Working with suicidal clients: The person-centred counsellor's experience and understanding of risk assessment

Abstract

Background: Client risk assessment within the person-centred paradigm is traditionally seen as squarely opposed to its ethos. Aim: To determine how the person-centred counsellor experiences and understands the issue of risk assessment within the confines of their work ethos. Method: Semi-structured interviews with seven person-centred counsellors using thematic analysis were conducted. Findings: Three main themes emerged following thematic analysis: The impact of the risk assessment process on self; The counsellor's experience of self, and The therapeutic process in relation to risk assessment. Discussion: The findings suggest that person-centred counsellors conduct risk assessments taking a holistic approach involving not only individual risk predictors and characteristics of the client but also individual factors related to self.

Keywords:

• person-centred counselling
• qualitative
• risk assessment
• suicide
• thematic analysis