Date of Conferral

9-2-2026

Date of Award

September 2026

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Corinne Bridges

Abstract

Gaps in counselor education leave many counselors inadequately prepared to initiate sexuality-related conversations with clients. This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study was an exploration of the lived experiences of independently licensed mental health counselors and the personal, cultural, and professional meanings they constructed around initiating conversations related to sexuality. Guided by hermeneutic phenomenology and social constructivism, semistructured interviews were conducted with six independently licensed mental health counselors who had practiced independently for at least 5 years and primarily worked with adult clients. Data were analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Three overarching themes emerged: (a) societal and religious influences and misconceptions surrounding sexuality, (b) counselor apprehension and hesitation when initiating sexuality-related conversations, and (c) sexuality as a holistic dimension of the human experience. Counselors' willingness to initiate sexuality-related conversations reflected personal, cultural, religious, educational, and sociopolitical experiences in addition to professional knowledge. Education, reflection, and lived experience increased counselors' confidence and openness to discussing sexuality with clients. These findings support integrating comprehensive sexuality education, critical self-reflection, and experiential learning into counselor education and supervision. The potential for positive social change includes reducing stigma surrounding sexuality and promoting more ethical, affirming, and holistic counseling practices that improve individual and relational well-being.

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