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Professional Adjustment Experiences of International Counseling Graduates

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Abstract

Using phenomenological methodology, the authors examined the first-person accounts of eight international counseling graduates upon re-entry to their home country. Data analysis revealed six composite textural themes and three composite structural themes comprising the lived experience of professional adjustment. The six composite textural themes were: Decision to Return Home, Navigating Professional Development, Applying Western Counselor Education Across Cultures, Beliefs About Individual Characteristics, Identifying Coping Strategies, and Professional Identity Development. The three composite structural themes were: Self in Relation to Others, Self in Relation to Environment, and Self in Relation to Work. Implications for counselor education programming, mentoring/advising, and curriculum development are presented.

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Correspondence to Deborah L. Duenyas.

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Duenyas, D.L., Akcil, S. & Osborn, C. Professional Adjustment Experiences of International Counseling Graduates. Int J Adv Counselling 42, 21–36 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-019-09386-6

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