Clients‟ experience of counselling within a narrative framework

Psychotherapy Research. 5.(2) 111-119. 

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289 
Yalom, I. D. (1980) Existential Psychotherapy. London: Basic Books.

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290 
APPENDIX 1.
Letter format to counselling training institutions 
Date…………. 
Tina Bracegirdle 
3 Havelock Road 
Biggleswade 
Beds SG 18 ODB 
Training Institutions name and address. 
Dear 
I am a psychodynamic counsellor and co-ordinator of counselling at Stevenage and North Herts 
Counselling Centre am also a research student studying towards as PhD at the University of 
Hertfordshire and it is in connection with this that I write. My preliminary study is on aspects of 
the therapeutic relationship. To further this innovative programme of research I need the 
collaboration of clients in counselling who are willing to keep a journal of their weekly 
counselling sessions for fifteen weeks. Rather than find clients through their therapists, which 
would be too disruptive of the therapeutic relationship, I am hoping to find counselling 
certificate students who are alos clients in personal therapy/counselling. I wonder if your training 
course has students who might fit this criteria. 
Apart from the journal keeping the research will include five or six (local) closed group meetings 
to be held at the University of Hertfordshire or another appropriate venue, where the research 
process and the journal keeping can be discussed. If you have students undertaking counselling I 
would appreciate it if you would help me arrange to contact them. Would you be kind enough to 
distribute the enclosed leaflets which have SAEs attached and display one leaflet and this letter 
on your notice board. This will enable interested students to contact me so that I can arrange an 
initial meeting where I will explain the research process and answer any other questions they 
many have. 
Please write or phone if you have any questions about this study. The project should take place 
from……………to………………….. 
I look forward to hearing from you. SAE enclosed. 
Yours sincerely 
Tina Bracegirdle 
PhD Candidate. 

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291 
APPENDIX 1 
Letter format to counselling training institutions 
Date…………. Tina Bracegirdle 
3 Havelock Road 
Biggleswade 
Beds SG 18 ODB 
Training Institutions name and address. 
Dear 
I am a psychodynamic counsellor and co-ordinator of counselling at Stevenage and North Herts 
Counselling Centre. I am also a research student studying towards as PhD at the University of 
Hertfordshire and it is in connection with this that I write. My preliminary study began exploring 
the concepts of containment and freedom in the therapeutic relationship and the main study will 
enlarge on this theme.. To further this ground breaking programme of research I need the 
collaboration of clients in counselling who are willing to keep a journal of their weekly 
counselling sessions up to 40 sessions, over a period of one year. Rather than find clients through 
their therapists, which would be too disruptive of the therapeutic relationship, I am hoping to 
find counselling certificate students who are also clients in personal therapy/counselling. I 
wonder if your training course has students who might fit this criteria? 
Apart from the journal keeping the research will include approximately eight (local) closed 
group meetings to be held at the University of Hertfordshire or another appropriate venue, where 
the research process and the journal keeping can be discussed. If you have students undertaking 
counselling who may be interested in participating and contributing towards this research I 
would appreciate it if you would help me arrange to contact them. Would you be kind enough to 
distribute the enclosed leaflets which have SAEs attached and display one leaflet and this letter 
on your notice board. This will enable interested students to contact me so that I can arrange an 
initial meeting where I will explain the research process and answer any other questions they 
many have. 
Please write or phone if you have any questions about this study. The project should take place 
from……………to………………….. 
I look forward to hearing from you. SAE enclosed. 
Yours sincerely 
Tina Bracegirdle 
PhD Candidate. 

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292 
APPENDIX 2 Advertising the research 
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? 
MORE ABOUT COUNSELLING? 
MORE ABOUT YOU? 
THEN COME AND JOIN THIS RESEARCH GROUP 
AND CONTRIBUTE TO FURTHERING OUR UNDERSTANDING 
AND OUR KNOWLEDGE 
Being involved in RESEARCH means we actively contribute 
To the field of learning that forms the new horizons of
The counselling/therapeutic world. 
This research aims to explore aspects of the therapeutic 
relationship - by participants (YOU?) keeping journals of counselling 
sessions over a period of fifteen weeks.
To take place starting…….date 
And including several confidential closed group meetings. 
If you would like to know more come to the introductory meeting 
on…………….date………………place……………time………….. 
……………………………….................................................................. 
 
RESPONSE SLIP 
 
AND/OR FILL IN THIS SLIP AND SEND TO TINA BRACEGIRDLE
3 HAVELOCK ROAD 
BIGGLESWADE 
NAME………………………………....................... BEDS SG18 ODB 
ADDRESS……………………………….................. 
 
TEL………………………………............................................... 
Please reserve me a place at the introductory meeting date………time……..place……….. 
 

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293 
APPENDIX 2 MAIN STUDY Advertising the research
ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE? 
MORE ABOUT COUNSELLING? 
MORE ABOUT YOU? 
THEN COME AND JOIN THIS RESEARCH GROUP 
AND CONTRIBUTE TO FURTHERING OUR UNDERSTANDING 
AND OUR KNOWLEDGE 
Being involved in RESEARCH means we actively contribute 
To the field of learning that forms the new horizons of
The counselling/therapeutic world. 
This research aims to explore the concepts of containment and freedom 
in the therapeutic relationship. By keeping a weekly journal of your 
personal counselling sessions over a period of one year you could be a