The Experience of Practicum Students in the Use of Theories While Conducting Counseling Sessions

This qualitative study aims to understand and explore the experiences of study participants in applying theories during their practicum. A total of seven participants in the study were purposedly selected and they were the eighth semester counseling students undergoing practicum in Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan District. Data collection used the methods of structural interview and analysis of documents which were the outcomes of the study participants’ diary writing. The main themes that emerged in the study are including existing theories, views on the theories, the impacts of theories, driving factors in using theories and the obstracles in applying their theories. The findings indicate the study participants admitted that trainings in counseling laboratory help them tremendously in undergoing practicum, especially in the use of theories in counseling sessions. In addition, the experience of being a client and the experience of conducting counseling sessions with real clients make the participants believe they can improve their confidence in using the theories before leaving for practicum.