Korean Counseling Students’ Perceptions of Dual Relationships in Group Counseling Coursework

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore Korean counseling students’ perceptions of dual relationships experienced in group counseling as part of their coursework. A total of 14 students were interviewed, and the interviews were analyzed using the Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) method. Results indicated that both negative and positive impacts of dual relationships were experienced. First, participants reported several negative impacts of dual relationships experienced in in-class group counseling, such as feeling pressured to do well due to their professor’s authority and power, making efforts to present oneself positively, negative interactions between group dynamics and relationships outside the counseling group, and discomfort showing oneself in the counseling group. Second, participants addressed the positive impacts of dual relationships in in-class group counseling, including preexisting trust relationships that facilitated group dynamics and an increased level of comfort in relationships formed outside the counseling group. Implications are presented.