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Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Counselling psychologists'
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Danchev, Delia Winifred. "Counselling psychologists' perspectives on professionalism." Thesis, City University London, 2005. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/8511/.
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This thesis is presented in four parts: an introduction, a critical literature review, an empirical research study, and a case study. The first part introduces the thesis and highlights the linking theme of ethical practice. It also clarifies the provenance of the research study, introduces the researcher, and comments on the writing style of the thesis. The critical literature review examines the ways in which ethics have been applied to counselling psychology. Firstly, the literature asserting the value-laden nature of therapeutic practice is explored. This is followed by a consideration of principle ethics, the frameworks through which principles have been applied to practice, the advantages of virtue ethics, cultural ethics, and finally the increasing focus on social ethics. The review concludes that a closer engagement with moral philosophy would be beneficial for counselling psychology. The empirical research study explores counselling psychologists' perspectives on professionalism. Following a pilot study involving two participants, fourteen counselling psychologists were interviewed by means of semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using social constructionist grounded theory methodology. An overall theme of ethical practice in its widest sense emerged from the data. The main findings were an "arc" of professional identity that emerged from participants' histories of work in social contexts and positions of dissent; a pattern of professional identity involving a stable central core of ethical practice and a penumbra of professional legitimacy; and the identification of tensions between the perspectives of the participants and traditional forms of professionalism. The research concludes that ethical practice is the defining factor of participants' professionalism. Habermas's theory of communicative rationality is suggested as ,a philosophical basis for ethical practice and as an appropriates substitute for the scientist-practitioner model. I The case study explores therapeutic work with a student who had been refused refugee status. It considers the development of a therapeutic relationship in a context of fear and powerlessness. It also reviews the ethical obligations of being a witness in therapeutic and judicial processes.
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Puig, Juliette. "Can counselling psychologists work across cultures?" Thesis, City University London, 2010. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/1167/.
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Alfrey, Lisa. "The experience of 'burnout' in counselling psychologists." Thesis, Regent's University, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.646085.
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From 2011 to 2012, 1.1 million workers were impacted by work related stress, lack of professional support and bullying (Health and Safety Executive, 2013). "Burnout" is not easily defined but it can be described as a phenomenon that affects both the personal and professional dimensions of an individual's life. This study investigates counselling psychologists' experience and management of "burnout" using the qualitative method of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Six qualified counselling psychologists from the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the United States of America were interviewed via telephone. The three main themes that were found are: (1) "batteries run out" which includes the physical and emotional effects, as well as the disillusionment of the reality of the profession, (2) "Prisoner of an eroding system" describes the professional dimension of the experience such as locus of control, effect on client work, boundaries and values, and (3) "Recharging the batteries" which gives an insight into how the participants managed their experience, such as their personal view of "burnout", the issue of reclaiming their space and time, as well as the role of support. Overall, there was an underlying sense that the participants wanted to be taken care of by others but were unable to ask for help. The relevance of this study to the field of Counselling Psychology is discussed in relation to theory and professional practise. The limitations and shortcomings of this investigation are highlighted and suggestions for future research are made.
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Makau, Keabetswe Mpho. "Counselling across cultures experiences of intern clinical psychologists /." Diss., Pretoria : [s.n.], 2003. http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-08162004-093759.
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Larsson, Patrick. "Counselling psychologists' talk about the diagnosis of 'schizophrenia'." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2011. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/counselling-psychologists-talk-about-the-diagnosis-of-schizophrenia(5b37204b-1bd4-456c-a439-dfbc06363b5c).html.
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This research explores how counselling psychologists construct of the diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’ and their perceived ability to work with this client group. The diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’ does not feature prominently in counselling psychology literature, and there is a distinct lack of empirical research pertaining to how counselling psychologist construct this diagnosis, as well as accounts of their experiences of working with this client group. The literature review commences with: an exploration of the context of counselling psychology with particular reference to theory, practice and research; the diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’ in relation to the medical model debate; and, the implications of ‘schizophrenia’ for the theory and practice of counselling psychology, with a particular reference to diagnostic categories. A version of discourse analysis known as ‘critical discursive psychology’ is used to analyse how eight counselling psychologists talk about and around the diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’ in semi-structured interviews. The analysis demonstrated a number of repertoires used in relation to the diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’ and how these counselling psychologists use them in different ways. The analysis suggested that through the use of these repertoires the counselling psychologists negotiated their relationship with their clients, their ‘identity’ as counselling psychologists and the organisations they worked for. It was also found that there were a number of difficulties in their relation to the diagnosis of ‘schizophrenia’, such as how to negotiate the balance between phenomenology and empiricism, as well as the sometimes detrimental effects the institution had on the counselling psychologists. The research also raised questions concerning methodology and the use of critical discursive psychology in studying this topic, as well as issues regarding the conflicting epistemological positions of counselling psychology and critical discursive psychology.
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Goss, David. "Integrating neuroscience into counselling psychology : exploring the views and experiences of UK based counselling psychologists." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/integrating-neuroscience-into-counselling-psychology-exploring-the-views-and-experiences-of-uk-based-counselling-psychologists(2b074e19-93b5-4a8b-984a-0925e26a2f58).html.
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Background: The last few decades have seen neuroscience rapidly progress as a discipline. Development of research techniques such as neuroimaging have been utilised to increase an understanding of our species. Counselling psychologists are trained to combine the world of humanistic and phenomenological philosophies with an ability to understand and undertake psychological research, leading to interventions which are theoretically and subjectively informed. This work is undertaken through the reflexive and scientist-practitioner models which underpin the identity of the discipline. As such, counselling psychologists would seem ideally placed to integrate neuroscience into their work, utilising their reflective and scientist practitioner identities to both utilise and add to neuroscience research, helping to increase the understanding and efficacy of interventions for our species' mental health. However, it appears to be unknown as to whether this is something that counselling psychologists want, particularly in the UK. Aims and Method: The aim of this research was to explore UK based counselling psychologists' views and experiences of integrating neuroscience into their work. An interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) was undertaken. Six participants were recruited into three different groups of interest/understanding in integrating neuroscience into counselling psychology. One hour semi-structured interviews were carried out with each participant to explore their views and experiences relating to the paradigm. Findings and Discussion: Six master themes emerged from the analysis; 'The Dangers of neuroscience', 'Defining neuroscience', 'There are ways that neuroscience can help us', 'Methods of learning and the need for training', 'Integration: The opposition and the need - finding the balance', and 'My practitioner identity'. The themes presented various advantages, dangers and challenges to integration, some of which aligned with existing literature and some of which presented new thoughts and feelings on the paradigm. Conclusion: The six master themes highlighted that participants indicated an overall view that UK counselling psychologists are currently integrating neuroscience into their work, utilising neuroscience theory as a way to develop their understanding of clients, as well as to communicate with clients and multi-disciplinary colleagues. Participants provided a number of experiential advantages of integration and indicated that they want to integrate even more with neuroscience, incorporating neuroscience into doctorate and CPD training, though they acknowledged the importance of balanced integration.
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Rajan, Anita. "Counselling psychologists talk about cross-cultural therapy : a thematic analysis." Thesis, University of East London, 2012. http://roar.uel.ac.uk/3039/.
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In order to maintain integrity and a non-judgemental approach both in general and more specifically cross-cultural therapy, counselling psychologists need to cultivate a habit of reflection, soul searching and self-exploration. It can be argued that any client at any time is always different from the therapist, even if they come from the same culture. The way in which people engage with a cultural heritage creates implications and negotiated ways of being. For the purpose of this study, cross-cultural therapy was regarded as an activity, an attitude and a way of conducting therapy. The aim was to explore how counselling psychologists understand and practise cross-cultural therapy. An in-depth thematic analysis, embedded in a relativist social constructionist paradigm, was used to examine the interviews of eight counselling psychologists from different cultural backgrounds. Two dominant themes emerged from the analysis: cross-cultural therapy as a return to individuality and cross-cultural therapy as a return to situatedness. In the theme cross-cultural therapy as a return to individuality, participants viewed clients as individuals with unique takes on their contexts while in the second dominant theme the clients were seen as embedded in their context so therefore increased knowledge of their background was valued. There 3 appeared to be a constant motion between these two main themes which is demonstrated by the word ‘return’ in their names. A mapping for the core interpretative features of both of these themes is presented alongside discussions of the power relations that played out in participants’ narrative. Issues around power within the interaction between the client and the therapist as well as in the discourse were examined. The findings support issues uncovered in the literature but also highlight the necessarily complex task of being culturally sensitive. A positive way forward would be honest self-exploration to move towards more accepting and respectful practice in cross-cultural therapy.
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Avis, Tami. "Authenticity : how do counselling psychologists know who their clients really are?" Thesis, City University London, 2010. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/12067/.
