|
|
|
|
|
 |
• research conferences: |
|
|
|
research conference 2006 index of presentations | abstracts part 1 2 3 4 | programme | evaluation Abstracts part 1 Work in Progress Symposium Background In organising the conference programme, the BACP research team noted that a number of abstracts submitted for peer review described work in progress, or new and innovative methodologies. In some cases, comments from external peer reviewers noted that the work was in progress, and / or the methodology was evolving, and that we should invite the researchers to present their work at a later date, perhaps at the 2007 conference. However, one of the aims of the BACP Annual Research Conference has been to encourage new research, new methods and new researchers, so after the success of this strand at the 2006 Research Conference we are continuing to offer a series of symposiums showcasing such work, from both new and established researchers. Aim The aim of the symposiums is to facilitate debate about research questions and research methods in counselling and psychotherapy. Structure
Selection of topics Wherever possible, we have tried to group presentations around similar topics, or methods. Each presenter will receive advance information about the other research presentations in his or her session, so that they can see how the work might fit together, and what the main research issues are. Likewise, the symposium Chair will receive advance information, and will be well briefed. Of course it's not your responsibility as a presenter to make links to other presentations prior to the symposiums. However, it may be useful for you to consider the other abstracts in preparing for the debate we hope the presentations will generate. Guidelines for presenters Work in progress presenters are asked to bear in mind the following questions when preparing for the presentation. The work in progress sessions give an opportunity to engage with other researchers about work they are doing, the research question they are asking, the methods they are using to address the question, results to date, problems in undertaking the research, and so on. For example, presenters are asked:
What are the learning points? Is there an issue arising from your research that you would like to debate with the participants? If so, make sure you have a question for the audience, just as we will make sure they have questions for you! We aim to encourage debate. Professional Role: Lecturer in Counselling ABSTRACT: Paper Finding a voice: a qualitative study exploring the meaning and experience of becoming a volunteer counsellor Background: Volunteer counsellors contribute significantly to the delivery of psychological therapy in Britain and other countries as well. This raises questions about, among other things, how volunteer counsellors develop competence and awareness, and the type and level of training and supervision required to achieve good client outcomes. Aim: To explore a group of volunteer counsellors' experiences of training, entering practice and client work during their first year of practice. Method: Eight minimally trained/experienced volunteer counsellors working within a voluntary sector mental health agency were interviewed for approximately one hour at the end of their first year of counselling practice. Interviews were semi-structured, tape-recorded and transcribed and analysed using a grounded theory approach. Results: The meaning/experience of becoming a counsellor, entering practice and client work was constructed through five main categories: "resonating"; 'expressing and inner voice'; 'learning a language'; 'engaging in helping/therapeutic conversations'; and 'experiencing and resolving dissonance'. These main categories were contained within an overarching core category, 'finding a voice', a metaphor which denotes a process of discovery that references the person's initial encounter with counselling or helping 'in the broadest sense' and subsequent quest to achieve an identity as a counsellor. Conclusions: "Finding a voice" can be regarded as a process that (volunteer) counsellors engage with in an effort to express 'self-as-counsellor'. The extent to which individuals 'find a voice' relates to them being able to establish a framework for practice within the context of the agency's expectations and culture, and which also accommodates their aspirations, motivations, needs, values and personal philosophy of life/helping. This process involves the experiencing of and successful resolution of dissonance or emotional conflicts in order to continue to engage in volunteer counselling and develop an identity as a counsellor 'the cycle of engagement'. These findings have implications for the selection, training and support of volunteer counsellors. Liz Ballinger and Dr Jeannie Wright Professional role: Senior Lecturer (LB) ABSTRACT: Work in progress symposium Does class count: what significance do counsellors attach to social class? Research rationale: Both researchers identify themselves as coming from working class backgrounds and as holding a personal and practice-based interest in social class. Wider studies confirm the continuing significance of class in shaping life-style and life chances and, hence, its potential importance to the counselling process. This sits alongside our perception that class is accorded little interest in counselling texts and research, an impression confirmed by a review of British counselling literature. Research design: The first stage of the research process involved an invitation to interested counsellors to join a Co-operative Inquiry Group to explore their perception of the significance of social class. This method was chosen as it reflected the researchers' priorities in terms of:
