“How does the exchange of money impact the therapeutic relationship in private practice? Counsellors’ perspectives: a small scale qualitative study”.
i) The Researcher: Lindsay Tonks
I am a student on the Postgraduate M.A. in Counselling Studies at the University of Chester and have completed research methods training at postgraduate level. I currently work in private practice as a counsellor and for an agency supporting survivors of sexual abuse as a supervisor. I am studying for the Postgraduate Certificate in Supervision at the University of Chester. I am in the process of accreditation as a counsellor by the BACP.
ii) The study: aims, objectives and rationale
My interest was sparked by my growing sense that, in private practice, payment adds an indefinable layer to my interaction with clients. I hope to shed light upon the many influences and processes at work when money is exchanged for services in what is otherwise a quasi-spiritual encounter. To what extent does it intrude upon the therapeutic relationship and how might the exploration of such intrusion serve to enhance that relationship? What literature there is to date derives largely from research in the United States and has a strong psychodynamic bias. I aim to provide a fresh perspective on the issue, as my research will be conducted in Britain and will use the experiences of therapists from a number of theoretical orientations.
iii) Inclusion Criteria for Participants
A brief questionnaire will be sent to interested prospective participants, or this could be completed over the phone, and there will be a follow-up discussion with the researcher, which could be by telephone or by meeting in person. Participants will be selected on the basis that they are most likely to generate richness and diversity of data within what is a relatively small study (4–6 participants).
Prospective participants should:
Be counsellors or psychotherapists qualified to at least diploma level and practising in private practice.
Have a minimum number of 400 post qualification hours.
Have been in private practice a minimum of 12 months, with a minimum of 5 clients a week.
Have practised in an organisational context since qualification
Be in regular supervision.
Have access to personal therapy.
Be a member of a professional body.
iv) Data Collection
The research will be conducted through the medium of face-to-face interviews with the researcher, and will be audio-taped for later transcription. Interviews will be of approximately 60 minutes’ duration. Transcripts will be sent to participants, who will be asked to confirm or challenge their accuracy. The location of the interview can be negotiated to suit your convenience and I will pay reasonable travel expenses.
v) Confidentiality and Data Protection
Great care will be taken to protect the identity of research participants, who will be invited to select pseudonyms for themselves for use in the transcribed versions of the interviews. Digital audio recordings will be stored on a computer during transcription in a password protected file. Once transcribed, they will be copied to CD and deleted from the computer. The CDs will be stored under lock and key and any identifying data of the participants will be kept under lock and key separately from the CDs.
Data stored on the computer during data analysis will be password protected and categorised under pseudonyms. Data generated by the study will be accessible only by the researcher, my research supervisor, internal markers at the University of Chester and the external examiner. All information, including identifying details of
available electronically. Without further consent, some of the material may be used in conference presentations or published research papers.
vi) Right to withdraw
The researcher wishes to emphasise that at any point until the data generated has been analysed, participants have an absolute right to withdraw, unchallenged and without explanation, and any data pertaining to them will be destroyed.
vii) Ethical Governance
BACP (2010) ethical principles and the principles enumerated in the University of Chester Research Governance handbook will apply to this research, which has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Chester’s Department of Social Studies and Counselling. It will be monitored by Dr Rita Mintz *, who is both Chair of the Ethics Committee and my Research Supervisor and who should be contacted in the event of dissatisfaction or complaint. Ultimately, participants have recourse to the complaints procedure of the BACP.
*(01244512038 or e-mail: [email protected] )
viii) Potential Benefits to participants
It is hoped that the process of being interviewed, reading of the transcripts and subsequent reflection might facilitate enhanced self awareness and a greater understanding of the processes involved in the fee transaction, which may lead to improved functioning as a therapist.
ix) Potential Risks to participants
Ostensibly, there is minimal risk. However, the literature refers to counter-transferential reactions to the topic of research, which could potentially stir up sensitive issues. Care has been taken to protect participants from harm by insisting on access to personal therapy, but the researcher will remind participants of the right to withdraw, should any distress emerge.
x) Contact Details
Anyone requiring further information can contact me on 07946 761582 or email [email protected]