Poster #106 - Relational Depth in Counselling: The Perspectives and Experiences of Counsellors

• In Event: Poster Session 13

Abstract

According to Obegi (2008), a strong tie enhances collaboration, buffers the relationship against the strain of therapeutic activity, and is regarded a healing component of psychotherapy. The relationship between client and therapist, a component of the global alliance, is commonly thought to play a key role in facilitating a therapeutic process (Obegi, 2008). A large amount of research indicates that the quality of the therapeutic connection is one of the most important predictors of therapy success; second only to the client's personal resources and extra-therapeutic experiences (Mick, 2005). Relational depth is a feeling of meaningful contact and connection with another, in which the therapist felt empathy, acceptance, and transparency towards their clients, and their clients genuinely acknowledged their empathy and acceptance (Lambert and Barley, 2002; Cooper, 2005). Relational depth explains the therapist and client's sensation of profound interaction and the therapist cultivates greater acceptance and compassion for the client (Mearns & Cooper, 2018). Multiple works (Knox, 2008; Knox & Cooper, 2011; Kim et al., 2020; Sandage, Rupert, Stravros, & Devor, 2020) have emphasized the importance of relational depth. However, the majority of these studies have failed to provide sufficient proof that relational depth produces effective treatment effects. But then, some existing research has also been able to provide conclusive accounts of the prerequisites for relational depth. For instance, Kim et al. (2020) identified the therapist's experience and gender as prerequisites for relational depth.
The goal of the study, therefore, is to discover the traits exhibited by counsellors who demonstrate relational depth; to determine if gender and the counsellor's experiences play a role in relational depth; to identify the obstacles to developing relational depth between counsellor and client and ways of developing relational depth. This study will contribute to practice by giving sufficient evidence on when and how to create relationship depth with clients for optimal therapy outcomes.
This study will concentrate on both educator and practitioner counselors in Ghana. Particularly those who have practiced for over ten years. A semi-structured interview guide will be utilized to obtain the data. Sonix transcription software will be used to transcribe the interviews, and Taguette software will be utilized to extract codes, themes, and subthemes from the transcribed data. The researcher will ensure that participants' impressions and, to a lesser extent, experiences would be captured accurately. During the data analysis, direct quotations will be used to substantiate the conclusions. It is anticipated that heightened feelings of empathy, acceptance, and responsiveness toward clients, profound feelings of absorption in the therapeutic activity, increased perceptual acuity, and heightened degrees of awareness, aliveness, and satisfaction will be attained in light of the review of literature. It is also hoped that gender and years of experience will play a role in relational depth. The limits and findings of the study will be explored in reference to relevant literature.

Author

• Patricia Mawusi Amos, University of Education - Winneba (UEW)
  Presenting Author