Following two introductory meetings, a series of six meetings took place, three fitting into the 'project' and 'encounter' phases of the research cycle, the final three into the 'making sense' and 'encounter' phases. Nine counsellors participated. The three 'project' and 'encounter' meetings of the inquiry group were recorded on audio-tape. The research process has continued subsequently in collaboration with Nottingham Women's Counselling Project and counselling students at Nottingham Trent University. Sample: Purposive: Invitations to the Co-operative Inquiry Group were sent to interested counsellors in the East Midlands using informal networks. Results/findings: Findings took the form of agreed descriptions of group experience distilled from the tapes and personal learning statements. These focussed on the continuing significance of class in intrapersonal and interpersonal relating, as well as its significance for counselling. Financial and cultural barriers to access were highlighted. Issues such as the use of language were also raised. Conclusion: Class continues to be an under-acknowledged topic for discussion and research in counselling. Professional Role: Counsellor ABSTRACT: Paper Clients' experiences of how a perceived difference in social class between counsellor and client affects the therapeutic relationship Background: There is already a body of research on how differences between counsellor and client such as race, gender and sexual orientation affect the counselling relationship; social class is a dynamic in the counselling relationship that has received less attention. I am a middle class person, very aware of my mixed middle/working class background, which was my motivation for choosing a class-related study. I am also aware that I bring my class background to the interviewees and to the research as a whole. Aim: This is a qualitative research project to explore how clients felt a perceived difference in social background had affected their relationship with the counsellor. As a person-centred counsellor I wished to focus on the clients' lived experience of this difference, using a phenomenological study and definition of class. The research has received ethical approval from the University of Strathclyde. Method: Counsellors and trainee counsellors were sought who had experience of being a client and felt they were a different social background to their therapist. Six participants identified themselves as working class and perceived their counsellor to be middle/upper middle class. Participants were interviewed either by phone or face-to-face using semi-structured interviews. The interviews were tape-recorded and the data transcribed. A thematic analysis was then carried out of the data. Results: Themes that have emerged so far include clients feeling disempowered, having no connection with the counsellor and withholding parts of themselves in the counselling relationship because of feeling judged. Education, dress and accent were some of the factors that triggered feelings of shame connected to social class and meant the client did not feel able to be him/herself in the relationship with the counsellor. Conclusions: In these clients' experiences the perceived difference in social background had a powerful effect on the counselling relationship. There were unresolved and unspoken issues of power, and a lack of awareness from the therapists of a working class frame of reference that prevented the clients from feeling accepted and able to develop in counselling. There may be wider aspects of how class is dealt with in therapy for counsellors to consider. Other authors: Dr Kim Etherington Professional Role: Research Assistant ABSTRACT: Paper Problematic drug users' identity construction through relationships and group affiliation during use and recovery Background: Identity reconstruction within addicts' narratives is seen as being an integral part of the recovery process (Baker, 2000). This paper looks at the development of an 'addict' identity and what clients who have been prescribed methadone tell us about the influence on their changing sense of self and identity of relationships with the people in a community drugs project (other service users, the counsellors they work with individually and in a group setting, and other members of staff). The therapeutic importance of relationships between client and counsellor is well known: this study extends that thinking to include other service users and other drug workers. Research design: One to one semi-structured interviews and a group interview were carried out in a community drugs project to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of drug use and attempts at recovery. Interviews were tape-recorded, transcribed and then thematically analysed individually by three researchers, who then jointly negotiated the final themes. 