Date of Conferral

5-30-2025

Date of Award

May 2025

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Katarzyna Holloway

Abstract

Mental health counselors frequently engage with the legal system in ways that significantly impact their clinical roles, ethical decision-making, and emotional well-being. Despite the high stakes of these encounters, little is known about how counselors experience and make meaning of such legal involvement. This study explored the central research question: What are the lived experiences of mental health counselors when they are involved with the legal system in matters concerning their clients? This transcendental phenomenological study, grounded in Husserl’s philosophy of exploring lived experience through the suspension of presuppositions, investigates the experiences of mental health counselors when they are involved with the legal system in matters concerning their clients. The purpose of this study was to capture the nuanced and multifaceted realities of counselors’ professional journeys, providing a rich, detailed understanding that can bridge the gap between mental health practice and legal requirements. I conducted semi-structured interviews with 12 mental health counselors from diverse clinical settings across the United States. Six core themes emerged from the data: (a) lack of preparedness for the first legal encounter, (b) emotional reactions to legal scrutiny, (c) feelings of isolation and lack of support, (d) experiencing inadequate legal training in counseling programs, (e) tension between legal and clinical responsibilities, and (f) refining clinical skills through legal engagement. These findings highlight the emotional and ethical complexities counselors face, as well as the professional growth that may result from legal involvement. The study offers implications for counselor education, supervision, and policy reform, advocating for stronger interdisciplinary collaboration and legal training to ensure counselors are equipped and supported to navigate the legal system ethically and effectively.

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