An Exploration of Counseling Graduate Students’ Experiences in Group Counseling Classes

This study analyzed a phenomenological approach to explore in-depth the process and meaning experienced by graduate students majoring in counseling while participating in group counseling classes. Out of 16 students enrolled in the group counseling course at a graduate school, data were collected through in-depth interviews with six doctoral students who consented to participate in the study and had prior experience in group counseling. Analysis of the interviews yielded four thematic domains and 14 subcategories. These findings offer meaningful insights into the psychological and social changes experienced by students in graduate group counseling courses and provide an in-depth analysis of the educational effects of group counseling training. Additionally, the study highlights the need to address challenges that can arise in classroom settings, such as time constraints, differences in facilitator experience, and the burden of dual roles as both graduate student and group member.