An exploration of the experiences of women and non-binary counsellors in relation to Gendered Power Dynamics in the therapeutic relationship: A constructivist grounded theory

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to explore the experiences of women and non-binary counsellors in relation to gendered power dynamics (GPD) in the therapeutic relationship. This research aimed to understand counsellors’ experiences to establish a theoretical model for GPD in the therapeutic relationship from the perspective of women and non-binary counsellors. This research took a multi-disciplinary approach, exploring sociological and feminist literature on gender and power, alongside counselling literature on the therapeutic relationship. A co-operative inquiry group was established to research this area. Further theoretical sampling, in line with the principles of constructivist grounded theory (Charmaz, 2014), was done using one-to-one interviews and a group interview. Ethical approval for this study was granted by the University of Chester. A theoretical model was constructed made up of five core categories moving beyond a descriptive account. These core categories are: making sense of gender; experiencing gendered power and its influences; identifying factors which impact the therapist’s response; being impacted by the work; exploring the difference identity can make. The creation of the model, rooted in feminist epistemology, was developed through collective knowledge building, considered to be the heart of feminism (Ahmed, 2017). It transforms the issue of GPD from an individual problem to a structural issue, enabling the field to explore it through this lens. The model can be used by counsellors, trainers, and supervisors to bring to the surface something that may otherwise be left hidden. This research found that the experience of GPD begins before the client and counsellor meet and has the potential to continue after the relationship has ended. A great deal of training and research is focused on the power dynamics between the counsellor and client, encouraging an intersectional perspective based on reducing client harm. However, research exploring the counsellor’s experience, including potential counsellor harm due to the power held by the client, appears to be limited, although negative impacts in relation to practice have been noted (Ali et al., 2005; Porter et al., 2015; Wright & Murphy, 2024).