A Subjective Study on the Perception of Male Counselors among Mothers Utilizing Psychological Counseling Services

Objectives This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of mothers utilizing psychological counseling services towards male counselors, exploring subjectivity and characteristics associated with these perceptions. Methods For this purpose, a male counselor based in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, visited two psychological counseling centers where he conducted individual in-depth interviews with 10 mothers, resulting in 153 statements. A total of 24 mothers were selected as the P sample, and Q classification was conducted. The col-lected data were analyzed using the QUANL Program. Results The research results revealed a total of three types: Type 1, characterized by a 'Positive Perception of Healthy Male Archetype'; Type 2, identified as 'Gender Aversion with Emphasis on Traditional Gender Roles'; and Type 3, manifested as the 'Ambivalent Feelings of Appreciation but Unfamiliarity. Conclusions Through the Q methodology, this study aims to find out the subjective perception patterns and char-acteristics of male counselors of mothers using psychological counseling institutions, and to suggest the pro-fessional identity of male counselors working in the counseling field and the direction of counseling education and counseling training process for male counselors.