This qualitative study sought to understand the experiences of home-based counselors working in a rural setting. In-depth interviews were conducted with 12 counselors who were asked to describe their experiences in the areas of preparedness, professional development, challenges, and gender-specific experiences. Fourteen coding categories emerged from the interviews, which led to the findings of 3 overarching themes: shared isolation, ethical ambiguity, and the high-intensity nature of the job. Recommendations for home-based counselors, agencies, and professional counseling associations are discussed.
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