Toward an integration of the didactic and experiential approaches to training in counseling and psychotherapy.

Abstract

An attempt to describe a view of supervision which integrates the didactic and experiential forms of supervision. Training in counseling and psychotherapy is viewed as a therapeutic process: a learning process which takes place in a particular land of relationship leading to self-exploration. The view is implemented in a therapist training program which is currently in progress and which relies heavily upon the use of tape recorded psychotherapy and measurement scales growing out of research designed to quantify essential aspects of the therapeutic relationship in the context of a meaningful relationship.Supervision or training programs in the fields of counseling and psychotherapy have been formulated traditionally in terms of a didactic-intellectual approach which emphasizes the shaping of therapist behavior or the experiential-accepting approach which focuses upon therapist growth and development. The present paper is an attempt to describe a view of supervision or training which would integrate the ex-

Education in Psychotherapy: Challenges and Pitfalls

“…Although there is numerous research indicating the predominantly beneficial effects of such an experience (2,6,19,21,28,31,33,34,35), in practice only a relatively small percentage of residents get involved in it (25,31).…”

“…At the other pole the supervisory approach attempts to integrate the experiential and didactic aspects (3,5,8,14,29,33). These proponents argue that while effective supervision "must contain cognitive and evaluative elements, a great emphasis must be placed on the experiential -feeling qualities of the student's relationships with the clients" (33).…”

Can Psychotherapeutic Competence Be Taught?

“…This paper is pre sented in defense of an alternative educa tional concept. Parts of this concept have already been presented by Rogers [1951] and by Truax et al [1964]; its effectiveness has been empirically demonstrated, moreover, by several studies [Minsel, 1974;Tschculin, 1980], In addition to an intensive integra tion of knowledge and self-awareness, the emphasis is on the training of the desired therapeutic behavior. The training process implemented here, i.e.…”

The Counselor's Personal Theory

“…Walz (24) recommended a panel of nonsupervisory counselor educators who should independently carry out the evaluation function. Truax, CarkhufF, and Douds (23) noted that instruments are being developed which will provide reliable measures of counselor effectiveness in lieu of subjective impressions of supervisors.…”