Exploring the Experience and Perceptions of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Working With Autistic Adolescents: Paper One

Abstract

Background

The publication of the DSM 5 in 2013 identified autistic individuals as more likely to experience mental health problems than their neurotypical peers. A prior systematic review suggested autistic adolescents may be more vulnerable to poor mental health (Casper et al. 2021), especially post-pandemic (Samji et al. 2022). Subsequent research (Maddox et al. 2020; Lipinski et al. 2022) has suggested that psychotherapist and counsellor perceptions of autism may act as barriers in accessing therapeutic support. Most of the research within this area is focused on broad age ranges and directive therapies, which does not reflect the spectrum nature of autism and limits the type of support offered.

Methods

This research aimed to investigate counsellor and psychotherapist experience and perceptions of therapeutic working with autistic adolescents using quantitative data collected via an online survey of 103 participants.

Results

The findings suggest significant relationships between therapist experience and confidence to work with autistic adolescents. Therapist confidence was significantly related to therapist competence but the direction of this relationship could not be confirmed. In addition, the results suggested 81% of participants had not received any formal autism training during their qualification and 93% perceived non-directive therapy to be beneficial for autistic adolescents.

Discussion

Collectively this study highlights an urgent need for autism training to be included in courses, which may increase newly qualified therapists' confidence, competence and improve access to mental health services for autistic adolescents. The implications of these findings, as well as limitations and plans for further research, are discussed.