Facilitators and barriers in psychotherapy from the perspective of autistic adults: an enhanced critical incident study.

PURPOSE

A significant portion of autistic adults experience mental health challenges. Currently, the literature is incomplete when it comes to understanding the needs and preferences of autistic adults who receive therapy. This study elicited the perspectives of autistic adults, focusing on the facilitators, barriers and ways to enhance psychotherapy based on receiving this care for mental health problems.

METHODS

Using the qualitative, exploratory approach of the Enhanced Critical Incident Technique, eight autistic adults took part in interviews.

RESULTS

A total of 147 critical incidents were extracted from participant interviews and categories salient to therapeutic practice. The study identified key factors influencing therapy, such as trust and respect, practical approaches, client factors, structure of sessions, knowledge about autism, support for individualized needs, access to mental health services, and involvement of family/advocate. These factors were categorized into eight main areas relevant to therapeutic practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings from this research reveal that psychotherapy with autistic adults is analogous to performing this work with non-autistic adults, in the sense that this work too entails elements of individually tailored treatment and the reliance on common therapeutic factors. There are also differences in this work that necessitate providers having foundational knowledge about autism. Learning directly from autistic adults' insights may help to improve upon the delivery of mental health care for autistic adults.