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Counselling psychology trainees are obliged to undertake a minimum of 40 hours of personal therapy as part of the course requirements. This qualitative study explores how trainee counselling psychologists experience mandatory personal therapy and how chartered counselling psychologists experience having trainee counselling psychologists as clients. Phenomenological methodology - specifically, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (lPA) - was employed to access the lived experience of both trainees and qualified psychologists. Analysis of the results suggests that as the therapeutic relationship develops, trainee counselling psychologists move from an 'inauthentic' to an 'authentic' self. They use mandatory personal therapy to learn and grow both professionally and personally. Whilst many trainees feel that therapy should remain a compulsory course requirement, they also highlight that it costs them both emotionally and financially. The qualified therapists notice a difference when working with trainee counselling psychologists, as opposed to their other clients. The therapists are aware of the mandatory nature of the therapy and their own worries about being judged by the trainees. They find it difficult to maintain the 'role' of therapist. The therapists both empathise and sympathise with the trainees, which often results in concessions being made. There are four overarching categories common to the two groups: i. impact of mandatory therapy on therapeutic process, ii. the therapeutic performance, iii. the value of therapy and iv. boundaries. Despite both groups stating that the obligatory nature of the therapy initially impedes the process, neither trainees nor therapists communicate this belief within the relationship; often resulting in 'an elephant in the room .' Recommendations are discussed including the value of providing preparation for both trainees and qualified therapists before entering the unique trainee therapeutic relationship, extra funding, and other personal development ideas.
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Jussab, Fardin. "Counselling and clinical psychologists' experience of client violence in the workplace." Thesis, University of East London, 2013. http://roar.uel.ac.uk/3043/.
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Violence and abuse from clients within the healthcare system is a growing problem which can affect the personal and professional identity, and psychological wellbeing of healthcare professionals. Previous research and literature has focused on the risk of violence from particular client groups and understanding the aetiology of aggressive and violent behaviour towards healthcare professionals. There is a lack of research which explores psychologists’ experiences of client violence, and professional organisations have provided scant or no guidelines that could support psychologists who have experienced violence at work. To address the gaps in the present literature, this research qualitatively explored how psychologists make sense of their lived experiences of client violence in the workplace. Three counselling psychologists and four clinical psychologists who had previously experienced client violence were interviewed to take part in this research. Data was analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). IPA was selected for its idiographic nature, as it was hoped that the findings would provide a deeper understanding of psychologists’ experience of client violence from their personal account. IPA can also assist in developing guidelines for a specific purpose to support professionals in their work, which was a secondary aim of the research. The findings revealed that psychologists can undergo different types of experiences after being attacked by a client, and experiencing and responding to client violence has a significant effect upon their professional identity. Three superordinate themes emerged from the IPA, which relate to the different phases after an experience of client violence. The first theme - ‘the moment to moment experience of client violence’ - relates to the exact instant the incident took place and how the client’s aggression had taken the psychologist by surprise. The second theme - ‘post incident experience’ -describes how participants tried to make sense of their experience of client violence, such as by creating a formulation. The final theme - ‘issues concerning professional identity’ - refers to the participants' need to show that they can cope with client violence due their professional self-image of being a psychologist. More broadly, the findings revealed how the professional self-image of psychologists affects their beliefs about how they ‘should’ be able to work therapeutically with violent clients and be able to manage and understand it. It is recommended that further research explores the prevalence of psychologists who experience client violence, and the type of work settings in which this is most likely. Moreover, both neophyte and qualified psychologists would benefit from specific training in how to respond safely to violent client behaviour, and from the publication of professional guidelines to help them understand the possible risks of violence, decisionmaking when confronted with violent clients, and how to recognise and process the potential psychological repercussions of violence incidents.
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Zdrali, Mihaela. "Counselling psychologists' embodied experiences in their clinical work : a qualitative investigation." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2011. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.606280.
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Verling, Rebecca. "Exploring the professional identity of counselling psychologists : a mixed methods study." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2014. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/335796.
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Aims and Rationale: The present study aims to enrich understanding of the professional identity of counselling psychology in the UK by exploring both the individual professional identities of counselling psychologists and the broader identity of the profession as a whole. This will elaborate on the existing literature base and allow the researcher to gather a breadth of perspectives of counselling psychology identity whilst also exploring the issues surrounding the identity development of practitioners in greater depth. Method: The study adopts a triangulation mixed methods design to explore the professional identity of counselling psychologists (Cresswell, Plano Clark, Guttman & Hanson, 2003). An exploratory online survey was designed to explore 1) the training, employment and practice characteristics of counselling psychologists and 2) their perception of the role, contribution and future identity of the profession. Concurrent with this data collection, qualitative interviews were conducted which aimed to explore the participants’ experience of training and working as a counselling psychologist, and develop an understanding of factors that have impacted upon their individual professional identity. Results: Both data sources contribute to the conception of counselling psychology as a diverse and multi-faceted profession. ‘Unity within diversity’ has been proposed as an overarching theme that marries the data sources and highlights the different ways in which counselling psychologists experience and articulate their individual professional identity, and the collective identity of the profession. Conclusions: The findings reveal there is no single professional identity inherent within counselling psychology. Multiple professional identities exist and are shaped by a range of factors. Uniting these diverse identities is a central commitment to a humanistic philosophy and value base. This provides a foundation on which therapeutic decision making is made and clients’ difficulties conceptualised. Whilst counselling psychology’s interest in identity and critical self-reflection has been questioned, this process may allow the profession to remain alert to the changing professional climate and adapt their practice to ensure that they remain valuable and are not overlooked within the field of therapeutic provision.
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Warwick, Gregory. "Trainee counselling psychologists' perspectives on the therapeutic uses of self in an online text based simulated counselling session." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2017. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/trainee-counselling-psychologists-perspectives-on-the-therapeutic-uses-of-self-in-an-online-text-based-simulated-counselling-session(c58d9841-4d1e-4e8f-ab74-5afba8116104).html.
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Background and Literature: Technology is slowly but surely finding its way into the therapy room. As such, it is moving from the position of being used to aid therapy, such keeping notes on a computer, to being used to facilitate therapy such as online counselling. The sub-type of online counselling known as internet relay chat is a form of counselling that relies solely upon text alone; having no visual or audial cues to aid the therapy and is what this study focuses on. The therapeutic use of self is a difficult concept to define even 55 years after being first introduced. It is a concept that pervades all therapeutic approaches in some way and can be referred to as the planned use of personality, insights, perceptions, and judgments as part of the therapeutic process. It is therefore an important part of therapeutic work with five types of use of self being identified in the literature: use of personality, use of belief system, use of relational dynamics, use of anxiety and use of self-disclosure. However, prior to completing this study it was unknown as to how this core skill could be translated to internet relay chat. Methodology: Eight participants provided transcripts from 20-minute long internet relay simulated counselling sessions. These sessions were part of a training exercise with participants being students from the University of Manchester who were practising online counselling with each other. This study was a mixed-methods study following an explanatory sequential design. The first quantitative stage was a directed content analysis that coded the transcripts for therapeutic uses of self. The second stage was a qualitative grounded theory analysis that analysed semi-structured interviews that looked at the reasons behind why the uses of self from the first stage were used and their perceived impact. Findings: The directed content analysis found that therapeutic uses of self could indeed be translated within this medium with 53 occurrences of self-disclosure, 45 uses of relational dynamics and 15 uses of personality. There were no examples of use of belief system or use of anxiety within this study. The grounded theory analysis resulted in 463 open codes, which were organised under the core category of therapeutic use of self online. This was succeeded by 7 axial codes which were, Conducting Research, Context of Internet Relay chat, Impact of Using Uses of Self, Patterns of Behaviour, Reasons for Using Uses of Self or Not, Therapeutic Use of Self and Impact of Training Exercise. Discussion and Conclusions: The use of self differed from the way it is reported to be used in the participant's face-to-face work and the compensatory techniques used proved similar to those found in the existing literature. It is recommended that that this is a useful exercise for trainee counselling psychologists to undertake as part of their training. This holds value as not all participants knew what a therapeutic use of self was, despite their importance within therapy. It is also beneficial due to the shift in communication we as a society are experiencing.
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Nam, Jenny Catrin. "A portfolio on family experiences and the motivation to become counselling psychologists." Thesis, City University London, 2011. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/8733/.
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AIM: To understand the role family experiences play in the motivation of those pursing a career in counselling psychology. METHOD: Eight trainee-counselling psychologists were recruited and interviewed about their family experiences and the influence they perceived their family had or had not on their motivation to become counselling psychologists. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. ANALYSIS: Analysis revealed four main super-ordinate themes offering an insight into how participants processed their family experiences and transformed them into motivation to become counselling psychologists. These were; 1) early view of self; 2) internalised family messages; 3) growth; and 4) adjustment challenges. The pathways between the super-ordinate themes show how family experiences play a significant role in the development of individuals' personal and professional identity. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study did not necessarily identify any direct links between family experiences and participants' motivation to become counselling psychologists, although it is certainly clear that an influence was apparent. The main findings in relation to the impact family experiences had on participants' motivation to become counselling psychologists were; a strong value towards care, a need to gain validation and avoid rejection, a process of separation-individuation and an investment in self: what I really want. Siblings were not identified as having an explicit influence on moccupational choice, but they did play a role in participants' early view of self and the way in which they internalised their family messages. The impact of participants' motivation on the family was identified as an overall reciprocal effect. The findings of this study can inform the training of counselling psychologists by offering guidance for personal therapy. The need for the profession of counselling psychology to become more prominent as a career choice within the field of psychology was also highlighted. Further research using other methodological approaches, such as grounded theory and narrative analysis will help delve further into the world of counselling psychology and those who are drawn to the profession. In addition to gaining more knowledge and understanding of counselling psychologists themselves, continuing to research this area will highlight any changes that might occur in a field where new developments are ongoing.
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Hall, Amanda. "The resilient clinician : how do counselling psychologists manage their fitness to practise?" Thesis, City University London, 2012. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/2419/.
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Kaur, Mandeep. "Religion and spirituality within the Sikh religion : how counselling psychologists can help." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2018. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/621892.
