Personal development groups in the training of counsellors and therapists: A review of the research

Abstract

There is much discussion on the role of personal development in the training of counsellors and therapists. This article examines research studies to date in order to provide a context for evaluating the role of personal development groups, particularly in relation to practice. This issue deserves far more attention that it has received from the research community. Rather than engaging in discussion of ethical concerns or philosophical debate the paper attempts to draw out aspects from research to date which appears crucial to further investigations.

Key Words:

• Personal development
• groups
• training
• research
• self awareness
• practice