A Study on Clients' Perceptions of Selecting a Counseling Center Using the Q Methodology

Objectives The purpose of this study was to examine the subjective perceptions of clients regarding the selection of counseling agencies and to contribute to the revitalization of counseling agencies by discovering the subjectivity and characteristics of counseling agency selection. Methods For this purpose, Q methodology, which comprehensively deals with an individual's values, attitudes, perceptions, and meanings, and can deal with a client's comprehensive perception of counseling agency selection, was utilized. A literature analysis and interviews with five counselors and five clients with counseling experience were conducted to derive a total of 105 statements. Thirty clients with counseling experience were selected as P samples and Q sorting was conducted. The collected data were analyzed using the PQMethod Program. Results The study found that the perception of choosing a counseling organization was categorized into two types: Type 1 was “professionalism and confidentiality” and Type 2 was “information about the counseling organization and referrals from friends. Conclusions The results of this study are meaningful in that it explored and typified the perceptions that influence the choice of counseling organizations from the perspective of clients, and it is hoped that it will be used as a basis for improving clients' choice of counseling organizations in practice.