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This study investigated the spiritual and religious experience of members of the Sikh community with a focus on how such an experience affects their sense of wellbeing. Consequently, the central aim of this study is to explore how Sikhs use religion and spirituality with coping. This was examined by exploring how Sikhs deal with stressful events and how these impacted on their wellbeing. The thesis was comprised of two parts. Study one comprised of the thematic analysis of questionnaires. 56 UK based Sikh participants (23 males and 33 females; age range 17-62) took part. The findings from study one speculated that the older age group appeared more accepting of their religion and spirituality suggesting maybe they are less occupied by a quest to explore their life through religion and spirituality than the 20-30 year old age group. Consequently, study two looked more closely at participants aged between 20-30 year olds to further explore their lived experience. In line with the IPA methodology, a small well-defined opportunity sample of six people (4 males and 2 females) in the Sikh faith, who have been practicing their religion for at least 2-3 years and between the ages of 20-30 were invited to participate in the interviews. Four superordinate themes were found which represented an overall story. The themes were namely, religious and spiritual struggles; religion and spirituality assisting with the development of self and identity; spiritual striving and aids to well-being: religious/spiritual coping. It is hoped that findings from this research will help to inform our understanding of how Sikh client's religious and spiritual beliefs influences their wellbeing as well as incorporating this knowledge into the therapy process to make good clinical judgements. This study will enhance research in counselling psychology with regards to religion and spirituality and mental health specifically with regards to young Sikh's.
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Gordon, Ruth. "Counselling psychologists' experiences of working with exercise in therapy : a qualitative study." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2014. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/counselling-psychologists-experiences-of-working-with-exercise-in-therapy-a-qualitative-study(eead7860-08c4-4960-9c83-b5f5efcd06a5).html.
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Background and objectives: Despite the benefits of exercise for both physical and psychological health and the focus of counselling psychology on a holistic approach to wellbeing, we know little about the role of exercise within the discipline. Furthermore, no research has examined UK-based counselling psychologists’ experiences of working with exercise. The objective of this study was therefore to explore UK-based counselling psychologists’ experiences of incorporating exercise into their therapeutic work. The research questions were as follows: 1. How have counselling psychologists used exercise within their therapeutic work? and 2. What has been the experience of those counselling psychologists who have incorporated exercise into their work? Method and analyses: A qualitative design was used within this project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight UK-based counselling psychologists who stated that exercise had formed part of their therapeutic work. The interview material was then analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis: The themes developed from the first research question revealed a number of ways in which exercise had formed part of counselling psychologists’ work; including as an intervention that clients engaged in between sessions, within the sessions themselves, and through collaboration with other professionals. Six main themes were developed when exploring the participants’ experiences of working with exercise: ‘vehicle for change’, ‘holism’, ‘influence of self’, ‘a quiet voice’, ‘one of many tools’ and ‘collaboration’. These are introduced and outlined in depth in turn. Conclusions: The research enabled, for the first time, an insight into the role of exercise within counselling psychologists’ therapeutic work. Some UK-based counselling psychologists are using exercise with their clients; in a variety of forms and from a variety of rationales. The participants described a host of ways in which they had witnessed exercise as beneficial to their clients, but ranged in their views regarding whether exercise should be introduced into the work by the therapist. Exploring exercise raised wider issues relating to the approach of counselling psychologists towards clients’ physical health as well as the role of pluralism in further developing the use of exercise within therapy. Suggestions for theory, further research and practice are proposed.
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Kantartzis, Elena-Tatiana. "Counselling psychologists' experiences of identifying with clients' concerns : an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, Regent's University London, 2012. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.683435.
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This piece of research aimed to explore counselling psychologists' experiences of identifying with their clients' concerns. The participants' experiences were examined within the context of the co-constructiveness of the therapeutic encounter. Seven counselling psychologists, with a training background in the existential tradition, were asked to elaborate on their experiences of identifying with their clients difficulties. The method chosen for this study was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and the participants' experiences were were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. Two sub-topics were explored in the context of the therapists' experience of 'identification'. These were the concept of 'bracketing' and the issue of 'self-disclosure'. Five superordinate themes emerged: a) the layers of identification, b) working with the therapeutic encounter, c) bracketing: like riding a bicycle, d) perspectives in self-disclosure, and e) health warning. These themes reflected experiences of different levels of identification; the impact of identification on the therapeutic encounter and the use of bracketing; the (mis)use of self-disclosure; and the effects of identification on personal wellbeing. The findings are critically discussed in the light of existing literature and implications for counselling psychology and psychotherapy practice are considered. The limitations of the study are also highlighted as well as suggestions for future research being presented.
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Kitson, Kirsten M. "Counselling psychologists' experiences of the therapeutic relationship when working with sex-offenders." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/counselling-psychologists’-experiences-of-the-therapeutic-relationship-when-working-with-sex-offenders(acd7c9aa-e377-42e1-983a-75449513535a).html.
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Regardless of therapeutic orientation, the therapeutic relationship has been consistently shown as central to the therapeutic process. However, research has also shown that this can be difficult to achieve when working with sex-offenders. Less is known about the experience of this relationship and little qualitative research has been conducted in this area. This current study therefore aimed to provide valuable insight into the first-hand accounts of therapists directly working with this client group through exploring their experience of the therapeutic relationship, using a qualitative approach. The study focused upon the experiences of eight Counselling Psychologists, in order to keep the sample homogenous, and explored the differences the therapists may have experienced compared to other client groups. Additionally, it aimed to highlight what difficulties, if any, have arisen in the therapeutic relationships and potentially how these have been experienced, managed, overcome and addressed. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with eight counselling psychologists who have worked therapeutically with sex-offenders. Verbatim transcripts of the interviews were then analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). The analysis illustrated four master themes: i) Forming a relationship- negotiating the degree of intimacy; ii) overcoming barriers to the relationship- contending with the context; iii) establishing a relationship- feeling a reaction yet managing a response; iv) reaping the rewards of the relationship- out of the darkness and into the light. A description of these master themes and the related subordinate themes were presented. The results of the analysis were considered in light of existing theory and their clinical implications.
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O'Donovan, Lucy A. "Relationship with theory : a study exploring the impact of theory on the way trainee counselling psychologists make sense of their emotional responses to clients in practice." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/relationship-with-theory(3549b8c5-30fa-460f-b635-a8e81a7e6697).html.
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The theoretical component of professional training for counselling psychologists is recognised, if not assumed, to be important by those in the field. Currently, several models of therapy are taught to trainees, each with its own theoretical approach to understanding and working in the therapeutic setting. This study considered the helpfulness of theory in practice and explored this with the research question ‘how do trainees make sense of their emotional responses to clients in practice, and what is the impact of theory on the way they make sense of this experience’. Twelve counselling psychologists in the final stages of training participated in semi-structured interviews with the researcher. A grounded theory analysis found eight categories in total. The overarching category, ‘the trainee’s relationship with theory’, indicated that theoretical learning was a social process that became incorporated into trainees’ developing professional identities, and that it evolved during the course of their training. The impacts of theory were found to be both helpful and problematic, and identifiable in four categories: ‘theory reveals the trainee’s experience’, ‘theory conceals the trainee’s experience’, ‘theory raises uncertainty in the trainee’, and, ‘the trainee’s inability to perceive the impact of theory’. The remaining three categories ‘the trainee’s personal and professional development’, ‘the nature of the trainee’s relationships’, and ‘relieving the impact of the trainee’s experience’ described factors influencing trainees’ relationship with theory, and the degree to which each impact category was experienced. The research findings open dialogue about: the disadvantages (alongside the advantages) of using one’s reflective practice. These implications are discussed.
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Loibner, Natalie. "How trainees experience the process of becoming a counselling psychologist with reference to anxiety : a phenomenological investigation." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/how-trainees-experience-the-process-of-becoming-a-counselling-psychologist-with-reference-to-anxiety(b0027fc0-b748-4d92-8232-2eb8bc27103c).html.
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Previous studies have suggested that becoming a counsellor takes place according to stages and that development can be explained through the achievement of specified tasks. The professional training process is also understood to give rise to considerable anxiety with this traditionally conceptualised as a predominately negative experience hindering the learning process. The aims of the current study were: 1) to understand and identify how counselling psychology trainees make sense of and experience their development in becoming counselling psychologists, 2) to understand how anxiety is implicated in trainees’ growth and development into becoming counselling psychologists, and 3) through the application of an empirical existential phenomenological framework to promote an alternative perspective to the dominant medical model in relation to anxiety and the meaning attached to this experience in the process of becoming a counselling psychologist. Five trainee counselling psychologists and two recently qualified counselling psychologists were interviewed for this research project. The phenomenological analysis identified situated structural descriptions with the themes from these individual accounts forming the basis of a general structural description of the phenomenon of anxiety in becoming a counselling psychologist. By means of this existential phenomenological analysis, the multiple meanings attached to the experience of becoming with reference to anxiety were investigated. Two important findings emerged namely; 1) anxiety was not a negative, debilitating process for the trainees and 2) that counselling psychology’s pluralist theoretical affiliations whilst anxiety provoking contributed to the depth of transformation experienced by trainees. By adopting a pluralistic stance ambiguity was found to be prevalent in the experience of anxiety; this opened up the possibilities for becoming for this group of trainees. Therefore a non
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Stavroulaki, Georgia-Maria. "Counselling psychologists' use of self in the therapeutic relationship : the role of narcissism." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2013. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/counselling-psychologists’-use-of-self-in-the-therapeutic-relationship(823358ab-09da-461d-9bfb-ade07ba0e8fc).html.
