Findings
There are many things to consider when understanding the implications of this
study. Two factors to consider are both the quantitative results and the qualitative results.
Both results include information that may be beneficial in supporting previous research
for individuals seeking treatment for stress and anxiety.
The quantitative portion of this study was focused on the participants’ CPSS
scores in general (average) as compared to the “norm” average and the approximate
number of months each participant had been participating in counseling services.
Through this portion of the study it was noted that the total average of all participants
perceived stress was higher than the “norm” average stress level. This could indicate that
individual’s who have sought counseling services may already be pre-disposed to a
higher level of stress than the “norm”. This finding supports the notion that it is common for individuals to seek out counseling services when there is a discrepancy between the
person they perceive themselves to be and the person they hope to be Watson, Bryan
Thrash, 2014). However, the quantitative portion of this study also suggested that there
was no significant correlation between each individual participant’s perceived stress
score and the amount of time each individual participant had been engaging in counseling
services.
The qualitative portion of this study focused on whether or not each participant
believed that counseling has helped to reduce stress and anxiety and if so, how it has
helped. Through this portion of the study it was noted that all five participants reported
that they did believe counseling helped them to reduce stress and anxiety. This portion of
the study also found three main themes of what was helpful in the reduction of stress and
anxiety for these five individuals. The three themes that were gathered by the primary
researcher were that counseling helped to build hope in the individuals lives, taught
coping strategies for managing stress and anxiety and proving a safe non-judgmental
place by establishing an effective therapeutic relationship between client and counselor.
These findings support that counseling can be an effective treatment for stress and
anxiety reduction. The findings also support the power of the therapeutic relationship
between the counselor and client. As previous researchers have noted, it is important for
clients to feel safe and comfortable with their counselor for therapeutic gain. This study
supports this claim by showing three out of five participants reported the therapeutic
relationship as a factor in stress and anxiety reduction. To foster this empowering
relationship it is important for counselor’s to remain non-judgmental, present in the moment with their client, show empathy and have unconditional positive regard (Geller
& Porges, 2014).
Another finding in the qualitative portion of this study was the importance of
participants learned coping strategies to help manage and deal with stress and anxiety.
After a client and a counselor establish a trusting and effective relationship, the counselor
can then introduce specific coping skills that may assist an individual in not taking away
the stress or anxiety but being able to better manage the severity of the stress and anxiety
they experience. Such learned coping skills could be utilized not only in the counseling
session but also in day-to-day life activities that may cause individuals stress or anxiety
(Geller & Porges, 2014).
Another theme found through the qualitative portion of this study was the
building of hope for the future for these participants. Two out of five participants noted
that counseling has helped to change their patterns of thinking from a negative outlook to
a positive outlook. This has found to be helpful in counseling for counselors and clients
to set obtainable goals for the future. Working towards these goals and achieving them
can be very empowering and uplifting for individuals who suffer from stress and anxiety.
It is important for the counselor to help the client focus on the clients’ strengths and
building off of those for positive outcomes (Marques, Lopez & Pais-Ribeiro, 2011).