Counselor Competency Scale Research Articles

Psychological well-being and its relationship to counseling competence among educational counselors

The current research aims to identify the psychological well-being and counseling competence of educational counselors, and the nature of the correlation between these two variables. To achieve the research objectives, the researcher adopted Carol Ryff’s psychological well-being scale (Ryff, 1989), and built a counseling competency scale. These standards were applied to a sample of (200) male and female counselors, and using appropriate statistical methods, the results showed the following: 1- Educational counselors enjoy psychological well-being. 2- Educational counselors have guidance competence. 3- There are no statistically significant differences in psychological well-being and counseling competence due to the gender variable (males - females). 4- There is a positive, direct correlation between psychological well-being and counseling competence among educational counselors.

The Mediator Role of Cognitive Flexibility Levels in the Relationship Between Authenticity Levels and Multicultural Counseling Competence Perceptions of Psychological Counselors

This study examines the mediating role of cognitive flexibility levels in the relationship between counselors' authenticity levels and their perceptions of multicultural counseling competence. In the study, a relational survey model was employed. The study group consisted of 617 counselors, 493 female and 124 male, living in various cities in Turkey. "Personal Information Form", "Authenticity Scale", "Multicultural Counseling Competencies Scale" and "Cognitive Flexibility Inventory" were used for data collection. Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze the data. As a result of the study, it was determined that there were significant positive correlations between counselors' authenticity levels, cognitive flexibility levels, and their perceptions of multicultural counseling competencies. While the direct effect of authenticity levels on multicultural counseling competence perceptions was insignificant, the total and indirect effects were found to be significant. In this context, it was found that the cognitive flexibility levels of the counselors play a full mediating role in the relationship between their authenticity levels and their perceptions of multicultural counseling competence. The results were discussed and evaluated within the framework of the relevant literature. Finally, based on the findings of the study, suggestions were made for researchers and practitioners.

Analysis of the Counseling Competency Scale-Revised Using Trainees’ Self-Assessment Data

Objective The Counseling Competencies Scale – Revised (CCS-R) measures counselor trainees’ therapeutic skills and dispositions and is a tool for counseling outcome research and evaluation. Prior research on the CCS-R has focused on supervisors’ ratings of counselors’ competencies. Our study evaluated the factor structure of CCS-R scores based on the counselors’ self-reports. Method The present study utilized confirmatory factor analysis to test if the factor structure of the CCS-R fits using self-reported scores on the measure. Results The data (N = 998) produced a good fit with the factor structure of the CCS-R. Conclusions The results demonstrated that the CCS-R model from prior research is consistent when the scale is used as a self-report measure. The results demonstrated evidence of construct validity when applying CCS-R as a supervisee self-report tool. Future research can look for additional ways to demonstrate the construct validity of the CCS-R across different supervisee groups.

A Preliminary Exploratory Factor Analysis of the BDSM Counselor Competency Scale.

BDSM practitioners represent a large sexual minority group often overlooked, misunderstood, and unnecessarily pathologized by mental health clinicians. Although developing cultural competence for diverse and marginalized populations is widely understood to be a core component of delivering efficacious therapeutic services that can counteract these stigmatizing mental healthcare experiences, no measures currently exist that assess clinicians' self-reported competence to work with BDSM practitioners. Previous measurement work has been done to establish self-report competency scales for clinicians working with other sexual and gender minority groups, but no such scales exist for working with BDSM practitioners. In the current study, we adapted a version of the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS) to measure clinicians' self-reported competence to work with BDSM practitioners and did a preliminary exploratory factor analysis of the new scale (n = 124). After an initial 24-item administration, principal axis factoring of our final 17-item solution revealed two latent factors (attitudes and skills/knowledge) consistent with the 2013 SOCCS and the theoretical constructs of cultural competency. The BDSM Counselor Competency Scale (BDSM-CCS) can help clinicians, practices, agencies, and training programs track self-reported cultural competence with the BDSM population. Future research directions for scale development and clinical and training applications are discussed.

