Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), Ohio University, 2022, Counselor Education (Education)

The dissertation investigated the experiences of six counselors located in the Midwestern region of the USA and how their experiences influence intervention strategies when providing support for GBV (Gender-Based Violence) survivors. The purpose of the study was to explore the counselors' experiences and to see how these affect the strategies that they use. The hermeneutical phenomenological approach was used as a methodology, with six participant counselors who were from agencies and shelters that house gender-based violence survivors. The researcher recruited the participants using convenience sampling and snowballing strategies, and analyzed data from semi-structured interviews, fieldnotes, and document analysis, using the Bronfenbrenner Model as the conceptual framework. The data analysis yielded seven main themes: experience of counselors, interventions for GBV, negative impacts of therapy on counselors, counselors' needs in GBV work, coping strategies for counselors, types of abuse in clients, and the effects of covid on GBV work. Implications for these findings on counselor educators, clinical supervisors and future research within the mental health field are discussed.

Committee: Dr. Bilal Urkmez (Advisor) Subjects: Counseling Education