Perceptions and Experiences of Counselors on the Use of Adolescent Clients’ Strengths and Assets in Individual Counseling
Abstract
This study examined professional counselors' perceptions and experiences of the use of adolescent clients’ strengths and assets in individual counseling. Twelve counselors, who hold an advanced-level certification in counseling and also had a minimum of five years of counseling experience with adolescents, were individually interviewed via telephone and data were analyzed using the consensual qualitative research method. Participants stated that prior counseling experience, indirect learning experience in supervision and reading, and consideration on developmental characteristics of adolescents led to their reliance on strengths and assets in individual counseling. To identify the client’s strengths and assets, respondents typically utilized an initial interview and observation, a collaborative work with the client, or psychological tests. Also, the majority of the participants used the identified strengths and assets in establishing counseling goals and strategies. Support for the client’s internal assets or attempt to change significant others’ views on the client was reported as another way of using the client’s strengths and assets, typically and variantly, respectively. Participants witnessed that strength-oriented counseling approaches benefitted both counseling processes and outcomes. In addition, a variety of themes regarding determinants on effectiveness of and barriers to the use of strengths and assets emerged from the data. Based on the findings of this study, implications for counselor education and future research are discussed.
- keywords
- 강점과 자원, 청소년, 개인상담, 합의적 질적 연구, strengths and assets, adolescents, individual counseling, consensual qualitative research (CQR)
Reference
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