An exploration of the values of female counseling psychology doctoral students

The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the values of Counseling Psychology doctoral students. Literature on values and investigations of the values of the profession of psychology were presented. Knowledge of these topics provided an initial framework for the research.;Nine women participated in the study. They were matriculated for a minimum of two years and were from three different counseling psychology doctoral programs. The women varied in years of matriculation, age, marital status, and number of children. The women also varied in the career paths.;A total of 21 semi-structured interviews were conducted. These interviews were open-ended and enabled the women to reveal their perspectives and introduce relevant topics. Two to three interviews were conducted with each woman and they averaged one and one half hours in length. All of the interviews were audiotaped and subsequently transcribed.;The data from the interviews were examined for each woman. Major themes were identified and a profile of each individual was developed. The important aspects addressed for each woman were: family and work history, route to Counseling Psychology, being a doctoral student, level of satisfaction and view of the profession of psychology.;The interview data were then organized into eight categories which describe major areas of importance for the entire group. These categories were: Why I Chose Psychology, Counseling Psychology: A Process of Reconciliation, Being a Graduate Student in Psychology, The Ideal Counseling Psychologist: An Overview of the Profession, The Ideal Counseling Psychologist: One on One Therapist, Impact of Personal Life on Professional Work, Impact of Professional Experience on Personal Understanding, and the Meaning and Use of Theoretical Orientation. Themes that emerged from analysis of each category were presented.;The results indicate that the participants did not perceive differences between their personal and professional values. Value convergence seems to have been present prior to entry into doctoral training in psychology. The participants gave highest priority to practice oriented values such as introspection, connectedness in relationships and feelings over thinking.;The findings were discussed with implications for training and value priorities in Counseling Psychology, professional socialization and future research.