Tolerating Ambiguity: Counselor Educators' Perceptions of Gatekeeping Administration

Authors

Matthew W. Bonner, Johns Hopkins University School of EducationFollow
Hsin-Ya Tang, Johns Hopkins UniversityFollow
Nathaniel Brown, Johns Hopkins UniversityFollow
Keenan Eldridge, Johns Hopkins UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

0009-0001-3677-0117

Author Biography

Matthew Bonner, Hsin-Ya Tang, and Nathaniel Brown are clinical assistant professors at Johns Hopkins University in the Counselor Education Program. Keenan Eldridge is a professional counselor and graduate of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education Counseling Program.

Document Type

Empirical Research Article

Keywords

Gatekeeping Administration, Professional Development, Faculty Anxiety

Subject Area

Counselor Education

Abstract

In the counseling profession, gatekeeping is a legal, ethical, and accreditation mandate. Academic and clinical standards are straightforward about the significance of gatekeeping. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding counselor dispositions, policies, procedures, and processes for gatekeeping. This study explores the dispositional, interpersonal, and intrapersonal experiences of faculty in their engagement with the phenomenon of gatekeeping through the qualitative approach of Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) with 12 (N = 12) diverse counselor educators. Findings indicate counselor educators’ significant experiences with vague dispositions, relationships, engagement of counselors-in-raining (CITs), supportive feedback, and faculty anxiety.

Public Significance Statement

Findings form this study indicate counselor educators’ significant experiences with vague dispositions, relationships, engagement of counselors-in-training (CITs), supportive feedback, and faculty anxiety. The study proposes the necessity in gatekeeping administration for cultural competence, self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and professional training of counselor educators.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.70013/hu9wadgn

Recommended Citation

Bonner, M. W., Tang, H., Brown, N., & Eldridge, K. (2025). Tolerating ambiguity: Counselor educators’ perceptions of gatekeeping administration. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 19(4), 1-16.