Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Summer 2025

Abstract

Helping skills are the skills used by therapists and other professionals to effectively help clients. Research has validated theeffectiveness of training undergraduate students in helping skills in a classroom setting, especially those pursuing professions in clinical or counselingenvironments. In this pilot study, we aimed to investigate which methods provide satisfactory data for assessing change through collecting data from students enrolled in a helping professions class (N=4). Our data sources included pre-and post-course survey questionnaires, recorded roleplays intended to simulate a semi-clinical environment, and extended reflections on their roleplays. As part of the survey questionnaires, the results indicated that CASES-HS scores after the completion of the course (M= 264.75,SD= 40.84) were significantly higherthan before the course was taken (M= 144.50,SD= 105.10),t(3) = -3.15,p= .03. Data from the videos showed evidence of helping skill usage, however, we were unable to make conclusions due to no point of comparison. The reflections provided insight into what skills students generally found to be strengths or areas for growth, aids and barriers in their learning, and overall takeaways from the course. The pilot study will inform future investigations into helping skills research.

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Rights Statement

In Copyright - Non-Commercial Use Permitted