The main purpose of this study was to examine how social work can be performed online, by a case study of Korrespondensgymnasiet that pursues distance education. The intention was to determine the possibilities and limits with the online communication between the school counsellor and the pupils. The study was based on qualitative semi-structured interviews with one school counsellor and five pupils and document analysis of three descriptions of the school counsellor’s profession. The theory that has been used in this study is the communication theory: Shannon and Weaver’s Model of Communication and non-verbal communication. An essential discovery is that alternative ways to communicate can maintain an option to traditional communication face to face. This is mainly because the pupils find it more important to have the possibility to make contact with the school counsellor, rather than how the communication is being performed. We also discovered that the descriptions of the school counsellor’s profession doesn’t stand in the way of having online communication with the pupils.

This thesis investigates how a group of counsellors work in a preventive and supportive manner with youths suffering from mental ill-health, as well as the obstacles and difficulties that can arise from their work and the possibility for coaching available to them. The investigation is based on accounts from four informants on their experience working with youths, as well as scientific data on the subject. The study is based on a qualitative investigation and semi-structured interviews to collect empirical material. The forms of mental ill-health that have been the focus of this investigation are stress, worry and anxiety, at a time when they become an obstacle in daily life. Factors that are shown to affect the mental health of youths include pressure to perform in all parts of life and social networks. Parental shortcomings are also found to affect the mental health of youths. The difficulties and obstacles of counselling which are highlighted by the investigation include a lack of time and resources, as well as the difficulty for those working with youths to coordinate their work.  The results show the importance of preventive work with youths, and of coordination and the creation of alliances. The study also show that mental ill-health often stem from a lack of self-esteem among youths. / Denna uppsats undersöker hur en grupp kuratorer arbetar preventivt och stödjande kring ungdomar som upplever psykisk ohälsa, dessutom vilka hinder och svårigheter som kan uppkomma i arbetet samt möjligheten till handledning för dessa kuratorer. Undersökningen grundar sig på fyra infomanters berättelser om deras erfarenheter kring arbetet med ungdomar, samt vetenskaplig data kring ämnet. Studien bygger på en kvalitativ undersökning, samt semistrukturerade intervjuer för att samla in empiriskt material. Den psykiska ohälsa som fokuserats på i undersökningen är stress, oro och ångest och när de blir till ett hinder i vardagen. De faktorer som visar sig påverka ungdomens psykiska hälsa är bland annat den egna pressen att man ska prestera i alla lägen i livet och sociala nätverk. Man kan även se att bister i föräldraskapet kan påverka ungdomens psykiska hälsa. De svårigheter och hinder i kuratorns arbetsuppgifter som framkommer i undersökningen är bland annat brist på tid och resurser samt svårigheten för yrkesverksamma inom målgruppen att samverka mellan varandra. Resultatet visar på betydelsen av preventivt arbete med ungdomar, samverkan och skapande av allianser. Studien visar även på att den psykiska ohälsan ofta grundas i en bristande självkänsla hos ungdomen.

The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / Thesis (M.A. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

The aim of this study was to examine the knowledge and the experience that school counsellors have about tics and Tourette syndrome. This study is based on a qualitative research which we conducted with semi-structured interviews. We have done five interviews with different school counsellors in a small municipality in southern Sweden. The theoretical approach that was used in this study was theory of knowledge as a comprehensive theory and professional competence which includes formal knowledge and tacit knowledge. Some of the study’s conclusions are that the School Counsellors had different professional competence about tics and Tourette syndrome. The school counsellors had received their knowledge through formal educations and work experience. School counsellors had different types of education which mean that they had different knowledge and experiences but also different approaches, methods and way to relate students with tics and Tourette syndrome in their profession. In our results, it appears that work experience and formal education often exist together. Therefore it is not possible to say which specific form of knowledge school counsellors use in a meeting with a student with tics and Tourette syndrome, and whether this could have affected the meeting.

No description available.

