A Hermeneutic Phenomenological Approach to Analyzing How Licensed Counselors Practice Self-Care

<p>Self-care in the mental health field is essential to counteract burnout in clinicians. This study uses the hermeneutic phenomenological approach to analyze the lived experiences of Licensed Counselors (LC) in Outpatient Mental Health Clinics (OMHC). The researcher took an in depth look at the level of support and their lived experience while they practice self-care. The study consisted of individual interviews and a writing prompt with the LCs. In order to be considered for the study, the participants had to be working 30 hours and employed at an OMHC. The study was conducted with the hope of understanding better modes of advocating for LC’s in the field, and also better ways of practicing self-care for clinicians in the field. The findings were divided with half the clinicians practicing self-care and half not being able to do so due to productivity measures and unsupportive environments. Most experienced support from supervisors, but there was also a split with working in a supportive environment and a toxic environment that contributed to burnout.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Counselor Education

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Dunn, Sadé

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Ileana Ungureanu
• Dr. Don Trahan Jr.
• Dr. Tamekia Bell

• licensed counselors
• outpatient mental health clinics
• self-care
• productivity
• burnout
• Counseling

Repository record dc:identifier

https://opus.govst.edu/theses/157

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.govst.edu:theses-1156