Candidate: Jean M. Germain

Degree of: Doctor of Philosophy

Department: Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

Title: Using journal writing to promote reflective practice in the counseling practicum: A multiple-case, narrative study of counselor development

Committee:
Dr. Mary Anderson, Chair
Dr. Kelly McDonnell
Dr. Laura Spielvogel
Dr. Edward Trembley

Date: Thursday, May 22, 2003, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
3306 Sangren

Abstract: The present study investigates the development of reflective practice for beginning counselors. A review of the literature provides support for the benefits of counselors developing reflective practice at all stages of development, and for the use of tools such as portfolios and written journals in order to assist counselors in the development of reflection. However, because these tools have not been systematically implemented and investigated in the counselor development literature, little is known about how counselors, especially beginning counselors, develop reflective practice.

A qualitative methodology is used in order to examine the process of development in depth. Methods were employed to achieve trustworthiness of the data. Four participants completed this study, which involved two interviews with the researcher and semester-long journal writing experience. The researcher provided intermittent feedback on the journals in order to assist participants with the development of reflection.

A narrative analysis of the data generated three collective content themes, four individual content themes, and three collective process themes describing the development of reflective practice. The participants' narratives of their development are constructed in their own words. The researcher herself became part of the narratives of these counselor trainees and maintained a researcher journal throughout the process, which yielded some unexpected findings about the researcher/participant relationship. These unexpected findings are also detailed.

This study provides support for the notion that the cultivation of reflective practice for personal and professional development is important for beginning counselor trainees. This research also demonstrates the use of written journals as a useful tool for counselors' development of reflective practice. This study contributes to the counselor development literature in that it is the only known study to investigate in depth the process of reflective practice in counselor trainees as it unfolds. Finally, the discussion explores implications for counselor training, counselor development, and future research.

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