Open AccessSupervision Experiences of Rural School Counselors
Author(s) -
Tara A. Wilson,
Susan Schaeffer,
Mary Alice Bruce
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
the rural educator/the rural educator
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2643-9662
pISSN - 0273-446X
DOI - 10.35608/ruraled.v36i2.341
Subject(s) - professional development , focus group , consistency (knowledge bases) , medical education , psychology , identity (music) , qualitative research , pedagogy , identification (biology) , medicine , sociology , social science , physics , geometry , mathematics , botany , anthropology , acoustics , biology
This qualitative study explored the needs of professional school counselors and school counselor interns located in rural areas with regard to clinical supervision, consultation, and professional growth. Four separate focus groups (n=21) were conducted. To allow for consistency across focus groups, a series of six structured interview questions were used. Results of the data analysis revealed six themes which included unique issues of rural school counselors, dynamics of rural living, supervision from school administrators, supporting development through technology, desire for increased connection through supervision, and the identification of roles and responsibilities. Implications of this study indicate a crucial need to increase supervision training opportunities for current school counselors and interns. Technology and active participation with professional organizations may provide a platform for rural school counselors to receive supervision training and offer increased professional connection to solidify their counseling identity.