Clients‟ experience of counselling within a narrative framework

Construct: towards containment - freedom 
The client seems to make a firm decision that this is her last entry in that it appears to be a 
summary. But it is a summary that appears to acknowledges confusion as part of her life as she 
seems to make sense of why she is like she is. It is as if she is waking up to herself and beginning 
to contain what belongs to her. In ending and summarizing she also appears to desire freedom, 
freedom from keeping the journal, freedom to feel the pull of confusion in her, and the freedom 
to make such choices for herself. It is as if she is beginning to know or feel who she is and no 
longer has to ask „who am I?‟. She is no longer a frozen child (week 2;line 6) but someone who 
feels. The cut off parts of herself, that have been disconnected (week 6) are regaining their 
connection and not only have a voice but can also be felt. 

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382 
APPENDIX 14 Questions for participants on the analysis 
There may seem to be a lot of questions asking you for various responses to reading the analysis 
of your journal. However these are a guide. Some may not apply, while you may want to make 
comments on something that I have not thought of, which I would like you to do.
If you wish to keep a copy of the analysis another script will be provided if you make notes on 
this copy. 
Please write any thoughts as you read the analysis, either on the script or separately if you prefer. 
Tell me about the experience of reading the analysis of your journal. 
Do the constructs, at the end of each week‟s entry and analysis „fit‟ with your experience of your 
process during counselling? Tell me about how it feels - whether you feel a fit or even if you 
don‟t 
Was there a particular journal entry where you were aware of feeling a good fit between the 
construct and the journal entry and/or yourself at the time of writing. Please note the example 
and comment on it. Has hindsight changed this perception in any way.? 
Was there a particular journal entry where you were aware of a construct that did not seem to fit 
at all at the time of writing? Please note the example and comment on it. Has hindsight 
changed this perception in any way? 
How does it feel in your opinion when I have interpreted a journal entry incorrectly in that it 
doesn‟t feel as if it fits you at the time? Do the same for when you feel I have interpreted 
correctly. 
What, about taking part in this process has been most helpful - least helpful? 
Would you explain, write about, the impact of taking part in this research. 
Do you feel that the notion of containment-freedom, as a polarity or containment and freedom as 
separate constructs have stayed with you in any way.? 
As you look back now, are you able to comment on the way you were asked to write the journal - 
a short phrase on each line. What impact, if any, do you feel this had on when you were 
writing the journal? 
Is there anything else that you would like to add or comment on? 

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383 
APPENDIX 15 
EXTRACTS FROM THE DATA AND ANALYSIS
Extract 1a
99 
Extract 1b
100
Extract 2.
104
Extract 3. 
107
Extract 4. 
109
Extract 5.
112 
Extract 6. 
115
Extract 7 
124
Extract 8. 
127
Extract 9. 
129
Extract 10 
135 
Extract 11.
137
Extract 12.
139
Extract 13.
142
Extract 14.
144 
Extract 15.
145
Extract 16
150
Extract 17.
150
Extract 18.
151
Extract 19.
152
Extract 20. 
153
Extract 21.
154

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384 
Extract 22.
155
Extract 23.
155
Extract 24.
156
Extract 24a.
157
Extract 24b.
157
Extract 24c. 
157
Extract 24d.
157
Extract 25.
159
Extract 26.
159
Extract 27.
161
Extract 28.
161
Extract 29.
162
Extract 30.
164
Extract 31.
165
Extract 32.
166
Extract 33.
167
Extract 34.
167
Extract 35.
168
Extract 36.
169
Extract 37.
170
Extract 38.
170
Extract 39. 
171
Extract 40.
172

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385 
Extract 41.
173
Extract 42. 
174
Extract 43.
174
Extract 44.
175
Extract 45.
176
Extract 46.
177
Extract 47.
178
Extract 48.
236 
Extract 49.
238 
Extract 50.
239 
Extract 51.
240 
Extract 52.
241 
Extract 53.
242 
Extract 54.
247 
Extract 55.
248 
Extract 56.
249 
Extract 57.
250 
Extract 58.
250 

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386 

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387