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Psychotherapy Experiences of U.S. Adults With Physical Disabilities

Recommendations for Affirmative Practice

Bibliographic Data

ID8914842
AuthorsKristin J Conover (0000-0001-8572-9615, Alliant University), Kristin J Conner (Alliant University, corresponding author), Veronica M Acosta (0000-0002-2610-2852, Alliant University), Roya Nouri (0000-0002-0632-4167, Alliant University), Milena Tyler von Wrangel (0000-0002-2493-4479, Alliant University), Elizabeth Gramillo (0000-0002-4642-7320, Alliant University), Alise Conner (0000-0001-5002-3567, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA)
Year2023
Volume51
Issue7
Pages970-1004
Publication date2023-07-04
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Counseling Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0011-0000 • E-ISSN: 1552-3861
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00110000231186824
OpenAlexW4383226962
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited31

Mental health providers often have little to no training on working with disabled people, and may hold negative biases toward disability (American Psychological Association [APA], 2022). Given these conditions, this study fills a gap in knowledge about the experiences of people with physical disabilities in psychotherapy, and data-driven disability-affirmative approaches. Purposive sampling was used to recruit people with physical disabilities ( N = 24) through social media, who participated in semi-structured individual interviews about their psychotherapy experiences. Consensual qualitative research methods revealed four overarching domains with multiple underlying themes. The four domains were: (a) positive therapeutic interventions and interactions, (b) negative therapeutic interventions and interactions, (c) in/accessibility of services, and (d) suggestions for improving mental health services. The results inform affirmative practices for psychotherapy with a stigmatized population. Implications for culturally-responsive clinical practice and training are discussed, as well as study limitations and directions for future research

Mental health · Nonprobability sampling · Population · Psychiatry · Psychological intervention · Psychotherapist · Qualitative research · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Clinical Psychology · Family and Disability Support Research · LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy · Medicine · Psychology

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Unique citing works5
Citations per year2,5
Citation span2024 - 2026 (3)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 5
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