22 current and previous clients of a community drugs project in Bristol were approached either by their counsellor, by letter from the project, by 'word of mouth' from other clients or by the researcher at drop-in sessions at the project. Participants were at various stages of recovery and whilst all had a history of poly-drug use over several years, it was their use of heroin that was the focus of their methadone treatment. Results/findings: Drug subculture group identification initially fostered a sense of belonging for marginalised individuals, but increasingly problematic use had negative effects on relationships, with both non drug-users and other users, and having few supportive relationships led to feelings of isolation. This, coupled with a perceived social stigma, reinforced an 'addict' identity. Counselling sessions, group work and user involvement at the project fostered feelings of connection with others, with clients seeing themselves as actively contributing members rather than just service users. Positive relationships with staff members and the formation of mutually helping relationships with other clients aided self-esteem and led to the adoption of an identity based on a shared norm of staying drug free rather than drug use. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of the social and personal changes that occur through positive relationships formed within a drugs project and the value of user involvement in enhancing engagement and a feeling of agency over treatment. Reference Baker, P. L. (2000). I didn't know: Discoveries and identity transformation of women addicts in treatment. Journal of Drug Issues. 30, 4, 863-881. Commissioned by the Southmead Drugs Project and funded by the European Social Fund. Professional role: Counsellor ABSTRACT: Paper What's in a name? A narrative inquiry into the relationship between addiction and identity: implications for counselling 'addicts' Research Question: This study explores the interplay between dominant discourses of addiction and personal narratives of identity in making sense of the experience of addiction. Research Rationale: 'Every era has a particular configuration of self, illness, healer and technology; they are a cultural package.' (Cushman, 1995: 7) The 'cultural package' that constructs addiction as a behaviour that is 'out-of-control' and 'a disease', is considered through the lens of social constructionism. This study aims to provide a socially, culturally, historically and politically situated account of drug addiction and 'thick description' (Geertz, 1979) of the experience of being 'addicted'. Research Design: The above issues are co-researched with a former heroin addict, using an individual case study/life story interview to produce a situated account of addiction. Subsequent interviews explored themes relating to addiction and identity arising from the life-story. The researcher is situated within the research by the inclusion of her own personal and professional stories relating to addiction. The researcher invited members of a self-help group for former problematic drug-users at a local drugs agency, to participate in the study. The participant who responded is a white European male, aged 40. A poly-drug user since his teenage years, he became addicted to heroin in his thirties. He was abstinent from heroin for two years. Results/Findings: Eight hours of interview time generated 30,000 words, which were transcribed and re-presented as co-produced stories in stanza form. It is argued that the participant's personal and local narratives mediated the influence of dominant discourses of addiction on the meaning he ascribed to both the experience of addiction and its claims on his identity. Conclusions: Addiction is discussed as a socially mediated process. It is suggested that dominant discourses of addiction can give rise to expectations of helplessness in relation to drugs. (Davies, 1997) Alternative metaphors are discussed from narrative therapy. Counsellors are encouraged to pay close attention to issues of identity and to privilege local and personal knowledge over expert knowledge in relation to drugs and addiction. References: Cushman, P (1995) Constructing the self, constructing America: a cultural history of psychotherapy Reading, Mass; Addison-Wesley Davies, J. (1997). Drugspeak: the analysis of drug discourse. Amsterdam: Harwood Academic. Geertz, C. (1973). The interpretation of cultures: selected essays. New York. Basic Books Professional Role: Professor of Social Geography
and Co-Director of Counselling Studies Abstract: Saturday Keynote Filling gaps or feeling gaps? Dilemmas for counselling researchers in an age of consumption Research is often described and justified in terms of filling gaps in knowledge. The idea that counselling research responds to a variety of consumers is consistent with this point of view. Participating in this model of research brings benefits to counselling research but it is also fraught with dangers. This paper explores some of the ensuing dilemmas faced by counselling researchers. In so doing it argues for an approach to research that holds in mind the practice of counselling, including the insights it offers about the tension between filling and feeling existential gaps. Dr Loretta Bradley and Dr Bret Hendricks Professional Role: Professor and Chairperson ABSTRACT: Paper Music therapy techniques in treatment of adolescent depression: A cognitive behavioural study Research Question: Music listening techniques paired with CBT will be more effective than CBT techniques