Client's suitability for counselling: the perception of counsellors working in general practice

This study investigated the attitudes of 112 counsellors in general practice towards various factors concerning the selection of clients. Responses indicate that counsellors are influenced not only by diagnostic criteria, and other factors relating to the client, but also issues relating to the counsellor and the setting in which she or he works. The diagnostic criteria which seem to be considered most important are desire for change, motivation for therapy and evidence of psychopathology, although there is no clear consensus about the criteria overall. Importance varied according to the age and sex of the counsellor, but not by the experience, training, model of working, desire for further training, or number of sessions available.