‘Oh, it is a special gift you give to me … ’: a phenomenological analysis of counsellors in Cambodia

ABSTRACT

Research on mental health in Cambodia is increasing, yet there is limited focus on experiences of counsellors within this developing profession. This paper reports an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis conducted with thirteen practicing counsellors in Cambodia. Our specific interest was to gain an idiographic understanding of the meanings participants made of the changes they experienced in becoming counsellors, while also considering the unique context of Cambodia. Our findings are presented through an integration of description and interpretation, which grounds our participants’ experiences of change, tension, and meaning-making in the socio-historical context of Cambodia and mental health development. Implications recommend ways to improve support needed to assist counsellors in this developing field.

KEYWORDS:

• Cambodia
• counsellor experiences
• identity development
• change and transitions
• phenomenological analysis

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author, [LSJ], upon reasonable request. The data are not publicly available due to privacy concerns.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Lorien S. Jordan

Lorien S. Jordan, PhD, LMFT, is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Marriage and Family Therapy Program at Mercer University’s School of Medicine. Central to her program of research is a broad focus on training inclusive, diverse, and justice-focussed counsellors. This focus includes the creation of culturally responsive and cross-cultural interventions that translates to community action and political advocacy.

Desiree M. Seponski

Desiree M. Seponski, PhD, LMFT, is an assistant professor in the Department of Human Development and Family Science, Marriage and Family Therapy Program at the University of Georgia and visiting faculty at the Royal University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia. Her scholarship focuses broadly on persons and families who have experienced trauma and marginalization. She currently researches culturally responsive family therapy and intervention with particular interests in immigrant and refugee families.

Stephanie Armes

Stephanie Armes, PhD, LAMFT received her doctoral degree in Human Development and Family Sciences with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Georgia. Stephanie is experienced in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research. Her research focuses on the development of secondary trauma in counsellors working with marginalised populations, with the goal of developing prevention interventions for implementations in mental health agencies.