Braving the Sea Change: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of How Counselors-In-Training Experience Their Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Relationships

Creator

Christopher Jess Ward, University of Northern Colorado

First Advisor

Bishop-Murdock, Jennifer L.

Document Type

Dissertation

Date Created

12-2022

Department

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

Abstract

This interpretive phenomenological analysis asked counselors-in-training (CITs) to reflect on their connections with important others and with themselves, noting any changes which took place within said relationships over the course of counselor training. Seven CITs provided rich narratives around relational shifts and personal/professional development, bringing to the surface superordinate themes of (a) Insecurity and Confusion, (b) Growing Pains, and (c) Overcoming and Resilience. Superordinate themes were further divided into the following sub-themes: Insecurity and Confusion: Professional/Personal Identity Integration, Mental Health and Responsibility, Reassurance; Growing Pains: Relationship Imbalanced and Disequilibrium, Loneliness; Overcoming and Resilience: Ruptures and Repairs, Outright Benefits, Self-Prioritization. These themes, and the narratives they were gleaned from, demonstrated both the hardships and the triumphs of the training process. Although many CITs reported experiencing relational benefits in connection with counselor training, there was a pervasive understanding that the changes they went through inter- and intrapersonally were challenging, demanding, and, at times, pivotal. This dissertation endeavors to present evidence of all findings through participants’ own words, remaining faithful to the phenomenological nature of the study and giving voice to the CIT experience. These research findings contribute to the larger body of literature around how counselor training impacts trainees, as well as how CITs can better prepare themselves and program faculty/staff can better support students while they progress through counselor training.

Extent

262 pages

Local Identifiers

Ward_unco_0161D_11075.pdf

Comments

Fall 2022 Graduate Dean's Citation for Outstanding Thesis, Dissertation, and Scholarly Project

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

Recommended Citation

Ward, Christopher Jess, "Braving the Sea Change: An Interpretative Phenomenological Study of How Counselors-In-Training Experience Their Interpersonal and Intrapersonal Relationships" (2022). Dissertations. 879.
https://digscholarship.unco.edu/dissertations/879