alone when treating adolescent depression. Additionally, since school attendance and academic achievement are correlated with depression, these areas would be improved through reduction of depressive symptoms. Research Rationale: One in ten adolescents is depressed and research does not indicate positive outcomes of treatment. Counsellors need strategies which motivate adolescents to actively participate in psychotherapy. Because music is an ever-present part of adolescents' lives, it was hypothesized that music listening could be integrated into a group for treatment of adolescent depression. Further, it was hypothesized that all participants would be positively motivated to complete treatment if they took part in the development of a parent education program about adolescent depression. Research Design: The independent variables for the study were age, grade level and gender. The dependent variables were measured depression, school attendance and academic achievement. Treatment and control groups used journaling, mood identification, discussion of irrational beliefs and anger management strategies in a group counselling format. The treatment group additionally listened to self-selected music identified by group members as helpful in positively altering moods and discussed ways each member used music in his/her daily life as a coping strategy. The treatment group was assigned music listening as daily homework and each member was asked to keep a journal of the music that he/she listened to. 106 participants were referred by school counsellors in the Southwest US. Treatment took place over 11 weeks (weekly groups of 2 hours); 52 in the treatment group / 54 in the control group with random assignment. 103 participants were Anglo-American. 49% were female. Treatment and control groups were divided respectively into four therapy groups. Results: 100 participants completed the study and participated in the parent education class after 11 weeks of treatment. All participants (control & treatment) showed significant reductions in depression, with the treatment group indicating dramatically lower levels of post-test depression, improved school attendance and academic performance. Conclusions: The use of music therapy techniques provided a valuable addition to the CBT treatment. Participants in the treatment group showed stronger results in all areas. Music listening techniques are simple and cost effective for any counsellor to use. Additionally, the completion rate for all participants seemed to be positively enhanced by the participant development of a parenting programme dealing with teen depression. Professional Role: Counsellor ABSTRACT: Workshop Exploring psychological therapies contexts through stakeholder mapping: A pragmatic approach This workshop is intended primarily for practitioner case study researchers, although it may be of interest to anyone who wishes to reflect systematically upon a therapy context. It aims to share with participants an imaginal process of exploration and notation of the social context of examples of psychological therapy, through stakeholder mapping processes developed as a means to conceptualise context in two unpublished pragmatic case studies. Participants are encouraged to bring and work through an example of a therapy context familiar to them. The mapping exercise will be illustrated from the above-mentioned study settings in the NHS and voluntary sector. It is hoped that this exercise will stimulate discussion, e.g. of the influence of stakeholder communities on research and practice, and of the use of stakeholder matrices as an (as yet crude) preliminary conceptual tool. Discussion may be recorded and summarised in the workshop report to be submitted for publication. The workshop will include:
References: Fishman, D. (1999). The case for pragmatic psychology. New York/London: New York University Press Stoney, C. and Winstanley, D. (2001). Stakeholding: confusion or utopia? Mapping the conceptual terrain. Journal of Management Studies 38:5, 603-626 Professional Role: Counsellor/Psychotherapist,
Supervisor & Counsellor Trainer ABSTRACT: Paper The therapeutic relationship: what relevance and impact does 'the other characteristic' have to and on the therapeutic process? Background: It has become apparent through recent published works (e.g. Norcross, 2002) that it is the quality of the therapeutic relationship, not the therapeutic model which is most pivotal to a successful therapeutic outcome for the client. Toward the end of his life Carl Rogers wrote about a phenomenon he experienced during his client work which he named 'the other characteristic' – a phenomenon which arose from a profound relational connection to his clients (Rogers, 1980). The above raises questions about the nature of the therapeutic relationship, and requires an explanation of its essence to clients and potential clients. Aims: To explore and describe the components and nature of 'the other characteristic', and to discover how and when it arises during the therapeutic relationship, to what effect and to shed more light on the therapeutic relationship in general. Method: Six person-centred therapists were chosen to be interviewed based on their length of experience. These therapists were both male and female and were local service providers with a wide range of clients. The interviews were semi-structured and audio