To understand the experiences of autistic counsellors: A United Kingdom phenomenological study

IF 1.2 Q3 PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research Pub Date : 2024-10-13 DOI:10.1002/capr.12839

Jade Rita Taylor, Michael Sims

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Aim

The study was designed to explore the experiences of autistic counsellors living and working in the United Kingdom (UK). The research question was split into four aims: exploring presenting differences, strategies and modalities preferences, challenges and barriers, and training and support needs.

Method

Seven autistic counsellors, either self-identified or diagnosed, completed semi-structured questionnaires. Patterns and themes were then extracted from the data using a thematic analysis procedure.

Findings

The data analysis identified four themes: the practical differences of working as an autistic counsellor, working with a similar neurotype, understanding and accommodation within the counselling profession, and representation.

Conclusion

Participants felt that being autistic brings unique strengths to the counselling process, and it was identified that while they have been trained to work with allistic (non-autistic) clients, they found strength in supporting and being supported by those of a similar neurotype. Participants challenged the deficit depiction of autism and, subsequently, the lack of recognition, understanding, accommodation and representation of autistic counsellors within the profession. The participants called for a change in training, within professional bodies, counselling organisations, workplaces and colleagues.

Recommendations

Counselling training needs to include autistic trainers, represent and accommodate autistic trainees, as well as support the needs of autistic clients.

Counselling bodies need to create safe spaces for autistic counsellors, including the ability to advertise within directories and support the endorsement of neurological differences as strengths. These spaces need to challenge the archaic beliefs around autism through lived experience and the hiring of autistic professionals. Inclusivity should be encouraged within organisations and workplaces, consequently filtering to allistic colleagues.

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了解自闭症咨询师的经验：一项英国现象学研究

研究目的本研究旨在探讨在英国生活和工作的自闭症辅导员的经验。研究问题分为四个目标：探索表现差异、策略和模式偏好、挑战和障碍以及培训和支持需求。研究方法七名自闭症辅导员，无论是自我认同的还是确诊的，都填写了半结构化问卷。然后使用主题分析程序从数据中提取模式和主题。研究结果数据分析确定了四个主题：作为自闭症辅导员工作的实际差异、与类似神经类型的人一起工作、辅导行业内的理解和包容以及代表性。结论参与者认为，自闭症患者给咨询过程带来了独特的优势，而且他们发现，虽然他们接受的培训是为异体（非自闭症）客户工作，但他们发现，支持类似神经类型的客户并得到他们的支持，也是他们的优势所在。与会者对自闭症的不足之处提出了质疑，进而对自闭症辅导员在行业中缺乏认可、理解、包容和代表性提出了质疑。与会者呼吁改变专业机构、咨询组织、工作场所和同事的培训方式。建议咨询培训需要包括自闭症培训师、自闭症受训者的代表和包容，以及支持自闭症客户的需求。辅导机构需要为自闭症辅导员创造安全的空间，包括在目录中刊登广告的能力，并支持将神经系统差异视为优势。这些空间需要通过生活经验和聘用自闭症专业人士来挑战有关自闭症的陈旧观念。应鼓励组织和工作场所的包容性，从而过滤掉那些患有自闭症的同事。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Counselling & Psychotherapy Research PSYCHOLOGY, CLINICAL-

CiteScore

4.40

自引率

12.50%

发文量

期刊介绍： Counselling and Psychotherapy Research is an innovative international peer-reviewed journal dedicated to linking research with practice. Pluralist in orientation, the journal recognises the value of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods strategies of inquiry and aims to promote high-quality, ethical research that informs and develops counselling and psychotherapy practice. CPR is a journal of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy, promoting reflexive research strongly linked to practice. The journal has its own website: www.cprjournal.com. The aim of this site is to further develop links between counselling and psychotherapy research and practice by offering accessible information about both the specific contents of each issue of CPR, as well as wider developments in counselling and psychotherapy research. The aims are to ensure that research remains relevant to practice, and for practice to continue to inform research development.