Carrying it Quietly : A Qualitative Study of Therapists’ Perspectives on Public Attitudes to Psychological Therapy in Northern Ireland.

Sammanfattning

This qualitative study explores therapists’ and psychologists’ perspectives on public attitudes toward psychological therapy and help-seeking in Northern Ireland. The study focuses on three therapeutic approaches: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Psychodynamic Therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight practising therapists and analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis. The findings highlight four central themes: societal stigma and cultural norms, trust and confidentiality, knowledge and accessibility of therapy as well as the therapeutic alliance and engagement. The participants described how the legacy of The Troubles, sectarian identity and cultural expectations around emotional restraint continue to shape public perceptions of therapy and willingness to seek support. Mistrust of institutions, concerns about confidentiality and limited understanding of therapeutic models were identified as key barriers to engagement. The findings emphasise the importance of culturally informed practice and strong therapeutic relationships in improving access to psychological support in a post-conflict society.