Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Document Type
Empirical Research Article
Keywords
group counseling, therapeutic alliance, cohesion, engagement, counselor education
Subject Area
Counselor Education, Mental Health Counseling
Abstract
We studied several processes in a standardized counselor training group. Participants were masters-level counselor trainees (n=100) who took part in eight sessions in an experiential group. Our purpose was to examine the patterns of therapeutic processes and the therapeutic factors that predicted cohesiveness and commitment of the group tasks. Results underscore the interlocking nature of the therapeutic process factors of cohesiveness, altruism, and universality. Analyses reveal the central role of cohesiveness as a process factor in a short-term group. Altruism and engagement consistently predicted cohesiveness. Cohesiveness predicted commitment to the group tasks. The processes in these training groups resemble those of actual counseling groups. Suggestions for structuring training groups, implications for counselor education, and future research recommendations are discussed.
Recommended Citation
Robak, R. W., Doshi, P. V., & Tursi, M. M. (2022). Exploring Key Group Counseling Processes: Implications for Group Counselor Training. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 15(2). Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.sacredheart.edu/jcps/vol15/iss2/8