The Interface of Christian faith and Counselling Training: A Qualitative Exploration Jenny Watkins, Jan grove & Alison Rolfe Newman University Voluntary Counsellor

Why this? Personal experience Negative press Integration in therapy Previous research

What is the experience of counselling trainees of christian faith?

Methodology 6 participants Academic Institution Practice placement Methods 6 participants Academic Institution Practice placement Word – of - mouth Semi-structured interviews Thematic analysis

Findings – FINAL THEMATIC MAP Challenge Opportunity Experiences of difference and discrimination Relationship with God Internal Conflict Developing a personal counselling model

Experiences of difference And discrimination - difference “It was difficult being …one of the lesser people who had that faith and everyone is like…that’s a load of rubbish.” “I remember feeling a bit… small in the group and not wanting to say anything ‘cos I think there was only me and perhaps another girl who were Christians..”

EXPERIENCE OF DIFFERENCE AND DISCRIMINATION – DISCRIMINATION “whenever I thought about saying anything about my faith, you know or we talked about a subject, for me to say “as a Christian we would look at it …” I didn’t feel comfortable I felt I’d probably get shot down and no…. I don’t feel I felt comfortable really.” “I’ve felt there’s quite an anti-Christian feeling… and that other groups, other beliefs even other ways of looking at life are more acceptable than being a Christian.”

EXPERIENCE OF DIFFERENCE AND DISCRIMINATION – DISCRIMINATION One participant reported that during her training ….. “a lecturer said “there is no place for Christians in counselling”….and then laughed… and there was something about the tone of it that wasn’t a joke.” “If people find out I’m a Christian, and I have beliefs, are they going to say “well you can’t work for us”.

Findings – FINAL THEMATIC MAP Challenge Opportunity Experiences of difference and discrimination Relationship with God Internal Conflict Developing a personal counselling model

Internal CONFLICT Underpinning philosophies Personal views and counselling ethics Challenges to personal faith

Internal conflict – underpinning philosophy In the context of counselling theory one participant stated… “some of the ideas that people have come up with are very contrary to what I believe…and I’ve found as we’ve gone deeper into the sort of being as opposed to theory,……..there is conflict if you like.”

INTERNAL CONFLICT – personal views and counselling ethics One participant described the difficulties of their internal struggle when there is a perceived mismatch between faith and counselling ethics saying.., “ I do struggle with things like abortion and gay marriage…… I don’t sit here and say well you shouldn’t do it…, it’s for that human being to decide what they want to do but ultimately I do believe that that is what the God I worship believes…so it’s difficult…”

INTERNAL CONFLICT – challenges to personal faith Two participants described periods of questioning their faith. “ A wobble” “Is my faith a result of being stuck in magical thinking?”

limitations Size of the study My own stance as a Christian

Implications Increased openness to faith stances in training Acknowledgement of the validity of religious experience as a valid way for clients and counsellors to express spirituality

CONCLUSION All trainee counsellors need the challenge to explore their views, prejudices and counselling practices in an atmosphere of openness and acceptance, whether this is in training or supervision. This may be more important for the Christian counselling trainee who may be trying to integrate two different worldviews.

Any Questions?