The Experience of Wellness for Counselor Education Doctoral Students Who are Mothers in the Southeastern Region of the United States

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experience of wellness in counselor education doctoral students who are mothers of children under the age of 18. Seven participants from universities in the southeastern region of the United States completed two rounds of interviews and one focus group. Participants were at varying stages of motherhood and different points in their doctoral journeys. Findings included participants' views of motherhood and womanhood, sacrifices and rewards, counselor education program support, wellness, and dissonance of multiple roles. Findings were compared within and across cases using themes and categories. Suggestions for further research as well as implications for this population and counselor education are offered.