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This study explores the potential implications of narcissism in the way that Counselling Psychologists relate to themselves and their clients. Narcissism is understood as a situation that affects negatively one’s self-knowledge and ability to engage with others. This research examines therapists’ narcissism as it may manifest in their therapeutic practice and in relation to their ability to be aware of and use effectively the interpersonal dynamics of the therapeutic relationship. The researcher also explores how her own narcissism might appear in her relationships with others and her clients. The investigator chose a heuristic qualitative method as she thought that its focus on intrapersonal and interpersonal processes would help bring to light hidden dimensions of therapists’ narcissism in their practice as they were being reflected in the relationship between the therapists and the researcher. An interest in phenomenology and especially in aspects of dialogue and intersubjectivity, as well as the researcher’s commitment to constructionist epistemology shaped the way the methodology and method were implemented. The sample consisted of nine Counselling Psychologists, who participated in open-ended semi-structured interviews. The selection was based on their interest in the subject. The data collection arose from continuous interactions between participant and researcher as a result of the on-going relationship. The research design followed Moustakas’ (1990) phases of heuristic inquiry: initial engagement, immersion, incubation, illumination, explication and creative synthesis. The data were analysed through self-dialogue as well as the interaction between the researcher and the co-researchers. Drawing on hermeneutics helped the researcher unpack complex meanings about the participants’ experience of the phenomenon. The findings of this research suggest that narcissism manifests as a false, superior persona that serves to cover feelings of insignificance stemming from the early frustration of the individual’s needs for love and attention. Practitioners’ narcissistic needs often appear in their clinical work. Male therapists tend to ask for validation and mirroring from their clients and female therapists tend to deny their needs for admiration and approval behind a selfless facade. Nevertheless, both functions can be found in the same person. Narcissistic needs and vulnerabilities are frequently dissociated, denied and projected onto others, as their acknowledgement possibly causes a great amount of shame. By being open to their narcissism and their hidden needs for love and approval practitioners seem to become more able to reflect and relate openly to themselves and their clients. This increased ability can be associated with what Symington (1993) calls a “reversal” of narcissism. This research suggests that through acknowledging their narcissism and reflecting on their deep and hidden emotions practitioners can more easily engage in an honest and mutual exploration with their clients, which can help them to reach a greater knowledge about themselves. The researcher also found that her own narcissistic vulnerabilities, if unacknowledged can stop her from engaging openly and freely in the relationship with clients. The importance of looking at the therapists’ emotional baggage and commitment to achieve greater interpersonal growth, which is important to the field of Counselling Psychology, is emphasised in this study. Future researchers are encouraged to look at the clients’ perceptions of therapists’ ability to acknowledge their narcissistic vulnerabilities in order to attain a wider knowledge about the phenomenon.
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Merriman, Olivia. "Clinical implications of counselling psychologists' responses to client trauma : an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/clinical-implications-of-counselling-psychologists’-responses-to-client-trauma(15c5281c-b0f5-4032-96d7-f63264a7c48e).html.
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Background and aims: The past two decades have seen a surge of interest in the impact of working with trauma on psychological therapists’ well-being. However, the implications of therapists’ responses to trauma for the process of therapy are unknown. The existing literature carries the assumption that therapists’ strong subjective responses to traumatic material have a negative impact on the therapeutic process, but this has not been directly researched. Therefore, this thesis investigates the experiences of therapists working with clients who describe traumatic events, and how therapists consider their responses to the disclosure of traumatic material to have impacted upon the therapeutic process. Method: Semi-structured interviews were carried out with nine qualified chartered counselling psychologists with experience of working with trauma. Interview transcripts were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Results: The analysis produced four superordinate themes. These were: (1) Demands and challenges in the use of self in response to trauma; (2) Dimensions of complexity in working with trauma: Conceptual, contextual, ethical, political; (3) Developing the therapeutic self in response to trauma; and (4) Valuing the therapeutic self in work with trauma. Conclusion: The research indicated that significant challenges were experienced in terms of the complex interpersonal dynamics, troubling somatic processes and ethical dilemmas in therapy with trauma. Furthermore, existing theoretical models were not sufficient to illuminate practice in these areas. Thus, this research indicates that specific 8 training and development in these areas is warranted, and a possible theoretical framework to help facilitate this is proposed. In addition, the current research supports the development of more explicitly socially contextualised approaches to trauma. Future research could usefully build on the current study by further investigating embodied processes and interpersonal dynamics, as well as the impact of therapists’ disclosure of their subjective responses in therapy with trauma.
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Theodosiou, Eleni. "Erotic feelings of trainee counselling psychologists towards their clients : an interpretative phenomenological exploration." Thesis, Regent's University, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.646084.
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Aims: This study explores trainee counselling psychologists’ erotic feelings towards their clients and their responses to those feelings. The influences that help shape trainees’ reactions as well as the support systems they utilize to deal with the erotic are examined.︣Design: The participants’ narratives were analysed using Smith’s (1995) Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis.︣Procedure: The data were collected in semi-structured interviews with six trainee counselling psychologists who were attracted towards a client at least on one occasion.︣Results: A total of 29 themes were deemed of particular importance and relevance to the topic under investigation. The emergent themes were organized into 3 master themes: (i) attributes of erotic attraction; (ii) impact or erotic attraction; (iii) management of erotic attraction.︣Conclusions: The results of this study emphasize the need for increased awareness, comprehensive training and systematic research on matters of the erotic within therapeutic encounters. Erotic attraction seemed to have a profound impact on the participants’ intrapersonal and interpersonal being as it touched upon their feelings, thoughts, personal identity, professional identity, everydayness, and clinical work. The majority of trainees believed that their inability to deal with their attraction appropriately had a marked negative impact upon therapeutic relationship, process, and outcome. All participants considered their experience, however, a major learning point as it allowed them to an extent to redefine their intentions, motives, and expectations as professionals and human beings. All participants used supervision, personal therapy, peer consultation, literature, and theoretical constructs to process and understand their attraction with varying degrees of success. Training programs and clinical placements seem to contribute to mismanagement of attraction by failing to lift the taboo off the erotic, by neglecting to address these issues explicitly in their curriculum, and by nurturing unrealistically high standards of conducting therapy. This study suggests that the erotic has an ontological and ontic significance which could be fully explored by adopting an existential counselling psychology paradigm or by adding an element of existential observation and understanding to any other approach.
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Davison, Elizabeth. "The wounded healer : clinical and counselling psychologists with experience of mental health problems." Thesis, Canterbury Christ Church University, 2013. http://create.canterbury.ac.uk/12535/.
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This study aimed to explore how the experience of previous mental-health problems affects clinical and counselling psychologists’ approach to practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six clinical and four counselling psychologists who had experienced mental-health difficulties. Data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Analysis of the interviews highlighted five master themes: Use of the personal-self of psychologist; Ambivalence; Identity as a psychologist; Psychologists as agent of change; and Finding meaning in suffering. The results of this research showed that psychologists with a history of mental-health problems actively draw upon their experience. In managing their dual identity of service-user and professional, they reported a degree of ambivalence which influenced the way that they viewed themselves and their practice. Their personal experiences seemed to be closely tied up with their professional-identity, which either conflicted with their sense of self or complemented it through highlighting how fortunate they were compared to others. The interviews frequently highlighted how psychologists’ experiences can provide an impetus to speak out for patients’ rights to ensure that they are treated with respect and dignity. A number of psychologists with an experience of mental-health difficulties felt that they might not have pursued their career had they not had previous mental-health difficulties. There appeared to be mixed findings concerning whether the participants felt that their mental-health difficulties had helped or hindered their practice.
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Liu, Kin Yee. "An enquiry into counselling psychologists' experience of perceived failure within the therapeutic setting." Thesis, Regent's University London, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.683431.
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Aim: The aim of this study is to capture, describe and explore the Counselling Psychologist’s experience of perceived failure related to their therapeutic work setting. Method: Six working counselling psychologists were interviewed using a semi-structured interview. Interview transcripts were analysed using the qualitative methodology of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Findings: Four main themes emerged: The meaning of failure is subjective, impact of perceived failure, therapeutic use of perceived failure and learning from perceived failure. Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that what constitutes a perceived failure is based on counselling psychologists internally evaluating their impact on therapeutic encounters. Most importantly, counselling psychologists should be willing and open to admitting their own failures, and make positive associations. The experience of perceived failure is valuable for professional and personal growth, it is crucial throughout the career of a counselling psychologist; you need to fail if you are to learn and avoid failure in the future.
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Seabrook, Marianne. "Exploring 'medically unexplained symptoms' with GPs and counselling psychologists : a Foucauldian discourse analysis." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2017. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/1216/.
