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Doing a Doc! – The thoughts, experiences and relationships of students undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Counselling
Author(s) -
Silvester Anita
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
counselling and psychotherapy research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.38
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 1746-1405
pISSN - 1473-3145
DOI - 10.1080/14733145.2010.485695
Subject(s) - thematic analysis , theme (computing) , psychology , medical education , professional development , passion , pedagogy , qualitative research , medicine , sociology , social psychology , social science , computer science , operating system
Aim: To explore the experiences of students undertaking a Professional Doctorate in Counselling. Method: The participants, students from years 1–6 on a Professional Doctorate programme within a UK university, were interviewed and the transcripts analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Themes identified include Personal Development, Expectations, Passion and Voice. However there is an overarching theme for these students' experiences of a ‘therapeutic edge’, which appears specific to them. Discussion: It seems clear that students undertaking this course of study will be challenged in a number of ways, as is also evidenced in the literature available. Conclusion: Students embarking on a Professional Doctorate in Counselling course may benefit from an understanding of the potential challenges they could face apart from the academic ones they perhaps anticipate. Such awareness might encourage them to identify good support systems to access throughout their studies.