How therapists make sense of unplanned endings in counselling with midlife male clients (aged 40-60)

I am looking for qualified counsellors and psychotherapists to take part in a study exploring how therapists make sense of unplanned endings in counselling with midlife male clients (aged 40-60).

This research forms part of my Master’s in Professional Counselling. It explores how therapists understand and make sense of one unplanned ending, and what meaning they give to that experience.

The term unplanned ending is used in research literature but overlaps with related terms such as dropout, termination and disengagement. While unplanned endings are widely discussed in the literature, less attention has been paid to how therapists experience and make sense of them, and there is limited insight into midlife men in counselling, still less into unplanned endings with this client group. The study focuses on midlife male clients because midlife, defined here as the age range 40-60, is a life stage that may include challenges and transitions relating to work, purpose, responsibilities, relationships and health.

Taking part offers space to think about an experience that may not often be discussed in depth, and a chance to contribute to knowledge about counselling endings, therapists' sense-making, and work with midlife male clients.

Taking part will involve one semi-structured interview, held online via Microsoft Teams, lasting approximately 45-60 minutes, with no travel required. Interviews will take place between September and November 2026. With your consent, the interview will be audio recorded only. You will be asked to talk about one unplanned ending in your work with a midlife male client and your understanding of that ending. You will not be asked to disclose the client's real name or other identifying details.

Participation is entirely voluntary. You may pause, skip questions or stop at any time, and you can withdraw from the study at any time without giving a reason, up to the point at which analysis of your data has begun. Your contribution will be confidential and anonymised, and data will be stored securely in accordance with GDPR and ethical research guidelines. No payment is offered. This study has been reviewed and granted ethical approval by the Waverley Abbey College Research Ethics Committee.

You may be able to take part if you:

• are a UK-based, qualified counsellor or psychotherapist (minimum Diploma level)

• are registered with ÌÇÐĹÙÍø, UKCP, ACC, or an equivalent professional body

• are currently working in a private practice or agency practice

• have experienced an unplanned ending with a male client aged 40-60 within the last three years

Interested?

For more details or to register your interest, please contact me by email. I will then send you a Participant Information Sheet with full details about the study, along with a short screening questionnaire to confirm eligibility. Email: martin.devitt@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk

You can view the participant information sheet here and the advert here.