The Advocate Magazine Summer 2021 | Page 14

Doctoral Students to Supervisors and Professors : We Need More Support !

The number of students seeking a doctoral degree from an accredited counseling program has grown by 44 percent over the past several years . The increase has been striking — from 2,028 doctoral students in 2012 to 2,917 in 2018 , according to the latest annual reports available from CACREP , the Council of Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs https :// www . cacrep . org / about-cacrep / cacrep-annual-reports /.
But the graduation rate for these doctoral students has remained stubbornly low : 16 percent in 2012 and in 2018 . These statistics raise some important questions about what doctoral students require to be successful . Our view is that while some of the demands of graduate school are unavoidable , some of the stress related to teaching , research , clinical work , and supervision can be lessened .
And if some or all of our suggestions below were integrated into more doctoral programs , more of us might earn that coveted doctorate each year .
GRADUATE STUDIES ARE STRESSFUL , BUT NOT ALL OF THE STRESS IS NECESSARY
As those practicing in the field know , students pursue a doctoral degree in Counseling for many reasons — to advance their skills as clinicians , teachers , supervisors , researchers , or leaders
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Meghan Dudek , LCPC , a PhD candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Governors State University , is a licensed clinical mental health therapist and clinical supervisor at a community agency . She is a member of the American Counseling Association ( ACA ), the American Psychological Association ( APA ), and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision ( ACES ). Her dissertation research focuses on self-stigma and help-seeking of mental health professionals . She can be reached at mdudek19 @ gmail . com .
Shawn Wunderlich , LPC , a doctoral student at Governors State University , works at a private practice in Illinois as an EMDRtrained licensed professional counselor . She also holds a CCTP certification . Her dissertation research is focused on adult female survivors of intrafamilial child sexual abuse .
Tracy D . Metcalf , LPC , NCC , is employed at Joliet Junior College and works as a counselor at AMT Counseling Management . Her areas of concentrations are working with clients who have experienced sexual assault and trauma and those who are looking to incorporate spirituality into their journey of healing .
Eman Tadros , PhD , LMFT , is an assistant professor at Governors State University in the Division of Psychology and Counseling . A licensed marriage and family therapist , she is MBTI certified , and an AAMFT Approved Supervisor . She is the current Illinois Family TEAM leader advocating for MFTs and individuals receiving systemic mental health services . Her research follows the trajectory of incarcerated coparenting , incorporating family therapy into incarcerated settings , and the utilization of family systems theories within these settings .
14 The Advocate Magazine Summer 2021 American Mental Health Counselors Association ( AMHCA ) www . amhca . org