A study on regulatory frameworks and operation of counseling clinics in Nairobi, Kenya
Abstract
The demand for counseling services in Kenya has been on the increase over the last
few years. Counseling is a process whose aim is to help clients make better choices by
understanding themselves and focusing to change specific aspect of their feeling,
thinking and acting. The provision of counseling service by competent persons and
clear guidelines on its operations are important in ensuring ethical standards and
quality service delivery. The objective of this study was to establish how counseling
clinics operate in Nairobi, the qualification and accreditation levels of counseling
providers, the type of counseling services provided, efficacy and challenges faced by
counselors in the provision of their services. The study design was cross – sectional
descriptive survey conducted in Nairobi. The study sample was obtained from
counseling clinics operating in Nairobi that are registered by statutory body in Kenya.
It was estimated that there were 80 counseling service providers operating in Nairobi
that are registered at the Attorney General Chambers (AG), government ministries,
and from the counseling/psychological associations. The researcher sampled all of
them. The Data collection instruments involved a questionnaire encompassing socio
demographic questionnaire (SDQ), a general questionnaire on operations and schedule
for counselors, and Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES). The CASES
measures the perceived abilities of counselors in various clinically related activities
and skills such as listening, self disclosure and immediacy to the counselors’ beliefs
about their ability to perform counseling-related behaviors or to negotiate particular
clinical situations. The collected data was analyzed using the statistical package for
social scientists program (SPSS) version 20. The study found out that counseling
providers in Nairobi operate without licenses and there is no legal body to regulate or
accredit counselors. Most counselors were good at the use of general counseling skills
but there was a significant difference between young and older counselors and the
counseling methods used by counselors. The study recommended that there is need
for regulated counseling services and a body to enforce ethical compliance and
standards. There is need for a minimum level of training and experience for one to be
allowed to practices as counselor. There was no significant difference in confidence
levels between counselors who are members of a professional body and those that are
not. The study recommends further research to establish effectiveness of professional
counseling bodies in relations to supervision of counselors and maintenance of best
practices.
Citation
Masters degree in clinical PsychologyPublisher
University of Nairobi Department Of Psychiatry
Description
A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment
For the award of masters degree in clinical
Psychology of the University of Nairobi