Voices of Australian Mature-Age Bachelor of Counselling Students: Telling Stories of Learning and Teaching Transitions

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic imposed transformations on the higher education context of the twenty-first century that adversely impact students’ learning in certain disciplines. On a mission to adopt ethics of care in research and practice, this research focuses on counselling education and its unique characteristics, by signifying counselling students’ voices in such changing contexts. A qualitative exploratory multiple case study design informed by narrative inquiry was used, followed by a voice-centred relational method of analysis. Findings revealed voices, relationships, dominant narratives and power relations that influence counselling students’ learning experiences. Implications for future research and practice for counselling education are highlighted.