Date

9-19-2023

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision (PhD)

Chair

Stacey C. Lilley

Keywords

Resiliency, Burnout, Compassion, Fatigue, Addiction, Counselor, Trauma

Disciplines

Counseling

Abstract

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the lived experiences of addiction counselors who appeared resilient to burnout (BO) and compassion fatigue (CF). The research question to frame this study was: What are the lived experiences of addiction counselors who appear resilient to severe levels of burnout and compassion fatigue, leading to longevity in the addiction counseling field? This included resiliency factors to resolve BO and CF, coping skills to resolve symptoms of BO and CF, and internal and external factors that contributed to BO and CF. Several theories were used to conduct this study, including Social Cognitive Theory, Social Exchange Theory, Organizational Theory, Existential Theory, and Resilience Theory (Edú-Valsania et al., 2022; Hunsaker et al., 2015; Li et al., 2014; Masten, 2014; Meng et al., 2019; Pines & Keinan, 2005; Southwick et al., 2014). Data was collected from nine participants using semi-structured interviews. Data was then analyzed using Moustakas’ modified van Kaam seven steps method (1994a). The implications of these results can be applied to addiction counselors, their supporters, employers, and those who work with them.

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