This qualitative study explored the experiences of a sample of secondary school counselors who facilitate groups. Specifically, 18 diverse secondary school counselors were interviewed regarding how they conceptualize, perceive, and experience group work. Three research questions guided this study: (a) What are the experiences of secondary school counselors who conduct groups?; (b) What are secondary school counselors’ attitudes and perceptions towards group work?; and (c) What do secondary school counselors perceive as barriers and /or challenges to engaging in group work? Data were collected in three phases: Phase One, an initial focus group informed Phase Two of the study, individual interviews. Phase Three, member-checking, was used to validate themes generated from data analysis. Moustakas’s (1994) transcendental phenomenology guided the data analysis process. Findings revealed four themes associated with participants’ group work experiences: meaningful relationships, staff response, challenges, and encouraging feedback. Practical and research implications for secondary school counselors and counselor educators are discussed.

This qualitative study explored the challenges and stressors that are experienced by addiction counsellors in providing substance abuse treatment. In order to tap into rich and descriptive information on occupational stress in the addictions field, a modified grounded theory focused on conceptual ordering (Corbin & Strauss, 1998) was used for the research design. Participant sample consisted of 10 addiction counsellors who were recruited using purposeful selection from addiction treatment centres in Ontario, Canada. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Four major categories emerged from the data analysis using systematic thematic analysis: 1) Sources of Stress, 2) Signs and Consequences of Stress, 3) Stress Management and Intervention, and 4) Resiliency Against Stress. Results from this study contribute to the understanding of occupational stress in addictions counsellors. Implications for addiction organizations, educators, and counsellors are discussed.

This qualitative study explored the challenges and stressors that are experienced by addiction counsellors in providing substance abuse treatment. In order to tap into rich and descriptive information on occupational stress in the addictions field, a modified grounded theory focused on conceptual ordering (Corbin & Strauss, 1998) was used for the research design. Participant sample consisted of 10 addiction counsellors who were recruited using purposeful selection from addiction treatment centres in Ontario, Canada. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Four major categories emerged from the data analysis using systematic thematic analysis: 1) Sources of Stress, 2) Signs and Consequences of Stress, 3) Stress Management and Intervention, and 4) Resiliency Against Stress. Results from this study contribute to the understanding of occupational stress in addictions counsellors. Implications for addiction organizations, educators, and counsellors are discussed.

This qualitative study explored the challenges and stressors that are experienced by addiction counsellors in providing substance abuse treatment. In order to tap into rich and descriptive information on occupational stress in the addictions field, a modified grounded theory focused on conceptual ordering (Corbin & Strauss, 1998) was used for the research design. Participant sample consisted of 10 addiction counsellors who were recruited using purposeful selection from addiction treatment centres in Ontario, Canada. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Four major categories emerged from the data analysis using systematic thematic analysis: 1) Sources of Stress, 2) Signs and Consequences of Stress, 3) Stress Management and Intervention, and 4) Resiliency Against Stress. Results from this study contribute to the understanding of occupational stress in addictions counsellors. Implications for addiction organizations, educators, and counsellors are discussed.

This qualitative study explored the challenges and stressors that are experienced by addiction counsellors in providing substance abuse treatment. In order to tap into rich and descriptive information on occupational stress in the addictions field, a modified grounded theory focused on conceptual ordering (Corbin & Strauss, 1998) was used for the research design. Participant sample consisted of 10 addiction counsellors who were recruited using purposeful selection from addiction treatment centres in Ontario, Canada. Data collection was conducted through face-to-face interviews using semi-structured, open-ended questions. Four major categories emerged from the data analysis using systematic thematic analysis: 1) Sources of Stress, 2) Signs and Consequences of Stress, 3) Stress Management and Intervention, and 4) Resiliency Against Stress. Results from this study contribute to the understanding of occupational stress in addictions counsellors. Implications for addiction organizations, educators, and counsellors are discussed.