The skills-based model of counselling training: A review of the evidence

While skills-based approaches to basic counselling training dominate the field, they have been criticised on four counts: (a) lack of evidence as to effectiveness in improving interview performance, (b) lack of evidence of skills retention and transfer, (c) failure to take into account trainees' individual differences in counselling aptitude, and (d) failure to take into account trainees' underlying cognitive structures and processes. A review of the literature suggests that the first two criticisms can be rejected and that there is insufficient empirical evidence at present to support the other two. Some guidelines for counselling skills training are suggested.