Subject Area
Counseling, Psychology, Rehabilitation Counseling, Social Work
Abstract
The use of touch in psychotherapy is a topic often undiscussed in graduate training programs. Stenzel and Rupert’s 2004 study showed that nearly 90% of clinicians never or rarely offered touch to clients during a session. This study examined the use of touch in a psychotherapeutic setting with culturally Deaf clients, since touch is a culturally accepted, even expected, practice. Results indicated that there was no statistically significant difference among culturally Deaf therapists compared with the Stenzel and Rupert’s (2004) findings, but there is a statistically significant difference in those who identify as hearing and work with culturally Deaf clients. The implications of the study are also discussed.
Recommended Citation
Kobek Pezzarossi, C. M., Leigh, I. W., & Koo, D. S. (2020). Psychologists' Use of Touch in Individual Psychotherapy with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing Clients. JADARA, 54(1), 1-14. Retrieved from https://nsuworks.nova.edu/jadara/vol54/iss1/1
