Training counsellors in the process-experiential approach

The process-experiential approach to counselling stresses the importance of active, process-directive interventions oriented toward deepening experiencing within the context of a person-centred relationship. This implies a shift in the training of counsellors in experiential-humanistic approaches in the last decade, from a focus on training counsellors in Rogers' facilitative conditions to training them to be process experts in facilitating cognitive-affective tasks. A model is described for training counsellors in the process-experiential approach, and specifically in facilitating a particular cognitive affective task, called the unfolding of problematic reactions. Four phases of counsellor training are outlined. The difficulties that need to be dealt with during training, and the merits of the model for counsellor education, are discussed.