Does disability matter in counselling? Views of counsellors with visual disabilities and their clients

Abstract

This study investigated the case of disability from the perspective of counsellors with visual disability (CWVD) and their clients by focusing on the counselling skills of CWVD, the relationships with their clients and the perspectives of their clients in relation to their counselling experiences. 15 CWVDs and 11 clients (n=26) were interviewed and data were analysed thematically. Findings showed that CWVDs used their entire set of skills effectively to build trustworthy therapeutic relationships through genuineness, established here and now relations in therapeutic encounter effectively and produced meaningful outcomes. Findings of this research indicate the need to re-consider the field of counselling around pluralist, inclusive and multicultural paradigms.