Effect Of A Group Leader Training Program On The Group Counseling Skills Of Psychological Counselor Candidates

Abstract

It is important to encourage psychological counselor candidates to do practice, as well as provide the theoretical basis for the counseling in a group within the psychological counseling education. Otherwise, they may be reluctant to manage a psychological counseling group. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a training program on the group counseling skills of counselor candidates. The experimental group of the research consisted of 37 group leader candidates (18 males and 19 females). Quantitative data were obtained using the Skilled Group Counseling Scale. Qualitative data were obtained from evaluation reports of the candidates at the end of the training and analyzed using the content analysis method. Quantitative findings of the research showed that, at the end of the training, all of the total and subscales scores of the Group Counseling Skills Scale of the candidates significantly meaningfully increased. Qualitative findings were grouped under 3 themes, as achievements (group counseling skills, group leader self-efficacy, and professional awareness), boosters, and difficulties.