Psychosocial Resolution and Counsellor Trainee Empathy.

SOCIAL psychology; ERIKSON, E. H.; EDUCATION; EMPATHY

This study investigated the relationship between resolution of writer E.H. Erikson's psychosocial stage of intimacy/isolation and counsellor trainee empathy. The results revealed a significant main effect for gender on stage resolution but not on skill level of empathy. Success in this model is measured by the extent to which the student communicates similar conditions to the client through the therapeutic interaction. As entry-level counseling students come from a wide range of undergraduate experiences, a comparison of these backgrounds in terms of stage resolution may reveal some significant differences that may have implications for the choice of candidates for counsellor education programs and for entrance requirements to those programs.