https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29612 Mon, 13 Apr 2026 01:50:36 GMT 2026-04-13T01:50:36Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29977 Title: War of the worlds? : Maltese catholic LGBTI individuals narrate stories of integrating sexual and religious identities Abstract: This research seeks to utilise the narrative research approach to discover the process by which Maltese LGBTI Catholic persons integrate their religious and sexual identities. The stories of four participants are presented in stanza form. This study produced rich and emotional narratives. The findings in this narrative clearly indicate that paths to integration are tumultuous and diverse, and that integration is not necessarily a fixed state. It also emerged that LGBTI Catholic individuals are aware and heavily impacted by the anti LGBTI narrative of the church, whilst LGBTI Catholic groups are an integral part of the journey towards integration. The ideas for future research, methodological limitations and my final reflections are presented at the end of this dissertation. Practical implications of this research, which emerged from this research, are also presented. These are as follows, a person centred approach should be utilised in working with persons experiencing conflict between their religious and sexual identity, so as to combat the shame, isolation and guilt, which is so often experienced. In order to further combat shame, caused by a generally sex negative environment, sex education that is both positive and inclusive should be implemented in schools and other educational institutions. Moreover, because as local practitioners we are not immune to this sex negative environment, we should work on becoming aware of prejudices we may have, before working with such individuals. Catholic LGBTI groups are an essential source of help in the journey towards integration and hence, as practitioners we should work alongside them. Furthermore, familial acceptance, has a key positive impact on the journey of Catholic LGBTI individuals, hence as practitioners we should also aim to support the families of such individuals. Description: M.A.TRANSCULTURAL COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29977 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29976 Title: I challenged the school system : implications for counsellors working in schools Abstract: This study voiced youths’ experiences and counsellors’ encounters of manifested challenging behaviour during schooling. The research question begged a qualitative research approach. Since the research explored direct experiences on the phenomenon of challenging behaviour, Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis using individual semi-structured audio-recorded interviews was used. Through various organisations six participants - three youths who had manifested challenging behaviour during compulsory schooling and three counsellors working in schools - were recruited. A reflexive stance was adopted throughout the study. Six themes emerged. Participants referred to the need to understand the underlying reason for students’ acting-in or acting-out behaviour, the necessity of early interventions, alternatives to repercussions, school-family-community collaborations, paradigm shifts in education, and the need that students feel a sense of belonging in school for their holistic wellbeing. Participants noted that more policies and professional training on challenging behaviour should be offered to those who closely work with students. More counsellors including different gendered counsellors should be present in schools, and supervision should be offered by the Ministry for Education and Employment. These are all important recommendations and implications outlined by participants to help foster growth in others. Participants also outlined implications on how counsellors can better intervene, address, collaborate and advocate for students with challenging behaviour, so as to further encourage efficacious strategies and work transdisciplinary with parents, professionals, teachers and community stakeholders in creating better outcome for mental health promotion and wellbeing for students. It is my hope that these findings help ameliorate the assistance to school-based counselling whilst working with challenging behaviour within the local educational context Description: M.A.TRANSCULTURAL COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29976 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29972 Title: The influence of counsellors’ religious and spiritual identity on their counselling practice: a phenomenological exploration Abstract: This research explores how the religious and spiritual dimension of a counsellor’s identity influences counselling practice. Six professional counsellors shared their lived experience and discussed this phenomenon during face to face semi-structured interviews. The interviews were then analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Five superordinate themes were drawn out from the raw data, namely: 1. The Maltese context; 2. Religious/spiritual/non-religious identity as a process; 3. The religious and spiritual dimension as an ever-present element in counselling; 4. Multidimensional aspects of religion and spirituality; 5. Counsellor training. Findings show that the religious/spiritual dimension seems to be ever-present in the counselling room, brought in by both counsellor and client. A number of factors influencing the development of one’s religious/spiritual identity emerged. Context seems to have a substantial impact on the religious/spiritual dimension, and in this investigation, the Maltese context is seen to have a central role. Religion and/or spirituality are deemed to be important to many clients, particularly in the Maltese context, and clients do bring issues related to this to counselling. Counsellors interviewed claim that clients’ religious/spiritual identity most often helps the client throughout the counselling process. Results from the data however, demonstrate lack of counsellor training in this field. In light of this, a number of recommendations are presented for culturally congruent counselling, especially regarding the religious/spiritual dimension. Counsellors are encouraged to engage in self awareness and training regarding their religious/spiritual/non-religious identity to reduce the possibility of misunderstanding, bias or oppression. Description: M.A.TRANSCULTURAL COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29972 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29971 Title: Dr fluffy : friend, foe or something more? : implications for animal-assisted therapy in the counselling setting Abstract: This study intended to explore and discover the lived experience of adults in relation to animals’ impact on their wellbeing. A total of eight semi-structured interviews (including a pilot study) were conducted. Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) approach was adopted as a methodological design, while thematic analysis was used to analyse data. Attachment was identified as the global theme as participants’ personal attachment with their companion animals was commonly mentioned throughout the interviews. Moreover, a total of four superordinate themes emerged from data analysis, namely, safe haven, the animal as a family member, separation anxiety and animals as a potential facilitative factor in the counselling setting. This study’s findings suggest that therapy animals can be helpful co-therapists in the counselling setting as they offer unconditional love, are non-judgemental, create a safe environment and aid the counsellor to build trust and good rapport with the client. Additionally, findings reflect participants’ bond with their companion animals. Thus, this study suggests that within a counselling setting, the therapy animal could aid the client in working through attachment issues. Moreover, findings imply that therapy animals make therapeutic touch more accessible as clients can pat them without any ethical issues and risks normally associated with therapist-client touch. Finally, this study demonstrated potential risks involved with including therapy animals within the counselling setting. Description: M.A.TRANSCULTURAL COUNSELLING Sun, 01 Jan 2017 00:00:00 GMT https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/29971 2017-01-01T00:00:00Z