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Conceptualizing the Counseling Training Environment Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory

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Abstract

While learning environment research has been growing in popularity over the past few decades, little attention has been given towards the learning environment of graduate students, and virtually no attention has been given specifically towards graduate counseling and related programs such as professional counseling, clinical and counseling psychology, and marriage and family therapy. In this paper we propose using Bronfenbrenner’s (1979, 1992) ecological theory as a model to conceptualize the training environment of such counselor preparation programs. Through the application of Bronfenbrenner’s theory, counselor educators and counseling trainees can better understand the systemic nature of the training environment that they create and where they train. Implications and recommendations for future research are provided to further advance the knowledge and awareness of the counseling training environment.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Educational and Clinical Studies, Counselor Education Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 4505 S. Maryland Parkway, Box #453014, Las Vegas, NV, 89154, USA

    Jared Lau

  2. Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA

    Kok-Mun Ng

Authors
  1. Jared Lau
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  2. Kok-Mun Ng
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Correspondence to Jared Lau.

Additional information

Jared Lau, Department of Educational and Clinical Studies, Counselor Education Program, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Kok-Mun Ng, Counselor Education Program, Oregon State University. Portions of this paper were extracted from the first author’s dissertation.

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Lau, J., Ng, KM. Conceptualizing the Counseling Training Environment Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory. Int J Adv Counselling 36, 423–439 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-014-9220-5

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