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Evaluation of long‐term counselling at a community health service for women who are on a low income
Author(s) -
Payne Nicola,
Ciclitira Karen,
Starr Fiona,
Marzano Lisa,
Brunswick Nicola
Publication year - 2015
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 - 10.1080/14733145.2013.877513
Subject(s) - mental health , service (business) , psychology , mental health service , medicine , clinical psychology , term (time) , community health , community service , unemployment , nursing , psychiatry , public health , public relations , physics , economy , quantum mechanics , economics , economic growth , political science
Aims Given the lack of research evaluating long‐term counselling, coupled with the lack of women‐only counselling services, the present study evaluated the long‐term counselling service offered by a women‐only community health centre. Method The research ascertained: (1) the characteristics of 155 service users pre‐counselling, (2) the views and experiences of 75 service users post‐counselling, and (3) pre–post‐counselling clinical change in 98 service users via the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation – Outcome Measure ( CORE ‐ OM ). Results Unemployment, low income and reports of abuse were related to poorer mental health as measured by the CORE ‐ OM . Content analysis of open‐ended questions revealed that women felt supported, comfortable and gained insight through the counselling relationship. They also reported positive changes in their lives, relationships, health behaviours, and psychological wellbeing. Post‐counselling improvements were found in CORE ‐ OM scores. Conclusions Long‐term counselling in a women‐only environment for socially disempowered women may be beneficial. A research‐informed approach to counselling and therapy evaluation, which acknowledges the social context of psychological distress, should be taken across institutions.