taped, then transcribed and phenomenologically analysed using the Duquesne Method (Moustakas, 1994). The research was approved by the University of East London's Ethics Committee. Results: The main conclusion indicates that 'the other characteristic' is often experienced by the participating therapists during the therapeutic alliance. The findings also illuminate both the individually experienced and commonly experienced elements by which 'the other characteristic' may be recognised. In addition the research shed light on when 'the other characteristic' arises and its impact on the therapeutic work and relationship in general. Conclusion: The research findings allowed the researcher to postulate a definitive description of 'the other characteristic' as: 'unplanned moments of profound, defenceless connection between client and therapist which stand out, experientially and perceptually, among other moments of connectedness. Moments in which the deep visceral and sensory understanding of the therapist for the client's perceptual world will bring about a felt sense of organic union within the therapeutic alliance – which in turn will earnestly assist the client in his/her movement toward actualized-self'. References: Norcross, J. C. (2002). Psychotherapeutic relationships that work. Oxford University Press. Rogers, C. (1980). A way of being. Boston/New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. Moustakas, C. (1994). Phenomenological research methods. London: Sage. Professional Role: Director, Obesity & Eating
Disorders Research Unit/Editor CPR ABSTRACT: Workshop A Writers' Workshop: Getting your work published in Counselling and Psychotherapy Research (CPR) Journal Do you have a research article you have started writing (and stopped and started and possibly stopped and started yet again) with the aim of submitting for publication in an academic journal? If so, and you would like some sound advice on how to go about writing your article and giving it the best possible chance of publication, then why not join our 'writer's workshop' at the research conference? The writers' workshop is for those new to writing for academic journals and advice will also be available for the more experienced author. Those new to writing for academic journals are often unsure about the expectations, practices of peer-review and what counts as a good academic paper. This often results in many authors being disappointed when their paper gets rejected. If you want to get your research published in an academic journal, in particular in CPR, then this workshop is for you. Professor Julia Buckroyd, Editor of CPR, will take delegates through all the stages of writing and submitting a paper for CPR, providing information on how to best write a paper that is more likely to be accepted for publication. Julia will cover topics such as:
The workshop will include a formal presentation on the above issues, followed by discussion and debate, whereby those attending will have the opportunity to ask questions about their own work and get some useful hints on how to best write for academic journals in general. Bring along any draft papers you have started as Julia will also provide a Q&A session offering immediate feedback on your work. Professional Role: Lecturer in Social Work ABSTRACT: Paper Attempted suicide and self-harm (South Asian women): policy and practice Research Question: The research explores to what extent mental health policy and provision, with a specific focus on attempted suicide and self-harm, addresses the needs of South Asian women experiencing such distress. Research Rationale: There is an overall national policy context of reducing suicide and undetermined injury by 2010 (Our Healthier Nation) and the National Service Framework for Mental Health makes the prevention of suicide one of its key priorities. Raleigh's research (1996) indicates that suicide is high in young Asian women (15–24 years) compared to other ethnic groups in the UK. Evidence illustrates unequal treatment of black people within the mental health system (e.g. Fernando, 1991). Much of this literature overlooks the specific experiences of minoritised women, as does much of the literature on mental health and women (Aitken, 1996). Research design: A qualitative study based on feminist/anti-racist principles, using semi-structured interviews with different stakeholders in Manchester. 64 people participated: 18 interviews with mental health workers (eg GPs, counsellors, social workers); 8 interviews with senior managers of mental health services; seven interviews with South Asian women survivors of attempted suicide/self-harm; and 31 South Asian women in four focus groups. Interviews were analysed using a thematic approach. Key issues are located within recent government mental health policy: 'Women into the Mainstream' & 'Inside Outside'. These are explored for their ability, or otherwise, to respond to the needs of South Asian women experiencing this form of distress. Findings: Poor understanding of the issues experienced by South Asian women, primarily the ways in which state practices (e.g. mental health policy and immigration practices) impact on mental distress, and the privileging of culture over gender. Conclusions: Action is required at multiple levels to impact positively on South Asian women's mental health. Interventions are needed in national mental health