THE COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY NEEDS OF NEW FATHERS By

This study explored new fathers ‟ understanding and experience of fatherhood, their own well-being and whether, or not, there is a role for counselling psychologists to work with new fathers in their transition to fatherhood. A qualitative research methodology was employed: counselling psychologists were asked to complete a partially structured questionnaire to explore their perceptions of men‟s experiences of fatherhood; fathers ‟ well-being and mental health needs; and the psychologists ‟ thoughts about what role, if any, counselling psychology might have in assisting the transition to fatherhood. Questionnaires were analysed using a content analysis. Fathers, in the first five years of fatherhood, were interviewed to explore their experiences of fatherhood, and their understanding of their own well-being. The interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Four master themes emerged from the analysis of the interviews, with 11 subthemes identified. The four master themes were preparation; roles, responsibilities, perspectives and priorities; joy and reward versus difficulties and concerns; support. These were consistent across the participant‟s accounts, although experiences varied between individuals. Fifteen themes wer