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Health visiting as therapy: a phenomenological perspective
1University of Wales, Bangor, Education Centre, Glan Clwyd Hospital, Rhyl, Denbighshire. Ancody@mail.globalnet.co.uk
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|March 4, 1999
Summary
British health visitors often provide psychological support, which is sometimes not seen as legitimate practice. This study suggests expanding this role, utilizing
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Psychology
- Social Work
Background:
- Health visitors in the UK frequently encounter clients with diverse problems, including psychological health needs.
- The legitimacy of providing psychological support is often questioned within standard health visiting practice.
- Referral challenges, such as non-acceptance or long waiting lists, necessitate interim client support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential and practice of health visiting.
- To advocate for the expansion of psychological support offered by health visitors.
- To encourage health visitors to prioritize psychological support over other role developments.
Main Methods:
- A literature review was conducted to examine existing helping styles and 'holding relationships'.
- Analysis focused on how these approaches facilitate client 'listening to' and 'being there for' opportunities.
- Exploration of presenting problems within the context of health visiting.
Main Results:
- Helping styles and holding relationships offer valuable opportunities for clients to be heard and supported.
- These supportive interactions facilitate the exploration of clients' presenting psychological problems.
- The existing practice of health visitors inherently contains therapeutic elements.
Conclusions:
- Health visiting practice can be viewed as a form of therapy.
- Health visitors are urged to embrace and expand their role in providing psychological support.
- Prioritizing psychological support is recommended over developing alternative professional roles.