Teaching Counseling Microskills Through the Use of Reflective Practice in Helping Professions

Abstract

This study examined the use of reflective journaling in conjunction with role-playing as a tool for the development of microskills. Qualitative data were collected from graduate student trainees' (N = 22) reflective journals. Findings suggest that trainees describe the significant impact reflective practice has had on their self-efficacy, managing difficult emotions, recognizing the complexity of counseling skills, self-evaluation, and the importance of feedback. Implications for using reflective practice as a training tool in graduate-level counseling skill courses and future research are discussed.