Date of Conferral

2021

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Geneva Gray

Abstract

AbstractLimited research on emotional support animals (ESAs) has led to distorted viewpoints of ESAs and how they are used; many individuals are not utilizing ESAs appropriately, and heightened awareness of the negative uses of ESAs in media and other public sources. ESAs can be an effective intervention when working with clients during counseling sessions, but due to the limited research and the negative stigma media this intervention may not be adequately represented. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore lived experiences of counselors who allow their clients to bring ESAs to counseling session, the goal of reducing negative stigma of this intervention. In this study, 7 licensed professional counselors in a southeastern state provided their lived experiences using ESAs during their counseling sessions. The collected data was analyzed using the hermeneutic phenomenological psychological method. Seven themes emerged from data analysis : (a) participant experiences with allowing dogs to be brought into counseling sessions, (b) past positive experiences with animals which increased professional confidence, (c) lack of formal education or training on ESAs, (d) desire for future training and resources on the topic, ( e) client more open and relaxed with the presence of the ESA, (f) client more present in the here and now with the presence of the ESA, and (g) rapport building between the counselor and client due to the presence of the ESA. The results from this study could inspire future research on this intervention, raise awareness in the current use of this intervention in counseling, and assist in the willingness of individuals to want to begin counseling if they know they can bring their ESAs to counseling sessions.

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