Item – Theses Canada

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OCLC number
54972098
Link(s) to full text
LAC copy
LAC copy
Author
Ulak, Beverly Jane,1958-
Title
Identifying counselling process variables relevant to recovery from childhood abuse : a qualitative study of client and counsellor perspectives.
Degree
Ph. D. -- University of Toronto, 2002
Publisher
Ottawa : National Library of Canada = Bibliothèque nationale du Canada, [2003]
Description
3 microfiches.
Notes
Includes bibliographical references.
Abstract
This qualitative study investigated the counselling experience from both the client and the counsellor point of view. The objective of this research, was to examine the process of recovery from childhood abuse as it unfolded over several counselling relationships. Previous research has often consisted of single retrospective analyses of client perceptions of their counselling experiences, whereas the current work explored counselling as a bilateral endeavor and on an ongoing basis. The current study focused upon eight counselling dyads consisting of seven women and one male client, and six female counsellors who used a variety of counselling perspectives and techniques. The client participants were all students who had presented with a variety of childhood abuse issues, at a university counselling center. To attract participants, all incoming clients were provided with information about the study at intake, and there were also postings around the university regarding the nature of the research. Recent research and theory pertaining to abuse, recovery, and therapy processes, facilitated the development of post-session questionnaires which were completed by both the clients and their counsellors shortly after each session. The five post-session questions resulted in a total of 640 written responses for analysis. Each questionnaire also included a 10 point likert style rating scale pertaining to session helpfulness. A qualitative data analysis was performed on the written responses collected in this study. Several expectations were supported including: that the kinds of problems dealt with by the clients would demonstrate congruence with post-trauma symptomatology; that recovery would unfold in a series of identifiable stages; that client and counsellor perceptions would have a high degree of similarity; that the acquisition of client insight would be important to the participants; that certain type of trauma related cognitions would emerge during counselling; and finally; that differences in client and counsellor responding would most likely be related to their differential roles. The findings of this study suggest that the acquisition of insight was of paramount importance to both the clients and their counsellors who participated. Aspects of the therapeutic alliance was stressed somewhat less often than the acquisition of insight, especially by the clients who tended to discuss specific kinds of insights on a regular basis. Nonetheless, the results fit with and augment other studies that suggest the necessity of a healthy alliance for the promotion of the change and relief that clients seek and that their counsellors strive to facilitate. The discussion relates the findings to the current literature and suggests some of the limitations and implications of the current work.
ISBN
0612690857
9780612690851