Determining the Training Needs Regarding the "Structuring Dimension" in the Individual Counselling Process

The psychological counselling process is commenced with structuring. Since the clients do not know what to do or what is expected of them in psychological counselling sessions, counsellors are required to provide information about the process in this dimension. 20 students (12 female, 8 male) who took Individual Counselling Course in the spring term of 2019-2020 academic year constitute the study group. Phenomenology method, one of qualitative research methods, was employed in the current study. Audio recordings of counsellor candidates from eight sessions were classified according to categories based on the sub-divisions of the structuring dimension. In light of the data obtained, the training needs and qualification levels of counsellor candidates were attempted to be revealed. When the results of the sub-division of information about the counselling, the first stage of the structuring dimension, were examined, it was observed that counsellor candidates did not have a significant problem in terms of this skill. In the sub-division of explaining the processes and principles of structuring dimension, counsellor candidates were observed to have difficulty in the skill to provide accurate information about the process. On the contrary, at the end of the supervision during the second and third sessions, it was indicated that, in terms of the related skill, their qualification levels increased and there were no problems in the subsequent sessions. Concerning the data regarding the sub-division of the objective of structuring dimension, it was determined that the counsellor candidates had difficulty in the skill to clarify the boundaries of the counselling process. Therefore, certain training regarding this skill is required.