Search

In order to maintain the integrity of the counseling profession and protect clients from potential harm, counselor educators must engage in appropriate gatekeeping practices. While remediation remains an essential component of counselor educators? gatekeeping responsibilities, counselor education lacks consensus on the best way to approach the remediation of counseling students. Investigating remediation is necessary as issues of Problems of Professional Competence (PPC) can adversely affect counselor educators, students, clients, and the counseling profession This research will expand knowledge regarding the remediation practices of counselor educators and which interventions are employed for a specific type of PPC in masters-level counseling students. This study employed a Q methodology framework to explore the subjective remediation practices of counselor educators who were currently employed as full-time faculty members in CACREP-accredited programs ( N =28) and aimed to answer the following: (a) Do counselor educators agree on remedial interventions likely and unlikely to be implemented with a PPC?; and (b) How will counselor educators rank order remedial interventions when presented with a PPC? Data were collected electronically through Qualtrics and analyzed using the PQMethod software. Participants were asked to complete an informed consent document and brief demographic questionnaire, followed by a Q-sort and one post-sorting questionnaire. The Q-sort contained a vignette that represented the PPC of receptivity to feedback. Q-sorts were examined utilizing Principal Components Analysis (PCA) and rotated using the varimax method of orthogonal factor rotation resulting in four unique factors. The factors included "Due Process," "Reflective Practice," "Remedial Coursework," and "Preserve Programmatic Status." Factors were interpreted holistically using the crib sheet method, which includes examining the factor arrays, distinguishing statements, demographic information, and post-sorting questionnaires. Implications for counselor education and ideas for future research directions are included. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]