Palagi counsellors and effective counselling practice with Pasifika youth.

Abstract

An increasing proportion of youth in New Zealand, and more particularly in Auckland, identify as Pasifika. However, because there are relatively few Pasifika counsellors working in secondary schools, it is likely that a Pasifika youth will be counselled by a non-Pasifika counsellor. The purpose of this small, qualitative study was to provide some insight for non-Pasifika counsellors into effective counselling practice with Pasifika youth. Three Pasifika counsellors took part in a focus group where there was sharing and discussion of knowledge, giving an opportunity for consensus on a range of relevant issues. From this focus group, some important knowledge emerged: Pasifika counsellors often demonstrate mea'alofa--an act of generosity where the counsellor is giving his or her physical, emotional, psychological, familial, and spiritual attributes in the counselling room. Sometimes this may involve a prayer or a hug when initiated by a Pasifika youth. Interactive drawing therapy (IDT) has been found to be effective with Pasifika youth where both the counsellor and the young person draw and share their stories. As the Pasifika youth gets to know the counsellor, trust develops, allowing the young person to share concerns and anxieties and therefore assisting client outcomes. Further research is recommended as to how applicable these findings are to non-Pasifika counsellors working with Pasifika youth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of New Zealand Journal of Counselling is the property of New Zealand Association of Counsellors and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)