Can Counselor Trainees Apply Their Skills in Actual Client Interviews?

The authors compared a skill‐based training method (Carkhuff's human relations development model) with a conceptual‐based training method by measuring (a) trainees' skill application in actual client interviews and (b) client outcomes. Participants were 14 male and 34 female master's degree trainees. Counseling skills were measured by rating segments of audiotaped sessions with field placement clients. Interrater reliabilities of .94 and above were achieved. A self‐report instrument measured client outcome. Although the groups did not differ in responding skills at pretest, the skill‐based group exhibited greater skill application in client interviews and superior client outcome ratings at posttest. Results support the use of skill‐based training methods to increase trainees' skill application in applied settings.