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"Medically unexplained symptoms" or "MUS" has been constructed as a term to describe persistent physical symptoms for which no medical aetiology can be found. "MUS" account for at least 20 per cent of UK medical consultations, yet fit uneasily within a biomedical discourse where illness is legitimised by medical diagnosis. "MUS" supposedly operates as a neutral category, yet critical review of the literature problematises this so-called neutrality: it fails to be neutral whilst avoiding depicting the situation as it is. There is widespread conflict about terminology and aetiology, which results in the subjective creation of legitimacy criteria; disavowal of a psychological dimension; and patients receiving costly and ineffective treatment. This research, motivated by the need within this conflict to better understand the implications of how we talk about “MUS”, explores how practitioners are constructing “MUS”. Four semi-structured interviews with GPs and counselling psychologists were undertaken and analysed using Foucauldian Discourse Analysis. Alongside underlying biomedical discourses, discourses of separation, mindbody dualism, psychology and holism were identified. These contributed to various constructions of "MUS", including "MUS-as-choice", "MUS-as-challenge", "MUS-as-unreal", "MUS-as-placeless" and "MUS-as-untold-story". This research problematises the separation of illness into categories, the psychologisation of "MUS" and the lack of availability of an acceptable holistic discourse with which to construct illness. It emphasises the performative nature of our talk about "MUS" and the importance of discourse awareness for deepening our understanding of social and cultural influences on how we see the world and act within it. Exclusive biomedical and psychological constructions of illness displace "MUS" as legitimate illness and limit opportunities for constructive dialogue. As practitioners, we need to resist getting caught up in these frameworks. Suggestions are made for how practical disturbances of current working practices might be achieved.
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Gladoseva, Anna. "How counselling psychologists and psychotherapists experience working with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia : an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2015. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/how-counselling-psychologists-and-psychotherapists-experience-working-with-clients-diagnosed-with-schizophrenia(83d6d2ee-c229-4825-b98f-f9b9f0838bdc).html.
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This study is concerned with the subjective experiences of therapists working with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and seeks to gain insight into what it feels like for practitioners to be in a therapeutic relationship with clients who experience hallucinations, delusions and other symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Six psychotherapists and counselling psychologists, all of whom have previously worked with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia, were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was chosen to generate rich interview data. Participants were asked about their experience of working with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants’ narratives were analysed using IPA to identify common themes. The analysis resulted in twelve interrelated themes from which three master themes emerged. The first theme, ‘The dark territory’, explores the impact of chaos on the practitioner; participants noted that this type of work was experienced as part of the typical work of psychotherapists, yet simultaneously it felt alien and utterly chaotic, and was characterised by rich, powerful experiences that were alarming, especially at the beginning of the participants’ careers. The second master theme, ‘The symbiotic relationship’, reveals how emotionally involved the participants are with their clients. This was evident in their protectiveness and affection towards their clients. All participants emphasised the beneficial value of psychotherapy with people diagnosed with schizophrenia, and which makes therapeutic relationship mutually beneficial. This study found that psychotherapists and counselling psychologists require specialist supervision and training. These are explored in the final theme – ‘Containment’. Potential implications of the themes that emerged were explored. This study contributes to the literature on counselling psychology and schizophrenia, and to the understanding of how best to support therapists in working with this client group.
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Hill, Mary. "Attachment and mentalizing in counselling psychologists and psychotherapists : an exploration using self-report, behavioural and eye-tracking measures." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2013. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/attachment-and-mentalizing-in-counselling-psychologists-and-psychotherapists(f5989e32-78b0-4d1a-883f-94167af2e588).html.
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In recent years, the psychotherapeutic world has become increasingly interested in the characteristics of the relationship between client and therapist. Two key influences on this relationship are the therapist’s ability to mentalize and the therapist’s attachment style (or the degree to which they are securely or insecurely attached). The main aim of this study was to evaluate mentalizing abilities and attachment orientation in therapists, but in particular to explore the relationship between the two. A group of 20 therapists and a matched group of 21 nontherapists undertook a battery of self-report, behavioural and eye-tracking mentalising tasks, and a self-report attachment questionnaire. Mentalizing tasks were designed to measure various aspects of mentalizing including not only mental state comprehension but also the proclivity to use mentalizing skills. In terms of group differences, therapists showed a greater proclivity to use elaborative mental state language and a greater focus on social cues when visually scanning the same situations. Therapists also demonstrated a self-reported higher level of affective and cognitive empathic ability than non-therapists. However, in behavioural terms, therapists did not evidence a significantly enhanced ability in traditional Theory of Mind tasks, emotion understanding, or visual perspective taking tasks. Thus, therapists generally exhibited a greater tendency to process some but not all aspects of social and emotional information more thoroughly. The influence of attachment orientation on the mentalizing skills of both the therapist and the non-therapist group was complex. Non-therapists tended to behave according to the expectations of previous attachment related research. For example, attachment anxiety was associated with poorer perspective taking and a preoccupation with the use of mental state words. Avoidant attachment correlated with a significant reduction in the first-fix looking time at social information. In the therapist group however, only two significant associations between attachment and mentalization were seen: avoidance and the proclivity to use mentalization skills as measured by the use of elaborative mental state language, and avoidance and self-reported empathy. No other significant influences of attachment on therapist mentalization appeared to exist. Thus, therapists who reported an insecure attachment orientation still generally managed to behave as though they were more secure. Some suggestions are made as to the underlying reasons for this phenomenon, and the clinical implications are discussed.
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Baillie, Claire. "Researching the usefulness, if any, of the concept of embodiment to counselling psychologists working with individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/researching-the-usefulness-if-any-of-the-concept-of-embodiment-to-counselling-psychologists-working-with-individuals-diagnosed-with-anorexia-nervosa(ae4ec55e-b759-4c35-8616-78db23ed6197).html.
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This inquiry adopts the non-dualist stance of Merleau-Ponty regarding embodiment, where the “body” is considered to be a socially embedded lived experience (Merleau-Ponty, 1945/1962), and considers whether this concept is useful to counselling psychologists who work with individuals with a diagnosis of anorexia nervosa. The study adopts a horizonal structure arising from understandings of Gadamer’s (1960) hermeneutics, which requires an awareness of the limitations afforded by different perspectives. Semi-structured interviews are conducted with eight practitioners of psychotherapy, who have experience with individuals diagnosed with anorexia nervosa. They are invited to speak about their experience of practice with these individuals, then to respond to a Merleau-Ponty quote regarding embodiment and to consider its usefulness in their work. Interview transcripts are thematically analysed (Braun & Clarke, 2006). Initial themes conceptualise anorexia nervosa as emotional control and denial of needs; where it is helpful to have a model of understanding; understand weight issues but don’t’ talk about food and weight, be aware of power-relations and avoid control battles, overemphasising weight gain and refeeding; and to understand ambivalence and work motivationally. The findings suggest practitioners use knowledge, in the form of theories, to provide structure and a familiar language with which to explore clients’ unfamiliar worlds. Embodied views are found to open up conceptualisations regarding ontology and embeddedness, where “anorexia” becomes an ontological split, with controlling minds punishing bodies, where words aren’t enough and the symptoms are a paradoxical solution to problems of power and agency. The study finds engaging with embodied views highlights the embedded nature of being, opens up ambiguity, challenges dichotomies and acknowledges non-psychological aspects of existence and practice. It is suggested this supports the humanistic value base of counselling psychology practice by raising awareness of the ways in which the use of theory iii can help and hinder intersubjective contact with clients and the importance of embodying hermeneutic openness.
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Ryklina, Tatiana. "The role of anomalous phenomena in the therapeutic process : an exploration of counselling psychologists' experience." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/the-role-of-anomalous-phenomena-in-the-therapeutic-process(7a025bd0-3818-4f60-a461-ba88e22e35d5).html.
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The main focus of this research was to explore how counselling psychologists experience what that they cannot understand in the therapeutic process. The study focuses on how counselling psychologists make sense of and manage these experiences, as well as the role such experiences play in therapy. Although the existence of such occurrences are acknowledged in the foundations of many therapeutic approaches (Bion, 1970; Bugental, 1990; Freud 1915; Jung, 1923; Maslow, 1971; Ogden, 1999; Perls, 1973; Rogers, 1961; Stern, 2004) , there seems to be a lack of research in relation to how these phenomena are experienced and what role they play in the therapeutic process. Eight counselling psychologists with ten years of experience in clinical practice were recruited and interviewed using semi-structured interviews. Different aspects of these experiences were explored through applying the qualitative method known as Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, 2004). The findings suggest that the way counselling psychologists experience phenomena that cannot be understood strongly relates to anxiety, fear and uncertainty, drawing attention to deep feelings of vulnerability and insecurity. The results demonstrate the ambivalent meanings of such experiences in the therapeutic process, and their significance in the process of therapy. The thesis also comprises the way in which counselling psychologists spoke about these phenomena and how these occurrences were managed by counselling psychologists. Some conclusions were made about what kind of knowledge counselling psychologists relied on while making sense of such phenomena. The recommendations made as a result of the research show validity as they closely relate to the way counselling psychologists explore their own identity as professionals. Also, the research highlighted the essentiality of exploring the role of theoretical knowledge and reflexivity for counselling psychologists. The research also explores unanticipated findings such as the existence of those experiences that need to remain undefinable and the ability of counselling psychologists to let go of the need to make sense of phenomena. The study also addresses the limitations and implications of the research, and suggestions for further research are indicated.
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Potts, Sonja K. "Therapists' religion : dialogical processes in the self-narratives of Christian clinical and counselling psychologists." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2008. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/115823.
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The aim of this study was to explore the therapists' personal religious and spiritual belief systems and the impact of these on their work. The literature reviewed included material regarding the role of religion and spirituality in relation to psychology and therapy, identity, and especially, the person of the therapist. The present qualitative investigation applies the theory of the Dialogical Self to the narratives of five practising Christian clinical and counselling psychologists. It draws on a narrative to allow for process-oriented, context-sensitive interpretation.
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Wellington, Kunaka S. "Looking at their blind spots! : how trainee counselling psychologists engage and experience reflective practices." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2016. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/601106.
