1. T
HE FOLLOWING SUMMARY is a brief
snapshot of my research on Female
Genital Mutilation (FGM),which takes
you into the life of therapists, counsellors
and psychologists working with women and
girls who have experienced this form of
cutting. In particular, the research will focus
on journey of professionals and their lived
experiences of working with this sensitive
matter. The backdrop of this research is my
own experiences of witnessing forms of
oppression from many different cultures.
Having listened to the stories of woman who
were subjected to FGM there seems to be a
need to give a voice to these women who
have gone through such a traumatic experi-
ence. One way is by exploring what it is like
to work with FGM therapeutically. Even
though FGM is a longstanding issue in
particular cultures for decades, it is only
recently through the media that an
increasing number of woman are coming
forward for help regarding their experi-
ences.
In the UK FGM is synonymous with child
abuse and, therefore, illegal (FGM Act,
2003). The term ‘female genital mutilation’
refers to procedures involving the partial or
total removal of the external female genitalia
for non-medical reasons. There are four
main types, the third and fourth type being
the most severe (World Health Organisation,
2014). The cultural position is complex:
positive beliefs about FGM include preserva-
tion of virginity, improved marriage
prospects, improved family reputation, or
marking the passage into adulthood
(Momoh, 2010). According to the World
Health Organisation (2014) ‘FGM is recog-
nised internationally as a violation of the human
rights of girls and women. It reflects deep-rooted
inequality between the sexes, and constitutes an
extreme form of discrimination against women.
The practice violates a person’s rights to health,
security and physical integrity, the right to be free
from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading
treatment, and the right to life when the procedure
results in death.’
In the past decade there has been a
proliferation of research regarding the
physical health consequence of FGM,
however little is known about its psycholog-
ical impact and its management (Tobin &
Jaggar, 2013). My study seeks to address this
gap and I have sought to explore therapists
lived experiences about working with an
adult/s who had undergone FGM in child-
hood. The rationale for this study is to inves-
tigate whether counselling and therapy
services are equipped to deal with the issue
of FGM in the counselling room.
Previous research has included use of
survey methodology to explore 74 clinical
psychologist experiences of dealing with
FGM. This study suggests that psychologists
did not feel confident in working with
52 Psychology of Women Section Review, Vol. 18(1), Spring 2016
© The British Psychological Society
Agora
Current research on violence against
women: An exploration of the experience
of therapists working with clients who
have suffered female genital mutilation
in childhood
Farah Nadeem

2. FGM issues related to their practice (Jones,
2012). Interpretative phenomenological
analysis (IPA; Smith, 2004) will be adopted
for this thesis. The proposed research will
explore the understanding and experiences
of therapists who have treated adult women
who have undergone FGM in childhood. The
sample used for this study will consist of clin-
ical psychologists, counsellors/therapists,
and trainee therapists. An estimated nine
participants will take part in this research.
This research aims to explore the experience
of therapists working with such clients. By
doing so, it seeks to contribute ideas and
recommendations as to what might be
improved in future practice. It also seeks to
provide information and resources to thera-
pists who have yet to work with such clients.
This research is currently in the process
of completion. As with any qualitative
research it is difficult to ascertain what may
arise from this study. The study is informed
by theoretical frameworks located in coun-
selling psychology and seeks to explore what
is currently lacking regarding working thera-
peutically with FGM clients. The potential
contribution to knowledge that this research
may make concerns the delivery information
for possible developments of therapeutic
formulations and conceptualisations’ of
working with this type of violence against
woman. It aims to provide insight into thera-
pists’ perspectives, a deeper understanding
of the impact that are caused by working
with this type of trauma and, ideas for the
possible unfolding applications of relational
theory to better represent working with
FGM, from the different modalities used in
this study.
From my experiences of working with
issues around FGM, it seems clear that there
is a need for an appreciation of the impact of
the range of cultural, ethical and intersec-
tional identities that are brought to bear in
the therapist-client experience.
This research is currently being conducted
by Miss Farah Nadeem (MBPsS) trainee
counselling psychologist at Roehampton
University. This research is partial fulfillment
of the counselling psychology doctorate at
Roehampton. An update of this research will
be given once research is complete.
Psychology of Women Section Review, Vol. 18(1), Spring 2016 53
Current research on violence against women
Momoh, C. (2010). Female genital mutilation. Trends
in Urology, Gynecology & Sexual Health. 15(3),
11–14.
Jones, A., (2012). Working psychologically with female
genital mutilation: An exploration of the views of
circumcised women In relation to better psychological
practice. Unpublished Thesis. Accessed 1 March
2016, from:
roar.uel.ac.uk/1437/1/2012_DclinPsych
Tobin, W.T. & Jaggar, M.A. (2013). Naturalising
moral justification: Rethinking the method of
moral epistemology. Metaphilopshy, 44(4),
409–439.
Smith, J.A. (2004). Reflecting on the development of
interpretative phenomenological analysis and its
contribution to qualitative research in
psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 1,
39–54.
Legislation.Gov.UK (2003). Female Genital
Mutilation Act 2003. Accessed 1 March 2016,
from:
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/
2003/31/contents
World Health Organisation (2014). Female genital
mutilation. Accessed 1 March 2016, from:
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/
factsheets/fs241/en/
References