Document Type

Dissertation

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Education, Counseling

Date of Defense

5-20-2026

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Emily Brown, Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs (ESPP)

Committee

Emily Brown, Ph.D.

Phillip Waalkes, Ph.D.

Yuima Mizutani, Ph.D.

J. Scott Young, Ph.D.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to understand how fully licensed counselors who graduated from CACREP-accredited programs and did not receive formal business training during graduate school make sense of their preparedness for the business responsibilities of private practice. This study was informed by the theoretical frameworks of relational-cultural theory (RCT; Jordan, 2017) and transformative learning theory (TLT; Mezirow, 1991). Participants were fully licensed counselors with a masters or doctoral degree from a CACREP-accredited counseling program and owned a private practice. Seven participants (n = 7) were included in the study, participating in 60-90 minute semi-structured interviews. An interpretative phenomenological analysis was utilized which resulted in four themes emerging from this study: 1. feeling unprepared and taking the leap anyways, 2. relationships help build confidence and clarity, 3. the clinician and business owner conflict, and 4. circumstances prior to transitioning to private practice matter. These themes relate to the lived experiences of licensed counselors as they transitioned to private practice. These findings offer counselor educators and supervisors insight into strengthening methods of support for counselors interested in private practice. This study's findings could contribute to helping counselors develop their professional identity and business awareness. In addition, the results may inform counseling programs in how they respond to counselors in training who express an interest in private practice.

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