Counselor Effectiveness and Family‐of‐Origin Experiences: A Significant Relationship?

Abstract

In this article, the authors investigate the relationship between family‐of‐origin experiences and counseling effectiveness of counselors in training.

Model of Effects of Adult Attachment on Emotional Empathy of Counseling Students

“…Other related studies also challenge the premise that secure attachment style is associated with higher levels of counseling skill. Wilcoxon, Walker, and Hovestadt (1989) investigated the relationship between perceived early family experiences and facilitative interpersonal functioning of master's-level counseling students. Their results suggested that the lower the perceived autonomy and intimacy in the early childhood family experiences of novice counselors, the higher their interpersonal-facilitation skill level.…”

Systemic–Developmental Supervision

“…Counseling students with more effective family-oforigin relationships correlates with increased counselor effectiveness (e.g., Trusty, Showron, Watts, & Parrillo, 2004;Watts, Trusty, Canada, & Harvill, 1995;Wilcoxon, Walker, & Hovestadt, 1989;Wolgien & Coady, 1997). Trusty, Showron, Watts, and Parrillo (2004) concluded that ''perhaps counselor-trainees who are more real with themselves are more real with others and therefore more attractive (i.e., friendly, likable, sociable, and warm) in counseling'' (p. 11).…”

Healers on the fault lines: trauma as a risky opportunity for growth, mental flexibility and the penchant for healing others

“…Thus, contrary to the concern that early trauma may compel individuals to become mental health professionals as a defense (repetition compulsion, acting out, reaction formation or another), several studies have suggested that early trauma may confer an added strength to the clinical skills of the practitioner. For example, in more than one survey of master's level clinical practicum students, the perceived quality of their early relationships with their parents had an inverse correlation with their effectiveness as therapists (Watts et al, 1995;Wilcoxon et al, 1989). Furthermore, several studies have found association between the therapist level of integration and meaning making of early family hardship and the likelihood that they will be perceived by their supervisors and patients as more skillful and effective (Cushway, 1996;Miller & Baldwin, 2000;Wolgien & Coady, 1997).…”