Self-Efficacy of Beginning Counselors to Counsel Clients in Crisis

Abstract

Crisis situations are becoming more and more prevalent in our society today, and as a result, counselors should be aware of the overarching effects of various crisis situations and how they can affect their clients. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of preparedness on beginning counselors’ levels of self-efficacy and their perceived abilities to handle crisis interventions. A purposeful sample of master’s-level counseling students, enrolled in a Crises Intervention Preparation course for Mental Health Responders, were administered the Counselor’s Self-Efficacy Scale to assess their levels of self-efficacy. Findings indicated that counseling students who studied theoretical strategies for approaching various crises, assessed the realities associated with their prospective client base, and tentatively planned flexible intervention models felt confident in their abilities to make effective decisions for supporting clients during crisis situations.