This piece of research aimed to explore counselling psychologists' experiences of identifying with their clients' concerns. The participants' experiences were examined within the context of the co-constructiveness of the therapeutic encounter. Seven counselling psychologists, with a training background in the existential tradition, were asked to elaborate on their experiences of identifying with their clients difficulties. The method chosen for this study was Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) and the participants' experiences were were collected through the use of semi-structured interviews. Two sub-topics were explored in the context of the therapists' experience of 'identification'. These were the concept of 'bracketing' and the issue of 'self-disclosure'. Five superordinate themes emerged: a) the layers of identification, b) working with the therapeutic encounter, c) bracketing: like riding a bicycle, d) perspectives in self-disclosure, and e) health warning. These themes reflected experiences of different levels of identification; the impact of identification on the therapeutic encounter and the use of bracketing; the (mis)use of self-disclosure; and the effects of identification on personal wellbeing. The findings are critically discussed in the light of existing literature and implications for counselling psychology and psychotherapy practice are considered. The limitations of the study are also highlighted as well as suggestions for future research being presented.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:683435 |
| Date | January 2012 |
| Creators | Kantartzis, Elena-Tatiana |
| Contributors | Ritter, Dominik ; Manafi, Elena |
| Publisher | Regent's University London |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
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