ERIC Number: ED662445
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 198
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3840-6899-0
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Licensed Professional Counselors Experience with Advocacy Engagement in Rural School Settings
Christine Halby Herzog
ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Capella University
This generic qualitative research study examined licensed professional counselors' (LPC) experiences with advocacy engagement in the rural school setting. Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory provided the theoretical foundation to describe the experiences of LPC advocacy engagement for varying systemic level needs of clients. The sample in this study consisted of ten LPCs with rural outpatient and rural school experience. Data was collected through semi structured interviews following guided interview questions to answer the research question: How do licensed professional counselors in rural school settings describe their experiences with advocacy engagement? Using an inductive thematic analysis plan, data analysis occurred in phases. Quirkos, a qualitative analysis software, was utilized for coding and theme development. The four themes were (a) creating advocacy role expectations, (b) focusing on clients' basic and mental health needs, (c) overcoming resistance to build relationships and trust, and (d) reducing rural barriers to increase service access. Theme 4 included two subthemes: (a) barriers to mental health services and resources and (b) increasing access for clients through advocacy. The significance of this study topic for the counselor education and supervision profession includes understanding how to prepare LPCs who are transitioning into school settings and engaging in advocacy in rural school settings. The results from this study on the perceived needs and barriers LPCs face in rural school settings can impact the type of training, education, and supervisory support specific to advocating for rural populations provided in clinical supervision, during clinical work and onboarding experiences, and in the education provided by counselor educators. The discussion includes conclusions for the study's results, limitations of the study, implications for the CES profession, and recommendations for future research. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Advocacy, Rural Schools, Counselor Attitudes, Counselors, Health Services, Role Theory, Mental Health, Needs, Interpersonal Relationship, Trust (Psychology), Barriers, Access to Health Care, Geographic Location
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A