Abstract
In this transcendental phenomenological study, we followed the traditions of Moustakas and explored the counseling experiences of adults who had been identified as gifted during their school years and had experienced counseling for issues related to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or hypersensitivity. We identified the following themes after interviewing participants: (1) growing up gifted; (2) challenges for gifted individuals at the college level; (3) living with anxiety and depression as a gifted adult; (4) medication and tools used by gifted adults; (5) being a perfectionist and dealing with hypersensitivity as a gifted adult; (6) experiences in counseling as a gifted adult; and (7) gifted adults need counseling that addresses their presenting issues and acknowledges their gifted status. Implications for counselors include recognizing specialized counseling needs of gifted adults and providing services in a way that appeal to gifted adults.
Author ORCID Identifier
Theodore P. Remley, Jr., 0000-0002-1079-4823
Recommended Citation
Busbee, Kelli and Remley, Theodore
(2026)
"THE COUNSELING EXPERIENCES OF GIFTED ADULTS,"
Adultspan Journal: Vol. 25:
Iss.
1, Article 7.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.33470/2161-0029.1212
Available at:
https://mds.marshall.edu/adsp/vol25/iss1/7
Included in
Counseling Commons, Gifted Education Commons, Psychology Commons