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Ryan, Lucy. "Counselling psychologists' talk of 'authenticity' : exploring the implications of 'authenticity' discourse for ethical practice." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/counselling-psychologists-talk-of-authenticity-exploring-the-implications-of-authenticity-discourse-for-ethical-practice(ecccff77-190f-4c46-96e5-9eaebc2da074).html.
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This research explores how ‘authenticity’ is constructed in counselling psychology and asks what the ethical implications of this commonly taken-for-granted value might be. A discourse analytic approach known as ‘critical discursive psychology’ was used to examine eight counselling psychologists’ talk of ‘authenticity’ in semi-structured interviews. The analysis suggested that counselling psychologists may draw on a number of interpretative repertoires regarding ‘authenticity’, using them to establish their identity and negotiate their relationships with clients. However, taken together these repertoires might be said to form an ‘authenticity ideal’, which often functions to position the therapist as authentic and the client as inauthentic. Furthermore, in drawing upon various psychotherapeutic and humanistic discourses, the participants in this study appeared to be distanced from their power in positioning clients as inauthentic, although they demonstrated a problematizing of their own ‘authenticity’ in relation to the need for professional boundaries. This research suggests that talk of ‘authenticity’ tends to locate therapeutic action within a humanistic moral discourse of self-unity. This is of concern because the emphasis on individualism may lead therapists to underestimate the social and relational context of their clients’ difficulties. It should be noted that this critique falls not on the individuals involved in this research, for their answers were consistent with a range of accepted theoretical guidelines; but instead upon the reification of authenticity within counselling psychology and Western society in general. The participants in this study further problematized ‘authenticity’ in terms of needing to balance it with the demands of training and employment organisations. It was found that ii both institutional power and individual embodiment may act as ‘extra-discursive’ influences and constraints upon ‘authenticity’ discourse; however, the methodological feasibility of a critical-realist epistemology within discursive research is questioned. The limitations of the research findings and their relevance for reflexive practice are considered.
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Mantica, Valentina. "The impact of the experience of working with CBT on counselling psychologists' professional identity." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2012. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/the-impact-of-the-experience-of-working-with-cbt-on-counselling-psychologists’-professional-identity(a1d88072-5759-40e1-855b-10770bdd1c28).html.
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Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a therapeutic modality which is commonly argued to be oriented to a medical model, and so to diverge significantly in theory and practice from the traditional relational and humanistic roots of counselling psychology. A large body of literature and research exists which examines counselling psychologists’ professional identity in medical settings, but there appears to be a significant gap in the extant literature relating to how counselling psychologists experience professional identity specifically in the practice of CBT, a therapeutic modality which presently provides a considerable amount of employment for counselling psychologists. To address this gap, the present study sought to explore qualitatively whether counselling psychologists’ experience of their professional identity is affected by the inclusion of CBT in their practice. A sample of eight counselling psychologists who worked with CBT and had been qualified for at least five years were interviewed. Data gathered from the semistructured interviews were transcribed and analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA), a method selected because it is concerned with the detailed examination of personal lived experience and the meaning of experience to participants. The methodology was approached within the contextual constructionist epistemological framework. Three superordinate themes, each containing four subordinate themes, emerged from participants’ accounts: (i) components of professional identity; (ii) the contribution of CBT to the professional self; and (iii) how CBT compromises the professional self. The findings are discussed in relation to the relevant literature, and lines of enquiry that have emerged have been located in current postmodern literature, arguments and debates. One main conclusion of the present study is that feeling comfortable with CBT can CBT, Counselling Psychology and Professional Identity 3 depend upon practitioners’ initial training, personal experience, cultural background, personal characteristics and personal beliefs – that is, the professional self as emerging from the personal self. Clinical implications, methodological limitations, directions for future research and reflections upon the researcher’s reflexivity are presented.
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Santira, Kesu Sabita. "An exploration of trainee counselling psychologists' experiences of undertaking a doctoral thesis in the United Kingdom." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2015. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/an-exploration-of-trainee-counselling-psychologists-experiences-of-undertaking-a-doctoral-thesis-in-the-united-kingdom(a56fd5ef-66e8-4f5c-adce-feb358d16df9).html.
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Background and objectives: A thesis is a requirement of the doctoral counselling psychology programme and plays an important role in forming an identity as a trainee counselling psychologist. While extensive research exists for doctorate experiences in general, less is known about the experiences of trainee counselling psychologists undertaking a thesis in the United Kingdom. The rationale behind this study is therefore to explore how trainee counselling psychologists perceive and make meaning of their experiences and how they go about writing their doctoral thesis. Method and analysis: A qualitative design was employed to answer the research question. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted with twenty trainee counselling psychologists who were either starting to write their thesis or at the stage of almost completing it. A grounded theory analysis was used in this study, which aims to generate a theory based on categories that have been discovered from the data. Several strategies were employed in this study to demonstrate the rigour and trustworthiness in a qualitative design. Findings: The results of this study show that two categories emerged from the data: (1) obstacles in completing a thesis and (2) positive perspective towards undertaking a thesis. The theory that emerged from this study shows that trainee counselling psychologists have both positive and negative experiences which appear to fluctuate during the process of undertaking a thesis and vary from person to person due to individual circumstances. It is vital not to envisage a dichotomy between the positive and negative experiences, which form a natural and necessary journey for all doctoral students. Conclusions: The trainee counselling psychologists' experiences of undertaking a thesis can be viewed as an emotional and multifaceted journey. Overall, the shared experiences of trainee counselling psychologists undertaking a doctoral thesis was a valuable contribution to this study. The paper discusses avenues for further research alongside some practical recommendations that might be useful for trainee counselling psychologists undertaking a doctoral thesis.
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Lamproukou, Markella. "The experience of chartered counselling psychologists working within the NHS, where the counselling psychology philosophy meets with the medical model : a phenomenological inquiry." Thesis, Regent's University, 2014. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.646086.
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Counselling psychology springs from humanistic and existential/phenomenological values arguing for the need to see human beings in a holistic manner. This value system is a move towards well-being rather than pathology and sickness. The philosophical underpinning of counselling psychology gives a unique identity to the profession, raising different questions for counselling psychologists’ working within NHS settings, which is governed by the medical model. At a time that our profession faces enormous challenges and questions about its future, this study explored the experience of seven chartered counselling psychologists working within different NHS settings using the Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) method.︣The analysis of the study revealed six major themes: (1)The process of creating a therapeutic identity; (2) Valuing the counselling psychology founding principles in practice; (3) Working within the medical model;(4) Experiencing tensions: the power of the context; (5) Dealing with the tensions; (6) Current changes and the future of counselling psychology in the NHS.︣The results showed in greater detail that the participants held a strong therapeutic identity; practiced in accordance with the counselling psychology values; experienced different tensions while working within the NHS, but have found different ways to deal with these tensions, including holding a pluralistic stance, assimilating the medical model with their own value base system and prioritizing the clients’ needs over the NHS guidelines. Lastly, the analysis indicated that the recent changes have contributed additional feelings of anxiety and uncertainty to the participants regarding the future of the profession.
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Smith, Richard. "How do existential-phenomenologically trained Counselling Psychologists experience working with dreams? : an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, Regent's University, 2013. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.646046.
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There appears to be a dearth of research into the experience of existential-phenomenological Counselling Psychologists when working with dreams in therapeutic practice. This study is an attempt to bridge this gap in current understanding through a systematic use of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. During this study a great deal of underlying commonalities and to a lesser degree, differences between the four participants were uncovered. The main commonalities in the participants’ experience of dreamwork were based around the focus on the relationship, staying close to the manifest content of the dream, caution in imposing the therapist’s own meaning, dream meanings as dynamic, dreams approached as metaphors, a general acceptance about a lack of structured existential-phenomenological dream model, dreams as means to foster insight and a widening of awareness. The participants’ experiences highlighted a tension between working existentially and integrating aspects from other therapeutic modalities such as Jungian and Gestalt oriented interventions. This study could provide Counselling Psychologists, particularly those trained to work within an existential-phenomenological framework, with ideas on how they might integrate dreamwork into their current therapeutic practice.
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Briggs, David John. "A qualitative study using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to explore Chartered Counselling Psychologists' experiences of supervision." Thesis, University of Wolverhampton, 2010. http://hdl.handle.net/2436/132953.
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This thesis comprises three main sections: a literature review, research report and a critical appraisal of the research process. The literature review is generic across a number of health professions and begins by placing supervision within its historical context followed by an attempt to clarify our current understanding of supervision. The literature relating to effective supervision is presented, with the supervisory working alliance being identified as potentially one of the most important common factors in the change process of supervision (Ellis, 1991). A review of supervision models suggests that they provide a structure for understanding the roles, relationships, responsibilities and processes integral to the practice of supervision. The review attempts to clarify the current state of supervision training, highlighting the lack of attention that has been paid to the process by which individuals learn to become effective supervisees and supervisors. It is concluded that there is a need for further research in the area of training for both supervisees and supervisors. The research report comprises a qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore the supervision experiences of six Chartered Counselling Psychologists. The thematic content that emerged indicated a lack of preparation for the role of supervisee and a lack of formal training for the supervisory role. The findings revealed that the participants relied upon self-directed learning, their previous experience and their therapeutic skills to inform their supervisory practice. The findings also highlighted the critical role of the supervisory relationship for both supervisee and supervisor in managing the anxieties generated by this lack of preparation and training as well as in supporting the learning and development of all involved in the relationship. The final section is the researcher’s critical appraisal of the research process.
