Issues in the organisation of counselling: Learning from NMGC

Relatively little attention has been paid in the literature to organisational factors that influence the effectiveness of counselling. The history of the National Marriage Guidance Council (NMGC) is used as a case-study to illustrate some of the basic organisational dilemmas and conflicts experienced in counselling agencies. Three areas of organisational dynamics are discussed: the social and cultural environment of the agency, organisational structure and ideology, and the life-span of the organisation. The implications of these factors for work with clients are explored.