The TRAINing Technique: An Experiential Process Fostering Growth of Counselors in Training

ABSTRACT

Students in counseling programs tend to learn better by being active participants in the classroom. Using a relational-cultural pedagogical approach, the authors share an experiential learning practice, the TRAINing technique, where an entire class of counseling students can relate to one another through a shared experience that builds connection and fosters professional growth and skill development. The TRAINing technique provides the opportunity for adult learners to understand, observe, and practice their counseling skills while receiving immediate feedback/supervision. This technique helps counselors in training to gain a deeper appreciation and understanding of the counseling process through authentic connections. The authors give a detailed description of the three phases of the TRAINing technique and its application in different settings. In addition, the authors discuss the counselor training implications.

KEYWORDS:

• Counselor training
• supervision
• experiential learning
• relational-cultural theory
• creativity in counseling supervision