Understanding the experience of transformation in counselor training provides insight into the phenomenon of four counselors-in-training who were currently engaging in a CACREP-accredited program. The participants comprised two females and two males, whose ages ranged from early thirties to mid fifties. The qualitative methodology of hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry was used to explore the phenomenon. Using this methodology, the researcher's perspective and subjective experience are considered an important component of the study, versus trying to "bracket" such things out (van Manen, 1990, p. 47). The study involved two rounds of individual interviews and a focus group containing all of the participants and the researcher. Through the thematic data analysis, four essential themes were identified: "vulnerability," "awareness," "ownership," and "acceptance." The theme of vulnerability included the following two subthemes: "of risk" and "of relief." The theme of "awareness" included the two subthemes of "as clarity" and "of new possibilities." The theme of "ownership" included the subthemes of "as empowerment" and "relationships." Within the theme of "acceptance," "from others" and "from self" were determined to be sub-themes. Throughout this study, trustworthiness was safeguarded through researcher reflexivity, prolonged engagement, and member checking through a focus group. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]