Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Qualitative Investigation Of Clinical Mental Health Counselors' Group Practicum Training Experiences, Brittany L. Pollard-Kosidowski, Monica E. Kaule, Heather Uphold, Chad Losinger, Adam F. Stephens

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The authors of this study used inductive content analysis to qualitatively explore the group practicum training experiences of clinical mental health counselors who graduated from one CACREP-accredited program. Fifteen participants shared about their firsthand experiences in a required group practicum course and described the ways in which the experience impacted their competence and self-efficacy as counseling professionals and group workers. Five resulting themes highlight the significance and value of practical training experiences dedicated solely to group facilitation. Implications for counselor educators and program accreditors are provided, along with recommendations for future research.

A Guide To Infuse Trauma Informed Principles In Counselor Education, Amirah R. Nelson

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Trauma informed principles (TIPs) are minimal within counselor education and supervision literature. After reviewing TIPs that have been incorporated into other graduate programs, counselor educators (CEs) should consider integrating more trauma informed concepts. Through this conceptual article the author: a) defines TIPs, b) explores ways to combine TIPs into most curricula and the learning environment, c) infuses TIPs across the eight core areas of CACREP, and d) discuss future implications for having a robust and well-rounded curricular for future counselor educators.

Keywords: trauma informed principles, counselor educators, counselors in training, CACREP, counseling programs

A Counseling Student’S Experiences With Vision Impairment: A Narrative Inquiry, Jason J. Li, Susan Bray, Jody Fiorini, Philip Mullins

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This article explores a female counseling student’s experience with vision impairment in a counselor education program. By using narrative inquiry, three main themes (perceptions, received supports, and challenges for a visually impaired student) and seven subthemes (perceptions of herself, perceptions of others, daily commute, attitudinal barriers, barriers to access, practicum experiences, and disability services) emerged from the analysis. Recommendations for counselor preparation and research are provided.

Group Counseling Preparation Amidst Crisis And Disaster: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Heather C. Sands, Kristopher M. Goodrich, Monique N. Rodríguez, Kelley R. Holladay, Renee C. Howells

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

There is consensus that group counseling and the use of telehealth platforms (i.e., phone or video conferencing usage) are highly effective interventions during and in response to crises and disaster situations. Wishing our Counselor Education and Supervision (CES), program had access to this information prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; we use this study to reflect on what we learned from that time. Building from the experiences of eight masters-level students enrolled in a group counseling internship at the height of the pandemic, this manuscript connects our programmatic oversights to the sparsity of information related to group counseling and the use …

Faculty Search Experiences Of Assistant Professors Of Counselor Education, Gregory Hatchett

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Using an online quantitative survey, the primary objective of this study was to investigate the faculty application experiences of assistant professors of counselor education (N = 159). The counselor educators in this sample completed a median of two off-campus interviews and a median of one on-campus interview. They received a median of one offer for any faculty position and a median of one offer for an assistant professor position on the tenure-track. Assistant professors on the tenure-track differed from those not on the tenure track on the following variables: demographic and professional characteristics, application strategies, credentials/qualifications at the time …

A Duoethnographic Investigation Of A Cross-Cultural Dissertation Chairing Relationship, Phillip L. Waalkes, Yuima Mizutani

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Despite the importance of cross-cultural mentorship in supporting doctoral counselor education students with international backgrounds in overcoming barriers, few have researched the specific complexities of these relationships with critical depth. Therefore, in this duoethnographic study rooted in relational cultural theory, we offer a critical and transformative polyvocal dialogue of the cross-cultural dissertation mentoring relationship of [author 1], a White counselor educator, and [author 2], an Asian-Japanese former doctoral student with an international background. We discussed how our cultural backgrounds impacted the relationship, our experiences of imposter phenomenon, and how broaching may have impacted our relationship. We present a series of …

Challenges With Social Emotional Learning At A Rural School District, Jennifer Rogers, Kristopher M. Goodrich, Melissa Luke

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Social emotional learning (SEL) is a systemic approach that includes key competencies that can support school personnel to advance educational equity by focusing on all stakeholders within a system. The link between educator and student SEL has grown, as educators practice, model, and support the development of SEL in students. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore six mental health personnel’s experiences of implementing SEL at one rural school district in a southwestern state. Analysis identified four roadblocks to SEL implementation: a lack of foundational knowledge of SEL, lack of structural supports, learned helplessness, and inadequate ongoing professional …

Gatekeeping In Online Learning: Best Practices To Facilitate Non-Traditional Learning, Amanda Faucher, Ajitha Chandrika Prasanna Kumaran, Wannigar Ratanavivan

