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Journal of Counseling and Psychology

Abstract

Counselor education must adapt quickly to societal changes, including the significant effects of Covid-19 and the simultaneous racial discord in the U.S. to ensure new counselors are adequately prepared for the challenges they face. Covid-19 increased the use of technology-based counseling exponentially. The authors wished to better understand their students’ experiences and confidence regarding their training/preparation during the pandemic. One hundred nineteen students from three online university master’s-level counselor education programs participated in this study regarding their experiences of professor engagement, in-person clinical supervision, telehealth education, multicultural competence, and their own Covid-anxiety during the ongoing pandemic. Students strongly endorsed the need for professor engagement in online classes. Personal confidence and competence were rated higher by students when they had greater professor engagement in classes. Most students considered virtual clinical supervision to be as valuable as in-person supervision. Most students were trained primarily by their site to deliver Telemental Health (TMH) services and considered themselves competent to provide therapy virtually. Students generally felt adequately prepared for managing the highlighted multicultural issues of our current society. Most students did not experience significant Covid-anxiety. Educators should consider adding TMH training to their curriculum and should maintain their emphasis on multicultural training with up-to-date information on how to effectively encourage open and honest discussions about race inequality.

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