ISSN : 1229-0688
This study employed consensual qualitative research (CQR) to explore counselors’ perspectives on clients’ intersession experiences (IE). Nine Korean counselors participated in semi-structured interviews, and the analysis identified four domains, seven subdomains, 38 categories, and two subcategories. The first domain, “Expectations of Clients’ IE,” revealed that counselors expect clients to engage in intersession experiences voluntarily, with expectations varying by counseling stage. The second domain, “Facilitative Interventions,” identified two types of interventions: direct interventions targeting intersession experiences and in-session interventions that indirectly facilitate these experiences. The third domain, “Facilitating Factors,” highlighted key elements such as the counselor’s ability to recognize intersession experiences, client motivation, and the development of a therapeutic alliance. Additionally, effective in-session work was noted to enhance intersession experiences. The fourth domain, “Hindering factors,” addressed barriers such as counselor’s lack of awareness and low client motivation. The study concludes with a discussion of the findings’ implications and recommendations for future research.
This study emphasizes the necessity of Training Center Accreditation (TCA) and proposes a TCA model. We examined TCA requirements in the U.S., Taiwan, and Japan, as well as supervisor qualifications in Australia. In Korea, we reviewed the certification systems of the Korean Clinical Psychology Association, Korean Counseling Association, and Korean Association of Christian Counseling & Psychology. Based on this analysis, we proposed a TCA model that incorporates essential requirements tailored to domestic conditions. The findings are as follows. First, we confirmed the importance of training under the structured management and protection of accredited training centers. Second, legislated training programs were found to promote the development of "holistic counselors", which should be reflected in TCA. Third, TCA can ensure safe and ethical counseling while safeguarding clients’ right to professional services. Fourth, TCA can support community-based counseling. Finally, we discuss the study’s significance and limitations.
This study explores how counselors perceive and address client shame in the therapeutic relationship. Eight counselors, either holding Level 1 certification from the Korean Counseling Psychology Association or with over 10 years of experience, participated in in-depth interviews. Data were analyzed using grounded theory, yielding 82 concepts, 31 subcategoires, and 14 main categories. The central phenomenon was identified as ‘being hesitant to address client shame.’ After establishing this within the paradigm model, a process analysis revealed four stages: ‘identification and countertransference’, ‘awareness and understanding’, ‘approach and support’, and ‘reflection’. In the selective coding stage, the key category “efforts to internalize the counselor’s respectful gaze” emerged, linking previous findings and offering a comprehensive explanation of the process. Based on these results, the study discusses its limitations, implications for counseling, and suggestions for future research.
This qualitative study explores the experiences of experienced counselors in grief counseling. In-depth interviews were conducted with five counselors, and data were analyzed using Giorgi’s descriptive phenomenological method. The analysis yielded 249 meaning units, 28 subcategories, and 12 categories. Counselors reported ‘being nervous about instability,’ ‘sympathizing with deep sorrow,’ ‘being curious about the client’s experience,’ and ‘cheering for the client.’ Their professional interventions included ‘structuring grief counseling,’ ‘waiting for clients to accept their loss,’ ‘providing crisis intervention,’ ‘considering individual client characteristics,’ ‘reinterpreting bereavement,’and ‘facilitating recovery and growth.’ Additionally, counselors experienced personal growth through‘taking time for existential reflection’ and ‘reflecting on professional life.’ Based on these findings, implications for grief counseling practice and counselor education are discussed.
This study examined the perceptions and experiences of youth counselors regarding social justice counseling. To this end, we conducted interviews with 11 youth counselors who had at least two years of experience in youth counseling and had applied interventions aligned with social justice counseling. Data were analyzed using constructivist grounded theory. As a result, we identified youth counselors’ ‘perceptions of social justice counseling,’ including ‘similarities with the existing youth counseling system,’ ‘applicability of social justice counseling,’ ‘social justice counseling as a challenge,’ ‘expanding the role of counselors,’ and ‘shift to a scientist-practitioner-advocate education and training model.’ Youth counselors implemented interventions such as ‘client empowerment,’ ‘pre-planning activities,’ ‘collaboration,’ ‘environmental improvement,’ ‘problem prevention intervention,’ and ‘resource/policy development.’ Additionally, they experienced ‘changes in their perception’ of social justice counseling through these interviews. Finally, implications for counselor education and future research were discussed.
This study aimed to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a relational mindfulness program for novice counselors in enhancing the counseling relationship. The program was systematically designed based on a literature review, refined through preliminary research, and finalized with input from two expert consultations. A survey was conducted with novice counselors and clients in the treatment and control groups at four time points: before the program, four weeks after its start, immediately after its completion, and four weeks post-program. Compared to the control group, novice counselors in the treatment group showed increased relational mindfulness, working alliance, authenticity, and unconditional regard, along with decreased anxiety. For clients, no interaction effects were found, but significant changes were observed in client-perceived working alliance and authenticity across measurement periods. The study concludes with a discussion of its limitations and implications for counseling practice and training.
This study examines the sequential mediating effects of self-concept clarity and self-silencing in the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and loneliness among college students. A survey was conducted with 317 participants, excluding 31 insincere responses from an initial 348. Data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 and AMOS 22.0. The main findings are as follows. First, perfectionistic self-presentation, self-concept clarity, self-silencing, and loneliness showed significant correlations. Second, perfectionistic self-presentation had a significant direct effect on loneliness. Third, self-concept clarity significantly mediated the relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and loneliness. Fourth, self-silencing also showed a significant mediating effect. Fifth, the sequential mediating effect of self-concept clarity and self-silencing was confirmed. These findings suggest that higher perfectionistic self-presentation is associated with lower self-concept clarity, leading to increased self-silencing, and ultimately greater loneliness.
