# Young People’s Perspective on Discussing Intersectionality and Diversity During Psychological Therapy: A Qualitative Analysis in a Specialist Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service

## TL;DR

This study explores how young people experience discussing diversity in therapy and highlights the need for more inclusive mental health care.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into how young people with diverse identities perceive and navigate discussions of diversity in therapy.

## Key findings

- Young people emphasized the importance of the therapeutic relationship in discussing diversity.
- There are barriers to exploring diversity in therapy, such as fear of judgment or lack of therapist understanding.
- Diversity themes like identity, religion, and disability significantly shape young people's experiences in therapy.

## Abstract

Research suggests that National Health Services have continued to report health inequalities in access to treatment, care and outcomes. Individuals with diverse identities continue to report feeling like their specific needs are not addressed. The current study explored young people’s perspective of discussing diversity (faith/religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability) as part of therapy within a National and Specialist CAMH service.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted to explore young people’s perspectives of discussing diversity characteristics as part of therapy. 10 young people were interviewed, and a thematic analysis was employed.

Results revealed 4 main themes including (1) perspectives on diversity and identity (2) therapeutic relationship, (3) integrating diversity in therapy and (4) Barriers to exploring diversity in therapy.

Findings of the present study demonstrates the complexities of approaching diversity in therapy and provide insights into how clinicians can adapt therapy when supporting young people with these concerns.

People from diverse backgrounds often feel that their specific needs are not addressed in mental health services. This study looked at the experiences of young people discussing aspects of their identity including religion, gender, sexuality and disability, during psychological therapy. 10 young people were interviewed to gather their perspectives. The study found 4 main themes (1) how identity is shaped by different aspects of diversity (2) the importance of the relationship between the therapist and the young person (3) how diversity can be discussed in therapy (4) reasons why young people may be reluctant to discuss diversity in therapy. Results of the study showed the complexities of discussing diversity in therapy and showed ways in which mental health professionals can better support young people to discuss diversity during therapy.