Abstract
M.Ed.
With more and more emphasis on redressing the wrongs of apartheid and the focus on
improving facilities and services in previously disadvantaged communities, there has been a
move to bring previously unavailable and inaccessible services to the people who live in the
townships. Counselling is one such need, especially considering the past political violence
and the ongoing problems of poverty, child abuse, drug and alcohol abuse, unemployment
and feelings of helplessness.
Trauma Counselling emerged as one of the expressed needs from the townships on the East
Rand of Gauteng (Johannesburg). Consequently NG 'S, Universities and local government
have become involved in delivering some sort of counselling programme within the townships.
The research question emerged as a result of the researcher's work and frustration whilst
working in this area. It became apparent that the counsellors who were working within a township
context were not always progressing as they would like. The researcher thus decided to
investigate the appropriateness of using a western model of counselling within a township
context. The theoretical framework consists of a brief overview of a western model of counselling and
relevant readings on cross-culturalism. The skilled helper model of counselling was used to
represent a typical western counselling model. The concept of Individualism and Collectivism
emerged as an important aspect on which the study is based. Further readings on Traditional
Healing were also undertaken.
The nature of the research question led the researcher to adopting a monographic study as a
research format within a qualitative research paradigm. The study is conducted in the single
case study format. This in turn directs the research to observations, focus groups and document
analysis. A group of black teachers who underwent training in counselling skills is the target of
this study. The findings of the study indicate that western-type counselling as it is currently practised in
South Africa needs to change to be more effective within the African context. The research
also indicates that it is important to include cross-cultural training as well as the theory of
Traditional Healing within the training of future educational psychologists