Empathy development is foundational to counselor training, yet there is scant research on techniques for teaching empathy aside from traditional microskills models. The authors discuss empathy as a skill set, highlight how improvisation (improv) can be used to enhance training, and describe how to incorporate improv activities within the classroom.

Studies the effectiveness of the skilled counselor training module (SCTM). Counseling students who completed the SCTM demonstrated greater gains in skills acquisition and counseling self-efficacy than students who did not receive the training. (Contains 21 references and 2 tables.) (GCP)

Describes an exercise for counselor trainees that promotes counselor reflection on the counseling process. The exercise was introduced before, or concurrent with, skill development and required students to combine conversations and discourse analysis of their interaction with "clients." Methods of analysis are presented, along with…

Fourteen counselor educators identified strategies for research, teaching, and service activities. Responses were analyzed for themes, which were presented as recommendations for counselor educators. Additional strategies for balancing time, overcoming obstacles, and coping with multiple life roles are also presented. (Contains 11 references.)…

Ivey's Do-Use-Teach (DUT) model offers an important and viable vehicle for helping trainees get more than book learning out of training sessions. This article presents a basic structure for implementing a DUT model within the confines of the usual conseling theories or practicum courses. (Author)

Three studies compared self-instructional training with classroom-oriented, traditional approach to skills training for teaching basic counseling skills to graduate student counselor trainees. Results of three studies revealed that two instructional methods were equally effective methods of teaching such skills to this population of students.…

Identifies 13 specific teaching strategies that counselor educators can infuse into existing course work to provide a more systematized approach to training in client documentation. (Author/KW)