Counseling Commons^™

Counselor Education Doctoral Students’ Gatekeeper Experiences At A Large, Public Midwestern University: A Pilot Study, Diana Charnley

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This pilot study seeks to understand the gatekeeping experiences doctoral students have had during their training at a large, public midwestern university in a CACREP-accredited program. Using a basic qualitative approach, five students were interviewed about their gatekeeping experiences and learning process as well as how they navigate their multiple professional roles as developing gatekeepers. The following themes and sub-themes are discussed: (a) gatekeeping experiences, a process with several gates; (b) learning to gatekeep, primarily through experience and overcoming barriers; and (c) multiple professional roles in gatekeeping, focused on teaching and supervision and the impact of faculty mentors.