Journal article
Perceptions of Students’ Counselling Experience with Intern Counsellors within a Tertiary Education Setting: A Thematic Analysis
Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, Vol.29(1), pp.59-73
2021
Abstract
Mental health decline and psychological distress is rising among tertiary students' worldwide and is now recognised internationally as an important public health issue. There is a growing demand for campus-based counselling services as evidence suggests that providing on-campus counselling support can significantly support student mental health and wellbeing. In addition, there is a symbiotic demand for counselling students to have the opportunity to integrate their skills through practice with clients. With the increasing demand for universities and tertiary institutes to provide counselling support, the use of graduate level trainees to deliver counselling services could provide an innovative and effective model to cope with high demand in a cost-efficient way. This qualitative research explores the perceptions of students who have sought counselling, delivered by trainee counsellors within a tertiary education setting. A thematic analysis was used to interpret the data from anonymous, semi-structured survey questions. Three predominate themes were identified; 1) positive experiences of counselling were connected directly to the relationship and positive regard that the counsellor fostered; 2) the counselling process supported the clients' autonomy, self-determination and resilience and 3) despite nervousness, clients were surprised by the perceived positive benefits of counselling. A fourth theme identified that a minority of clients need a more experienced therapist to support their needs. This study demonstrated that counselling services delivered by trainee counsellors was perceived as helpful by the majority of students and has implications for improving practice and service availability through the use of trainees within university counselling services.
Details
- Title
- Perceptions of Students’ Counselling Experience with Intern Counsellors within a Tertiary Education Setting: A Thematic Analysis
- Authors
- Sarah Forman (Author)Katrina Andrews (Author) - Australian College of Applied Psychology
- Publication details
- Journal of the Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association, Vol.29(1), pp.59-73
- Publisher
- Australian and New Zealand Student Services Association
- DOI
- 10.30688/janzssa.2021.1.03
- ISSN
- 2207-8460
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 99534108402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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