Facilitative interpersonal relationship training enhances novices’ therapeutic skills

Abstract

Relatively little research focuses on the impact of therapeutic, relational skills training for untrained helpers. The current study is a randomized control trial, which tested a novel, research-informed training protocol that integrated elements of alliance-focused training (AFT) and facilitative interpersonal skills (FIS) in a sample of college undergraduates interested in social helping careers. The AFT/FIS training was compared to a time-matched video demonstration of cognitive therapy (CT video). All participants were assessed on their Facilitative Interpersonal Skills (FIS) and emotional reactions to FIS stimuli pre- and post-training. After controlling for baseline effects, participants in the AFT/FIS training saw a significant increase in post-training FIS, especially in the areas of empathy, alliance bond capacity, and alliance rupture repair responsiveness. AFT/FIS participants also saw increases in positive and affiliative emotional reactions to FIS clips compared to participants in the CT video training. Implications for future empirical investigations and training initiatives are discussed.