| dc.description.abstract | The success of mental health counseling partially depends on the professionals who are providing these services, also on the quality of services they provide. To maximize their efficacy, counselors must achieve and maintain their own personal wellness. However, for counselors who work with people who have experienced trauma, there is an increased chance that these counselors will experience adverse effects from this work. In fact, the impact of trauma on counseling professionals is similar to actually experiencing the traumatic event themselves. Native Americans are more likely than any other racial group in the United States to experience chronic traumatization and victimization. As a result of this, Native Americans suffer disproportionate health disparities, including mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction. The research question of this phenomenological study is, “What are the lived experiences of Native American counselors working in the trauma-intense environment of a Native American reservation?”. In this study, three participants took part in a semi-structured, open-ended, individual interview. Through data analysis, four themes were identified about the participants’ shared experiences: the worth and weight of working on a reservation, the impact of culture and community on counseling, four forms of trauma impacting the counselor and their work, and the effects of personal and professional wellness on counselors. The discussion of these findings are presented, along with implications for future research and policy change. In short, the goal of this study is to assist Native American counselors in maintaining their wellness, so they may continue providing counseling services to a population of people who experience significant trauma. | en_US |
