Эмоциональный интеллект и эмпатические способности психолога-консультанта в работе с проблемными семьями

Abstract

We consider the influence of emotional intelligence and empathic abilities level in counseling therapists on the satisfaction with the quality of family counseling among clients from dysfunctional families. The study involved 26 counseling therapists working in counseling centers in Moscow, as well as 70 family members who sought advice on family difficulties. The effectiveness of counseling and customer satisfaction is influenced by both the method chosen by the consultant to solve the family issue, and the dialogical interaction between consultants and clients, which characterizes the qualitative side of the therapeutic alliance. The role of specific characteristics of emotional intelligence and empathy among counseling therapists contributing to the establishment of a therapeutic alliance has been established. The results of the study showed a positive correlation between customer satisfaction with counseling and the ability of a therapist to control his emotions and manage the emotions of clients, as well as the flexible use of rational and emotional channels of empathy, which allows coping with difficulties in the counseling process. Conclusions are drawn about the need to include trainings for the development of these qualities in the professional training of counseling therapists, since existing educational standards focus mainly on the “technical” side of counseling, ignoring the basic psychological basis for the success of working with members of problem families – the skillful establishment of psychological contact and the development of trusting relationships with people who had different goals and positions in a protracted conflict and unwilling to take responsibility for its resolution.