Collaboratively leading the dance: Balancing directiveness in empowering young clients in secondary school counselling.

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to explore perspectives of secondary school guidance counsellors in Aotearoa New Zealand in relation to their use of directiveness in a client-centred approach to their therapy relationship with adolescent clients. Six high school counsellors were interviewed, and their transcripts analysed using thematic analysis. The study found the counsellors may use different specific skills ranging on a continuum between a more non-directive client-centred approach and the use of more directive skills. The selection of specific skills at different times was dependent upon the presenting issue, related circumstances, and the needs of the young client. Issues involving risk called for more directiveness from counsellors. Participants emphasised an empowerment process between an adult counsellor and adolescent client in a school setting. In the use of directiveness, a collaborative process that enables tailoring therapy to client needs was discussed. [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.)