Effects of an Experiential Training Group on Psychological Wellness and Professional Efficacy for Counsellors-in-Training

Abstract

Despite the recognized value of an experiential training group in major counselling program accrediting and governing institutions, there is a paucity of research investigating the effectiveness of such a training group for counsellors-in-training (CITs). The present study examined the effects of a wellness-themed training group conducted in Hong Kong on CITs’ psychological wellness and group leader self-efficacy. The Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F–Wel) and the Group Leader Self-Efficacy Instrument (GLSI) were administered to forty-three CITs of a Hong Kong master’s degree program in counsellor education. A pretest–posttest design was employed to compare psychological wellness and group leader self-efficacy before and after a 12-hour experiential training group. Two research aims were addressed. The findings showed significant increases in group leader self-efficacy and psychological wellness among CIT participants. Further investigation showed that Coping Self, Creative Self and Life Satisfaction improved significantly following the experiential training group. The foci of promoting an awareness of personal resources and identifying personal-fit positive coping strategies in the current group intervention might contribute to the positive results. The present findings have important implications for counsellor educators who have an important role in preparing competent and resilient CITs. The mandatory participation of the CITs as group members in an authentic, feedback experiential training group is recommended in a professional counselling program.