Ethnicity and the therapeutic relationship: views of young people accessing cognitive behavioural therapy

Few studies have explored the views of black and minority ethnic (BME) adolescents engaging in cognitive behavioural therapy. This study aimed to examine BME adolescent service users' perceptions of how ethnicity featured in the therapeutic relationship and its relevance to their presenting difficulties. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore the experiences of five young people using an adolescent mental health service. Four interrelated themes emerged from the analysis and are considered in detail. The complexities of participants' views are discussed and recommendations are made for therapists as to how to enquire about, acknowledge and remain attuned to the client's ethnicity.