Training Counselors to Integrate Social Determinants of Mental Health: A Grounded Theory Investigation

Abstract

This grounded theory explored counselor educator best practices in preparing counselors‐in‐training (CITs) to assess and address the social determinants of mental health (SDMH) in counseling practice. Counselor educators ( N = 19) who self‐reported integrating the SDMH into their roles as educators, supervisors, scholars, and leaders shared their experiences through semi‐structured interviews. The resulting social determinants‐based training model (SDTM) identifies five key action strategies for counselor training: broaching SDMH, maximizing cultural competence, contextualizing assessment and intervention, supporting trainee and client self‐advocacy, and co‐identifying community‐embedded resources. By highlighting contextual factors and intervening conditions, the SDTM positions SDMH integration as a multilevel systems process embedded within professional identity, institutional structures, sociopolitical climates, and community ecologies. These findings address a gap in counselor education literature by operationalizing SDMH competencies within measurable training processes.