Alongside my therapy work with clients, I do research and policy analysis in the area where the psychological, social, economic and political meet (Of course, my therapy clients are not part of my research in any way).
I am interested in how our internal and external worlds interact. I believe that how we think, feel and act is the result not only of our genes and our early environment and relationships, but also of the culture in which we find ourselves, and particularly the power relationships within it. Conversely, we also collectively contribute to and constantly reshape that same culture.
Thus, the kind of psychological knowledge and approach that underpins integrative therapy has a role to play in the wider world – in organisations, in policy development and in politics. And conversely, therapists can integrate a cultural dimension into work with clients, particularly through their awareness of the different experience of people with diverse identities.
My current research is focussed on the experience of clients in therapy at times of political turmoil, and on how they have brought this experience into their therapy.
I am also curious about areas such as:
- how the current polarisations in UK society might be explored using psychotherapeutic theory
- what has brought out competitive and co-operative dimensions of human personality at different times
- women’s and men’s feelings about working culture and working hours
I am interested to hear from anyone also working in any of these areas, from an academic, policy or therapy perspective.
You can contact me about research on annathomaswork@gmail.com