Exploration of the Uptake of Professional Counseling Services among the Residents of Gatina Ward - Dagoreti North Division in Nairobi County, Kenya

Abstract

There has been a noted concern in recent years on the low uptake of professional counseling coming from many parts of the world. This explains why several studies have focused on factors that are contributing to this trend. In response, the current study sought to explore the uptake of professional counseling services by the general public in Gatina Ward, Dagoreti North Division- Nairobi Kenya. The study used the qualitative phenomenological research design. It involved 10 participants, chosen through criterion sampling technique. The interview technique was used for data collection. Semi-structured interview guide questions were used to collect data which was audio taped and stored digitally. The gathered data was analyzed using the semantic level of thematic analysis technique, guided by the Braun & Clerk's Six – Step Thematic Frame Work. Five themes emerged namely: ways of dealing with personal psychological, emotional, and social challenges, low uptake of professional counseling services, factors affecting the uptake of professional counseling, new factors from the findings and strategies that can enhance the uptake of professional counseling in the study area. The results revealed a low uptake of professional counseling services in Gatina. People use other forms of help for their challenges more than professional help. Help from friends was the most popular source of help and the cost of counseling emerged as the major barrier to professional counseling. The study recommends addressing of the identified factors affecting the use of professional counseling services and putting in place those strategies revealed by the findings that can enhance the uptake of these services. Future studies should explore the clients' experience in the counseling sessions and the counseling process itself. Future research should also explore the uptake of professional counseling in another general public population using the same research design in a dissimilar location in Nairobi.