The Experiences of Counselors-in-Training in a School-based Counseling Practicum

Authors

Christopher T. Belser, University of New OrleansFollow
Naomi J. Wheeler, Virginia Commonwealth UniversityFollow
Samuel L. Bierbrauer, University of Central FloridaFollow
Coralis S. Solomon, Troy UniversityFollow
Shaywanna Harris, Texas State UniversityFollow
A Elizabeth Crunk, The George Washington UniversityFollow
Glenn W. Lambie, University of Central FloridaFollow

Document Type

Empirical Research Article

Keywords

school-based mental health, counselors-in-training, practicum, phenomenology, live supervision

Subject Area

Clinical Supervision, Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling

Abstract

Counselor education programs often must choose between providing in vivo faculty supervision or a community-based setting. Programs that combine both elements have shown positive preliminary findings related to counselor development; however, the in-depth experiences of students in such programs have not been explored. This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of counselors-in-training who participated in a school-based counseling practicum with in vivo faculty supervision. Researchers identified six themes, including continuum of support within relationships, operational challenges and concerns, needs and challenges of the community, working with children, expectations and realities, and counselor identity development. Implications for counselor education and research are provided.

Recommended Citation

Belser, C. T., Wheeler, N. J., Bierbrauer, S. L., Solomon, C. S., Harris, S., Crunk, A. E., & Lambie, G. W. (2018). The Experiences of Counselors-in-Training in a School-based Counseling Practicum. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 11(2). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/jcps/vol11/iss2/8