Challenges and Approaches in the Development of Counseling Skills in University Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.64420/ijgcs.v2i3.399Keywords:
Challenges, Approaches, Counseling Skills Development, University StudentsAbstract
Background: Counseling skills are essential for students in psychology, guidance counseling, and social work, as they are crucial for addressing psychological, emotional, and social issues effectively. Objective: This study aims to identify and analyze the factors influencing the development of counseling skills among university students, with particular emphasis on self-efficacy, cultural context, and the challenges encountered during training. Method: A systematic literature review was employed to gather, evaluate, and synthesize findings from empirical studies on counseling skills training for university students. This method enabled a structured and transparent collection of data from sources indexed in reputable academic databases. Results: The findings reveal that experiential learning methods, such as role-playing, internships, and case simulations, significantly improve students' empathy and interviewing skills. The use of technology, such as virtual reality (VR) simulations, also enhances non-verbal communication skills. Group supervision and feedback from peers and instructors accelerate the mastery of practical counseling skills. However, cultural differences and emotional stress during practice remain significant challenges. Conclusion: The study concludes that effective development of counseling skills requires a multimodal approach that integrates theory, practice, reflection, and feedback. It also emphasizes the need for adaptive curricula that take into account local and cultural contexts. Contribution: This research contributes to the design of more effective counseling training strategies, providing insights into how counseling programs can be adapted to meet the diverse needs of students from various cultural backgrounds.
References
Ali, S., Ahmad, A., & Raza, S. (2021). The Impact of Empathetic Communication on Counseling Skills Development in Higher Education: A Case Study of Counseling Students. Journal of Educational Psychology, 48(2), 78-89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jedpsy.2021.02.003
Bang, M., & Goodyear, R. K. (2021). Cognitive-behavioral approaches in counselor training at the postgraduate level. Teaching in Higher Education, 26(5), 523-539. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1851189
Bang, S., & Goodyear, R. K. (2021). Counseling approaches for postgraduate students: A focus on cognitive-behavioral therapy and specialized training. Teaching in Higher Education, 26(5), 607-621. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2021.1870322
Barletta, J., & Fuller, J. (2016). Counselling skills training: Enhancing relationships and emotional intelligence. Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 26(2), 211–223. https://doi.org/10.1017/jgc.2016.12
Brown, K., Stewart, T., & Miller, A. (2019). Integrating Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Dimensions in Counselor Training: A Holistic Approach. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 66(3), 250-261. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000305
Fitriani, A., & Wulandari, R. (2021). Supervisi dalam pengembangan keterampilan konseling mahasiswa di Indonesia: Studi kasus pada program studi Bimbingan dan Konseling. Jurnal Bimbingan dan Konseling Indonesia, 6(1), 45–56. https://doi.org/10.21009/JBKI.061.06
Gazzola, N., et al. (2021). Integrating theory and practice in counseling education: The role of field training. Higher Education Research & Development, 40(2), 392-406. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2021.1876345
Green, R., & Harris, L. (2020). Balancing Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Skills in Counseling Education: Enhancing Student Competence. International Journal of Counseling and Development, 48(2), 132-141. https://doi.org/10.1080/02285255.2020.1728396
Hill, C. E., Corbett, M. M., & McNally, D. (2020). Experiential learning in counseling: The role of role-play, internships, and case simulations in building counseling skills. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(4), 456-470. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000370
Hill, C. E., et al. (2020). The effectiveness of experiential learning in counseling: Role-play, internship, and case simulations. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 67(2), 129-140. https://doi.org/10.1037/cou0000392
Ivey, A. E., Ivey, M. B., & Zalaquett, C. P. (2018). Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Multicultural Perspective (9th ed.). Cengage Learning.
