The current study was designed to compare four possible methods of identifying natural helpers: a self-report measure of natural helping ability, ratings by others of helping ability based on two 10-minute helping sessions, self-report on measures assessing theoretically-derived constructs related to natural helping, and a self-report of intent to…

The authors examined outcomes and predictors of outcomes for 85 undergraduates in 3 helping skills classes. After training, trainees used more exploration skills in helping sessions with classmates (as assessed by perceptions of helpees and helpers/trainees as well as behavioral counts of skills), were perceived by helpees as more empathic, talked…

Two versions of a counselor self-efficacy (CSE) measure were administered to 110 prepracticum counselors: a general version, assessing perceived capability to perform basic helping skills and manage the session process with clients generally; and a client-specific version, tapping capability to perform the same behaviors with a specific, current…

Examined the affect and focus of therapists' (N=31) self-talk in relation to other therapy process variables, specifically perceptions of their own helpfulness and their clients' negative reactions, after taking into consideration the perceived strength of the working alliance. Results suggest the importance of the awareness and management of…

The Helping Skills Measure (HSM) was constructed to assess client perceptions of the helping skills used by beginning helpers in sessions. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated 3 scales (Exploration, Insight, Action) that were internally consistent and moderately to highly intercorrelated. Scores on all 3 HSM scales increased…

Counselors and helpees evaluated sessions and then reviewed videotapes identifying counselor intentions and rating helpfulness for each counselor turn. Results indicate counselors and helpees perceived different things to have occurred. Helpees felt that counselors were using more support, focus, and clarity and less self-control and resistance…

Studied evaluations of sessions and videotape-assisted reviews in 24 cases. Found that helpfulness ratings, intentions, and reactions were consistent across sessions and reviews. Positive mood increased after sessions but decreased after reviews. Other findings suggest that videotape-assisted reviews, helpfulness ratings, intentions, and reactions…

Questions need to be asked about whether students with an interest in the helping professions believe systematic human relations training to be useful and relevant. The present study investigated the students' evaluation of human relations training by means of the Illinois Course Evaluation Questionnaire. (Author)

The perceptions of empathy among 12 clients, 12 counselors, 12 observers, and two judges on the empathy subscale of the Truax Relationship Inventory and on Carkhuff's empathy rating scale were studied. Results indicate strong agreement among all participants of the counseling process on their perceptions of empathy. (Author)

Male and female counselors (N=88) viewed videotaped vignettes of two 35-year old women and two 20-year old women who portrayed problems about feared rape, existential anxiety, and choice of college major. Results indicated the two personal-social problems were rated as more serious than vocational problems on all dependent measures. (Author)

Twelve experienced therapists completed a questionnaire, and 8 of the 12 were then interviewed about their experiences with a therapeutic impasse that ended in therapy termination. Data were analyzed using a qualitative methodology. Results indicated most of the clients were anxious and depressed with personality disorders and interpersonal…