Kenyan students’ expectations upon beginning a master's course in counselling studies

ABSTRACT

A sample of 23 students – 12 women, 11 men – enrolled on a two-year part-time master's course in counselling studies in Nairobi, Kenya, took part in a focus group discussion about their expectations of the course. The key themes that emerged were: adding to their skills and status and challenges to the counsellors. The findings are discussed within the context of counselling and culture.

Many people have contributed directly and indirectly to this research, not least the students from the master's course. People I do wish to acknowledge include: Don Balmer, Mabel Bwire, Keryn Caley, Nonnie Cohen, Kam Dhillon, Colin Feltham, Elias Gikundi, Marianne Glaeser, Kathy Hunt, George Kariuki, Francis Kasonde, Atuma Kerore, Florence Kisilu, Dinah Kituyi, Pittu Laungani, Clare Lennie, Jacinta Macharia, Lilly Maina, George Manono, Aurelian Massawe, John McGuiness, John McLeod, May Mkimbo, Roy Moodley, Leah Mugambi, Violet Mugambi, Tabitha Mukhwana, Richard Mutea, Humphrey Mutegi, John Mutonga, George Obuya, David Odongo, Joshua Otiende, Mary Otieno, Joy Otolo, Cecilia Rachier, Wayne Richards, Maggie Robson, David Tune, Dennis Wamalwa and Dori Yusef.