Pendall, Nicole (2018) Non-directiveness in Action: A Conversation Analysis of Withholding Advice in Person-Centred Therapy. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Person-centred therapy (PCT) is a therapeutic approach that considers three core conditions necessary and sufficient for client change. PCT achieves these core conditions by adopting a non-directive therapist stance with a focus on client autonomy. This non-directive stance and client autonomy may be compromised when a therapist is challenged by a direct request for advice from a client. Qualitative research into advice giving has begun to gain momentum and has shown that certain techniques may be employed to offer advice from a non-directive stance without comprising client autonomy. It would however be premature to consider this best practice without first understanding how withholding advice may be done, and if it can be done in a manner in keeping with the ideals of PCT. This study used archival data in the form of a video recording of a PCT session. Instances of client-initiated requests for advice were identified and analysed using conversation analysis. Two different approaches to withholding advice in keeping with the ideals of PCT were identified, however their impact on the therapeutic relationship and outcomes may be compromised. Analysis also identified some unexpected results. This research is the first to look in depth at withholding advice. As such, more research is needed to determine if there are distinct patterns to the way therapists withhold advice and the effect of this on the therapeutic relationship and outcomes. Further research will lead to a better understanding of how withholding advice is done in a PCT setting, which will help improve training and practice.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Historic - Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Counselling (1 Jan 2015 - 31 Dec 2021) |
| Supervisors: | Steven Christensen |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 14 Aug 2025 01:30 |
| Last Modified: | 14 Aug 2025 01:30 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | person-centred therapy, conversation analysis, client autonomy, withholding, requests, advice |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1799 Other Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 179999 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences not elsewhere classified |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5299 Other psychology > 529999 Other psychology not elsewhere classified |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/52658 |
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