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Mitha, Farah. "Becoming mindfully mindful : counselling psychologists' use of mindfulness in their private lives and clinical practice." Thesis, City, University of London, 2018. http://openaccess.city.ac.uk/21847/.
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Mindfulness has received growing interest. However, much of the research around the use and efficacy of mindfulness has been of a quantitative nature, which does not allow for a deep understanding of people's experiences of it. Despite the growing popularity of mindfulness practices among clinicians, research documenting the experience of psychologists using or delivering mindfulness interventions has been limited, with only a handful of studies looking at counselling psychologists. However, the client-centred ethos underpinning counselling psychology aligns itself particularly well with the values of mindfulness. This study aims to add to the literature by exploring the lived experience of counselling psychologists who use mindfulness in their personal lives and professional practice. It focuses on novice mindfulness practitioners, those who use mindfulness but do not self-identify as skilled mindfulness practitioners and have received no formal training in the area, a group which has so far received little attention. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore six-counselling psychologists' experience of mindfulness, both in their private lives and clinical practice. The research took the form of a qualitative, idiographic inquiry. Data analysis was conducted using interpretive phenomenological analysis. The results of this analysis denote my interpretation, of the participants interpretation, of their own lived experience. The results highlighted four superordinate themes: 'the Buddha pill', 'therapists' engagement with mindfulness', 'emotive responses' and 'doing versus being'. The research findings are considered in relation to the wider literature and links drawn. Implications for further research and clinical practice are outlined. It is hoped that the study will encourage counselling psychologists to reflect on their use of mindfulness in their practice and everyday lives.
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Stapley, Torstein. "A grounded theory study on the development of a professional identity in trainee counselling psychologists." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2014. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/718/.
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This study set out to explore the development of a professional identity in trainee Counselling Psychologists in the United Kingdom. Professional identity development involves the acquisition of attitudes, values, knowledge and skills pertaining to the profession (Page, 2005), as well as the acquirement of new role behaviours and new views of the self (McElhinney, 2008). Bucher and Stelling (1977) argued that the basic foundation of a professional identity is constructed during the professional training period when the individual undergoes an initial socialisation to the profession. Yet, research exploring professional identity development in trainee Counselling Psychologists in the UK is limited. Adopting a constructivist grounded theory approach (Charmaz, 2006), this research expected to identify and understand which factors aid and inhibit professional identity development in trainee Counselling Psychologists. Semi-structured interviews were used to explore how nine trainee Counselling Psychologists from a selection of universities and training stages experienced the development of their professional identity. Four interconnected concepts were identified as influential in professional identity development: process, competing/selling, character and subjugating. The results indicated that professional identity development involves attaining a sense of authority, competence, responsibility and autonomy in the professional role through engagement with self, others and the wider contexts of the training. Role ambiguity and role conflict were found to impede the trainee’s identification with the professional role. It appears that the process of developing a professional identity includes a willingness to negotiate tensions between the subjective and the objective, engage with a multitude of demands, and that the development of a professional identity occurs throughout the training. The findings were discussed, with particular consideration to how trainee Counselling Psychologists can be facilitated in their development of a professional identity.
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Patel, Jasmine. "Trainee counselling psychologists' experiences of working with clients from different ethnic/religious backgrounds to themselves." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2017. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/trainee-counselling-psychologists-experiences-of-working-with-clients-from-different-ethnicreligious-backgrounds-to-themselves(ff7613e3-439d-4ae3-baff-b2f95fb97c9d).html.
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Background and objectives: Despite the large amount of research around counselling psychology and working with culture, ethnicity and religion, literature has mainly focused on clients' experiences of therapy. We know little about trainee counselling psychologists and how they experience working with clients from different ethnic and/or religious backgrounds. The objective of this study was therefore to explore UK-based trainee counselling psychologists and their experiences of working with clients from different backgrounds and to also explore educational implications trainee counselling psychologists identify when working with clients from different backgrounds. Therefore, following the aim of this study the two research questions, which will be, explored area as follows: 1. How do trainee counsellingpsychologists experience working with clients from different ethnic/religious backgrounds? and 2. What educational implications are identified by trainee counselling psychologists when working with clients from different ethnic/religious backgrounds to themselves? Method and analyses: A qualitative design was used within project. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twelve UK-based trainee counselling psychologists who had experiences of working with clients from different ethnic/religious backgrounds. A systematic review of the literature was conducted in order to inform the research and to also produce a coding template, which was used to analyse the findings of this thesis. The interview material was analysed using thematic analysis. Analysis: The findings from the first research question revealed eight major themes, which were extracted from the coding template, these themes included: challenges, exploration, relationship, client's perspective, appropriateness, competency, sense of self and emotional responses. These eight major themes were extracted via the coding template and expanded further as the interviews were analysed. The interviews provided a richer understanding ofthese themes and they are introduced and outlined in depth in turn. Following the first researchquestion, the second research question concentrates on educational implications identified by trainee counselling psychologists. These findings yielded a total of four main themes, which included: course input, practical experience, personal experience and reflectivity. These themes are also outlined and explored further in the discussion of this thesis. Conclusions: The research enabled, for the first time, an insight into trainee counselling psychologists' reported experiences of working with clients therapeutically who were from different ethnic/religious backgrounds. Some trainee counselling psychologists reported that rather than working with clients from different backgrounds, working with clients from similar backgrounds posed to be quite difficult as well. More importantly, the idea of reflectivity and personal growth were key elements identified when working with differences in therapy. Trainees expressed that their own sense of self and personal development were key factors when working with clients from different backgrounds. The Discussion of this thesis further expanded on the findings relevant in this thesis. Finally, the Conclusion explored the implications for counselling psychology and education, additionally future considerations for research are also mentioned.
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Weston, Holly. "How do counselling psychologists make sense of their clients' psychiatric diagnoses : an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2016. http://repository.londonmet.ac.uk/1150/.
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Counselling psychology, with its humanistic value base and adherence to certain aspects of the medical model, is in a positional dilemma on issues such as diagnosis. There seems to be a current need to define counselling psychology’s epistemological position due to doubts about its independence as a profession. How counselling psychologists respond to diagnosis has been tentatively explored in the literature, but responses in terms of thoughts, feelings, perceptions, and their interpretation of these responses is absent. To address this gap, semi-structured interviews were carried out with six counselling psychologists and the interviews were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Two themes were identified: ‘diagnosis is something to hang your hat on,’ and ‘the bigger picture.’ Like previous research, these themes highlight the different epistemological positions taken up by counselling psychologists on diagnosis. However, the current findings also describe the lived experience of holding these different positions; for example feelings of tension are expressed and the level of uncertainty that needs to be tolerated is explored. A suggestion is made in terms of defining this changeable position, as one of safe uncertainty (Mason, 1993), in order to facilitate clear communication regarding a position. Specific recommendations are made for research, training and practice, including: the need for tolerance of uncertainty to be made more explicit on counselling psychology training programmes; suggestions for further IPA and Grounded Theory Research; and the development of a special interest group has been suggested, where counselling psychologists and other professionals can share ways of managing the impact of diagnosis on their practice.
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Mueller, Joy. "An exploration into the meaning of spirituality and spiritual experience for counselling psychologists, and implications for their practice." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2013. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/an-exploration-into-the-meaning-of-spirituality-and-spiritual-experience-for-counselling-psychologists-and-implications-for-their-practice(07a2da02-53e2-40ed-82d7-45cbeced1b0a).html.
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The purpose of this study was to examine the meaning of spirituality and spiritual experience to counselling psychologists, in order to address the lack of research into the psychologist’s spiritual belief systems. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was used to explore what six experienced counselling psychologists understood by spirituality and spiritual experience. The research also investigated what impact, if any, these experiences might have on their professional and clinical practices. Four super-ordinate themes were determined after analysing the interviews, based on material gained from the semistructured interviews. These were: Development of spiritual identity; Spiritual beliefs within personal life contexts vs spiritual beliefs and professional practice; Understanding, learning and uses of spiritual experience; and finally, Disclosure within a professional capacity. The participants placed great importance on their spiritual beliefs, which formed a fundamental part of their identity, informed their personal and professional value system, and guided them in some decisions made in sustaining difficult situations when working with substantial client suffering. This study concluded spirituality to be a deeply personal construct shaped and guided by the individual which is drawn upon in all aspects of life. Results revealed that participants are conscious of the value of spirituality and religious beliefs for their clients. Importantly, the all of the counselling psychologists have what they consider to be subtle or profound spiritual experiences within their lives and with two of the participants, in their therapeutic encounters. Furthermore, in the often absent professional exploration in their training institutions and most work contexts, including supervision they draw on their personal experiences when spiritual issues arise in their work with clients. Implications for training and future research in this under-examined field are briefly discussed.
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Konstantinou, Georgia. "A qualitative exploration of how trainee counselling psychologists, with prior 'core' therapeutic training, experience and make sense of their current training in counselling psychology." Thesis, University of Manchester, 2016. https://www.research.manchester.ac.uk/portal/en/theses/a-qualitative-exploration-of-how-trainee-counselling-psychologists-with-prior-core-therapeutic-training-experience-and-make-sense-of-their-current-training-in-counselling-psychology(f9b95945-572e-4e86-b357-7c39daddcd27).html.
