Counselling: the working relationship between clergy and social workers in northern British Columbia

This study explores relationships between social work counsellors and clergy members in Prince George, British Columbia, specific to their provision of counselling services. A qualitative research design was implemented, incorporating interviews with social workers, pastoral clergy, and chaplains. Study findings reveal that participants share a counselling context incorporating facets of location, social capital, and practice concerns. Social workers and clergy in this study note that they have counselling practices in common particularly the way that they govern their practice and develop relationships with their clients. Some main distinctions emerged as counsellor roles were explored. This study unveils the reality of the relationships occurring across discipline boundaries and delves into the barriers and benefits that influence these relationships. --Leaf ii.The original print copy of this thesis may be available here: http://wizard.unbc.ca/record=b207397