Study title
Out of our minds…and into the body: How do person-centred counsellors use or speak about the body in therapy?
This research was granted ethical approval by the Departmental Ethics Committee Psychological Science & Health, University of Strathclyde.
Who is conducting the study?
The study is conducted by Dr Birgit Schroeter, Teaching Associate in the Counselling Unit at the University of Strathclyde. Data will be collected by student researchers from the MSc in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of Strathclyde.
Study background
This project investigates how Person-Centred Counsellors refer to the body in therapy sessions, and how they use body-based interventions. The role of the body in therapy has recently become a central concern, in particular for trauma-informed approaches. There is also a long tradition of working with the body in some ‘tribes’ of the person-centred and experiential family. However, little is known about how Person-Centred practitioners refer to the body in therapy. This research project will therefore explore how Person-Centred counsellors make reference to or use their own or their client’s bodily experiencing in the therapy room.
What will happen if I agree to take part?
You will be sent more detailed information to allow you to decide if you would like to participate. A student researcher will then conduct an interview with you to gather your thoughts and experiences of using or referring to the body in therapy. The interview will take no more than one hour. Timing and location can be discussed with the student. The interview will ask you your views about
- Talking about the body in therapy
- Using the body in therapy
- Your experience on your training course with regards to using the body in therapy.
No personally identifiable information will be collected
Who is eligible to take part?
The study aims to recruit qualified Person-Centred counsellors who work with adult clients (16+). This means that I am looking for counsellors who have qualified from a counselling course that includes a substantial amount of PCT teaching (this includes pure person-centred, integrative, or pluralistic qualifications) and are working in a predominantly person-centred approach.
Are there any risks of taking part?
There are no significant risks associated with participation. There is a small risk that you become aware during interview that you might use body-based approaches that require specialist training that you have not yet undertaken, or that a client has encountered difficulty because of how you talk about or use the body in therapy. If this was to be case, you will be encouraged to attend relevant training and to bring any concerns to your own supervision.
How do I find out more?
Please contact me at: b.schroeter@strath.ac.uk for a full information sheet and to discuss any questions. Please note the recruitment will close by the end of October 2024.