This study is concerned with the subjective experiences of therapists working with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia, and seeks to gain insight into what it feels like for practitioners to be in a therapeutic relationship with clients who experience hallucinations, delusions and other symptoms associated with schizophrenia. Six psychotherapists and counselling psychologists, all of whom have previously worked with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia, were interviewed. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was chosen to generate rich interview data. Participants were asked about their experience of working with clients diagnosed with schizophrenia. Participants’ narratives were analysed using IPA to identify common themes. The analysis resulted in twelve interrelated themes from which three master themes emerged. The first theme, ‘The dark territory’, explores the impact of chaos on the practitioner; participants noted that this type of work was experienced as part of the typical work of psychotherapists, yet simultaneously it felt alien and utterly chaotic, and was characterised by rich, powerful experiences that were alarming, especially at the beginning of the participants’ careers. The second master theme, ‘The symbiotic relationship’, reveals how emotionally involved the participants are with their clients. This was evident in their protectiveness and affection towards their clients. All participants emphasised the beneficial value of psychotherapy with people diagnosed with schizophrenia, and which makes therapeutic relationship mutually beneficial. This study found that psychotherapists and counselling psychologists require specialist supervision and training. These are explored in the final theme – ‘Containment’. Potential implications of the themes that emerged were explored. This study contributes to the literature on counselling psychology and schizophrenia, and to the understanding of how best to support therapists in working with this client group.

In recent years, the psychotherapeutic world has become increasingly interested in the characteristics of the relationship between client and therapist. Two key influences on this relationship are the therapist’s ability to mentalize and the therapist’s attachment style (or the degree to which they are securely or insecurely attached). The main aim of this study was to evaluate mentalizing abilities and attachment orientation in therapists, but in particular to explore the relationship between the two. A group of 20 therapists and a matched group of 21 nontherapists undertook a battery of self-report, behavioural and eye-tracking mentalising tasks, and a self-report attachment questionnaire. Mentalizing tasks were designed to measure various aspects of mentalizing including not only mental state comprehension but also the proclivity to use mentalizing skills. In terms of group differences, therapists showed a greater proclivity to use elaborative mental state language and a greater focus on social cues when visually scanning the same situations. Therapists also demonstrated a self-reported higher level of affective and cognitive empathic ability than non-therapists. However, in behavioural terms, therapists did not evidence a significantly enhanced ability in traditional Theory of Mind tasks, emotion understanding, or visual perspective taking tasks. Thus, therapists generally exhibited a greater tendency to process some but not all aspects of social and emotional information more thoroughly. The influence of attachment orientation on the mentalizing skills of both the therapist and the non-therapist group was complex. Non-therapists tended to behave according to the expectations of previous attachment related research. For example, attachment anxiety was associated with poorer perspective taking and a preoccupation with the use of mental state words. Avoidant attachment correlated with a significant reduction in the first-fix looking time at social information. In the therapist group however, only two significant associations between attachment and mentalization were seen: avoidance and the proclivity to use mentalization skills as measured by the use of elaborative mental state language, and avoidance and self-reported empathy. No other significant influences of attachment on therapist mentalization appeared to exist. Thus, therapists who reported an insecure attachment orientation still generally managed to behave as though they were more secure. Some suggestions are made as to the underlying reasons for this phenomenon, and the clinical implications are discussed.

This small scale enquiry looks at the value of Rogers’ concept of congruence from the perspectives and experiences of clients rather than those of the counsellor, as, it is the view of the author that the value of congruence is only established if it is perceived so by clients. It contributes to the debate about Rogers’ definition of congruence and offers a research informed perspective, relevant to a range of therapeutic interventions, of the nature and function of congruence in the counsellor-client relationship. The study involved me as the researcher and six participants from two cultural backgrounds who had responded to a leaflet after having experienced therapy with a qualified counsellor other than me. A pilot study was carried out followed by six semi-structured, face-to-face and telephone interviews that were transcribed and analysed using a qualitative, thematic analysis approach. A decision was made to divide participants into those who had experienced person-centred counselling and those who had experienced CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy) or integrative therapy. This was not an original decision but one that was made during the study in order to compare the presence and the importance of congruence in different models of therapy. Results revealed that there were terms that were central to, related to and unrelated to Rogers’ definition of congruence. Factors that were centrally related to congruence were: connection and demeanour. Therapist facilitative factors that were tangentially related to congruence were: respect; understanding; empathy; self-disclosure; trust; body language; conveying emotion and caring. Participants also referred to non-related facets such as therapist competence. Due to the majority of codes being related to congruence, this led to the conclusion that participants held a wide definition of the concept, implied by proxy (as a substitute). Participants confirmed the value of congruence, suggesting that Rogers’ theory, that is, that therapist congruence is necessary for positive growth to occur in clients, is important in counselling (Rogers, 1957). Congruence therefore cannot be described as an outdated theory or professional ideology but as a key concept that is prized and valued in modern day therapy. This study offers an original contribution to knowledge and professional practice because it provides not professionals but clients with the opportunity to have their voices heard. It allows service-users to put into words their experiences, thereby offering a better understanding of the phenomenon of congruence. The study has therefore allowed the provision for a more empowering, research-informed counsellor-client experience. A second claim to the study being unique and a valid contribution to knowledge is that the research has a particular focus on Rogers’ definition of congruence and enquires if this is relevant for service-users as opposed to service-providers.

