The current shortage of rural mental health counselors has been well documented. This study explores the experiences that contribute to long-term employment as mental health counselors in rural settings. This qualitative study is based on the narratives of eight mental health counselors who had been working in a rural setting for at least 10 years. Through thematic narrative analysis, four common themes were discovered throughout the participants' narratives that facilitated long-term retention among rural mental health counselors. Themes discovered included historical legacy and connections, distance, way of life, and ethics. The results highlight important considerations that may facilitate retention among rural mental health counselors. Implications for successful long-term practice of rural mental health counselors are discussed.
Small but Mighty: Perspectives of Rural Mental Health Counselors
