Download or read book Counselor Trainees' Perceptions of Their Personal Growth: A Qualitative Inquiry written by Ericka L. Souders and published by . This book was released on 2009 with total page 159 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Participants were asked in two interviews to share detailed experiences from their lives that contributed to their developing personal skills and characteristics. Their life stories were explored to gain understanding about their self perceptions and the events that have shaped them. Phenomenological methodology revealed two universal themes that emerged from participants' experiences. Participants discussed their experiences in graduate counselor training that contributed to their personal growth and development that included relationships with their colleagues and faculty and aspects within their internship/practicum. Participants also discussed factors that contributed to their development out of training including personal challenges, supportive events, and experiences with diverse groups. Implications for counselor educators, supervisors, and counselors in training are discussed based on the participants' experiences and life stories. Limitations of this study and recommendations for future research regarding counselor trainee personal growth and development are also discussed.