Measuring the longitudinal impact of a transgender and gender diverse curriculum on nurse practitioner students' and nurse practitioners' cultural competence, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.

Nurse practitioners (NPs) are well positioned to provide inclusive, person-centered care to patients who are transgender and gender diverse (TGD); however, few NPs have been trained on how to do so. This study demonstrates the longitudinal effect of an educational intervention that used readings, lecture, a patient panel, and a standardized patient encounter on NPs' and nurse practitioner students' cultural competency, knowledge, skills, and attitudes toward patients who are TGD. The study followed participants for 3 months and used the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale version 3 tool to measure changes across three data points. Significant improvements were demonstrated in cultural competency and clinical skills, with knowledge and attitude increases that did not reach significances. The findings from this study have implications for the inclusion of TGD content in graduate nursing curriculum and continuing education activities and provide educators with best practices to integrate this content into learning activities.

Cross-Cultural Validation of the Counseling Competencies Scale Revised (CCS-R)—Korean Version

The purpose of the current study is to validate the Counseling Competencies Scale Revised (CCS-R). We used convenience sampling to recruit counselors and counselors-in-training (N = 156). Specifically, we had 130 female (83.3%) and 26 male (16.7%) participants, and the mean age was 33.16 (SD = 11.18), ranging from 20 to 62 years old. We used correlational analyses, ANOVA, and confirmatory factor analysis to understand the characteristics of the sample and assess the psychometrics of the CCS-R-K. Results showed the validity and reliability of the data, including the acceptable model fits and high alpha reliability coefficient values. We also found that the scores of the CCS-R-K were positively related to participants’ years of clinical experience and educational levels. The CCS-R-K can be used as a measurement tool to objectively and comprehensively evaluate Korean counselors’ competency in counselor education, contributing to cultivating counselors with the professional competencies required by our society.

Enhancing cultural competence in caring for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender patients: An online training program for Taiwanese student nurses and nurses

BackgroundHealth disparities exist among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) populations worldwide. However, student nurses and nurse staff have limited knowledge and skills in providing culturally competent nursing care for LGBT patients in Taiwan. ObjectivesThis paper describes the development, implementation, and evaluation of an online training program for the cultural competence of student nurses and nurses in Taiwan. DesignA one-group pre-/post-test study design. SettingsThe study was conducted in five nursing schools, 10 nursing associations, and 37 long-term care facilities. Two prominent online bulletin boards (PTT Nurse and Dcard Nurse) and one Taiwanese nursing group on Facebook were used to recruit participants. ParticipantsIn total, 301 student nurses and nurses participated in the study and responded to pre- and post-test questionnaires. MethodsAn online training program for culturally competent nursing care was developed and implemented. The pre- and post-test questionnaires contained three sections: (1) demographics, (2) knowledge of LGBT health, and (3) the Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale. Three open-ended questions were included in the post-test questionnaire to evaluate the online training program. ResultsThe online training program significantly improved the participants' knowledge and cultural competence skills. However, their attitudes towards cultural competence did not change after the program was implemented. Regarding qualitative feedback of the online training program, feedback on the strengths and limitations of the program was summarized under three themes: program content, website design, and online modules. ConclusionsThe results suggest the importance of an online training program which may contribute to reducing health disparities among the LGBT population.

Bringing Gender-Affirming Care to Primary Care: Use of a Multimodal Curriculum to Educate Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Practitioner Students.

An increasing number of individuals who identify as transgender and gender diverse require informed and compassionate health care, yet there is a dearth of research about which educational strategies are best used to provide nurses and nurse practitioners the foundation upon which to provide appropriate health care. This study evaluated a multimodal approach that included guided readings, a transgender patient panel, standardized patient simulation, and group discussion. The Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale was administered pre- and postintervention. Results demonstrated increases in knowledge, skills, and attitudes among the 16 participants. A high level of satisfaction was expressed for the overall program, but especially for the patient panel and standardized patient encounter. Nurse educators are encouraged to include information about health care of the transgender patient into curricula.

