Trainee Counselor Development of Social Justice Counseling Competencies

Abstract

This grounded theory study sought to identify the process by which master’s level counselors-in-training (CITs)develop social justice counseling competencies. Participants (N = 41) from a clinical mental health counseling(CMHC) program were interviewed at pre-practicum, pre-internship, and post-internship phases. CITsprogressed through the stages of exposure, recognition, and action, influenced by self-reflection and attitudes.These stages differed from the awareness, knowledge, and skills domains identified in prior multicultural andsocial justice counseling literature. Most CITs planned advocacy action steps by the conclusion of their program,though few implemented them. Implications for counselor educators are discussed.

A model for professional counselors to integrate multiculturalism and social justice into correctional settings

“…The subthemes of formal training and experiential training are consistent with literature regarding counselors’ MSJCC development (Field et al., 2019). Formal training can foster the development of these competencies, as counselors‐in‐training obtain exposure to issues underlying oppression through coursework experiences (Presseau et al., 2019; Toporek & Pope‐Davis, 2005).…”

Cultural appropriation, appreciation, and adaption: A rejoinder to “Effects of a Rite of Passage Ceremony on Veterans' Well‐Being”

“…A lack of doing so reduces multicultural skills and aptitudes to mere words that bear little relevance (Cook et al., 2019). To ensure ethical multicultural counseling, all members of the field need to utilize these competencies throughout their work (Field et al., 2019). A recommendation to exemplify the MSJCCs is to detail the researchers’ relationships to different aspects of a study.…”

Advocacy and Creativity in Community: A Social Justice Project for Counseling Students

“…Despite the clear importance that the counseling profession has placed on social justice advocacy and the increased attention within counselor education curriculum devoted to social justice advocacy, there remain numerous challenges to increasing and improving the social justice training of counseling students. Some challenges include the paradigm shift represented by focusing on addressing systemic oppression and the lack of time, familiarity, and planning to effectively carry out social justice advocacy education (Brinkman & Hirsch, 2019;Decker, Manis & Paylo, 2015;Edwards, Tate, Cook, Toigo & Yeomans, 2017;Field et al, 2019).…”

“…Counselor education programs still do not grant significant enough attention to its importance (Edwards et al, 2017). Students also have difficulty understanding how to undertake social justice advocacy and often report that they need more hands-on opportunities to learn how to conduct advocacy and integrate it with their other counselor roles (Fickling & Gonzalez, 2016;Field et al, 2019). In addition to well-established multicultural counseling education, social justice advocacy training needs to be integrated throughout the curriculum in order to enhance students' understanding of and embodying the advocate role.…”

“…In addition to well-established multicultural counseling education, social justice advocacy training needs to be integrated throughout the curriculum in order to enhance students' understanding of and embodying the advocate role. Additionally, research shows that sustained social justice advocacy training within a counselor education program leads to increased sense of competence or self-efficacy as a social justice advocate and to a greater likelihood of engaging in social justice advocacy post-graduation (Decker et al, 2015;Field et al, 2019).…”