In this qualitative study, counsellors explored their motivations for becoming a counsellor, and how these can change during training then change again post qualification. Ten participants were recruited and asked, by means of a reflective writing process, to explore their motivations for choosing to become a counsellor, how and if this changed…

Despite the crucial role of mental health professionals in suicide prevention, little is known about mental health professionals' suicide literacy and attitudes towards suicide in Turkey. Therefore, the aims of this research are twofold: First, we investigated counsellor trainees' suicide knowledge and stigmatising attitudes. Second, we examined…

In this small-scale study, we explore and highlight the value of reflective practice through the practice lens of clinical supervision, and propose issues and implications for professional sustainability. Focused opinions and perspectives from four experienced counsellors and supervisors were analysed to create a wider forum of debate regarding…

Counselling is generally recognised by persons with disability as a valuable service. However, persons with disability tend to be a particular client group which is often avoided by counsellors. In this study I investigated the social construction of disability among six Maltese counsellors. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews and…

We investigated the experiences of 10 counsellors undergoing training in a form of person-centred experiential therapy (PCET), known in the UK as Counselling for Depression (CfD). Training was delivered at a service level as part of the PRaCTICED [Pragmatic randomised controlled trial assessing the non-inferiority of counselling for depression…

This study aimed to explore the experiences of a group of counsellors regarding working with clients who engage in self-harming behaviour, in order to gain an understanding of what it is like to work with this client group. A series of six individual, semi-structured qualitative interviews were carried out, which were then transcribed and analysed…

Individuals differ in the type and severity of the difficulties they face when making a career decision. Relying on the Gati, Krausz, and Osipow (1996) taxonomy of career decision-making difficulties, we elicited the judgements of 28 career counselling experts about factors that contribute to the perceived "severity" of the difficulties.…

Examines the nature and characteristics of the concept of unconditional positive regard (UPR); discusses how an experience of conscious identification (CI) within a person-centered counselor may affect its levels and manifestations. Theoretical aspects of UPR are examined, with reference to potential threats or benefits to UPR when a counselor…

Ten counselors were interviewed concerning their fears encountered in their therapeutic work. Participants were also asked what they had found to be helpful when attempting to deal with these fears. Fears reported are categorized into fears of losing control, fears of being separated from a group by way of disapproval or rejection, and fears of…

To estimate the overall effectiveness of counselor training, tested student counselors to explore "response-shift bias." Results from three groups of trainees spanning three years revealed the presence of a response-shift bias, confirmed the effectiveness of the training program, and demonstrated that students continually analyzed their…

Examines the assumptions of "self" made in the professional and managerial discourses of guidance. Suggests that these assumptions obstruct the capacity of guidance workers to explain their own practices. Drawing on contemporary debates over identity, modernity, and postmodernity, argues for a more explicit debate about the self in…

A qualitative study of 30 counselors or psychotherapists revealed numerous themes. These major themes include the following: transition by the practitioner toward the use of healing; the taboo over talking about spiritual and healing experiences; the nature of healing as distinct from therapy; supervision difficulties; and the concept of spiritual…

An African counselor relates personal opinions about counseling and Apartheid. Asserts student counselors in South Africa are grappling with the process of extricating themselves from the "old order." As they do so, it is imperative to hear the voice of those who have borne the main brunt of oppression. (KW)

A qualitative study was conducted into the experience of student counsellors working as lone counsellors or as members of a small team in higher education colleges. The data, gathered through semi-structured interviews of eight participants, all of whom were responsible for the management of their counselling service, revealed the complexity of…