Students’ Perceptions of Training in Counselling Skills: Personal, Work and Study Outcomes

Abstract

This study explores students’ perceptions of outcomes of counselling skills training. The course was a Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland (COSCA) accredited certificate course intended to develop counselling skills in those who were seeking to utilise them in a variety of professional and non-professional contexts such as nursing, teaching, and volunteering management. The course was located in an adult learning environment and was underpinned by andragogical principles. The research took place in a context in British society that has seen increasing demand for people with counselling skills linked to an increased appreciation of the value of the human resource. Most students believed they had derived personal and professional benefits from participation in the course: greater understanding of self and others, improved communication skills, and enhanced confidence. Enjoyment and intellectual stimulation had encouraged many to undertake or at least consider further study. Since the data presented here are drawn from nine student intakes over a nine-year period, arguably they represent more than just a single snapshot of student experience.