Lawyer in "From Counsel to Counsellor" research appeal

A solicitor who is retraining to become a counsellor and psychotherapist is appealing for members of the legal profession to help her research for her dissertation towards her master’s degree.

Katie McKenna, who formerly worked in member engagement at the Law Society of Scotland and served on the council of the Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, is dedicating her dissertation research to solicitors’ perceptions and attitudes towards counselling. She invites solicitors or trainee solicitors practising in Scotland, England, or Wales to take part in a face to face or online interview to support her project.

Confidentiality is assured. No experience of counselling is necessary to participate, but volunteers should not currently be accessing mental health support services for a diagnosed mental health condition. The study has been reviewed by the Ethics Committee at the University of Wolverhampton, where Ms McKenna is taking her degree.  

Volunteers will be provided with a participant information sheet prior to the interview with an overview of what to expect. Interviews will be semi-structured and last about one hour. 

Findings from the research will be published by the University of Wolverhampton and may be subsequently published in various journals. Pseudonyms will be used for all participants to avoid identification.  

If you would like to be involved, please email Ms McKenna at c.e.mckenna@wlv.ac.uk or connect with her via direct message on LinkedIn.