Virginia Counselors' Engagement with Social Issues Advocacy for Black/African American Clients/Students in Various Workplace Settings

The purpose of this study was to develop an understanding of how Virginia counselors engage in social issues advocacy, specifically advocacy for Black/African American clients/students. Racial Identity (Helms, 1993) and Multicultural Social Justice Counseling Competencies (Ratts, Singh, Nassar-McMillan, Butler, and McCullough, 2016) are used as the framework. The researcher examined whether the work setting of a counselor impacts the amount and type of involvement with race-specific advocacy and how counselors are supported as advocates in that setting. Data was collected via information questionnaires including demographic and professional background, attitudes and beliefs captured by the Social Issues Advocacy Scale, and race-specific advocacy activity. The sample included Masters-holding professional counselors practicing in Virginia and who are members of professional organizations based in Virginia. Results indicate reasons for advocating, when applicable, with or on behalf of Black/African American clients/students and a relationship with workplace setting type. Findings show that counselors feel supported by their workplace to advocate on the basis of race, however the type of advocacy varies.