ISSN : 2233-6710(Print)
ISSN : 2384-2121(Online)
ISSN : 2384-2121(Online)
Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling Vol.7 No.2 pp.141-168
DOI : https://doi.org/10.18401/2017.7.2.3
DOI : https://doi.org/10.18401/2017.7.2.3
Singaporean Counsellors’ Online Counselling Experiences with Children: An Exploratory Qualitative Study
Abstract
This study focused on the online counselling experiences of six Singaporean trainee counselling psychologists (TCPs) working with elementary school children in Singapore. A qualitative analysis using Strauss and Corbin’s grounded theory produced 16 themes and 17 sub-themes in 4 categories. Participants’ Counselling Experiences and Interests (causal condition) and Expectations and Reality (intervening condition) informed their Planned and Actual Counselling Actions (strategic actions and interactions) during online counselling sessions. Consequently, they engaged in Analysis and Reflection of their key learning points and professional development needs. Findings revealed that the lack of nonverbal cues enhanced children’s psychological safety and willingness to self-disclose online. TCPs also found it helpful to use a solution-focused approach to work with children and to adapt their face-to-face counselling techniques to online counselling through the use of SITCOMS.