Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 October 2015
This study examined the mutual awareness of counsellors and clients aboutclients' problems and considered the extent to which counsellors and clientsagreed about problems. To investigate these issues data were obtained by theadministration of questionnaires to 10 school counsellors and their next 10adolescent clients. Results suggested that counsellors were aware of clientproblems in 42% of cases. Clients were aware about how counsellors viewedtheir problems in 17% of cases. There was agreement between counsellor andclient about client's problems in 22% of cases. Effects of a number ofvariables on perceptions about problems were also investigated. Type ofreferral (self, other) and approach taken by counsellor did not influenceperceptions. Having background information about clients appeared to impedecounsellors' awareness about problems and degree of agreement betweencounsellors and clients about the nature of problems. Number of previousinterviews with clients and the length of experience of counsellors alsoaffected counsellor/client perceptions.