An Investigation into EAP Counsellors’ Experiences in Kenya – ‘How do EAP Councillors Understand and Make Sense of their EAP Practice?’

  • Cecilia Rachier

Student thesis: Phd

Abstract

Background: Counselling services are key to the provision made available to employees within Employee Assistance Programmes (EAPs). The rising globalization of EAPs has seen their spread from western cultures to non-western cultures, including Kenya. Whilst a range of studies have focused on different aspects of EAP counselling, relatively few studies have concentrated on the perceptions and experiences of EAP counsellors themselves, and moreover, have predominantly been undertaken in western rather than non-western countries. What these studies have found is that EAP counsellors in general report mixed experiences. While taking a sense of reward and enjoyment from their practice, they also experience substantial challenges and can feel unappreciated and under-supported. This study aims to investigate the experience of EAP counsellors in Kenya, seeking to find out how they understand and make sense of their EAP practice. The objective of the study is to help to fill the knowledge gap in terms of EAP counselling and the experiences of EAP counsellors in non-western cultures. Methodology: A qualitative research study was conducted involving 10 Kenyan EAP counsellors who worked as affiliates for local and international EAP vendors in Kenya. Initial data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 6 (4 female, 2 male) individual EAP counsellors. The preliminary findings from these interviews were then presented to another 4 (3 female, 1 male) EAP counsellors in a focus group discussion. All the data from the interviews and group discussion was recorded, transcribed and analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. Findings: Two master themes were identified within the data which demonstrated a conflicting experience of the EAP counsellors’ practice. On the one hand, EAP counsellors described their work as, on a range of levels, personally and professionally satisfying, fulfilling and rewarding. They experienced the work as bringing intrinsic and extrinsic rewards, benefits and appreciation. However, in parallel, they could experience the work as personally and professionally dissatisfying, demanding and frustrating. This experience was largely due to contextual factors such as the EAP environment, the dominant Kenyan culture, context and client work factors. Conclusion: While the Kenyan EAP counsellors’ experiences reflect existing research findings from the west, the study highlights how cultural and contextual factors impact on the experience of the role. It lends weight to the importance of extending research outside the west. Insights from the study could contribute to or guide EAP counsellors’ ethical practice, training, support and supervision in non-western countries.
Date of Award1 Aug 2019
Original languageEnglish
Awarding Institution
  • The University of Manchester
SupervisorWilliam West (Supervisor) & Elizabeth Ballinger (Supervisor)

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