Counselling intern self-awareness and readiness for practice: reports from a mindfulness challenge

ABSTRACT Mindfulness can support clients and can support trainee counsellors in dealing with internship anxiety. Since the personal development of a counsellor is core to therapy outcomes, the positive impact of mindfulness practice on therapeutic presence validates mindfulness programs within counsellor education. This qualitative study applied thematic analysis to written reports from 53 post-graduate counselling interns who participated in piloting an eight-week mindfulness challenge. Six major themes emerged: the variety of mindfulness activities, observations of self, insights about self and mindfulness, hindrances to practice, outcomes from participation, and advice for others. Intern reports indicated that mindfulness was not easy to learn, could be explored through a range of activities, and for most the practice contributed to growth in self-awareness.