policy, immigration law, increased visibility of South Asian women's needs in service planning and delivery and staff development. References Aitken, G. (1996). The present absence/pathologized presence of black women in mental health services. In E. Burman et.al (Eds.), Psychology discourse practice: From regulation to resistance (pp. 75-95). London: Taylor & Francis. Fernando, S. (1991). Mental health, race & culture. Macmillan in association with MIND Publications. Raleigh, S. V. (1996). Suicide patterns & Trends in People of Indian Subcontinent & Caribbean Origin in England & Wales. Ethnicity and Health, 1 (1): 55-63. Professional Role: Lecturer ABSTRACT: Paper Sexual behaviour problems in sexually abused children: psychological, behavioural and victimization characteristics Research Question: Is there a difference between sexually abused children who exhibit sexual behaviour problems and sexually abused children who do not exhibit sexual behaviour problems, in their psychological, behavioural and victimization characteristics? Research Rationale: Childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated not only by adults, but also by children. Many adult and adolescent offenders began perpetrating or displayed sexual behaviour problems at young ages, including pervasive, age or developmentally inappropriate and abusive behaviours. Sexual behaviour problems appear to be one of the most common after effects of sexual abuse. Counsellors and those in the helping professions are in a position to help facilitate early treatment and prevention. This research aims to provide information that may help such professionals identify those at higher risk of sexual behaviour problems. Research Design: This quantitative design was based on a retrospective chart review of the clinical records of a sample of sexually abused children. The sample was divided into two groups – those with sexual behaviour problems and those without. The groups were compared on a number of variables regarding their psychological, behavioural and victimization characteristics, using statistical analysis procedures. Sample: The sample for this study was 125 children aged 4-12 years old who had received services at a counselling centre specializing in the treatment of sexually abused children in Florida. Results / Findings: The study identified a number of characteristics that differed significantly between the groups - sexually abused children with and without sexual behaviour problems. The characteristics identified included the presence of assaultive behaviours, encopresis, the frequency of abuse and age of onset of abuse. The children with sexual behaviour problems presenting increased frequencies of these behaviour, and were abused with more frequency with a younger age of onset than the children without. Conclusions: The study identified a number of characteristics that differed significantly between sexually abused children with and without sexual behaviour problems. It hopes to add to a body of developing research that will help to identify children at particularly high risk of the negative sequelae of abuse, including sexual behaviour problems. Professional Role: Counsellor/Supervisor ABSTRACT: Paper 'Who's there for Lucy?': Counselling for children of single parents with drug and alcohol problems Rationale: This research attempts to investigate the availability of care, support and counselling for children of single parents with drug and alcohol problems and the affect of this availability on the parents' ability to undertake addiction recovery programmes. Aims: This enquiry arose from my attempts as a counsellor to find care and counselling for Lucy, aged six, and her sister, aged eight, when their mother started on a drug and alcohol recovery programme. I couldn't find any organisation or person in the statutory or voluntary services offering help or advice. I was surprised that the recovery unit did not seem to consider the children of a single parent to be relevant to their service, compared to bereaved children for whom there is a network of organizations. I decided to explore the experiences of other parents in a similar situation. Method: It was difficult to find people to take part - addicted parents are very reluctant to be identified for fear of having their children taken away. I advertised in the Big Issue and had responses from volunteers by phone, text, email and/or letter, all from women as no men responded. The data collection was taken from responses from emails and letters, as well as taped interviews that were undertaken with three women. The data were analyzed for patterns and emerging themes. Findings: The impact on these women and consequently their children of poverty, physical and mental health problems, self-image, abuse, isolation and bereavement, emerged as common themes. There is limited availability of any sort of care or counselling for these children. Some recovery units admit children with their mothers but only three out of eleven admit both parents. The number of recovery units for substance abusing women with children does not seem to reflect the number of women with substance abuse problems. Conclusion: Where does the provision for substance abuse rehabilitation fit in to the political agenda? It seems the lack of adequate provision for mothers, children or families is in contravention of the Children's Act 