it is a start, it will require more than a shared language to work effectively with this particular client group.

Date of Award	16 Mar 2021
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	University of Roehampton
Supervisor	Rosemary Rizq (Director of Studies) & Edith Steffen (Co-Supervisor)