Browsing by Author "Ouma, Irene Awuor"

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    Counseling Skills of Speech Therapists’ Implications on Intervention for People with Communication Disorders in Nairobi City County
    (Kenyatta University, 2025-10) Ouma, Irene Awuor
    Counseling is an essential component of any clinical work yet little is known about its application by speech therapists in intervention to enhance communication skills of people with communication disorders (PWCD). The purpose of this study was to assess the use of counseling skills by speech therapists in intervention to enhance communication skills of people with communication disorders in Nairobi City County. The objectives of the study were: to find out the level of training of speech therapists in counseling skills in intervention among people with communication disorders in Nairobi City County; to determine the extent to which speech therapists apply counseling skills in their intervention for people with communication disorders; to find out the views of people with communication disorders on counseling skills of speech therapists and its impact on the intervention process; to establish the views of the caregivers of people with communication disorders on counseling skills of speech therapists and its impact on the intervention process. The study was guided by the Person-Centered Theory by Carl Rogers and Person-Centered Care theoretical framework by Brendan McCormack and Tanya McCance. The study used the descriptive survey research design. The research methodology employed was the mixed research approach. The target population included SLPs, people with communication disorders and their caregivers. The research purposively sampled 10 SLPs. 5 treating pediatrics and 5 for adult patients. 20 caregivers for adults and 20 caregivers for pediatric patients. 4 adult patients for each SLP. Thus, a total of 70 respondents were recruited. Data was collected using interview schedule and questionnaires. A pilot study was conducted in one of the private clinics within Nairobi City County. The collected qualitative data was analyzed thematically whereas the quantitative data was analyzed through statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) software and both presented through quotes and tables respectively. The research findings revealed that SLPs applied varied counseling skills such as focusing on feelings, making referrals, empathy and unconditional positive regard during their intervention for people with communication disorders. Additionally, it was established that SLPs’ counseling skills were acquired not only in the SLP curriculum in which counseling skills were embedded, but also from additional trainings and professional development courses they undertook. It further noted that despite the SLPs expression of comfort while incorporating counseling in their interventions, they encountered difficulties in its application. Finally, the study found that PWCD and their caregivers, viewed the SLPs as being competent in providing counseling during the intervention process and felt that incorporation of counseling in the speech therapy sessions led to a positive therapeutic relationship between the client, caregiver and SLP thus ensuring better and effective outcomes from the interventions. The study recommends that policy makers and curriculum developers incorporate a structured and intensive curriculum on counseling skills for SLPs.