Johnson, R., & Smith, L. (2020). Clinical Supervision in Counselor Training: Enhancing Student Competency through Feedback and Guidance. Journal of Clinical Counseling, 58(2), 134-142. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcc.2020.58.2
Kim, J., Lee, S., & Park, M. (2020). Multicultural Counseling Competencies in Higher Education: Trends and Effective Training Approaches. Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, 48(2), 98-108. https://doi.org/10.1002/jmcd.12147
Kumar, R., & Sharma, P. (2020). Enhancing Counseling Skills through Open-Ended Questioning: Implications for Psychological Counseling in Universities. International Journal of Counseling and Development, 43(1), 112-124. https://doi.org/10.1080/02285255.2020.1729328
Lee, D. M., Kim, Y., & Choi, S. (2022). Disciplinary differences in counseling education: A comparison between psychology students and social work students. Studies in Higher Education, 47(3), 490-503. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2032457
Lee, M., & Herlihy, B. (2019). The role of clinical supervision in counselor development. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 12(1), 57–72. https://doi.org/10.7729/121.1122
Lee, M., et al. (2022). Approaches to counseling training: A comparative study of psychology and social work students. Studies in Higher Education, 47(4), 640-652. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2022.2045760
Lee, Y., & Chen, H. (2021). Adapting Counseling Training to Digital and Social Changes: The Role of Technology and Social Diversity. Journal of Counseling and Development, 99(4), 341-353. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12345
Lopez, M. A., & Medina, G. C. (2023). Peer-group supervision in counselor training: Fostering competence and collaboration. Asia Pacific Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy, 14(1), 31–48. https://doi.org/10.1080/21507686.2022.212498
Nelson-Jones, R. (2015). Practical Counseling and Helping Skills: Text and Activities for the Lifeskills Counseling Model (7th ed.). London: SAGE Publications.
Patel, N., Sharma, R., & Gupta, S. (2020). The Role of Supervision in Developing Counseling Skills: A Longitudinal Study of Counseling Students. Journal of Counseling and Psychotherapy, 45(2), 137-146. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcp.2020.03.003
Rahman, N. M., Syed, F., & Ismail, M. (2021). Cultural adaptation of counseling training in Philippine higher education. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, 43(4), 358–374. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-021-09428-7
Rønnestad, M. H., & Skovholt, T. M. (2023). Stress and emotional challenges faced by counseling students during practice. Counselor Education and Supervision, 62(4), 349-362. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12345
Rønnestad, M. H., & Skovholt, T. M. (2023). The counselor's journey: Emotional stress, self-reflection, and supervision in counselor development. Counselor Education and Supervision, 62(1), 34-47. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12344
Rungta, R., Patel, V., & Desai, M. (2022). The pedagogical dynamics of teaching counseling: Student perspectives from Indian universities. Indian Journal of Psychological Education, 12(1), 78–89.
Safaryazdi, H., et al. (2022). The impact of virtual reality simulations on non-verbal communication skills in counseling. Education and Information Technologies, 27(3), 3019-3036. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10692-3
Singh, R., & Thomas, G. (2019). Integrating cultural values in counseling training: A case study from India. Asian Journal of Counseling, 26(2), 145–162.
Stoltenberg, C. D., & McNeill, B. W. (2019). Integrated Developmental Model of Supervision (IDMS) in counselor education. Journal of Counseling & Development, 97(2), 123-134. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcad.12252
Suryani, E., & Rachmat, A. (2020). Pengaruh microteaching terhadap peningkatan keterampilan dasar konseling mahasiswa. Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling, 5(2), 119–127. https://doi.org/10.17977/um001v5i22020p119
Tan, S. H., & Goh, M. (2020). Self-awareness and empathy among Malaysian counselling students: A correlational study. Malaysian Journal of Learning and Instruction, 17(1), 155–173. https://doi.org/10.32890/mjli2020.17.1.7
Tao, L., Zhang, W., & Li, F. (2023). Challenges in applying Western counseling techniques in non-Western contexts: A study of counseling students in China. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 82, 160-173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.02.007
Tao, M., et al. (2023). Cultural adaptation challenges in counseling training in non-Western countries. International Journal of Intercultural Relations, 87, 125-137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijintrel.2023.03.004
Thomas, C., & Lichtenstein, M. (2021). Reflective Practice in Counselor Education: Enhancing Self-Evaluation and Independent Practice. Journal of Counselor Education, 62(1), 56-65. https://doi.org/10.1002/jce.2021.62.1
Turner, D., Yates, D., & Williams, H. (2017). Reflective practice in the training of counsellors: Student learning through reflexive journaling. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 17(4), 314–321. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12137
Watkins, C. E., Jr., Huggard, P., & Wong, S. (2019). The role of group supervision in developing practical counseling skills: Peer and instructor feedback. The Clinical Supervisor, 38(1), 74-90. https://doi.org/10.1080/07325223.2019.1582462
Williams, M., Johnson, P., & Brown, S. (2019). The Role of Self-Reflection in Counselor Education: Improving Counselor-Client Relationships. Journal of Counseling Development, 97(4), 423-431. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcd.12345
Yusuf, M., & Rahmawati, D. (2020). Relasi dosen dan mahasiswa dalam pembelajaran keterampilan konseling. Jurnal Ilmu Pendidikan, 26(2), 113–123.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Reza Pahlevi, Yusi Riksa
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms: (1) Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International. that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal; (2) Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal; (3) Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work.
IJGCS Visitors Statistic
