ABSTRACT
Qualitative research and the practice of counselling psychology are closely related. The characteristics of qualitative research have been described as a focus on viewing experiences from the perspectives of those under study in an unprescriptive way; a concern with detailed, contextualised description and understanding of events and experiences; a focus on process; and an openness and flexibility, allowing unexpected experiences to be addressed (Bryman, 1988). These overlap considerably with the characteristics of counselling interactions.