This study aims to investigate the dual mediating effects of self-compassion and emotion dysregulation in the relationship between attachment experiences to parents and postpartum depression in married women. A total of 385 participants completed the survey. Results indicated that a correlation analysis was performed to confirm the relationships between all variables. Attachment experiences with parents had a significant negative effect on postpartum depression. Self-compassion mediated this relationship, while emotion dysregulation mediated the relationship between maternal attachment and postpartum depression. However, emotion dysregulation did not mediate the relationship between paternal attachment and postpartum depression. Self-compassion and emotion dysregulation jointly demonstrated a significant dual mediating effect. These findings highlight the importance of parental attachment experiences, self-compassion, and emotion regulation in postpartum depression. Implications for counseling and future research directions are discussed.
This study examined how social problem solving influences the pathway from a sense of defeat to suicidal ideation through entrapment. A total of 828 young people in Korea were surveyed, and the results were as follows. First, the relationship between defeat and suicidal ideation was partially mediated by entrapment. Second, the relationship between defeat and entrapment was moderated by social problem solving (PPO, NPO, ICS, AS). with significant moderating effects of positive problem orientation, negative problem orientation, impulsivity/negligence, and avoidance style. Negative social problem solving (NPO, ICS, AS) had a direct effect on entrapment. Third, social problem solving (PPO, NPO, ICS, AS) influenced the pathway from defeat to suicidal ideation through entrapment, confirming its moderated mediating effect. Finally, based on these findings, the study discusses its significance, implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research.
This study examines the relationships among covert narcissism, self-compassion, and emotional difficulties through a meta-analytic path analysis. Specifically, it investigates whether the mediating effect of self-compassion varies by type of emotional difficulty (depression, anxiety, and aggression) and between different groups (adults and adolescents). A total of 380 studies were collected, yielding 789 datasets with 291,314 individuals. Meta-analysis was conducted using R, and path analysis with mediation effect comparisons was performed using Mplus. Results indicated a strong negative effect size between covert narcissism and self-compassion. The mediating effects of self-compassion were significant for all three emotional difficulties. Differences between adults and adolescents were observed in the mediating effects on anxiety and depression but not on aggression. These findings are discussed along with practical implications and suggestions for future research.
This study aimed to examine how experiential avoidance, moderated by positive rumination, mediates the relationship between others’ approval and non-suicidal self-injury(NSSI) belief. An online survey of 317 undergraduates measuring others’ approval, NSSI beliefs, experiential avoidance, and positive rumination was analyzed using SPSS 22.0 and PROCESS MACRO 4.3 to test the moderated mediating effect. The findings are as follows. First, others’ approval significantly increases NSSI beliefs. Second, experiential avoidance partially mediates the relationship between others’ approval and NSSI beliefs. Third, positive rumination significantly moderates the relationship between experiential avoidance and NSSI beliefs. Moreover, the mediating role of experiential avoidance, influenced by positive rumination, was partially supported in the context of others’ approval and NSSI beliefs. These findings underscore the protective role of positive rumination against NSSI beliefs, suggesting the need for psychotherapeutic interventions incorporating positive rumination. Finally, implications of the findings and recommendations for future research were discussed.
This study examines depression and recovery experiences among elementary school teachers in the context of the 2023 serial teacher suicides and high depression rates in this profession. Using Giorgi’s phenomenological method, we conducted in-depth interviews with 12 currently employed elementary school teachers. Six essential themes emerged: ‘job environment factors,’ ‘relational factors,’ ‘sociocultural factors,’ ‘institutional factors,’ ‘depression symptoms,’ and ‘recovery factors,’ Additionally, 28 sub-components were identified, including ‘job insecurity,’ ‘occupational and emotional isolation,’ ‘prolonged emotional labor,’ ‘teacher identity confusion,’ and ‘hopelessness and despair.’ The study presents both situational and general structural statements, offering a comprehensive framework for understanding factors influencing teacher depression and recovery while capturing the meaning and structure of teachers’ lived experiences. Based on these findings, the study discusses its significance, limitations, and suggestions for future research.
This study investigated the effects of perfectionistic self-presentation and outcome expectations (anticipated risk and anticipated benefits) regarding self-disclosure on attitudes toward seeking professional help among adults in their 20s and 30s (N = 301; 129 men, 172 women). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 and AMOS 26.0. Results indicated that perfectionistic self-presentation was positively correlated with anticipated risk. Attitudes toward seeking professional help were negatively associated with anticipated risk. Mediation analysis revealed that anticipated risk fully mediated the negative relationship between perfectionistic self-presentation and attitudes toward seeking professional help. In other words, higher levels of perfectionistic self-presentation were associated with greater anticipated risk, which, in turn, was linked to more negative attitudes toward seeking professional help. These findings suggest that for individuals in their 20s-30s with high perfectionistic self-presentation, interventions aimed at reducing anticipated risk may be necessary to improve attitudes toward seeking professional help.
This study examined the effects of internalized shame on depression and investigated the double mediating effect of self-criticism and entrapment in this process. A survey was conducted with 300 adults aged 18 to 69, and the internalized shame scale, the Korean adaptation of the CES-D, the depressive experiences questionnaire, and the entrapment scale were used. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS 28.0 and AMOS 28.0. The main findings are as follows. First, internalized shame, depression, self-criticism, and entrapment all showed significant positive correlations. Second, the sequential double mediating effect of self-criticism and entrapment in the relationship between internalized shame and depression was significant. Based on these findings, the study suggests that targeting self-criticism and entrapment in interventions may help reduce depression. The study concludes with a discussion of its implications and limitations.
