Abstract

The purpose of this study is to suggest a theory with which the early development process of multi-cultural counselors can be explained. Therefore, in-depth interviews with 7 counselors currently working at an organization related with the multi-culture are conducted. For the data analysis, the grounded theory method suggested by Strauss and Corbin (1998) is used among qualitative research methods. The question of this study is ‘what do multi-cultural counselors experience in the early developments and what features do they have?’ From the analysis with grounded theory, 108 concepts, 46 sub-categories and 19 categories are drawn. The paradigm model was constructed to understand the relationship between categories, and through axial coding and selective coding, the experiences of multi-cultural counselors in the early development stage were examined. This study suggests that more flexible counseling approach rather than traditional one is effective for clients from multi-culture. It has in implication in that it provides basic data for indicating the orientation for enhancing professionalism in the early development process most of multi-cultural counselors are experiencing in Korea.