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Online learning has evolved, bringing several opportunities and challenges to counselor educators. Gatekeeping is an ethical responsibility of counselor educators, especially in a distance education platform, to evaluate personal and professional growth of counselors-in-training. To minimize gateslipping, there is working literature evidence that looks quite different in an online platform. In a synchronous setting, technology allows us to offer an experience that is not drastically different from traditional learning, but literature on asynchronous learning is far more limited. The authors will highlight the strengths and challenges of gatekeeping in a distance learning environment and discuss potential strategies for gatekeeping to …

Building Competence: Trainee Counselors’ Supervision Journey With Self-Injury And Suicidality, Rachel Jacoby, Karen M. Roller, Latoya Smith, Shreya Vaishnav, Tasmeer Ali

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This grounded theory study examines the supervision needs of counselors-in-training (CITs) addressing clients with non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideations. The qualitative research question focused on counselor-in-training perception of their counseling program and practicum supervision preparation. Four key themes emerge: Supervision Facilitation, Secure Base Provision, Clinical Identity Development, and Sufficient Preparation. CITs express readiness concerns and a need for enhanced support in supervision for NSSI and SI. CITs also clarify logistical and emotional support that addresses their needs to serve NSSI and SI clients effectively.

Bilingual Counseling Competencies: A Call To The Counseling Profession, Ivette Acevedo-Weatherholtz, Monique N. Rodríguez, Carlos D. Irizarry-Pérez

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The Latine population in the United States is increasing, leading to a higher need for bilingual counseling services. Therefore, counselor educators and supervisors must ensure bilingual counselors receive proper ethnocultural and linguistic competence training. This article aims to highlight the significance of bilingual counseling competencies in counselor education, emphasize the importance of linguistic training in cultural competence training, and propose a set of linguistic and ethnocultural competencies to help establish a proficient bilingual counselor. Additionally, future recommendations are discussed.

Infusing Shame Resilience Into The Counseling Curriculum To Support Client Conceptualization And Student Wellness, Sarah I. Springer, Kathleen Grant, Lauren Cozzolino

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Shame is a silent epidemic that influences the health of our clients and the counselors who serve them. Using the tenets of phenomenology, researchers explored the experiences of students participating in a counseling course created to infuse shame resilience into the curriculum. Results and implications for future research are included.

Supporting Counselors-In-Training: A Toolbox For Doctoral Student Supervisors, Jeffrey M. Warren, Mark Schwarze, Helen S. Lupton-Smith

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor education doctoral students are often required to supervise master-level counselors-in-training as part of their supervision internship. While practical, this arrangement places doctoral students and their supervisees in potentially compromised situations, given their lack of experience in these respective roles. This article offers a toolbox of strategies doctoral student supervisors can use to facilitate their work with counselors-in-training. These strategies address focus areas identified through prior research. Doctoral student supervisors are encouraged to use this toolbox in conjunction with the support and guidance of their faculty supervisor as they navigate clinical supervision.

Embedding Grief And Loss Training Across Cacrep-Core Areas In School Counseling Programs, Katherine M. Wood, C.Missy Moore, Jolie Ziomek-Daigle

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Each year, millions of school-aged children and teens experience grief and loss (Judi’s, 2023). This conceptual article describes the impact of grief and loss on school-aged children and the need to integrate grief and loss training into CACREP-accredited programs through the eight-core CACREP areas. Using Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory, the authors will highlight how counselor educators can infuse content to address grief and loss with preservice school counselors holistically across the various systems surrounding the student in each CACREP core area.

The Needs Assessment As Authentic Learning For School Counselors In Training, Dr. Dianne Vargas, Dr. Steven Drouin, Dr. Karen Zandarski

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Although school counselor educators are tasked with preparing effective school counselors, they are continually presented with the challenge of creating authentic learning experiences that enhance the development of counselors in training. This descriptive-interpretive qualitative study describes the knowledge gained by counselors in training while creating, implementing, and analyzing an authentic learning experience within a master’s counselor education course. Data for this study included needs assessments completed by participants, and findings were summarized in four major themes. The themes included participants' awareness of the relevance of needs assessments, sources of knowledge utilized in survey design, school sites as stress and validation, …

Emotional Intelligence And Self-Perceptions Of Counseling Competency In Counselors In Training, Ariel K. Hernandez, Walter Frazier, Rebecca Cowan

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and counseling competency. Results indicated that CIT status was positively correlated with counseling skills and therapeutic conditions. Results further showed that CITs with higher EI had a higher self-perception of all components of counseling competency.

