Power’s influence on boundary-crossings between counselor educators and counselor education students

Abstract

Counselor educators (CEs) hold legitimate power over counselor education students (CESs). It would be helpful for CEs to understand how power differentials influence boundary-crossing perceptions within the legitimate hierarchy of counselor education. CEs and CESs were separately shown the same 16 boundary-crossing scenarios that could occur between the groups. When CEs are negotiating boundary-crossings with CESs, Burian and Slimp’s model would likely be most helpful as it is specific to counselor education and requires CEs to contemplate motives when evaluating boundary-crossings. However, when CESs are negotiating boundary-crossing concerns with CEs, Gottlieb’s model would likely be most helpful. CESs in this study were very concerned about boundary-crossings that encroached upon their personal needs that were not a requirement for successfully graduating from a counselor education program. Consequently, CEs may want to become clearer in their understanding of the differences between optional behaviors versus those of mandated requirements for graduation. A CE and a CES sharing a car ride to a professional meeting is an optional boundary-crossing because it does not assist a CE in completing the mandated requirements for graduation. This contrasts with the mandated graduation requirement that a CE provides the required supervision hours to a CES.

Keywords

• professor
• legitimate power
• boundary-crossing
• counselor education
• student