@article{f47f60d1cf1145bd8d9f275921c19b32,
title = "Counsellors' perspectives on self-harm and the role of the therapeutic relationship for working with clients who self-harm",
abstract = "Aims: To gain insight into counsellors{\textquoteright} experiences of and ideas about self-harm, and to develop understanding of relational depth when working with clients who self-harm. Method: A qualitative exploration of counsellors{\textquoteright} perspectives on working with people who self-harm. The research proposal gained approval from the University Ethics Committee. Data were collected from a sample of counsellors who have experience of working with people who self-harm (n8) using tape-recorded interviews. Grounded Theory was used for analysis. Findings: Two major categories emerged from the findings: (i) the activity of self-harm; (ii) the therapeutic relationship with people who self-harm. These categories and sub-categories were integrated to form the core category. Implications: Counsellors have a valuable role to play in the lives of people who self-harm, by embodying confidentiality and so facilitating a sense of trust, by opening minds through acceptance, and by expanding knowledge through participation in research. Conclusions: In order to effectively accompany clients from a life of self-harm to a life of self-healing, counsellors must be aware of and responsive to the many concepts underpinning the emergent categories of the research.",
keywords = "self-harm, self-injury, counsellor perspective, therapeutic relationship",
author = "Maggie Long and Mary Jenkins",
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year = "2010",
month = sep,
doi = "10.1080/14733140903474293",
language = "English",
volume = "10",
pages = "192--200",
journal = "Counselling and Psychotherapy Research",
issn = "1473-3145",
publisher = "John Wiley & Sons, Inc.",
number = "3",
}