A master thesis from Aalborg University
Sparring - "Sådan lidt en måde at headspace headspaceren"; En kvalitativ analyse af hvilken rolle obligatorisk sparring spiller i det faglige virke hos rådgivningsfrivillige
[Mandatory debriefing; A qualitative analysis on how mandatory debriefing plays a role in the professional work of counseling volunteers]
Forfatter(e)
Semester
4. semester
Uddannelse
Udgivelsesår
2024
Afleveret
2024-05-31
Antal sider
58 pages
Abstract
This master’s thesis focuses on the value of mandatory debriefing involving a person with the sounding board role within the context of voluntary counseling in Denmark. Specifically, this paper is based on the Danish counseling organization headspace Denmark, which specializes in counseling young people aged 12 to 25, who have different types of problems often related to bad mental health. Headspace Denmark has made debriefing a mandatory practice after each counseling session. Having debriefing as a mandatory practice, the counsellors in headspace Denmark has debriefed on more than 19.500 counselling sessions in the year 2023, why debriefing plays a significant role for the counsellors in headspace Denmark (headspace, 2023b). Because headspace is funded by private as well as public funds, there might be both a political, eco-nomic, and social interest in the effectivity of headspace’s practice. Drawing on interviews with four anonymous headspace counselors, this analysis is grounded in Etienne Wenger’s theory of communities of practice (1964/2004) and Jack Mezirow’s (1995) con-cept of critical reflection. It aims to understand which elements in the mandatory practice of debrief-ing are portrayed as significant, and how they impact the counselors' future practice. The analysis concludes that several elements are pivotal in the mandatory debriefing process: 1. Mental debriefing, which includes talking about the feelings surrounding the counselling session, 2. Creating a personal connection to the community within the counselling practice, 3. Sharing both personal and professional experiences within the community, 4. Giving and receiving acknowl-edgement based on contribution to the practice, and 5. Learning and having a continuing focus on developing counselling skills. These elements contribute to the development of the headspace com-munity practice. However, despite generally positive descriptions, some shortcomings were identi-fied, such as reluctance to provide diverse criticism and a potential excessive focus on mental de-briefing, which may hinder community development and impede critical reflection. This master’s thesis does not address the prevalence of mandatory debriefing in counseling practices beyond headspace, nor explore if would play a significant role in other counselling practices similar to headspace. Furthermore, it does not explore why mental debriefing is portrayed as important for the counsellors on a psychological level.
Emneord
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