Date Created

5-2026

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

College of Education and Behavioral Sciences, Applied Psychology and Counselor Education, APCE Student Work

First Advisor

Parnell, Kenneth

First Committee Member

Tian, Lu

Second Committee Member

Kimball, Michael

Third Committee Member

Peterson, Lori

Abstract

The importance of values in therapy is well recognized and documented in the field of mental health counseling, despite this, the implementation of value-based instruction into formal training is often unclear and inconsistent. As such, the purpose of this study was to investigate how CITs recognized their personal and professional values; the impact those values have on their work and personal lives; how their values developed throughout the course of their training; and what factors influenced that development. This was done with the hopes of better understanding how these areas shape their professional practice. Research questions examined how CITs recognize their personal and professional values and the impact those values have on their work and personal lives, as well as, how CITs see their training influence the development of their value recognition and practice. A phenomenological analysis was undertaken to interview 11 current enrolled or recently graduated doctoral counselors-in-training to examine their experiences around value development and implementation in and outside of their training programs. Through an interpretive phenomenological analysis, the research identified several themes: a diversity of sources shaping their value understanding and reflection; a shift toward a strong social justice orientation; an identified benefit from value driven practice through greater confidence, intentionality, and authenticity; variability in experiences regarding direct versus indirect fostering of values, the positive impact of mentors versus the detrimental impact of tormentors; and impacts of alignment versus misalignment with one’s environment. Most notably, the research illustrated implications for the parallel application and benefit of person-environment fit and ACT philosophies to clinical training environments, highlighting a multitude of personal and professional benefits relating to values alignment, along with detriments resulting from misalignment. Additionally, the study findings highlighted the sought need and clinical benefit of direct training around values instruction, establishment of mentorship procedures, and consistent, reflective assessment of program needs and values. Finally, the study offered a foundation for greater exploration an understanding of the impact of values and value alignment in clinical training at the individual and programmatic level and the potential impacts which focused practices related to values may hold.

Abstract Format

html

Keywords

values; value recognition; counselors-in-training; acceptance and commitment therapy; person-environment fit; clinical development

Language

English

Extent

194 pages

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Digital Origin

Born digital

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