An Exploration of Client Experiences in a Combination of Individual and Family Counseling

Abstract

Researchers explored client meaningful experiences in a combination of individual and family counseling in this constructivist phenomenological study. The sample consisted of seven participants (three families) who ranged in age from 10 to 51. Participant racial/ethnic identities included two White, two biracial, and two Black. Participant gender identities included five females and two males. Two interviews per client family (one interview following an individual counseling session and another following a family counseling session) revealed the following themes: (a) understanding self and others, with subthemes gaining understanding and acceptance of self, better understanding of each other and how to be with each other, and learning coping skills; (b) setting and working toward goals; (c) processing issues in session, with subthemes counseling is not always what we want, but is maybe what we need, and tension of family versus individual counseling; (d) the counselor; and (e) play.