Individual, Family, and Community Education ETDs

Publication Date

5-1-2016

Abstract

This study explored the lived experiences of counseling professionals conducting suicide risk assessments for youth kindergarten through 12th grade receiving a suicide risk assessment recommendation. A qualitative phenomenological approach was utilized to capture the perceptions of the participants in this study. Fifteen (15) in depth, semi-structured interviews and a focus group with seven (7) returning participants were the primary sources of data for this study. Five (5) themes emerged: Care, Supervisory Relationship, Challenges, Symptoms of Vicarious Trauma and Transcendent Growth Experiences. Implications for the counseling profession may encompass enhanced organizational development, supervision, training and clinical preparation for counseling professionals providing a vital service to youth and their families.

Keywords

Counseling professionals, empathy, posttraumatic growth, suicide risk assessment, supervision, and vicarious trauma.

Document Type

Dissertation

Language

English

Degree Name

Counselor Education

Level of Degree

Doctoral

Department Name

Individual, Family, and Community Education

First Committee Member (Chair)

Goodrich, Kristopher M.

Second Committee Member

Perry, Christina M.

Third Committee Member

Kamal, Reshma

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