The impact of counsellor training on emotional intelligence

Pearson, A; Weinberg, A

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of counsellor training on emotional intelligence (EI) in 45 undergraduates and 58 postgraduates. Significant improvements were recorded by students on completion of both programmes, suggesting that these were attributable to training which enhanced intra- and interpersonal aspects of emotional functioning. As a group, postgraduates were older than undergraduates, and at the outset of the study, EISAQ scores were comparable; however, at follow-up, undergraduates recorded significantly higher EISAQ scores. Students’ EI was not significantly related to their age, and these findings indicate the potential for effective EI-skills training which is unrelated to quantity of life experiences. It is hoped that this study contributes to a growing quantitative evidence base from which the counselling profession can evaluate its training profile.

Citation

Pearson, A., & Weinberg, A. (2016). The impact of counsellor training on emotional intelligence. British Journal of Guidance and Counselling, 45(4), 610-621. https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2016.1226496

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 12, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Sep 12, 2016
• Publication Date: Sep 12, 2016
• Deposit Date: Jul 20, 2017
• Journal: British Journal of Guidance & Counselling
• Print ISSN: 0306-9885
• Publisher: Routledge
• Volume: 45
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 610-621
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2016.1226496
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/03069885.2016.1226496
• Related Public URLs: http://www.tandfonline.com/toc/cbjg20/current