Examining the Practicum Experience to Increase Counseling Students’ Self-Efficacy

Authors

James Ikonomopoulos, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
Javier Cavazos Vela, University of Texas Rio Grande ValleyFollow
Wayne D. Smith, University of Houston, Victoria
Julia Dell'Aquila

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2016

Abstract

Counseling graduate students may begin practicum with low self-efficacy regarding their counseling abilities and skills. In the current study, we implemented a small-series (N = 11) single-case research design to assess the effectiveness of the practicum experience to increase counseling students’ self-efficacy. Analysis of participants’ scores on the Counselor Activity Self-Efficacy Scale yielded treatment effects indicating that the practicum experience encompassing direct services, group supervision, and triadic supervision may be effective for increasing counselor self-efficacy. Given that the practicum experience with triadic supervision was a promising approach for improving counseling graduate students’ selfefficacy, we provide implications for counselor educators to integrate triadic supervision and self-efficacy to the forefront of discussions.

Comments

© 2016 NBCC, Inc. and Affiliates. Original published version available at doi.org/10.15241/ji.6.2.161

Recommended Citation

Ikonomopoulos, J., Vela, J. C., Smith, W., & Dell’Aquila, J. (2016). Examining the Practicum Experience to Increase Counseling Students’ Self-Efficacy. The Professional Counselor, 6(2), 161–173. https://doi.org/10.15241/ji.6.2.161

First Page

161

Last Page

173

Publication Title

The Professional Counselor

DOI

10.15241/ji.6.2.161