A Qualitative Investigation Exploring Feelings of Incompetence Among Counselling Interns

Abstract

The aim of this study was to develop an understanding of how three Masters level counselling students completing their internship manage their feelings of incompetence (FOI). In this study, FOI refers to occasions when a counselling intern believes that “his or her ability, judgment, and/or effectiveness as a therapist is absent, reduced, or challenged internally” (Theriault & Gazzzola, 2008, p.20). The two theoretical approaches used in this study were the Imposter Phenomenon and the Self- Efficacy theory. Drawing on Thematic Analysis, inspired by Grounded Theory, the results of this study demonstrate that FOI can have negative emotional and physical effects, but if managed appropriately can also have benefits.