International students' views of the helpful and hindering factors in forming a therapeutic relationship in the context of a photo-assisted session
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Date
2014
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Publisher
University of New Brunswick
Abstract
Using Interpersonal Process Recall, 8 international student participants (6 men, 2 women)
described what they thought was helpful or hindering to the therapeutic relationship
during an analog counselling session in a photo-assisted context. A thematic qualitative
analysis revealed that the participants found five counsellor qualities and techniques as
helpful to the therapeutic relationship: (a) active listening, (b) casualness, ( c) direction,
( d) enthusiasm, ( e) connected with client's culture. Three factors were identified as
hindering to the therapeutic relationship: (a) language barriers, (b) fast pace, (c)
counsellor disengagement. The following were deemed helpful factors related to the use
of photographs: (a) provided a visual reference, (b) took focus away from client, (c)
evoked emotions. Finally, ineffective incorporation was seen as an unhelpful aspect
related to the use of photographs. The implications of these findings for counselling
practice are discussed.