The purpose of conducting this research is to explore the experiences of neurodiverse counsellors within the profession and within their client work. To continue this research aims to look at how neurodivergence possibly shapes and influence therapeutic work and experiences within the profession. Each individual counsellors phenomenological experience will be taken into account to avoid invalidating their experiences and better understand things from their unique perspective.
Whilst counselling skills and theories have historically been structured within predominantly neurotypical frameworks, the structure of society has evolved over time and this study perhaps can offer an opportunity to expand on counselling from a neurodivergent perspective. Alongside this, there has been an increasing awareness of diagnoses and conditions that impact the field of therapy and the nature of its practices that impact the world of therapy and in reference to this study assessing this from a counsellors point of view.
As part of my research methodology I have chosen a qualitative methodology and the reason for this is because it aligns with looking at personal experiences or a person’s lived experience in the form of phenomenology which takes into account their own subjective views about life which coincides with elements of Humanistic practice. This mirrors the counselling relationship and paradigm.
Aspects involved with this Qualitative research enables gathering information provided by the participants containing their thoughts and opinions on the relevant subject matters within the study. This will be used rather then statical for example as my aim is to branch away from more general data and make it person centred which will vary and again links back to humanistic approach.
The Primary method I will use is semi-structured interviews in which four participants will be interviewed separately by myself at different times. The same ten questions will be asked to maintain ethical standards and consistency promoting fairness with my research stages.
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