Effects of Pretraining Procedures for Clients in Counseling

Abstract

Two models for pretraining clients entering counseling were compared to a no-treatment control condition on dimensions of clients' self-exploration and the development of client-counselor relationship. Self-exploration was measured by the Carkhuff Helpee Self-exploration Scale and client-counselor relationship development was measured by the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory. Pretraining involved clients' listening to audiotape cassettes concerning problems, expectations, and responsibilities clients frequently encounter during the counseling process. The general pretraining tape was modeled after the Orne and Wender Anticipation Socialization process and the specific pretraining tape was made by the client-specific counselor. 29 subjects volunteered from students seeking help at a university counseling center. Specific and general pretraining equally facilitated the counseling process as measured by clients' self-exploration and counselors' perceptions of client-counselor relationships. This result is contrary to others' research which suggested specific pretraining has a greater facilitating effect. Students in both conditions showed a significant increase in self-exploration beyond the control group's level of self-exploration. A procedure as simple as a recorded, general pretraining process may be sufficient to increase self-exploration.