Professional counsellors’ personal narratives of "doing life" while "doing work"

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Date
2014-09-11
Authors
Mikolayenko, Rhonda Delia
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Abstract
What does it mean to be a counsellor? What challenges do counsellors face? How do life events influence the personal and professional self of the counsellor? What insights are provided by time and experience that accompany a lifelong career? The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to learn from six counsellors, each veteran in their careers, how critical life events influenced who they became as both a person and professional. Interview conversations presented retrospective narratives and personal stories illuminating whether each came to discover and develop an integrated self. Descriptive field notes, researcher reflections and comments further substantiated the complex world of counsellors. The interview data offered through this study exposed the intersection of the person and the professional as well as the valuable and diverse growth experiences that occurred along their career trajectories. Embedded in the interviews were implications for resiliency and sustainability; these were derived from learning that occurred with extensive time and experience.
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Keywords
boundaries, evolution, integration, challenges
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