A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Exploration of Counsellors’ Practice of Mindful Acceptance

Authors

  • Shaofan Bu McGill University
  • David A. Paré University of Ottawa

Keywords:

Mindfulness, acceptance, hermeneutic phenomenology, therapeutic relationship

Abstract

This article presents a qualitative study employing hermeneutic phenomenology to explore the experience of 4 counsellors using mindfulness to practice acceptance in their therapeutic work with clients. Findings are presented as four themes that demonstrate counsellors’ practices of acceptance: recognizing, allowing, attending to the physical, and experiencing the self and accepting clients. The findings suggest that accepting clients involves the intrapersonal process of accepting our experiences of clients—a practice honed through the self-cultivation of particular qualities and attitudes. The findings have implications in counsellor training and highlight the importance of self-cultivation for counsellors.

Author Biographies

Shaofan Bu, McGill University

MA., Doctoral Student, Counselling Psychology
Social Justice and Diversity Research Lab
McGill University

David A. Paré, University of Ottawa

Full Professor, Faculty of Education, University of Ottawa

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Published

2018-03-25

How to Cite

Bu, S., & Paré, D. A. (2018). A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Exploration of Counsellors’ Practice of Mindful Acceptance. Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 52(2). Retrieved from https://cjc-rcc.ucalgary.ca/article/view/61154

Issue

Section

Articles/ Articles