How Do Generation Z College Students Perceive Process Expectations When Seeking Mental Health Counseling

The purpose of this interpretive description study was to identify expectations for the process of mental health counseling for Generation Z college students who have sought counseling services at their college counseling center. In addition, how participants' identification with Generation Z and how that impacted their expectations for the process of mental health counseling were also explored. Data were collected from six participants from semi-structured interviews. The participants were all undergraduate and graduate students who had made an appointment for counseling services, but had not yet received services at the time of their interview. Data were analyzed using open, axial, and selective coding. Two themes with multiple subthemes emerged from the data. The first theme was Counselors Build a Relationship to Provide Personalized Feedback. The subthemes of theme one were: (a) counselors ask probing questions, (b) care is personalized to the individual, and (c) counselors provide feedback that is impartial and objective. The second theme that emerged from the data was The Counselor and Client Play Collaborative Roles in the Therapeutic Relationship. The subthemes of theme two were: (a) client is active within the therapeutic relationship, and (b) counselors facilitate the therapeutic relationship. Implications for college mental health counselors, counselor supervision, outreach, and future research were discussed. [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.]