ABSTRACT We conducted a quantitative longitudinal examination of the cognitive development of 186 counselors‐in‐training (CITs) across their training programs. Findings indicate a general developmental trajectory, with most change occurring between completion of practicum and end of program. There were key differences in trajectories between clinical mental health and school CITs. More than half of CITs graduated without reaching a relativistic state of cognitive development. Implications include developing intentional strategies to support CIT cognitive complexity early in counselor training programs.
Granello et al. (2025) studied this question.