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The topic of disability within counselling is one that has received relatively little attention, despite counselling’s focus on multicultural competencies. Some scholars argue that mental illness can be conceptualized as a disability, and that viewing it as such can provide important insight and empowerment to individuals dealing with these issues. In particular, exploring mental illness as psychological disability can provide a framework for understanding the impacts of both internal and external experiences of disability on the individual. This research draws on critical disability studies theory to frame psychological disability within a social-relational model, examining the potential impact of ableism and sanism on counselling clients with psychological disabilities. Three participants were interviewed using a semi-structured protocol to explore their experiences with counselling and psychological disability. Using interpretive phenomenological analysis, six main themes emerged: Embodied Difference, Meaning and Disability, Intersections of Identity, Emotional Labour, Language, and The Therapeutic Alliance. Implications for research, training, and practice include further exploration of intersectional identities such as gender and physical disability, and incorporating an understanding of the psycho-emotional dimensions of disability, including emotional labour, into counsellor education and practice.

Bibliography: pages 207-212. / The purpose of this study was to determine which biographical or personality variables might be used as indicators of success or failure in a nurse-training program. The population consisted of 502 nursing students in various stages of a diploma course at either the Carinus or Otto Du Plessis Nursing College during June and July 1980. The students received their practical training at one of ten hospitals in the Western Cape Region. The students were given the Personal, Home, Social and Formal Relations Questionnaire (PHSF), the IPAT Anxiety Scale and a biographical questionnaire (designed by the researcher). Both the PHSF and IPAT are multiple choice questionnaires. For the purpose of this study a successful student was one who was rated average or above average in the college as well as the hospital, who enjoyed her work and intended making nursing her profession. An unsuccessful nursing student was one who resigned as a result of not being able to cope, emotional problems and a general dissatisfaction with her job.

Countertransference (CT) is a prominent concept in the counselling literature and is commonly defined as the reactions therapists have to their clients, resulting from their own unresolved conflicts and vulnerabilities (Gelso & Hayes, 2007). According to Friedman and Gelso (2000), while some CT reactions are perceived as positive, they still shift focus to therapists’ concerns rather than those of their clients. This can be perceived as defeating the purpose of therapy. This study revealed therapists’ experiences with CT to help pave a path towards more ethical and client oriented treatment by shedding light on potential changes that can be made to counselling practice and education. Thematic analyses (TA) by Braun and Clarke (2012) was used to analyze data from interviews with four participants. In seeking to understand how CT is conceptualized by therapists, the contexts within which CT reactions occur, and how therapists deal with their CT, five themes emerged from the data. These included: (a) defining characteristics of CT, (b) CT triggers, (c) reactions to CT, (d) methods of dealing with CT, and (e) impact of CT on therapy. Reflection on said themes may inspire counsellors to handle their CT in ways that have proven effective to others and may help them feel less alone in their CT experiences, allowing for more productive response.

In South Africa, approximately 600 000 individuals are visually impaired. Approximately onethird of genetic disorders and syndromes involves the eye, including conditions such as congenital cataracts, glaucoma, albinism, and retinal degenerative disorders. The transition into adulthood of visually disabled individuals is a crucial time, as it lays the foundation for their future. The aim of this research was to explore the level of understanding, perceptions and lived experiences of young adults aged eighteen to twenty-three who are visually impaired due to a genetic cause. A qualitative design, utilizing a phenomenological approach was used for this study. Fifteen participants were recruited through Athlone School for the Blind, the League of Friends of the Blind and Retina SA. In-depth interviews were conducted and data obtained was analysed using thematic analysis. Five themes were identified through this approach indicating the implications of having a genetic visual condition as perceived and experienced by these young adults. Most of the young adults experienced difficulty in understanding their condition and the genetic bases thereof and they had a strong desire to obtain clarity and knowledge via genetic counselling. The community was thought not to understand their situation either. They were unsure of the inheritance risks to future offspring and some indicated that they felt that this was a gamble they were unwilling to take, whilst others would have children. In some instances, their own visual impairment might create obstacles to raising children. Social interactions were greatly impacted and they felt isolated and tried to avoid unpleasant treatment, stigmatization and pity from the community. Intimate relationships were also noted as a challenge. Mobility is a major obstacle due to the incapacity to drive, as well as the lack of disability user-friendly public transportation and a daunting environment. They want to and feel that they can be independent and achieve the same things as sighted individuals, but society and life circumstances often create barriers to this. This research could assist in providing information to create more efficient, patient-centred genetic services and might be informative to various organizations about targeted support to provide these individuals and methods to assist their transition to adulthood.

A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts (Clinical Psychology) in the Department of Psychology University of Zululand, 2008. / Since the surfacing of HIV and AIDS epidemic in South Africa, various programs were implemented in order to educate and prevent the spread of this devastating disease. The Department of Health in South Africa therefore implemented the Voluntary Counseling Testing (VCT) programs across the country in workplaces, tertiary institutions, clinics as well as in hospitals. However in spite of these attempts current studies indicate that the spread of HIV and AIDS is escalated particularly amongst the people between the ages of eighteen and thirty. With so many available VCT sites and centers that provide information about the disease and an opportunity to test for one's sero-status, one would expect not hear such an increase in new HIV/AIDS infections! In view of the above a qualitative study was therefore undertaken to find out from the twenty five students who took part in this study. The aim of the research study is to find from the students who utilize the VCT program services at the University of Zuluiand their experiences about the program, what they appreciate about it and what can be done in order to ensure an efficient service which is in line with the South African HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2000 - 2005.