Work

‘They need somebody to talk to’: Parents' and carers' perceptions of school‐based humanistic counselling

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Parents and carers are likely to take on a significant responsibility for managing an adolescent's mental health and well‐being. Accordingly, their perceptions provide insight into the value of an intervention. This study explored parents' and carers' perceptions and expectations of school‐based humanistic counselling, as received by a socially diverse group of young people (13–16 years old) in secondary schools in Greater London, UK. Semi‐structured interviews from 17 parents and carers were analysed thematically. Two superordinate themes were identified: (a) the context of counselling, and (b) the content of counselling, the latter referring to stages of the therapeutic process and its outcomes. Schools were perceived as an ideal environment for the provision of professional mental health support, as it reaches young people in a natural, convenient setting and therefore promotes and/or widens access to universal support, as well as targeted interventions. Parents and carers further emphasised the importance of overall well‐being, academic performance and social relationships.

Source: Counselling and Psychotherapy Research

DOI: 10.1002/capr.12496

Authors: Phaedra Longhurst, Amy Louise Sumner, Stephanie Smith, Jon Eilenberg, Charlie Duncan, Mick Cooper

Institutions: British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, National Children's Bureau, University of Roehampton

Language: English

Topic: Counseling Practices and Supervision

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,500