학부과정 상담자의 상담역량 척도 개발

학부과정 상담자의 상담역량 척도 개발

Development of a Scale of Nurses' Competency in Anticipatory Grief Counseling for Caregivers of Patients with Terminal Cancer.

Anticipatory grief leads to a highly stressful and conflicting experience among caregivers of patients with terminal cancer. Nurses lack the competency to assess and manage the caregivers' psychological problems, which in turn affects the caregivers' quality of life. A scale assessing the anticipatory grief counseling competency among nurses is unavailable. In this study, an Anticipatory Grief Counseling Competency Scale (AGCCS) was developed for nurses. The Scale (AGCCS) was translated into Chinese and then revised. Psychometric testing of the scale was conducted on 252 nurses who participated in the care of patients with terminal cancer at a regional teaching hospital in Southern Taiwan. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, reliability, and Pearson's correlation, and principal component analysis and analysis of variance were performed. Item- and scale-content validity indexes were 0.99 and 0.93, respectively. The Cronbach α of internal consistency was 0.981. The final 53-item AGCCS had five factors, which accounted for 70.81% of the total variance. The Pearson correlation coefficients of these factors ranged between 0.406 and 0.880 (p < 0.001). The AGCCS can be used to evaluate the aforementioned competency for improving caregivers' quality of care. It can also facilitate in-service education planning and evaluation.

Counseling competencies scale (CCS) psychometric properties: Application for trainee counselors in Malaysia

The purpose of this study is to translate the counseling competencies scale (CCS) in the Malaysian context, and subsequently to test the validity and reliability of the psychometrics. Specifically, there was a limited number of psychometric items to evaluate counselor-in-training competencies. Recently, CCS was designed to evaluate trainee counselor competencies including counseling skills, dispositions, and behaviors as it is one of the ethical obligations that need to be fulfilled. However, the CCS has not been adapted culturally or linguistically for the Malay population since it was developed overseas. Previous literature indicates that until now, only one study found translated CCS into Chinese language and culture. On the contrary, there were a few studies carried out on the reliability and validity of CCS. Yet, all of these studies were conducted outside the local context which was a gap in the implementation of this study. Hence, this study was implemented at 9 public universities in Malaysia with samples n=204 internship students and n=62 internship lecturer supervisors involved. The result empirically proves that the Malay version of CCS is valid and has a good consistency. This study also increases the number of competency psychometrics that are applicable to counseling supervision in this country. Furthermore, it provides supervisors and educators with a reliable tool to assess counselor trainee competencies. In contrast, the results might not be representative of all counselor trainees in the counseling program as only the internship students were involved. Future studies should involve trainee counselors from all semesters to ensure the generalizability of the findings.

Development and validation of a multicultural counseling competency scale for Malaysian professional counselors

AbstractThis study describes the development and validation of a 32‐item instrument to assess the multicultural counseling competencies of 508 Malaysian professional counselors. Exploratory factor analysis identified five underlying factors of multicultural counseling competency (MCC), and this five‐factor model of MCC, confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis, has more than the three dimensions proposed in the literature. These findings provide strong evidence for construct validity and encourage the use of this instrument among counselors.

Factors affecting nurses' willingness and competency to provide anticipatory grief counseling for family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer.

To explore factors associated with nurses' willingness and competency to provide anticipatory grief counselling for the family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer. Family caregivers often experience anticipatory grief due to the imminence of a loved one's death. However, few studies have identified factors associated with nurses' willingness or competency to provide anticipatory grief counselling for the family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer. This descriptive correlational study recruited a convenience sample of nurses from cancer-related wards at a regional teaching hospital in Taiwan. The Anticipatory Grief Counseling Willingness Scale and Anticipatory Grief Counseling Competency Scale were employed. This cross-sectional study followed the STROBE checklist. The nurses' average scores for willingness and competency to provide anticipatory grief counselling for the family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer were 44.28±8.36 and 171.84±30.83, respectively. Multivariate linear regression revealed that interest in participating in anticipatory grief counselling for the family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer was significantly associated with the nurses' willingness to provide such counselling. Similarly, their willingness to provide such counselling was significantly associated with their counselling competency. Nurses' willingness and competency to provide anticipatory grief counselling for the family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer can be enhanced through in-service education programmes, including bedside teaching and scenario simulation. To improve nurses' competency in anticipatory grief counselling for the family caregivers of patients with terminal cancer, factors related to nurses' willingness to provide such grief counselling must be addressed. Diverse strategies of in-service education can be adopted to promote nurses' competency in anticipatory grief counselling.

A Career Adaptability Model for Psychological Counselors

The main aim of this research is; to propose and test a model of structural equality that examines career adaptability of psychological counselors, career calling and skills used in the fields of vocational identity experience for psychological counselors. This research was designed as a causal pattern. 231 volunteer psychological counselors participated in the study. The data were collected by “career adaptability scale, career calling scale, communication skills scale and perceived self- efficacy in counseling competencies scale”. Structural equation modeling was used for data analysis. According to the research findings, career calling predicts career adaptability in a statistically positive and meaningful way. At the same time, it was found that the skills used in the fields of vocational identity experience (communication skills and competence perception) for psychological counselors positively and significantly predicted career calling. Finally, the relationship between career adaptability and skills used in the fields of vocational identity experience for psychological counselors (communication skills and competence perception) has been shown to have a full mediating effect of career calling. As a result of this research, a career adaptability model for psychological counselors was reached. Experimental programs that will be prepared to increase career adaptability of psychological counselors can include dimensions of the model discussed in this research.

The Development and Validation of the Korean Counselor LGBT Counseling Competency Scale

The Development and Validation of the Korean Counselor LGBT Counseling Competency Scale

The effects of lesbian, gay, and bisexual experiences and internal beliefs on lesbian, gay, and bisexual affirmative counselor competence among Chinese counselors.

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) affirmative counselor competence is important for counselors to work effectively with sexual minority clients, but the level of competence is unclear among counselors in China, given the more conservative sociocultural climate. To understand the factors that contribute to Chinese counselors' LGB affirmative counselor competence, this study examined how situational (e.g., LGB experiences) and cognitive factors (e.g., internal beliefs) contribute to such competence in light of cultural learning theory. A total of 672 counselors (79.40% female; Mage = 36.33 years, SD = 7.87) from Mainland China completed an online survey. They provided information about demographics and LGB experiences (i.e., hours of LGB training, number of LGB clients, and number of LGB friends) and completed the Essentialist Beliefs Scale, Social Dominance Orientation Scale, and Sexual Orientation Counselor Competency Scale (SOCCS). Structural equation modeling results indicated that number of LGB friends was positively associated with SOCCS-Attitude. Number of LGB clients had the greatest effect on SOCCS-Skill, followed by hours of LGB training and number of LGB friends. Lower discreteness belief, higher immutability belief, and lower social dominance orientation were associated with higher level of SOCCS-Attitude. Higher universality belief was associated with higher levels of SOCCS-Knowledge and Skill. Interestingly, more hours of LGB training were not associated with higher levels of SOCCS-Attitude and Knowledge. In addition, counselors' gender or sexual orientation did not moderate the effects of LGB experiences and internal beliefs on LGB affirmative counselor competence. The implications for these findings are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).

Using the Integrated Developmental Model of Supervision in a Vocational Counseling Setting

This paper proposes a concept of supervision at a vocational counseling setting. Using the Integrated Developmental Model with triadic supervision for trainees employed at YGS Placement Service agency will facilitate client welfare and counselor in training development. Along with supervision comes evaluating and assessing trainees' competence. Using the Counseling Competency Scale, the Supervisee Levels Questionnaire-Revised, and reflective journaling will benefit the supervision experience. Determining the level of development of trainees using the integrated development model is the first step to organize and plan the supervision meetings.
 Keywords: integrated developmental model, triadic supervision, vocational counseling, trainee, clinical supervision

Kültüre Duyarlı Psikolojik Danışma Yeterliklerinin Yordanmasında Kültürel Zekâ, Çok Kültürlü Psikolojik Danışma Eğitimi ve Mesleki Deneyimin Rolü

Bu arastirmanin amaci psikolojik danismanlarin kulturel zekâ, cok kulturlu psikolojik danisma egitimi ve mesleki deneyimlerinin kulture duyarli danisma yeterliklerini ne duzeyde yordadigini incelemektir. Tarama modelinin kullanildigi bu arastirma aktif calisan 115 psikolojik danisman ile yurutulmustur. Arastirmanin verileri “Cok Kulturlu Psikolojik Danisma Yeterlikleri Olcegi” ve “Kulturel Zekâ Olcegi” ile toplanmistir. Olceklerden elde edilen verilerin analizinde Pearson momentler carpimi korelasyon katsayisi hesaplanmis ve coklu dogrusal regresyon analizi yapilmistir. Arastirma sonuclarina gore kulturel zekâ, cok kulturlu psikolojik danisma egitimi ve mesleki deneyim ile kulture duyarli danisma yeterlikleri arasinda anlamli iliskilerin oldugu gorulurken yordayici degiskenlerin birlikte yordanan degiskendeki degisimin %34’unu acikladigi tespit edilmistir. Regresyon katsayilarinin anlamlilik testlerine gore sadece kulturel zekânin kulture duyarli danisma yeterliklerini yordadigi belirlenmistir.

The Influence of the Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity towards Counseling Competency in Supervision among Trainee Counselors in Malaysia

This study was a correlational research aiming to investigate the relationship between role conflict and role ambiguity, and counseling competencies among trainee counselors in the supervision process. Next, this study also seeks to examine the influence of both factors towards the study’s dependent variables. For the respondents, 217 trainee counselors and 67 supervisor lecturers from nine public universities in Malaysia were involved. Two instruments were used to measure the variables in this study namely The Role Conflict and Role Ambiguity Inventory (RCRAI) and Counseling Competencies Scale (CCS). RCRAI was administered to measure the role conflict and role ambiguity among trainee counselors, while CCS functions to assist the supervisors in evaluating the counselors’ competencies. Based on the study findings, there was a significant correlation between role conflict and role ambiguity with counseling competencies r =.170, p<.05; and r =-.542, p<.05, respectively. For the multiple regression analyses, it is reported that the model was a significant predictor of counseling competencies, R2= 2.95, F(2, 201) = 41.994, p< .000. The model also indicates that only role ambiguity had contributed significantly (?= -.434, p<.05), while role conflict had not (? =-.046, p>.05). All these findings provide future research directions to improve the level of competencies among the trainee counselor in the supervision process. For this purpose, the study implications on counselor competencies in the supervision as well as on the relationship between both the supervisor and trainee are discussed.

Validation of Multicultural Counseling Competency Scale in Thai Context

This study aimed to validate psychometric properties of the Multicultural Counseling Competency (MCC) Scale in Thai Context. Participants were 401 professional counselors and graduate students in Counseling Psychology and related field. Instruments were the MCC Scale, the Working Alliance Inventory-Short Form (WAI-S) and the Social Desirability Scale (SDS). the MCC Scale consisted of 47 items and ten components: the awareness of own assumption: belief and attitude the awareness of own assumption: knowledge, the awareness of own assumption: skills the understanding of client’s worldview: belief and attitude, the understanding of client’s worldview: knowledge, the understanding of client’s worldview: skills the developing appropriate interventions: belief and attitude, the developing appropriate interventions: knowledge, the developing appropriate interventions: skills, and the well integration between professional and personal life. Content validity of the Scale was supported by expert panel. The MCC scale was significantly and positively correlated with the WAI-S (r =.48) and did not show significantly correlated with SDS (r =.04). CFA supported construct of the MCC scale (χ2 = 40.58; df = 28; p =.059; CFI = 1.00; GFI =.98; AGFI =.95; SRMR =.03; RMSEA =.04; χ2/df = 1.45). And further examined its validity by using the known-group technique (professional counselors with more than three years of experience and fourth-year students in psychology major). The mean scores of the two groups were significantly different (t = 3.71, p <.01). The internal consistencies of the MCC scale as measured by Cronbach’s alphas were .96.