Exploring the Use of Music to Facilitate Counseling Student Development

Abstract

ABSTRACT Novice counseling students can have difficulty connecting with foundational course content and developing their new professional counselor identity. In this phenomenological study, researchers explored the use of music as a creative teaching tool to facilitate learning and counselor development among clinical mental health counseling students enrolled in an introductory counseling course. Students reported the use of music deepened their affect, expanded their perspectives about course content, energized them to take responsibility and act, enhanced awareness of creative engagement for teaching and counseling, and facilitated classroom discussions.