Factors Associated With Using a Family Systems Perspective by Counselors in Training During Internship

Two hundred and seventy-six master's level students currently enrolled in an internship course at a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs-accredited clinical mental health counseling program completed the researcher-developed survey, the Counselors in Training Perceptions of Family Systems Questionnaire (CIT-FSPQ). The instrument assessed counselor in training (CIT) perceptions of academic preparedness, competency, and importance of a family systems perspective when working with clients during internship. This quantitative study aimed to bring to light contextual factors impacting CITs implementing a family systems perspective during internship based on methods of learning and type of internship site. Additionally, this study provided insights into CITs' perceived barriers to using a family systems perspective during internship. Items from the CIT-FSPQ were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple multivariate analyses of covariance. Results suggested that CITs' perceptions of preparedness, competency and importance of a family systems perspective had a positive relationship with the number of learning methods used. Results also indicated that CITs found insufficient knowledge of a family systems perspective as the greatest barrier to implementation. Educational training and research implications for CITs, counselor educators, counselor education, and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs are discussed.