Mindfulness Misconceptions in Counselor Education and Supervision: Mitigating Vicarious Trauma Among Counselors-in-Training

As counselors-in-training (CITs) continue to address a larger client base with pandemic induced mental health stressors, they may experience increased levels of vicarious trauma (VT) that can jeopardize the quality of treatment, as well as their own well-being. Thus, VT among CITs should be recognized as a priority problem among counselor educators. Despite well-documented personal and professional benefits of mindfulness, most CITs will not receive mindfulness education or training. Recognizing the relatively low rate of integration of mindfulness within CES, it is necessary to address several misconceptions about mindfulness that may be hindering the effective inclusion of mindfulness resources and practice in counselor education. This manuscript first reviews the existing literature associated with VT and CES situated within the context of the ongoing impact of the pandemic, both in a clinical and educational context. Following a consideration of the reasons for CITs increased likelihood to experience VT, the manuscript turns toward a consideration of mindfulness as both a pedagogical lens and engaged practice. Promoting the need for mindfulness education within CACREP programs, the manuscript identifies three misconceptions about mindfulness that preclude many counseling programs from dedicating additional resources to mindfulness education. In closing, the manuscript addresses each of these misconceptions and offers recommendations for the inclusion of mindfulness across counselor training programs

Trauma Curriculum Integration in Counselor Education: A Delphi Study

Research has established the need for trauma education and training for safe and effective entry-level practice. However, studies have shown insufficient and inconsistent training in graduate counseling programs. Those studies reflected the opinions and experiences of practitioners and graduate students. To add to the extant literature, we used the Delphi method to gather information from counselor educators who have experience in trauma counseling and education. The Delphi technique is a group communication strategy designed to obtain expert consensus through a series of survey questionnaires, modified and adapted to reflect group opinion. We asked participants for their insight into the most effective way to integrate trauma education into the graduate counseling curriculum. After three survey rounds, 12 trauma and counselor education experts reached consensus on the following: (a) faculty education and training to increase competence and efficacy in teaching trauma-focused material and utilization of trauma-informed teaching practices that enhance learning; (b) counselor educator dispositions that reflect a responsive, trauma-informed, and resilience-oriented framework to facilitate change; (c) development of course content that incorporates trauma-informed principles, trauma-specific knowledge and skills, cultural diversity, and assessment; (d) accreditation standards that support trauma education. The expert panel offered recommendations that the counseling profession can utilize to move forward in making trauma education a priority

Preparing Future Counselors to Work with BIPOC Identified Males: The Integration of Hip Hop in Counselor Education

This study used a narrative inquiry to examine how BIPOC-identified male counselor educators integrated Hip Hop in their counseling practices and teaching to promote healing. The results of the study suggest Hip Hop offers modes of expression and modes of connection useful in counseling practice and in the training of future counselors. Practical implications for the use of Hip Hop in counselor education classrooms and counseling sessions are explored

Luna Yoga: A Wellness Program for Female Counselors and Counselors-in-Training to Foster Self-Awareness and Connection

Yoga has gained popularity as a way to relieve stress and maintain well-being. It may also be a helpful resource for counselors to learn effective self-care strategies to sustain personal wellness and professional competence. This pilot study examined the impact of Luna Yoga, a four-week program created specifically for women to enhance creativity, connection, and self-awareness, and facilitate a socially supportive environment unlike traditional yoga sessions. This pilot study employed a delayed treatment control group design to test the impact of the Luna Yoga intervention on reported levels of wellness, resulting in an increase in social wellness among female professional counselors and counselors-in-training