A Phenomenological Investigation of Master's-Level Counselor Research Identity Development Stages

This study explored counselor research identity, an aspect of professional identity, in master's-level counseling students. Twelve students participated in individual interviews; six of the participants were involved in a focus group interview and visual representation process. The three data sources supported the emergence of five themes. The authors describe the themes in terms of what students contributed to the following three stages of research identity development: stage one, "stagnation"; stage two, "negotiation"; and stage three, "stabilization." Implications for counselor education programs, counselor educators and counseling students are explored.