Counselor-in-Training Perceptions of Supervision Practices Related to Self-Care and Burnout

Abstract

Counselors-in-training face the challenges of balancing academic, professional, and personal obligations. Many counselors-in-training, however, report a lack of instruction regarding personal wellness and prevention of personal counselor burnout. The present study used CQR methodology with 14 counseling graduate students to investigate counselor-in-training perceptions of self-care, burnout, and supervision practices related to promoting counselor resilience. The majority of participants in this study perceived that they experienced some degree of burnout in their experiences as counselors-in-training. Findings from this study highlight the importance of the role of supervision in promoting resilience as a protective factor against burnout among counselors-in-training and provide information for counselor supervisors about wellness and burnout prevention within supervision practice

Dispositional Mindfulness and Personal Distress as Predictors of Counseling Self‐Efficacy

“…For example, faculty supervisors could add a role to Borders’s (1991) peer group supervision model that asks CITs to listen for overinvolvement with client experiences while listening to client tapes during group supervision seminars. Moreover, research shows that topics related to CIT self‐care are rarely addressed in on‐site supervision (Thompson, Frick, & Trice‐Black, 2011). It is important for on‐site supervisors to monitor personal distress in CITs and engage in discussions related to how to manage the personal discomfort that arises from difficult client circumstances.…”

The Effects of a Group Supervision Intervention to Promote Wellness and Prevent Burnout

“…The clinical sequence (e.g., practicum, internship) appears to be a logical place to address burnout prevention and wellness with students because it is their first exposure to clients and potential work stressors (Lambie, ). In a qualitative study of CITs enrolled in either practicum or internship, Thompson, Frick, and Trice‐Black () found that participants believed that they experienced some level of burnout and desired more feedback from their supervisors about work–life balance.…”

Implications for Wellness‐Based Supervision and Professional Quality of Life

“…Thompson, Frick, and Trice‐Black () suggested that CITs desire supervisory support about strategies for work–life balance. However, there are currently only a few empirical studies demonstrating causal relationships between wellness‐based supervisory interventions and their related effects on CIT wellness (Lenz, Sangganjanavanich, Balkin, Oliver, & Smith, ; Meany‐Walen, Davis‐George, & Lindo, ; Storlie & Smith, ).…”