Shared And Unique Competencies In Interprofessional Behavioral Health: Implications For Counselor Education, Julie Berrett-Abebe, Jocelyn K. Novella, Dilani M. Perera

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Behavioral health reform in the U.S. recommends interprofessional education and practice grounded in clinical training in competencies relevant to practice. In tandem, counselor education requires training to learn roles and responsibilities as members of interdisciplinary teams. This pilot explored participants’ (N=19) understanding of professional identities and competencies among clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), marriage & family therapy (MFT), psychiatric mental health nursing (PMHNP) and social work (MSW) students in an interprofessional education (IPE) program. Participants identified unique profiles of each of the four behavioral health disciplines that align with professions’ histories and theoretical orientations as well as a common profile …

The Proctor Model Of Clinical Supervision: An Introduction For Professional Counselors, Gideon Litherland, Gretchen Schulthes, Charlotte Cowles, Edward Ewe

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counseling supervisors require an increasingly diverse set of tools, theories, and interventions to address the myriad concerns that arise in clinical supervision. The ability to support, provide feedback, and systematically address supervisee issues are critical to effective supervision. Deliberate practice remains a key indicator of clinical effectiveness, with supervision skills requiring the same attention and practice. As consumers of supervision or providers of supervision services, professional counselors require useful models of how to engage in supervision. The Proctor Model is an internationally recognized and implemented model of supervision that has great utility for professional counselors.

Telemental Health Training In Counselor Education: A Qualitative Research Study, Jocelyn K. Novella, Thomas J. Debicella, Lucy Edwards, Carol (Lisi) Ewert, Dilani Perera

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Telemental health training in counselor education is uncommon, mostly because telemental health delivery of counseling has been limited. However, the COVID-19 pandemic required a sudden pivot to technology in order to continue to provide services to clients. Counselors-in-Training also had to pivot to telemental health field experiences, most without intentional training for such in their master’s programs. This grounded theory qualitative study describes the lived experiences of seven students in their Practicum course during this period in a master’s-level clinical mental health counseling program. Particular themes that emerged were concerns about lack of training in various areas, including crisis intervention/risk …

Trauma-Informed Supervision: The Supervisory Needs Of Mental Health Therapists Engaged In Trauma-Related Work, Erynne H. Shatto, James Stefurak Ph.D., Amy E. Rinner, Lacy M. Kantra

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

We present the need for therapists who engage in trauma-specific work to receive trauma-informed supervision or consultation. This is based on the findings that the emotional labor required of trauma-specific work is high and increases a therapist’s risk for experiencing negative impacts from their work such as vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, unhelpful transference/countertransference, reminders of their own trauma, and burnout. Further, clients incur risks of receiving iatrogenic care when therapists engaged in trauma-related work are not given appropriate job related resources and/or receive ineffective supervision. We discuss a model for trauma-informed supervision, including supporting theory and initial guidelines for supervisors’ …

Incorporating Trauma-Informed Educational Practices In The Counselor Education Classroom, Yoon Suh Moh, Katharine Rose Sperandio, Glory Munthali, Amy Dugan

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This conceptual article provides a description of trauma-informed educational practices informed by a model of trauma-informed educational practice (TIEP) that was created for social work education. We subsequently will call for an integration of this model to counselor education. To demonstrate an application of the model into counselor education, we will provide a case study influenced by both the TIEP model and our experiences in working in a CACREP-accredited counselor education program that infuses trauma content throughout its program curriculum.

Multicultural Competence In Counseling Students: Addressing Social Class In Multicultural Counseling Courses, Carly Paro-Tompkins, Jennifer Pereira, Joffrey S. Suprina, Elda Veloso Ph.D, Eric Davis, Renata F. S. Goldhagen, Katarzyna Wojnas, Samantha Both

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

There are consistent findings of clinician bias toward clients of differing social classes, and little research about faculty efforts to address bias within educational programs. Informed by a literature review, quantitative methodology and descriptive exploratory design were used to examine counselor educators’ instructional strategies for teaching multicultural counseling. Additionally, perceptions of faculty effectiveness and comfort level with social class issues were explored.

Multicultural Counseling Course Instructors’ Cultural Background And Diversity Teaching Approaches, Cameka Hazel

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Abstract

The success of any multicultural counseling course hinges upon the cultural competence of the course instructor. Research indicates that cultural competence is developed through personal experiences with diversity; however, little is known about how these experiences are translated into teaching practice. In this qualitative study, the researcher used a phenomenological inquiry to explore how instructors’ experiences with diversity influence how they teach multicultural counseling. The main thematic finding indicates that the cultural diversity background of the counselor educators shapes the way they teach. The two subthemes also reveal that some instructors teach diversity topics from a place of familiarity …

Standing With Asian Clients Affected By Pandemic: Counseling Recommendations Through Msjcc Framework, Hyemi Jang, Jihyeon Choi, Isak Kim

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

As COVID-19 exacerbates racial discrimination against Asian populations in the U.S., mental health concerns among Asians have increased accordingly. Thus, counselors are encouraged to provide culturally competent counseling for Asian clients who experience racial discrimination and its detrimental impacts. This article proposes recommendations for counselors to effectively serve Asian clients based on the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) framework. Counselors can utilize the proposed considerations to alleviate mental health concerns among Asian clients.

