Are Psychosocial Counselors Walking the Talk? A Narrative Inquiry

Abstract

Background: In Nepal, Psychosocial Counselors play a vital role in Nepal's community based psychosocial and mental health system. These was no academic evidence about how effectively psychosocial counselors translate their knowledge and skills into actual personal and professional practice. The research was taken as a priority because the psychosocial counselor’s well-being affects not only their own life and their family, but also the quality of the individual counseling they provided. Therefore, the study raised a critical question that are psychosocial counselors truly ‘walking the talk’?

Methods: Applying a narrative inquiry approach, the study explored the lived experiences of four psychosocial counselors selected through purposive sampling.  Data were collected through open ended interviews and the data were analyzed based on thematic narrative approach.  Pestalozzi’s Head, Heart, and Hands framework was applied during the interpretation of the findings.

Results: The finding highlights that psychosocial counselors largely demonstrate alignment between professional knowledge and practice through cognitive and ethical competence, emotional awareness and regulation and translation counseling knowledge and skills into practical life.  However, this position is not always complete due to institutional limitations, workplace challenges, and emotional burdens occasionally hinders this alignment. The study suggests that walking the talk is a lifelong process.

Conclusion: Hence, continuous professional development, organizational support are essential for sustaining effective practice and effective institutional support. 

Novelty: This is the first narrative inquiry studies to document and present the lived stories and experiences of psychosocial Counselors in Nepal.