Clients‟ experience of counselling within a narrative framework

participant in this innovative study.
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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APPENDIX 3 Ethics approval

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APPENDIX 4 
PILOT STUDY Presentation for initial meeting
Meeting with counselling students interested in taking part. 
To take place at the appropriate training establishment or at the University of Hertfordshire, 
Meridian House, or at another appropriate central location. (one hour) 
1. Introduce myself as a counsellor and as a research student. Distribute consent/contract forms. 
2. Ask the participants to introduce themselves 
3. Questions for discussion. 
What is research? Ethical Research. BAC Guidelines. 
What is the role of the researcher? 
What is the role of the participant? 
Discuss informally in pairs and return to the group to disseminate thoughts and ideas. 
Emphasize the importance of their role in the research. 
4. What is this research about? 
Introduce the idea of aspects of the therapeutic relationship 
For example - What sort of relationship is this? - professional 
- short term / long term 
- confidential 
- personal 
Discuss the participants‟ thoughts about the relationship 
5. How will we be doing this research? Talk about keeping a journal What will this involve? 
Introduce the collaborative and confidential group meetings, giving assurances that this will be a 
closed group. Length of study - fifteen weeks for keeping the journals 
Number of meetings - up to five or six including the workshop on journal keeping and the final 
debriefing to disclose the theme of the research. 
6. Discuss their right to withdraw from the research at any time. 
7. Discuss - that they may have access to my findings from the data. 
8. A question time for any aspect that has not been understood, or that needs to be clarified. 
9.Signing and return of consent forms. 
10.Set up date/time/place of workshop meeting. Thanks-for their time and contribution to this 
meeting. 

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APPENDIX 4 PILOT STUDY Outline for workshop on journal keeping. 
For those interested in taking part in the research. 
To be held at the appropriate training establishment or at Meridian House, University of 
Hertfordshire, or another appropriate central location. (one and a half hours duration) 
I need to be aware of encouraging the group with their writing and making the session enjoyable. 
1. Welcome to the beginning of our research together. 
2. What does keeping a weekly journal of therapy sessions involve? 
Time.......Commitment 
An ability to be reflective.........An opportunity to play with ideas 
Group discussion.........Suggested reading
3. A few moments to reflect on the session so far
Ask the group to write a few words or a few lines on the thoughts and experience they are 
feeling about the workshop and the idea of keeping a journal. 
4. Is anyone willing to share what they have written? 
And / or write a group piece to work with. 
5. Look at what has been used in the shared thoughts - metaphor, simile, feelings
How does the writing enhance our understanding of what has been felt/experienced? 
Discuss and play for example with metaphor.
6. How to keep the research journal. 
Date each entry - Date missed entries 
Clear writing -Large margin 
Short phrases - Spontaneity 
Thoughtfulnes - Simplicity 
Their own words 
Assure the group that the above information will be written in the front of each journal so that 
they can refer to it. 
7. Distribution of participant consent/contract forms. Discuss 
8. Distribution of journals to those who want to take part. 
9. Any other questions? 
10. Confirm date / time / place of the rest of the group meetings. To take place after completion 
of journals. Close meeting. 

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APPENDIX 5 The researcher and participant contract/consent/letter of agreement