Normative Does Not Mean Inclusive: A Diverse Approach To Size In Cmhc Training, Courtney Boggs, Melinda Rule, Kassie R. Terrell, Madison Brantley, Hanadi Hamadi, Jenifer M. Ross

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The medicalized model of weight and weight loss upholds a Weight Normative Approach which assumes that: (a) weight and disease are positively and causally related, (b) weight loss correlates to better health, (c) bodyweight is controllable, and (d) significant weight loss is possible and sustainable. This approach contributes to harmful societal standards that increase prejudice against fat people. This study examined counselor educators’ (n=88) training, values, and implementation of size and fat phobia-related content in their CACREP-accredited counseling courses. Results indicated that many participants include size and sizeism in their courses; however, participants also reported agreement with tenants of Weight …

Preparing Future Counselors To Work With Bipoc Identified Males: The Integration Of Hip Hop In Counselor Education, James P. Norris, Ian P. Levy, Adrienne S. Baggs

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study used a narrative inquiry to examine how BIPOC-identified male counselor educators integrated Hip Hop in their counseling practices and teaching to promote healing. The results of the study suggest Hip Hop offers modes of expression and modes of connection useful in counseling practice and in the training of future counselors. Practical implications for the use of Hip Hop in counselor education classrooms and counseling sessions are explored.

Practical Interventions For Groupwork Leader Training In Master’S Counseling Programs, Madeleine Stevens, Shannon Strohl, Pat Mcgowan

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Groupwork in counseling has been utilized to promote client wellness, but little attention has been paid to the development and standardization of group leadership skills training in counselor education. This paper highlights this gap and offers practical, evidence-based solutions to help counselor educators train effective group leaders at the master’s level. The authors developed skill-building solutions using the core competencies for group leadership training in the Professional Standards for the Training of Group Workers (2000) by the Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW).

Utilizing The Safe-T Model And Anti-Racist Counseling Principles For Suicide Assessment And Teaching Counselors In Training, Aubrey D. Daniels, Kristen Nadermann, Christy Beck, Yusen Zhai

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Training on suicide assessment and intervention in college counseling centers is crucial. The SAFE-T model is effective when teaching counselors in training (CITs) in training clinics on college campuses as students learn how to assess clients’ suicide risk level. We share how the SAFE-T model, in tandem with anti-racist counselor education practices, can enhance training in programs with training clinics based on our clinic at The Pennsylvania State University, followed by a case study to exemplify how to synthesize both practices for robust clinical outcomes.

Experiences Of The Supervisory Alliance And Self-Compassion In Counseling And Psychotherapy Students, Alexandre Brien, Patricia Dionne, Réginald Savard, Cynthia Bilodeau

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This qualitative research examined the relationship between supervisory working alliance, self-compassion and reflexive self-awareness with students enrolled in a graduate-level counseling or counseling and psychotherapy program (n = 48). A thematic analysis using a Critical Incident Questionnaire was performed. The themes identified in this study indicate that both supervision alliance and self-compassion seemingly contribute positively to student supervisee learning experiences and to the development of their reflexive self-awareness. Moreover, the perceived learning achieved, and the development of reflexive self-awareness, reciprocally strengthened the supervisory alliance. Furthermore, the degree of supervisees’ self-compassion as well as their perceived supervisory alliances had an …

Counselors’ Stigma Toward Addictions: Increasing Awareness And Decreasing Stigma, Natalie M. Ricciutti

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this study was to explore licensed counselors’ level of stigma toward individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs) and process/behavioral addictions (PBAs) and note any differences. A total of 138 licensed mental health counselors from one Midwestern state completed the SRTSS and the BRTSS to determine levels of stigma toward SUDs and PBAs, respectively. Participant scores from the SRTSS and BRTSS were normally distributed, and 15% to 32% of participants’ scores were reflective of stigma toward individuals with either SUDs or PBAs. A significant difference was not found between participants’ stigma toward individuals with SUDs or PBAs. Hypotheses …

Suggestions To The Field: Novice Counselors’ Challenges In Treating Borderline Personality Disorder, Qu Chen, Richard Hazler

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Novice counselors working with clients diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are at risk for professional burnout. For many novice counselors, the cause of professional burnout is based on factors related to quality guidance and supervision. This article aims to call attention to counselor educators and supervisors to protect novice counselors treating BPD and provide suggestions for supervision. The authors review books, journal articles, and training workshop materials from 2003 to 2022, summarize features of BPD, analyze novice counselors’ challenges in treating BPD, and suggest some strategies that counselor educators and supervisors can use to assist novice counselors in treating …