Are you a counsellor who grew up with an alcohol-dependent parent? Did you know that more counsellors have this experience than people in other professions? I am an MA student in Professional Counselling at Waverley Abbey College, conducting a small-scale qualitative study into how counsellors make meaning of their experiences growing up with an alcohol-dependent parent in their clinical practice.
This study will explore the dynamics of the relationship between growing up with an alcohol-dependent parent and working in clinical practice as a counsellor, by interviewing participants about the formative impact of their childhood experiences, both on their counselling career journey and on their relational qualities as a counsellor; and how they integrate and make meaning of their childhood experiences in clinical practice.
Participation involves a single, one-to-one semi-structured interview online via Microsoft Teams, lasting 45-60 minutes.
I am looking for participants who meet these criteria:
- Qualified counsellors based in the UK with current membership in an accredited body
- A minimum of 5 years post qualifying experience
- Currently or within the last year in clinical practice and supported by supervision
- Identify as having grown up with a parent who was an alcoholic
- Not in a current acute phase of psychological distress. This is to protect against the potential of causing harm to participants, as the interview may touch on sensitive issues.
You can view the participant information sheet here for more information.
If you are interested, please contact me to complete brief eligibility screening questions before arranging an interview: Caroline Deans, caroline.deans@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk