Training Issues Related to Touch in Counseling

Authors

Jonathan D. Wright, University of KansasFollow

Document Type

Article

Keywords

counseling, touch, ethics, training

Subject Area

Clinical Supervision, Counseling, Counselor Education

Abstract

Touch is considered by many to be the most important of the five senses for optimal human development and has been used in healing and medical practices throughout history. Touch also plays a key role in human communication but maintains a position detached from other forms of verbal and nonverbal communication within the field of counseling. Most counselors receive little training in the role of touch in counseling, and there are no ethics codes specific to the use of touch available to guide counselors. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of historical and current issues related to the practice and training of touch in counseling and to offer recommendations to counselors, researchers, and training programs.

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.7729/131.1340

Recommended Citation

Wright, J. D. (2020). Training Issues Related to Touch in Counseling. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 13(1). http://dx.doi.org/10.7729/131.1340