Client perspectives on counselling: Before, during and after

Abstract

This four-year study investigated the under-researched area of first-time users’ perceptions of counselling and how these evolved over time. Research participants were drawn from six settings within university counselling services, the voluntary sector and primary care. Using an interpretive hermeneutic framework based on thematic analysis, 30 interviews were carried out. Results revealed that before counselling, participants were uncertain about the nature of counselling and what to expect, described stigma associated with peer influence and varying levels of confusion about specialist language. During counselling, participants experienced some level of positive change. At the same time, divergences of counsellor and client perception highlighted theoretical issues concerning counsellor approach and the exploration of emotions. Post-counselling interviews revealed further positive change, and practical issues with implications for counsellor training and practice in terms of client assessment, preparation for counselling and the influence of cultural assumptions on theory and practice.

Keywords:

• Client perspective
• client-counsellor divergent perspectives
• practice implications

Acknowledgements

This study was carried out as partial fulfilment of the requirements of Sheffield Hallam University for a PhD. I would particularly like to thank the clients, counsellors, service co-ordinators and GPs who gave their time so generously to talk to me in such depth.