Does disability matter in counselling? Views of counsellors with visual disabilities and their clients

ABSTRACT

In this study we investigated the case of disability from the perspective of counsellors with visual disability (CWVD) and their clients by focusing on the counselling skills of CWVD, the relationships with their clients, and the perspectives of their clients in relation to their counselling experiences. Fifteen CWVDs and 11 clients (N = 26) were interviewed and data were analysed thematically. Findings show that CWVDs used their set of skills to build trustworthy therapeutic relationships through genuineness, established here and now relations in therapeutic encounter effectively, and produced meaningful outcomes. Findings of this research indicate the need to reconsider the field of counselling around pluralist, inclusive and multicultural paradigms.

KEYWORDS:

• Counsellors with visual disabilities
• pluralism
• qualitative research

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Halis Sakiz is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology in Artuklu University, Turkey. His research focuses on counselling and school psychology as well as disability studies.

Mehmet Sarıcalı is a PhD candidate in the Department of Counselling in Anadolu University, Turkey. His research focuses on counselling psychology and disability studies.

Ayşe Sibel Türküm is a full professor in the Department of Counselling in Anadolu University, Turkey. Her research focuses on guidance and psychological counselling.

ORCID

Halis Sakız http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2406-1011