Providing End-of-Life Counseling: A Narrative Inquiry

This qualitative study aimed to address a gap in the research related to end-of-life counseling by exploring the experiences of counselors working with clients at end of life. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to better understand the nuanced experiences of counselors providing end-of-life counseling and (b) to explore the supports and preparations helpful for counselors to provide end-of-life counseling. A narrative approach, using the Listening Guide (Gilligan, 2015), was employed to analyze and present the stories of three counselors. During the analyses, a pattern of perspective- taking in speech, termed "the voice of empathy," was identified. Additionally, several areas of convergence emerged. Findings generated relevant implications for the counseling field, including the need for enhancing death competency in the counseling curriculum and supervision practices. Findings also highlighted the need for counseling advocacy, particularly regarding Medicare, to ensure that individuals at end of life have access to mental health counseling.