Research Participants Wanted:
Counsellors Working with Young People I am a Master's student in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the University of East London and am inviting counsellors to participate in a research study exploring how practitioners understand and respond to neurodivergence in young people, particularly where neurodivergence is suspected but not formally diagnosed.
Increasing numbers of young people are accessing counselling while awaiting assessment or without a diagnosis of autism, ADHD, or other forms of neurodivergence. Although research has explored the experiences of neurodivergent clients, much less is known about how counsellors working in community and non-specialist settings make sense of and respond to these presentations in everyday practice.
This study aims to explore practitioners' experiences, perspectives and clinical decision-making, with the hope of contributing to future neurodivergent-informed counselling practice and training.
Who can take part?
I am looking for: Qualified or trainee counsellors aged 18 or over. Practitioners with experience of working therapeutically with children and/or young people. Those working within community-based or non-specialist counselling settings.
What does participation involve?
Participation involves taking part in a single online focus group via Microsoft Teams with approximately 8-10 counsellors. The discussion will last around 60-90 minutes and will explore your experiences of recognising, understanding and responding to neurodivergence in your therapeutic work. The session will be audio and video recorded for transcription purposes, with all data anonymised and handled confidentially. Participation is entirely voluntary, and you may withdraw from the study within the timeframe outlined in the Participant Information Sheet.
If you are interested in taking part or would like further information, please contact: Ruby Bauckham MA Counselling and Psychotherapy Research Student University of East London Email: u2115973@uel.ac.uk
Interested participants will receive a Participant Information Sheet containing full details about the study before deciding whether to participate.
Thankyou, I look foward to hearing from you!