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Background: Therapeutic training is considered as the beginning of therapists' professional development. Research exploring the experiences of therapeutic training, particularly the experiences of trainee counselling psychologists is scarce. Additionally, research exploring the experiences of therapists integrating a new model of therapy is also limited; this is a surprising fact given the growing development of the integration movement in the therapeutic world. Aims: The present study explores how trainee counselling psychologists, with a prior training in a 'core' therapeutic model, experience and make sense of their current training in counselling psychology. As a secondary aim, this study explores how these trainees experienced integrating a new model of therapy in their practice and the process of integration within the context of counselling psychology training. Participants: Six trainee counselling psychologists from three different training courses based in the UK, who had all been previously trained in a single school model (primarily person-centred) participated in the study. Method: The present study is an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) study. Data were collected through single, semi-structured, in-depth interviews during which participants were invited to reflect on their experiences of training. Findings: The five super-ordinate themes that were identified in the participants' narratives are: 'Desires, Expectations and Needs from counselling psychology training', 'The turbulence of counselling psychology training', 'The Questioning I', 'The Changing Self' and the 'Finding Peace'. Each of these themes described different components of these trainees' experience of counselling psychology training and reveal that it is a challenging experience on both an emotional and an intellectual level. Discussion: The identified findings of the present study deconstruct, illuminate and are illuminated by existing theoretical and empirical literature. These findings shed light on the cyclical process of professional development within the context of professional training in counselling psychology in the UK.
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Kasnakian, Caroline. "Emotionally-laden words used by counselling and clinical psychologists to describe clients : a content analytic study." Thesis, McGill University, 1995. http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=23221.
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The present study examined the influence personological variables have on therapists' style of conceptualising a hypothetical client's presenting problem. More specifically, the effects of clinical experience (novice vs. expert) and clinical affiliation (counseling psychologist vs. clinical psychologist) on therapists' style of conceptualizing a client's presenting problem was assessed. The emotional content of the therapists' verbal behaviour during a think-aloud diagnostic task, was analyzed. The Feeling Lexicon indexing procedure was used to assess the emotional content of therapists' discourse during the diagnostic task. Eighteen clinical psychologists and eighteen counselling psychologists were selected to fulfill the criteria for having either novice or expert clinical experience. The findings indicated that: (a) counseling psychologists verbalize more words that connote an emotional content than clinical psychologists and, (b) novice therapists express higher levels of emotionality than expert therapists. Implications for training and clinical practice are discussed.
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Karippai, Teresa. "The lived experience of time within the therapeutic encounter as experienced by counselling psychologists and psychotherapists." Thesis, Regent's University London, 2015. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.729388.
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In this study, lived time within the therapeutic encounter was explored phenomenologically. Five Counselling psychologists and two Existential psychotherapists were interviewed and the resulting data was analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Three super-ordinate themes emerged: Tacit Temporality, the first theme, speaks of the inherently relational nature of lived time emerging as co-creational dance between client and therapist; when therapist is ‘in time’ with their client she seems to move beyond clock time. The second theme, Overt Temporality, refers to experiences when the presence of clock time has taken over therapeutic presence and therapist experience being ‘out of time’ with her client. Arising ‘Temporal-ing’, the third theme, signifies that therapist and client constantly create their experiences of lived time ‘through’ the other as a dynamic process of constant emerging ‘in-time’ and ‘beyond-time’. Implications for practice are discussed in terms of highlighting opportunities for deep attuned connection to the client’s lived experience of time and addressing challenges to the therapeutic alliance. The findings are discussed as well as limitations of the study and suggestions for future research.
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Knight, Zoe. "An exploration of counselling psychologists' understandings of domestic violence and abuse : implications for theory and practice." Thesis, University of East London, 2012. http://roar.uel.ac.uk/3030/.
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A growing body of knowledge suggests many mental health practitioners will work therapeutically with women who have experienced domestic violence and abuse (DVA). Relatively little research has focused specifically on the felt readiness of counselling psychologists when working with this group of clients. The present study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the private and public experiences of counselling psychologists in their work with women who have experienced DVA. The analytic aim is exploratory and aims to provide insight into the ways counselling psychologists understand DVA and the practices which establish and sustain therapeutic interventions undertaken. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were carried out with six counselling psychologists who had worked with women living with DVA. The narratives produced were mapped using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) highlighting understandings of DVA as well as some of the dilemmas and challenges that the participants engaged in as they negotiated their therapeutic work with their women clients. Four master themes emerged from the IPA analysis – “privately owned and professional/institutional/public ideological tensions”, “disclosure of domestic violence and abuse affects the therapeutic boundaries and goals”, “working with domestic violence and abuse provokes human, humanitarian and humanistic responses” and “hermeneutic repositioning”. These collectively demonstrate the multi-layered private and public conflicts that make up counselling psychologists therapeutic work with women experiencing DVA. The study also discusses the importance of raising awareness of the private and public clashes that working with DVA has the potential to ignite and the need to increase readiness in counselling psychology trainees to engage in the angst potentially triggered by working with DVA. The strategic role in increasing readiness to work with DVA, of therapeutic guidelines for DVA, reflective practice, self-care and supervision are discussed. This study also acknowledges the importance of specialist care for women experiencing DVA and calls for specialist DVA training for practitioners.
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Teixeira, Beverley. "Professional development among counselling psychology interns : exploring critical incidents." Thesis, Rhodes University, 2015. http://hdl.handle.net/10962/d1017888.
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The journey towards becoming a counselling psychologist, in South Africa, includes the completion a 12 month internship. The internship year holds many challenges and demands for novice professionals and aims to assist them in making the transition from student to professional. This study aims to explore the subjective experiences of intern counselling psychologists and the critical incidents which assist them in making this transition. In addition, it aims to identify experiences impacting on the interns’ professional development and professional identity. Three registered counselling psychologists, who completed their internship at a South African university counselling centre within the last year, were recruited and participated in individual interviews. These interviews were semi-structured and followed the Critical Incident Technique method. Each interview was voice recorded and transcribed. The data collected was analysed using thematic content analysis. As the research design is qualitative, using a phenomenological approach, the focus is on presenting information-rich and detailed descriptions of participants “lived” experiences of their internship year. It attempts to understand significant incidents or events which influenced the participants’ professional and personal development as they navigate through this ambiguous period to become independent and ethical practitioners. Four predominant themes emerged from the data collected, which include a discussion pertaining to professional boundaries and limitations, learning within the internship environment, the effects of professional and personal support and, lastly, the transition from dependent to independent professional functioning.
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Tite, Louise Rebecca. "Counselling psychologists' experiences of working with clients who present with anger issues in prison settings : an interpretative phenomenological analysis." Thesis, University of Roehampton, 2013. https://pure.roehampton.ac.uk/portal/en/studentthesis/counselling-psychologists-experiences-of-working-with-clients-who-present-with-anger-issues-in-prison-settings(fb3e5016-7514-4754-9ae2-173af06f3d58).html.
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Background and Aims: Existing literature on working with clients who have anger issues in prison settings is largely outcome related with an emphasis on evaluating anger management programmes. Research offering insight into the therapists‟ subjective experiences when carrying out such work is scarce. Thus, this study aims to explore therapists‟ subjective responses to clients who express anger within prison settings, as well as the impact such responses may have on the therapeutic process. Method: Semi-structured interviews are carried out with eight qualified chartered counselling psychologists who have experience of working with client anger within prison settings. Interview transcripts are analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), a qualitative methodology that focuses on lived experiences and how people make sense of their experiences. Results: The analysis highlights the different ways therapists understand and manage their reactions to client anger. The two superordinate themes are: (1) THREAT, including subthemes: Threat of burnout; Threat of enmeshment with the client; Threat to the therapeutic relationship. (2) CONTAINMENT, including subthemes: Containing own emotional response; The system as a container; Containment through the therapeutic framework. Conclusion: Participants experienced significant challenges in terms of feeling burnt out, dealing with complex interpersonal dynamics and facing ethical dilemmas. They struggled to work therapeutically with clients‟ expressions of anger, as it produced strong countertransference reactions. This highlights the need for training in these areas to enable therapists to prepare for the challenges that working in a prison context brings. Future research investigating supervision and self-care could build on this current study.
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Grellier, Brett Paul. "The representation of the concept of personal growth by counselling psychologists : a longitudinal Foucauldin discourse analytic study." Thesis, London Metropolitan University, 2007. http://ethos.bl.uk/OrderDetails.do?uin=uk.bl.ethos.516532.
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This piece of research investigated representations of the concept of 'Personal Growth'through the discourses that emanated from the talk of three Counselling Psychologists as they moved from their final year of study into chartered status. Previous research in this area has highlighted the confusion between the terms 'Personal Growth' and 'Personal Development' (e.g. Irving and Williams, 1999; Donati and Wafts, 2005). The research and literature looking purely at the 'Personal Growth' dimension is limited to a humanistic framework and in particular Carl Rogers' conceptions of self-actualisation emanating from his person centred approach (Rogers, 1957; Gillon, 2007). In this research a novel longitudinal methodology was applied to Foucauldian Discourse Analysis, with participants taking part in semi-structured interviews at three time points over a one-year period. Eight discourses were identified, four of which related to traditional conceptions of personal growth: Rogerian, Psychodynamic, Cognitive-Developmental and Self- Reflection/Self-Knowledge and four of which were identified as subjugated discourses of personal growth: Postmodern, Discipline, Institutions and Entitlement discourses. The emergence of the subjugated discourses provides an alternative view, which represents 'personal growth' as being relational, contextual and historical, with traditional discourses being implicated in the oppression of already marginalised groups in society. The implications for the training and practice of Counselling Psychologists in terms of the 'personal growth' element are considered.