Transitioning From Academic to Clinical Practice

The experiences of six counseling students as they encountered their first clinical practice was explored in a qualitative study at a university in the Southwestern United States. This phenomenological study examined the struggles and overall experiences of these students as they transitioned from academic coursework to clinical practice. Five themes emerged from the data analysis: inside my head, the relationship, uncertainty, supervision, and practical experience. Analysis of the data found students experienced difficulty using counseling skills due to lack of confidence and practical experience with clinical skills. Participant themes also supported the importance of supervision, the client-counselor relationship, and the need for ongoing development of counseling skills and identity.