Clients' Experiences Giving Gifts to Therapists

Authors

Sarah Knox, Marquette UniversityFollow
Robert Dubois, Marquette University
Jacquelyn Smith, Marquette University
Shirley A. Hess, Shippensburg University of PennsylvaniaFollow
Clara E. Hill, University of MarylandFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

12 p.

Publication Date

9-2009

Publisher

American Psychological Association

Source Publication

Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training

Source ISSN

0033-3204

Abstract

Nine therapy clients were interviewed regarding their experiences of giving gifts to therapists. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research. In describing a specific event when they gave a gift that was accepted, participants described having a good relationship with the therapist and usually identified their therapy concerns as relationship or family struggles or both. Most bought a relatively inexpensive gift they thought their therapist would like and gave it during a nontermination session to express appreciation or mark an important life event. Most participants acknowledged mixed emotions when giving the gift and noted that any discussion of the gift was brief and did not explore its deeper meaning. Nevertheless, most participants perceived that gift events positively affected them and their therapists.

Comments

Accepted version. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training, Vol. 46, No. 3 (September 2009): 350-361. DOI. © 2009 American Psychological Association. Used with permission.

This article may not exactly replicate the final version published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record.

Recommended Citation

Knox, Sarah; Dubois, Robert; Smith, Jacquelyn; Hess, Shirley A.; and Hill, Clara E., "Clients' Experiences Giving Gifts to Therapists" (2009). College of Education Faculty Research and Publications. 122.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/edu_fac/122