2004 and if 'every child matters' there needs to be the political enthusiasm and funding to make this happen. Professional Role: Professor of Counselling ABSTRACT: Work in Progress (abstract for joint presentation, also see John McLeod) Establishing a counselling research clinic in the UK based on a pluralistic model of therapeutic change Abstract: Within the vast majority of counselling and psychotherapeutic paradigms – as well as research programmes – therapeutic change is accounted for by just a handful of processes: for instance, the correction of dysfunctional cognitions. However, the research and practice of the newly-established Tayside Counselling Clinic (a counselling centre in which clients have an opportunity to participate in a range of research protocols), starts from a very different basis, and one more in tune with a post-modern zeitgeist: that therapeutic change can happen via a plurality of diverse and non-exclusive pathways. Having introduced this 'pluralistic' model of therapeutic change, the paper suggest that the process of counselling and psychotherapy can be broken down into a series of inter-related collaborative activities: (i) understanding the underlying problem in living that has lead the person to seek therapy; (ii) identifying what the person wants – their goals for therapy; (iii) agreeing on specific therapeutic tasks that would be necessary for the achievement of these goals; and (iv) selecting and implementing appropriate methods that will enable these tasks to be carried out. What happens at each of these stages has the potential to be linked to a multiplicity of elements at the other stages. For instance, a client's goal may be to 'like myself more', and this may be achieved by a range of tasks – for instance, identifying negative self-beliefs or behaving in ways which are known to bolster self-esteem – each of which may be achieved through a variety of methods. Therapeutic implications of this model will be discussed, but the main focus of the presentation will be on the potential that this model has to provide a radical new grounding for counselling and psychotherapy research. This is because it provides an opportunity to move beyond 'macro-level' analyses of how certain methods relate to certain outcomes, and instead allows for the 'micro-level' analysis of which methods can be used to achieve which tasks, which tasks help to achieve which goals, and which goals help in the overcoming of which problems – an analysis which is best undertaken through in-depth qualitative research. This process will be illustrated through data from a recent study into young people's experiences of counselling in schools. Delia Edwards and Marjorie Reid Other Authors: Barry Burnett, Hillary Tooze, Loretta Reynolds, Sonya Roach & Su Connan Professional Roles: Trainee Counsellors
and 2nd Year Higher Professional Diploma Students ABSTRACT: Poster Are there any links between 'Obsessive Thinking' and the subsequent development of bulimia, if so, can these links be used as an early indicator of the condition to inform potential sufferers? Background: Whilst studying the current literature on bulimia, an article on a condition called 'Pure O' (obsessive thinking) was discovered. This article suggests that such obsessive thinking is a prelude to the subsequent development of bulimia. No such link is to be found in the DSM IV, which raises the question does such a link actually exist; if so, can 'obsessive thinking' be diagnosed as an 'early warning indicator' to potential bulimia sufferers? Aims: To explore if there are any links between the condition called 'Pure O' and the subsequent development of bulimia, and if so, to identify these links so that they might be highlighted to potential bulimia suffers. Method: We limited the study to a small research project consistent with the phenomenological research approach, therefore, statistical data will be absent from our findings and generalisations will be made using the Duquesne Method (Moustakas, 1994). Two separate questionnaires were devised: one for clinicians and one for sufferers which focused on inquiring about the thinking patterns of clients and sufferers (respectively) before the onset of bulimia. The sample of respondent sufferers and clinicians were recruited through the Eating Disorders Association (EDA). Both sufferers and clinicians were sent the relevant questionnaire by post via the EDA. These questionnaires were returned directly to the researchers. Initial Results & Conclusion: Initial results indicate that bulimia sufferers show signs of obsessive thinking patterns before the onset of the condition. No conclusions have yet been made; the completed questionnaires are still being analysed and it is the aim of the researchers to present the qualitative results whilst also proposing a hypothesis on whether an identifiable link exists (as outlined above). This research has been undertaken to fulfil, in part, the requirements of the City & Guilds Higher Professional Diploma in Counselling @ Lewisham College, London, under the Supervision of Chris Brown MA. and Arike. Stan Grant MA. Approval from an Ethics Committee was not obtained, however, the research was conducted following the BACP Ethical Guidelines for Researching Counselling & Psychotherapy (Bond, 2004). References: Moustakas. C. (1994). Phenomenological Research Methods. London: Sage. |
||
|
