Training Counselors to Work with Disabled Clients: Cognitive and Affective Components

Abstract

This study examines the relationship of cognitive complexity, counselor anxiety, and client disability condition to accurate empathy on the part of students in training. A sample ( n = 28) of students in a graduate counseling program observed a series of eight vignettes of counseling interviews (four clients with disabilities and four without disabilities) and reported a verbal counseling response to a client statement. A significant main effect was found for the cognitive complexity variable only ( p < .05). A significant interaction among cognitive complexity, anxiety, and client disability condition ( p < .01) indicated that all three factors interact to influence empathy. Implications for research and the training of counselors are discussed.