Theses and Dissertations from DePaul University

Date of Award

5-26-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

College

College of Education

First Advisor

Dr. Rebecca Michel

Abstract

The wellness of school counselors has largely been studied through quantitative approaches that illustrate school counselors are at greater risk to experience stress and burnout compared to any other helping profession. Title I high school counselors are tasked with providing a framework of programming to meet the needs of their students while navigating complex challenges, socio-economic inequities, and organizational factors that significantly impact their own well-being. While existing literature and research studies capture the adverse effects of wellness from predominately the lens of White women within suburban educational settings. This phenomenological qualitative study seeks to fill the existing gaps in literature through an analysis of the state of wellness amongst female high school counselors of color who work in Title I high schools located in low-income suburban communities of color. The utilization of Self-Efficacy theory allows the researcher to identify the steps to address the existing factors within a Title I educational setting. School counselors and administration can proactively work to address the state of wellness while building the capacity of these individuals to function as leaders and advocates within their local school communities. This research contributes to the growing body of literature on wellness and provides recommendations for a plan of action to be constructed in order to better support school counselors working within Title I high schools.

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