Helping skills training: Outcomes and trainer effects

J Couns Psychol. 2023 Jul;70(4):396-402. doi: 10.1037/cou0000667. Epub 2023 May 18.

Abstract

We studied whether counseling self-efficacy increases after taking a helping skills course as well as whether trainer (instructor) effects are associated with postclass self-efficacy. We surveyed 551 undergraduate students and 27 trainers in helping skills courses across three semesters at one large mid-Atlantic U.S. public university. We found that students reported greater counseling self-efficacy after taking the course. In addition, trainers accounted for small but significant amount of the variance (7%) in changes in counseling self-efficacy. There was evidence that the instructors' authoritative teaching style but not their facilitative interpersonal skills were associated with increases in students' counseling self-efficacy. Implications for helping skills training are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

MeSH terms

  • Counseling*
  • Humans
  • Self Efficacy
  • Social Skills
  • Students* / psychology
  • Surveys and Questionnaires