Smoking remains a leading cause of premature, preventable death in South Africa killing 44 000 South Africans each year. Through the introduction of comprehensive tobacco control policies, the South African government has tried to reduce the death toll and a significant reduction in tobacco use has been recorded since its peak in the 1990’s. Smoking among women, however have remained unchanged, which calls for actions. Pregnant mothers are specifically vulnerable as their smoking detrimentally affects their own health as well as the health of their babies. This thesis gives an account of the role the antenatal care system could play in reducing the burden caused by cigarette smoking.   The overall aim was to contribute to an understanding of how a person-centred approach to smoking cessation among disadvantaged pregnant women with high smoking rates may influence smoking behaviour. The specific objectives were to confirm the high smoking rates of the target population, assess their readiness to quit, explore existing barriers and promoting factors towards smoking cessation efforts within the public antenatal health care system, and to qualitatively assess the attitudes and perceptions of disadvantaged pregnant women regarding a personcentred smoking cessation intervention.   The high smoking rates of the target population was confirmed based on a cross-sectional study at antenatal clinics in four main cities of South Africa. It focused on the prevalence of smoking during pregnancy and used the stages of change theory to identify their readiness to quit. Additional questions concerned pregnancy related disease experiences, socio-economic determinants of continued smoking as well as attitudes towards the existing clinic services and its possible role in smoking cessation. A qualitative interview study analyzed more in-depth barriers for two-way communication between pregnant mothers and midwives. Both these studies informed the design and development of a person-centred smoking cessation intervention delivered at four public sector antenatal clinics in Cape Town. The intervention was subjected to a comprehensive evaluation based on a combination of quantitative and qualitative measures. This thesis utilizes data from the qualitative process assessment part, comprising individual interviews and focus group discussions with pregnant women during the implementation period of the intervention.   The survey results pointed out a high prevalence of smoking of 46% amongst disadvantaged pregnant women, with varying readiness for behaviour change. Most women were in the contemplation stage of behaviour change and thus ready to quit. Many of the women felt positive about the role of the midwife as an antenatal care provider, but they did not have confidence in midwives concerning encouraging or supporting women to change addictive behaviour be it smoking, alcohol or other illegal substances. The qualitative research highlighted the need for revised curricula for health education and counselling. The analysis illustrated how the current situation created tension between clinic staff and pregnant women making women feel unworthy and thus leaving little room for changing behaviour. The in-depth interviews and the focus group discussions provided an analytical account of how the person-centred approach in this population was perceived by the women themselves. It illustrated that a multifaceted intervention programme, using peer counselors and educational material designed specifically for a given target population, can successfully bring about behaviour change. The intervention succeeded in shifting women’s perceptions of hopelessness into feelings of being empowered to face their addictions and competent to make a change. Though the intervention meant greater rapport with the midwives, involving peer counsellors was rated highly by the participating women. The women reported having used the educational material and attached a great value to the appropriateness of the material to their life situations, and the effectiveness of having it combined with counselling from a peer counsellor. This qualitative evaluation showed the importance of a multifaceted intervention approach, in helping women identify with their behaviour change.   The thesis highlights the importance of designing smoking cessation interventions that are specific to the needs of target populations. When smoking cessation efforts are included into routine antenatal services it is important that the target group inform the nature and specific components of the intervention.

The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / The aim of this study was to do research to see whether the father is absent in the South African context and design a practical theory for possible use by a Biblical counsellor to help fathers that can't fulfil their role properly in the family. The role of the father can again be restored through Biblical counselling. This study is done on the basis of the following : a basic theory is set out on which Scriptural perspectives on the subject have been researched; a meta theoretical evaluation is obtained from the three disciplines - Sociology, Psychology and Social Work; empirical research by means of interviews and questionnaires. The empirical research indicated that sampling among women proved that they experience and live through the absent role of the father. According to the questionnaires and interviews it was remarkable that all eight women longed for Biblical counselling. The study further indicates that Scriptural perspectives show how the role of the father must be according to the original Fatherhood of God. Scripture use and prayer are the basis to set practical theoretical perspectives, specific as well as in general, in connection with the absent father figure. The Biblical counsellor, leader, minister and pastor can possibly use the guidelines to explain and set out the role of the father. The greatest responsibility the father carries in his family is the portrayal and modelling of Jesus Christ's attributes and example. The conclusion of this study is that the Fatherhood of God makes it possible for the father to fulfil his role and function within the family and live it out in the community. The father cannot be separated from the family, because the relationship wherein the father, mother and child stand, is indissoluble. / Thesis (M.A. (Practical Theology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2004.

Counselling as a profession has a decisive influence on the emotional functioning of the counsellor/therapist at both the professional and personal level. A unique emotional component is required of a counsellorltherapist. He/she as an emotional coach must have a special awareness of his/her own emotional processes so that adaptable emotional coping can be harnessed as a powerful therapeutic aid. In the past a void occurred within the context of the Christian counsellor/therapist concerning practical guidelines for managing the emotional life of the counsellor/therapist, which also is the specific focus of this study. A number of passages from the Bible were focused on from a basis theoretical point of departure, which is related to the emotional functioning of the Christian counsellor/therapist in one way or another. From this, among others, it became clear that God rather wishes to bring recovery, honour, renewal and joy instead of brokenness, grief and boundedness. During times of despondency, depression and burnout, God is involved and present in the Christian in a tender, though decisive manner. Rest as a physical, emotional and spiritual activity is also a command which is directly related to the execution of the calling to discipleship. Emotions are meant to be building blocks for fulfilment and joy in the Christian's life. Emotional intimacy and the self-disclosure associated with it, is the only way to grow spiritually and remain emotionally healthy. Life in Christ presents man with the essential foundation for this process. Hence emotion can be utilised to culture greater awareness of a deep dependence on God. In the lives of spiritual leaders, inner wounding often manifest as a noticeable separation1 splitting off between their mind and heart, public and private life, as well as personal and professional life. Like the counselled, the counsellor/therapist must do the necessary emotional work regarding his/her emotional pain so that emotional resolution and transformation can be accomplished. Deep inner wounds must eventually be "touched” in one way or another. Seen from the meta-theory, it became clear that the phenomena compassion fatigue and burnout normally indicates a period or season in which the humanness, fragility and weakness of the counsellor come to the fore. The treatment principle underlying compassion fatigue and burnout is increased self-esteem. A proactive choice of dealing with these phenomena can lead to a decisive levelling out of the phenomena compassion fatigue and burnout. Such action implies, among others, knowledge of the phenomena, self-care due to increased self-esteem, boundaries and a balanced view of discipleship. With regard to the empirical research, a qualitative research approach was followed by using a standard interview. A profile was compiled of the counsellor/therapist who does indeed function emotionally effectively, and eventually it served as the overarching aim of the counselling programme. It became clear that the effective functioning of the counsellor/therapist is directly linked to a process of healing which has taken place with regard to possible own emotional wounding and/or burnout and/or compassion fatigue. The result of this process is someone who is emotionally mature and also capable of maintaining good relationships and balanced emotional intimacy Concerning the practice-theoretical foundation, four basic themes were finally formulated by means of which progressive growth is accomplished. Firstly, the Christian counsellor becomes aware of important factors regarding his/her emotional life. Secondly, this process then flows over into deeper self-knowledge. The moment change regarding self-intimacy is brought about attention can thirdly be given to spiritual functioning. Fourthly, the individual who has received healing and enrichment can now utilise it in the work context in order to manage it better. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

