Therapists' perspectives on working with clients taking psychiatric drugs: Findings from a mixed‐methods survey

Abstract

Objectives: Around 26% of the British adult population are prescribed psychiatric drugs each year. Most therapists (counsellors, psychotherapists and psychologists) provide therapy to some clients taking prescribed psychiatric drugs. This study aimed to better understand the experience, knowledge, training and concerns of therapists working therapeutically with clients prescribed psychiatric drugs. Design:This was a survey study, generating both quantitative and qualitative data. Methods:The online survey was completed by 1,230 therapists (members of UKCP, BACP and the BPS). Brief descriptive statistics for the quantitative data are reported.The qualitative data were analysed thematically.Results: Therapists would welcome professional guidance as to how to work better with clients taking prescribed psychiatric drugs, with some feeling their training had left them unprepared for this. Qualitative themes were broad-ranging and encompassed the following: client factors, therapist factors, prescriber actions and inactions, medicating therapy, the ideological and professional context, areas of therapist need, and actions and justifications that mitigate concerns.Conclusions: This article illustrates the complex nature of therapeutic work with clients taking, or withdrawing from, prescribed psychiatric drugs. Therapists want to work within their remit to appropriately help clients but need better information and improved relationships with prescribing clinicians.

Community‐based counselling for benzodiazepine withdrawal: A mixed‐methods study of client outcomes

“…One Canadian study, for example, has reported that 74.2% of respondents indicated they did not have adequate support to prevent and address the misuse of prescription drugs (Porath‐Waller et al, 2015). While counsellors have also acknowledged the need for evidence‐based information about substance use and support for client‐based empowerment (Blair et al, 2021), many do not feel adequately trained to work with clients who have substance use disorders (Martin et al, 2016). Counsellors are well placed to provide evidence‐based interventions to assist clients during withdrawal from overused psychoactive substances and are frequently asked about the impact of psychiatric drugs on therapy (Blair et al, 2021; Dorais et al, 2020).…”

“…While counsellors have also acknowledged the need for evidence‐based information about substance use and support for client‐based empowerment (Blair et al, 2021), many do not feel adequately trained to work with clients who have substance use disorders (Martin et al, 2016). Counsellors are well placed to provide evidence‐based interventions to assist clients during withdrawal from overused psychoactive substances and are frequently asked about the impact of psychiatric drugs on therapy (Blair et al, 2021; Dorais et al, 2020). Evidence‐based psychological support for BZD withdrawal includes cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and supportive counselling (Darker et al, 2015; Dutra et al, 2008; Parr et al, 2009; Reeve et al, 2017).…”

“…evidence-based interventions to assist clients during withdrawal from overused psychoactive substances and are frequently asked about the impact of psychiatric drugs on therapy (Blair et al, 2021;Dorais et al, 2020). Evidence-based psychological support for BZD withdrawal includes cognitive behavioural therapy, motivational interviewing and supportive counselling (Darker et al, 2015;Dutra et al, 2008;Parr et al, 2009;Reeve et al, 2017).…”