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Building a Research Design Template
Preventing Burnout Of Counselors In Training: Identifying Protective Practices
Jaquasia C. Vandross
Department of Counselor Education and Family Studies, Liberty University
Author Note
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Jaquasia C.
Vandross.
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Building a Research Design Template
Abstract
This study examines the experiences of burnout and wellness in counseling programs, the
coping strategies of counselors-in-training (CIT), and how counseling programs can implement
practices that promote wellness and negate burnout. Semi-structured interviews will be
conducted with ten master-level counseling students who have a positive ACE score and
acknowledge that these experiences, along with the emotional and rational toll of being a
counselor, can exacerbate the experiences of burnout and negatively impact their wellness. A
phenomenological methodology will be used to uncover how counseling programs can support
CITs who have experienced trauma by identifying and managing burnout, creating wellness
plans, and applying wellness to their personal and professional lives.
Keywords: adverse childhood experiences, burnout, counselors-in-training, wellness
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Building a Research Design Template
Preventing Burnout Of Counselors In Training: Identifying Protective Practices
Approved Research Question
How does adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) impact the mental health and wellness of
counselors in training?
Descriptive Design (Phenomenological or Grounded)
Phenomenological Design
Participants
The participants are ten Master level Mental Health Counseling students. Age ranges are 18-26.
Races and Ethnicity consist of Hispanic or Latino (two participants), Black or African American
(two participants), Asian American (two participants), American Indian or Alaska Native (two
participants), and White (two participants). All self-identified as female, born in the U.S., fluent in
English, and have experienced one or more forms of ACEs.
Methodology
In my “base” article, researchers used a series of self-report surveys/questionnaires to (a)
assess participant exposure to ACEs, (b) assess levels of burnout, and (c) measure perceived
wellness (Parker et al., 2022). However, for this study, I will use a semi-structured interview
method to collect data from participants about how counseling programs can incorporate
burnout prevention and wellness competencies to support CIT who experienced trauma.
Research Questions
1. Do you currently feel supported by your counseling program?
2. What coping strategies do you use to cope with personal and professional stressors?
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Building a Research Design Template
3. How can counseling programs incorporate burnout prevention and wellness practices
during training that can be applied in your personal and professional lives?
Data Collection
Participants will complete a brief demographic questionnaire. A semi-structured interview
protocol based on three research questions was developed to assess how counseling programs
can support CITs who have experienced trauma by identifying and managing burnout, creating
wellness plans, and applying wellness to their personal and professional lives.
Data Analysis
Data will be analyzed using an iterative phenomenological method, and the transcripts will be
reviewed and analyzed after each interview to generate deeper insight and meaning. Data will
be reviewed for significance, relevance, and repetitiveness or overlapping statements.
Reference
Maggie M. Parker, Kristie Opiola, Aliya Subhit, Catherine T. Kelly & Angela Pezzella (2022) The
role of adverse childhood experiences in counselor trainee’s burnout and wellness and
the moderating role of social support, Journal of Counselor Leadership and
Advocacy, 9:2, 126-141, DOI: 10.1080/2326716X.2022.2076265
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