Cognitive counsellors' constructions of social power

Couns and Psychother Res

2009

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Aim: It is only relatively recently that discourse analysis has begun to rise to prominence in the fields of counselling and psychotherapy. This paper briefly explains ways of understanding discourse analysis, discussing what the approach can offer counselling research and practice. Approach: An initial categorisation of recent discourse analysis studies is offered, to demonstrate diverse ways in which this type of research can address issues relevant to counselling practice. The five categories proposed range from the examination of language use in therapy to analyses that focus on the social structures, meanings and power relations related to therapy. Implications: The paper demonstrates that through the critical analysis of counselling sessions, research interviews, written texts and other materials, discourse analysis can provide insight into ways in which counselling operates as a social practice, and so help counsellors to contextualise their work within broader social structures and processes.

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Discourse analysis: Rich pickings for counsellors and therapists

Couns and Psychother Res

2009

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“…CBPR can, additionally, provide an arena in which therapy can engage with social justice and action towards social change, which for many therapists is an important value (Samuels, 2006), and one which is sometimes seen as difficult to operationalise in an activity that combines close attention to privacy with a largely individualist process (Spong, 2008;Spong & Hollanders, 2005). CBPR provides an opportunity for counselling and psychotherapy to engage with a social justice agenda.…”

Section: Why Consider Cbpr For Therapy?mentioning

confidence: 98%

Community-based participatory research in counselling and psychotherapy

European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling

Waters

2015

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Over the last 20 years, there has been an increased interest in communitybased participatory research (CBPR) across a range of disciplines. This approach to research focuses on the empowerment of those for whom the research is relevant by ensuring that they or their representatives have the opportunity for full involvement in developing and undertaking studies, and in disseminating the research findings. However, there is little evidence within counselling and psychotherapy of a substantial engagement with research that includes clients, potential clients and their communities as full partners in the research process. This paper describes CBPR and critically explores its potential for developing knowledge in counselling and psychotherapy.Innerhalb der letzten zwanzig Jahre ist das Interesse an partizipativer Forschung beständig gewachsen -und das disziplinübergreifend. Dieser Ansatz verbindet mit seiner Forschung immer auch eine gewisse Befähigung eben jener, die sie zum Objekt haben. Das soll vor allem durch die vollständige Miteinbeziehung der betreffenden Menschen oder ihrer Vertreter in Entwicklung, Durchführung sowie anschließende Verbreitung der Forschungsergebnisse gewährleistet werden. Jedoch gibt es, etwa für die Beratung oder Psychotherapie, bislang wenig Hinweise dafür, dass (mögli-che) Klienten oder ihr Umfeld auch tatsächlich und wesentlich am Forschungsprozess beteiligt werden. Der vorliegende Aufsatz greift den partizipativen Forschungsansatz auf und setzt sich kritisch mit ihm und seinen Potenzialen für Beratung und Psychotherapie auseinander.En los últimos veinte años ha habido un aumento en el interés en investigaciones participativas basadas en la comunidad, en un gran número de disciplinas. Este método de investigación se focaliza en potentizar a aquéllos para quien la investigación es relevante, asegurándoles que ellos o sus representantes tienen la oportunidad para involucrarse completamente en desarrollar estudios y en divulgar los resultados de las investigaciones. Sin embargo, existe poca evidencia en psicoterapia y en orientación psicológica, de un compromiso substancial con investigaciones que incluya clientes, clientes potenciales y sus comunidades como participantes completos en el proceso de investigación. Este artículo describe investigaciones participativas basadas en la comunidad y explora críticamente su potencial para desarrollar el conocimiento en psicoterapia y en orientación psicológica.Palabras clave: orientación psicológica; investigación participativa comunal; investigación participativa basada en la comunidad; clínica de investigación en orientación psicológica; psicoterapia Negli ultimi 20 anni è molto cresciuto l'interesse per la ricerca partecipativa basata sulla comunità in un'ampia gamma di discipline. Questo approccio alla ricerca si focalizza sul potenziamento di coloro per i quali la ricerca è rilevante, garantendo che essi stessi, o i loro rappresentanti, possano essere pienamente coinvolti nello sviluppo, nell'avvio di studi e nella diffusione dei risultati dell...

“…The first project relates to CBT counsellors talking about social power and therapy discourses (Spong & Hollanders, ). This paper found there was troubled talk around the intersection of social power and therapy discourses and the use of contradictory discursive resources around social power.…”

Section: Social Responsibility In Counselling Discoursementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This paper found there was troubled talk around the intersection of social power and therapy discourses and the use of contradictory discursive resources around social power. Four interpretive repertoires (Gilbert & Mulkay, ) were identified: the “worlds apart” repertoire, in which counselling and social power are seen in different frames; the “problems cause other problems” repertoire, in which social factors are seen as increasing the risk of psychological distress; the “changing your environment” repertoire, in which counselling is seen as having a role in addressing social inequality and social problems; and finally, the “we all exist in society” repertoire, in which counselling is seen as helping people fit into society (Spong & Hollanders, ).…”

Section: Social Responsibility In Counselling Discoursementioning

confidence: 99%

“…In order to consider this subject and this discourse, I draw on findings of two small research projects which used interviews and focus groups to explore therapists' views on counsellor influence and issues of social power. The outcomes of these projects have been published elsewhere (Spong, , ; Spong & Hollanders, ). This paper reflects upon and further develops the implications of these findings for power‐sensitised practice (Milton & Legg, ; Spong & Hollanders, ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Validity, Vision and Vocalisation: Social Responsibility Arguments and Power-Sensitised Counselling

Psychotherapy and Politics International

2012

This paper considers the potential for advancing power‐sensitised practice in counselling. Power‐sensitised practice engages with differences in social power, seeing these as significant to therapeutic work. Key to the development of power‐sensitised practice is the availability in therapy discourse of arguments based on social responsibility. It has been noted in previous papers that counselling discourse holds resources for arguments based on “social responsibility” as well as the more dominant strand of “individualism”. Power‐sensitised practice using social responsibility arguments can therefore be seen to be compatible with existing counselling discourses and can occur where counsellors acknowledge the validity of social responsibility arguments in counselling; a vision of how these arguments may be used; and a willingness to vocalise such arguments, generating a personal engagement with social responsibility in practice. Although this article is written with reference to counselling, the argument is equally applicable to psychotherapy. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.