Impact of a University-Based Practicum Experience on Counseling Students’ Levels of Empathy and Assessed Counseling Competencies

Abstract

This study investigated the impact of a university-based practicum experience on counseling students’ (n = 87) levels of empathy and assessed counseling competencies. Data were analyzed using Within Groups Hotelling’s Trace multivariate analysis of variance, multivariate analysis of covariance, and two-tailed Pearson product–moment correlations. The counseling students’ empathy (empathetic concern) and supervisor-rated counseling competency scores both increased following their practicum experience. Implications for counselor education, clinical supervision, and program evaluation research in counseling are discussed.