Client perspectives: The therapeutic challenge of domestic violence counselling – a pilot study

Abstract

Aims: This qualitative pilot study explored the perceptions of four female domestic violence clients regarding counselling they had concluded in order to identify a preliminary client-preferred domestic violence counselling approach. Method: Semi-structured interviews asking about significant events during counselling were held. An adapted grounded theory and narrative methodology was used. Results from the analysis were reviewed with two of the participants. Participants were offered additional counselling support if required after the research interview. Results/Findings: Domestic violence clients found starting counselling particularly difficult after years of keeping the abuse to themselves. Participants actively withheld and managed information for several sessions and needed to know they had time to explore their experiences. The counsellor being consistent and non-judgemental, and understanding domestic violence and its effects was helpful. Having a clear ending was appreciated by the participants. Discussion: The initial development of the therapeutic relationship benefited from active discussion of how domestic violence could affect behaviour and emotions. Good early therapeutic relationships showed elements of the three main psychological schools. Participants benefited from a pro-active discussion of endings. A key limitation of this research is the small sample size. Implications for practice: The research suggests that counsellors would benefit from knowledge and skills from different psychological schools and specific training in domestic violence. Allowing flexibility on the number of sessions available to clients may be helpful. Conclusions: Further work is required to explore these preliminary findings. However, early indications suggest that domestic abuse clients may benefit from non-time-limited specialist counselling services.

Keywords:

• counselling
• psychotherapy
• domestic violence
• grounded theory

Acknowledgements

This research was funded through a PhD studentship at York St. John University. The author would also like to acknowledge and thank the agencies that participated and York St. John University for their support and assistance. This research could not have been completed without the participants who were prepared to be interviewed about their experiences. Each wanted to help others to gain the benefits they had received from counselling and felt that this was a way to have their voices heard. I am indebted to each of them for sharing their stories with courage, openness and dignity.