Ex‐clients' evaluation of bereavement counselling in a voluntary sector agency

Abstract

This study aims to carry out an evaluation of bereavement counselling provided by a voluntary charity from the perspective of clients who had availed themselves of the service. A questionnaire survey of ex-clients of one branch of a major voluntary sector bereavement care organization was carried out. Based on a sample of 89 returned questionnaires (representing a response rate of 45%), findings indicated that paraprofessional voluntary counsellors can provide a counselling service to bereaved people that satisfies the majority of clients who report positive experiences in counselling and post-counselling outcomes, and generally rate their counselling as helpful. Nonetheless, there was a minority of ex-clients who did not regard their status, 6 weeks after counselling, as being more positive. Further, the reputation of the voluntary agency within the community and among potential referrers and ex-clients appears strong, offering additional positive evidence of the status of their bereavement counselling service in the locality.

Social support and psychological well-being as possible predictors of complicated grief in a cross-section of people in mourning. [Apoyo social y bienestar psicológico como posibles predictores de estado de duelo complicado en poblac de personas en duelo]

“…It is carried out by a team of 100 volunteers with university degrees and specific qualifications obtained through courses in helping relationships, basic counseling skills, guidance and intervention in processes of grief and counseling training practices. There is evidence of similar initiatives elsewhere with satisfactory results (Altmaier, 2011;Gallagher, Tracey & Millar, 2005;Ober, Granello & Wheaton, 2012).…”

Effects of Support, Counselling and Therapy Before and After the Loss: Can we Really Help Bereaved People?

“…If one asks clients, studies show that the vast majority is satisfied. Gallagher, Tracey, and Millar (2005), for instance, undertook an evaluation of bereavement counselling by clients subsequent to their participation in a service provided by Cruse, a national organisation for bereavement care in the UK and Northern Ireland. Six weeks after the end of counselling, clients in the study reported (strongly or very strongly) that they now felt the loss less intensely (89%); experienced fewer physical symptoms (88%); felt less anxious (81%), found it easier to cope (85%); felt more confident (72%), were more able to relate to others (86%) and were more able to look to the future (80%).…”

Evaluation of long-term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income

“…However, responses to satisfaction surveys tend to be positive (Edwards & Staniszewska, 2000), so, as suggested by Edwards and Staniszewska, and by Vanheule (2009), responses to open-ended questions were utilised to identify helpful and unhelpful aspects of the service and of the counselling relationship, although enquiries were not made about the counselling process in general. Gallagher et al (2005) suggested that the quality of the relationship with a counsellor is an issue considered to be of primary concern to service users. Supporting McLeod et al (2000) and Gallagher et al (2005), women in the present study reported that of key importance to them was that the counsellor was caring, easy to talk to, understanding and trustworthy, and that they were able to gain personal insight.…”

“…Gallagher et al (2005) suggested that the quality of the relationship with a counsellor is an issue considered to be of primary concern to service users. Supporting McLeod et al (2000) and Gallagher et al (2005), women in the present study reported that of key importance to them was that the counsellor was caring, easy to talk to, understanding and trustworthy, and that they were able to gain personal insight. Only a very small number of negative experiences were reported and these related to lack of interaction, not being able to connect, and lack of counsellor experience.…”

“…Perceived changes following counselling included changes in emotional state, 'internal' life, relationships and life changes. Gallagher, Tracey, and Millar (2005) found that perceptions of the outcomes of bereavement counselling were viewed positively by 60-80% of service users. They viewed the counselling relationship positively, in terms of trust, honesty, helpfulness, and experience.…”