Open AccessExploring Counselors’ Personal Guiding Theories: A Qualitative Study in Portraiture
Author(s) -
Amy L. Barth,
Jane E. Rheineck,
Carrie Merino
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the qualitative report
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.335
H-Index - 35
ISSN - 2160-3715
DOI - 10.46743/2160-3715/2019.3571
Subject(s) - portrait , psychology , qualitative research , counselor education , identity (music) , personal development , personal identity , medical education , social psychology , sociology , self concept , psychotherapist , higher education , medicine , aesthetics , social science , philosophy , art , political science , law , art history
A personal guiding theory of counseling is an important component of professional identity development for counselors. We utilized the qualitative methodology of portraiture to explore how professional counselors understand their own personal guiding theories of counseling. Three research portraits are shared that demonstrate how participants use the counseling relationship as the means to incorporate their personal guiding theories into their work with clients. Implications for counselors and counselor educators and future research are presented.