Exploring the Experiences and Perceptions of Psychotherapists and Counsellors Working With Autistic Adolescents: Paper Two

ABSTRACT Background A growing body of research has identified counsellor and psychotherapist perceptions of autism as barriers for autistic individuals to accessing mental health care (Lipinski et al. 2022; Roudbarani et al. 2022). A prior quantitative study (Casper‐White et al. 2025) focusing on therapists' experiences and perceptions of working with autistic adolescents identified that the number of years since qualifying and the number of clients seen had a positive relationship with confidence to work with this client group. In addition, the descriptive statistics provided support for offering non‐directive therapy to support autistic adolescents' mental health. This follow‐up qualitative study aimed to better understand these findings and add to an emergent research field, from which improved training opportunities for therapists and access to psychological care for autistic adolescents can be gained. Methods This research formed part of an explanatory sequential mixed‐methods study (Maarouf 2019). It aimed to investigate counsellor and psychotherapist experiences and perceptions of therapeutic work with autistic adolescents, using data collected via online semi‐structured interviews with N = 10 qualified psychotherapists/counsellors and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke 2019). Findings Findings are presented in relation to five themes: (1) See the Person, not your Perceptions; (2) Collaborative Working; (3) Overcoming the Stereotypes; (4) Navigating a Deluge of Diagnosis; and (5) Improving upon Unpreparedness. Discussion The qualitative results both support and extend previous quantitative findings and provide valuable suggestions for future training provision and a positive insight into working in a non‐directive therapeutic way with autistic adolescents.