The Discovery of Personal Meaning: A Goal for Counselor Training

The argument is presented that personal integration and transfer of interpersonal skills is more likely to occur if significant attention is given to the learning phase of skills training. Guidelines are presented to help trainers create conditions that encourage learners to discover the personal meaning of these skills. These guidelines are part of an integrative approach that seeks to acknowledge what learners bring to training, to encourage learners to respect their own abilities and reactions to training, and to coach learners to use skills in ways that fit their individual styles and contexts.