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Power, Interpersonal Trauma, and the Counseling Relationship: A Grounded Theory Analysis.

Caputo, Laura Geary Dunson
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4982-4962
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1707828568100706

Abstract Details

2024, PHD, Kent State University, College of Education, Health and Human Services / School of Lifespan Development and Educational Sciences.
Counselors must be equipped to support clients who have histories of interpersonal trauma (SAMHSA, 2014a). Interpersonal trauma often involves experiences of powerlessness (Finkelhor, 1986), and counselors can risk retraumatizing trauma survivors by misusing or neglecting power (Sweeney et al., 2019). Therefore, it is essential that counselors understand clients’ experiences of power within the counseling relationship. However, there is a paucity of research exploring the client’s perspective of power within the counseling relationship. The purpose of this qualitative dissertation was to explore how adult women with histories of interpersonal trauma experience power within the counseling relationship. This constructivist grounded theory study (Charmaz, 2014) included semi-structured interviews and follow-up emails with 29 participants during concurrent data collection and analysis. Data analysis led to the construction of seven categories and one core category. Categories are sorted via the Corbin and Strauss (1990) model, leading to two contextual conditions (Sociocultural Mental Health Factors and Prior Experiences of Power), one causal condition (Choosing Counseling), two action strategies (Advocating for Needs and Assessing for Safety and Fit), and two results (Reclaiming Power and Reliving Disempowerment). The core category summarized all other categories and answered the research question: participants experienced power within the counseling relationship by Practicing Personal Power in Connection with Others. Analysis also included comparing the grounded theory to Relational-Cultural Theory. Findings illuminated implications and recommendations for counselors, educators, supervisors, leaders and advocates, and researchers.
Cassandra Storlie, Dr. (Committee Co-Chair)
Jenny Cureton, Dr. (Committee Co-Chair)
Tara Hudson, Dr. (Committee Member)
Kelly Cichy, Dr. (Committee Member)
384 p.
Counseling Education; Mental Health
counseling; counselor; counselor education; counselor supervision; mental health; power; autonomy; oppression; trauma; interpersonal trauma; domestic violence; assault; abuse; therapeutic alliance; multiculturalism; counseling relationship; working alliance; grounded theory; qualitative; constructivist grounded theory; relational cultural theory

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Caputo, L. G. D. (2024). Power, Interpersonal Trauma, and the Counseling Relationship: A Grounded Theory Analysis. [Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1707828568100706

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Caputo, Laura. Power, Interpersonal Trauma, and the Counseling Relationship: A Grounded Theory Analysis. 2024. Kent State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1707828568100706.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Caputo, Laura. "Power, Interpersonal Trauma, and the Counseling Relationship: A Grounded Theory Analysis." Doctoral dissertation, Kent State University, 2024. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=kent1707828568100706

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

kent1707828568100706
213
© 2024, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Kent State University and OhioLINK.