Coping with stress: the counseling psychology internship

Abstract

This is a qualitative research study that investigates the manner in which five Masters of Education, Counseling Psychology students, Faculty of Education Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN), experienced and coped with stress during their internship. The study asks the following questions: what are the causes of stress, how does stress manifest itself, and what do interns do to cope with stress? -- The interns listed a variety of stressors. The lists can be generally placed under stressors from outside the internship and stressors inside the internship. It was surprising to discover the extent of the stress experienced by the participants during their internships as all interns experienced high levels of stress for a prolonged period of time. Manifestations of stress included many physical and emotional symptoms. Coping strategies ranged from de-stressing by engaging in communication with a significant other to taking a day off when the stress level was at its highest.