Department

Counseling and Human Services

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Date of Award

2-2024

Format

PDF

Degree Level

Ph.D

LCSH subject

Counselors -- Attitudes -- Counselors -- Mental health -- Counselors -- Job stress

ISBN

9798383609736

Medium

Manuscript

Proquest Document ID

3089699592

Identifier

1518566547 (OCLC)

School/University

St. Mary's University

Size or duration

x, 181 Pages

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Comstock-Benzick, Dana

Second Advisor

Reyna-Vasquez, Priscilla

Third Advisor

Spurgeon, Shawn

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the lived experience of professional counselors who provided clinical services while undergoing personal adversity. Despite the common belief that counselors are more equipped to handle personal adversity, counselors experience adversity alike others. Interpretative phenomenological analysis was the methodology implemented. Participants in this study consisted of six licensed professional counselors working at various clinical sites who continued to provide counseling services while experiencing an adverse event. Adverse events included the death of a loved one, marital concerns, family crises, divorce, infertility issues, and complex parenting situations. Findings revealed that all participants reported a difference in their clinical presence when combatting adversity while providing counseling services. Of the reported changes in clinical presence, participants reported an increased effort to stay present, decreased empathy, working on autopilot, moving away from deep work, and rich clinical work. Participants experienced barriers to receiving support, such as fear of professional judgment, difficulties showing vulnerability, and an inability to find safe spaces. Future research should explore counselor’s experience of seeking and receiving support during adverse times and professional beliefs related to counselor vulnerability.

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