An evaluation of, "A counsellor's experience of practicing in the context of NHS Primary Care: A heuristic exploration of external influences that could influence the therapeutic relationship".

Abstract

An evaluation of, "A counsellor's experience of practicing in the context of NHS Primary Care: A heuristic exploration of external influences that could influence the therapeutic relationship".The original research was submitted as part of the Professional Doctorate in Counselling. This heuristic research was an exploration of the experiences of a counsellor practicing in the context of an organisation, a NHS Primary Care Trust. The research explored external influences that may possibly influence the therapeutic relationship. The researcher concluded that external influences to the therapeutic relationship do in fact have an effect on the therapeutic relationship either constructively thus benefiting therapy or detrimentally affecting the therapeutic process. The evidence from the research suggested that if therapists have an awareness of external influences to the therapeutic relationship this comprehension provides increased understanding of the therapeutic relationship thus improving therapist's competencies especially empathy. The research findings facilitated the researcher's existing avid interest in the role of empathy in therapy and in the development of empathic awareness within organisations and individuals. An evaluation of the original research as an MPhil submission has encouraged the researcher to reflect on and analyse the original research comparing how the research literature has contributed to theory and knowledge pertaining to the delivery of psychological therapies in organisational contexts in particular an Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT) service. Due to the heuristic nature of the research, the researcher has reflected on the experience of conducting the research and evaluating the original research as well as the resulting further acquired knowledge and theory obtained by secondary heuristic process. The researcher has considered how this learning has had a positive influence, on professional practice and continual development as a researcher. The researcher considered implications for further research including the utilisation of appropriate research methodologies. That would enable research in this subject matter to continue to be studied and researched in order to gain further comprehension of the theory and knowledge relating to external influences that influence the therapeutic relationship. The researcher suggests that this would concurrently inform organisational provision of therapy and the professional practice of individuals who provide psychological therapy practice within an organisational context. The thesis contribution to the development of appropriate innovative research methodologies has been evaluated.

Date of Award	1 Aug 2015
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	William West (Supervisor)