The experiences of person-centred counsellors working with suicidal clients online through the medium of text. Issue 4 (3rd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Harrison, Liz; Wright, Jeannie
• Is Part Of: British journal of guidance & counselling. Volume 48:Issue 4(2020)
• Page Start: 576
• Page End: 591
• Publication Date: 2020-07-03
• Subjects: Person-centred -- online counselling -- suicide -- "way of being" -- text-based therapy; Educational counseling -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Vocational guidance -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 371.4
• DOI: 10.1080/03069885.2020.1742873
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-9885

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In this study, we attempt to provide an understanding of the experiences of four UK-based person-centred counsellors working with suicidal clients online using text-based therapies and the impact of their clients' suicidal ideation upon their "way of being". The counsellors were selected purposively; each was working as a person-centred counsellor online, was encountering suicidal ideation in their clients, and was a member of a professional organisation. A narrative approach was taken, using unstructured interviews and a stanza format of representation. We found that participants had developed a way of being online that may be distinct from their in-person practice. Challenges included being more directive, lacking physical presence, lacking confidence in assessing risk and questions about empathic understanding. Working online with risk raises specific challenges for person-centred practitioners in line with what is indicated in the little relevant research currently already available.