Healing in the Workplace: School Counselors, Trauma, and Growth

An autoethnographic study on the experience of a Midwest rural school counselor represents a personal and professional perspective on trauma, burnout, and posttraumatic growth. Content includes rural adversity, grief, and career progression. The research aimed to examine professional and private adversities to inform and improve the practice of professional school counselors. The following research questions were addressed: How did personal and secondary trauma impact a rural school counselor's professional trajectory? What insight can be offered to other school counselors or educators experiencing the challenges that come with this work and, sometimes, that come from sources that are not from work but still affect one's professional practice? An intense reflexive process revealed themes of persistence, identity development, and posttraumatic growth. Through the story of my career and intertwining personal life, I offer insight into lessons learned as a professional school counselor. Through the autoethnographic process, I could provide thoughtful insight into a rural school counselor's practice and lessons learned. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]