How might counsellors who are Christians experience the relationship between Christian contemplative practices and their therapeutic presence with clients?

What's this research about?

I'm recruiting participants for my Masters research on the potential relationship between Christian contemplative practices and therapeutic presence with clients. These personal spiritual practices could include contemplative prayer, (Jesus prayer, centering prayer, listening prayer, breath prayers), practicing silence and solitude and/or meditation on scripture such as Lectio Divina or other Ignatian practices such as daily examen. Buddhist based mindfulness practices have been shown to enhance therapeutic presence but there is a gap in the literature on the potential impact of Christian contemplative practices.

Am I eligible to participate?

You are eligible to take part if

• You are a UK based qualified counsellor/psychotherapist currently in clinical practice who has been qualified for at least two years.

• You are a member of the BACP, UK CP, ACC or equivalent professional association and adhere to their ethical practices.

• You would describe yourself as having a Christian faith that aligns with the Nicene Creed

• You are willing and able to participate in an interview in English via Microsoft teams or Zoom and consent to the interview being audio recorded. (NB. If you are unable to do an online interview and would like the interview to be face to face instead and you can provide a confidential meeting place no more than 1 hour’s drive from the researcher, this request can be accommodated but the interview will still be recorded).

• In your personal Christian walk you undertake Christian contemplative practices daily and find these valuable.

• You are comfortable in sharing your experiences on how your personal contemplative practices could relate to therapeutic presence with clients.

What do I have to do?

Complete a short screening questionnaire to confirm eligibility and then participate in a single online interview of 45-60 minutes. The interview will be recorded and the transcript will be analysed by Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA).

Further details are provided in the flyer and participant information sheet.

This research has been approved by The Waverley Abbey Research Ethics Committee.

Please email me at Judith.MacDonald@waverleyabbeycollege.ac.uk to obtain the screening questionnaire and consider participation.

Thank you for considering participation.