Self-Efficacy of Beginning Counselors to Counsel Clients in Crisis

• In Event: 33.080 - Poster Session 6
  In Poster Session: 33.080-7 - Innovative Counseling Approaches and Techniques

Abstract

Crisis situations are becoming more and more prevalent in our society today. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine the effect of preparedness on beginning counselors’ self-efficacy and their perceived ability to handle crisis intervention. A purposeful sample of 112 master’s-level counseling students, enrolled in a Crises Intervention Preparation course for Mental Health Responders, were administered the Counselor’s Self-Efficacy Scale to assess their level of self-efficacy. Findings indicated that counseling students, who studied theoretical strategies for approaching various crises, assessed the realities associated with their prospective client base, and tentatively planned flexible intervention models felt confident in their abilities to make effective decisions for supporting clients during crisis situations.

Authors

• Michelle L. Peters, University of Houston - Clear Lake

• Cheryl Sawyer, University of Houston - Clear Lake

• Jana M. Willis, University of Houston - Clear Lake