In Ontario, career and guidance services are offered by teachers who have completed additional undergraduate studies. The training required to become a guidance counsellor appears to be insufficient to properly deliver the necessary guidance and counselling services. Many guidance counsellors are still operating as teachers within their new role as guidance counsellors. The aim of this qualitative research was to explore the professional identity of guidance counsellors’ working in Ontario, from their perspective. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed and twelve guidance counsellors were interviewed. Eight participants had completed the required undergraduate studies and four had completed a master’s degree in the field. The thematic analysis revealed four major themes that articulated and explained their professional identity: peer support, contextual factors, professional experience and formal training. The study’s limitations are discussed and suggestions for future research are offered.

Counselling as a profession has a decisive influence on the emotional functioning of the counsellor/therapist at both the professional and personal level. A unique emotional component is required of a counsellorltherapist. He/she as an emotional coach must have a special awareness of his/her own emotional processes so that adaptable emotional coping can be harnessed as a powerful therapeutic aid. In the past a void occurred within the context of the Christian counsellor/therapist concerning practical guidelines for managing the emotional life of the counsellor/therapist, which also is the specific focus of this study. A number of passages from the Bible were focused on from a basis theoretical point of departure, which is related to the emotional functioning of the Christian counsellor/therapist in one way or another. From this, among others, it became clear that God rather wishes to bring recovery, honour, renewal and joy instead of brokenness, grief and boundedness. During times of despondency, depression and burnout, God is involved and present in the Christian in a tender, though decisive manner. Rest as a physical, emotional and spiritual activity is also a command which is directly related to the execution of the calling to discipleship. Emotions are meant to be building blocks for fulfilment and joy in the Christian's life. Emotional intimacy and the self-disclosure associated with it, is the only way to grow spiritually and remain emotionally healthy. Life in Christ presents man with the essential foundation for this process. Hence emotion can be utilised to culture greater awareness of a deep dependence on God. In the lives of spiritual leaders, inner wounding often manifest as a noticeable separation1 splitting off between their mind and heart, public and private life, as well as personal and professional life. Like the counselled, the counsellor/therapist must do the necessary emotional work regarding his/her emotional pain so that emotional resolution and transformation can be accomplished. Deep inner wounds must eventually be "touched” in one way or another. Seen from the meta-theory, it became clear that the phenomena compassion fatigue and burnout normally indicates a period or season in which the humanness, fragility and weakness of the counsellor come to the fore. The treatment principle underlying compassion fatigue and burnout is increased self-esteem. A proactive choice of dealing with these phenomena can lead to a decisive levelling out of the phenomena compassion fatigue and burnout. Such action implies, among others, knowledge of the phenomena, self-care due to increased self-esteem, boundaries and a balanced view of discipleship. With regard to the empirical research, a qualitative research approach was followed by using a standard interview. A profile was compiled of the counsellor/therapist who does indeed function emotionally effectively, and eventually it served as the overarching aim of the counselling programme. It became clear that the effective functioning of the counsellor/therapist is directly linked to a process of healing which has taken place with regard to possible own emotional wounding and/or burnout and/or compassion fatigue. The result of this process is someone who is emotionally mature and also capable of maintaining good relationships and balanced emotional intimacy Concerning the practice-theoretical foundation, four basic themes were finally formulated by means of which progressive growth is accomplished. Firstly, the Christian counsellor becomes aware of important factors regarding his/her emotional life. Secondly, this process then flows over into deeper self-knowledge. The moment change regarding self-intimacy is brought about attention can thirdly be given to spiritual functioning. Fourthly, the individual who has received healing and enrichment can now utilise it in the work context in order to manage it better. / Thesis (M.A. (Pastoral))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.