In the experiences of violent male clients did counselling and psychotherapy facilitate their understanding and alter their expression of anger and aggression
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Aim or purpose

We aimed to gain a better understanding of the impact and efficacy of psychotherapeutic intervention for males experiencing and expressing anger, for the purpose of better informing psychotherapeutic practice in relation to this client-group.

Design methodology

Three participants meeting the research inclusion criteria were audio recorded during semi structured interviews. The resulting data was thematically analysed, informed by phenomenological principles (smith et al, 2009).

Results and findings

Research question

In the experiences of violent male clients did counselling or psychotherapy facilitate their understand and alter their expression of anger or aggression? And, if so, how can this inform psychotherapeutic practice?聽

Results

The interviews presented a number of themes and sub-themes where participants expressed the same or very similar experiences of their anger and the wider psychotherapeutic process.

Overall, there were 3 main themes and 12 sub-themes identified:

Prior to psychotherapeutic intervention:聽

• 贰苍惫颈谤辞苍尘别苍迟听
• Damage to others
• Self-harm
• Substance addiction聽
• Recognition of not-understanding

Results of therapy:聽

• Deeper understanding聽
• 贰苍惫颈谤辞苍尘别苍迟听
• Connection to past environmental issues and childhood trauma聽
• Misinterpretation of male roles and gender identification

Rogerian core conditions supported acceptance and increased sense of self-worth:

• 贰尘辫补迟丑测听
• Unconditional positive regard
• 颁辞苍驳谤耻别苍肠别听

Research limitations聽

The relatively small participant group may limit the generalisability of current and subsequent findings (Mcleod. 2003) feedback, guidance on further or alternate analysis of data would be helpful.

Conclusions

While the data demonstrated a wide range of experiences. There were clear themes and patterns, these themes can now be extrapolated and discussed in order to further understand the role intervention plays and the unique variables present within male clients.

The key findings show the importance of psychotherapeutic intervention. The data clearly highlighted how this intervention can support the process and which aspects of this process are most impactful.

Therefore, the research concludes that the extension of the Rogerian core conditions within the therapeutic alliance (Rogers, 1957] sustained a space in which the client felt able to express themselves without fear of judgement whilst gathering a deeper understanding of their anger and aggression.