Technology-Based Counselor Training: Impact on Competence and Intervention Effectiveness
Abstract
The increasing complexity of mental health issues has emphasized the need for continuous professional development for counselors. Traditional training methods, limited by time and location, may not fully equip counselors with necessary skills. Technology-based training, such as online courses and virtual simulations, offers new opportunities to enhance counselor competence and intervention effectiveness. However, limited research exists on the impact of these methods. This study evaluates the effectiveness of technology-based training in improving counselor skills and client outcomes. A mixed-methods design was used, involving 100 counselors: 50 received traditional in-person training, and 50 received technology-based training through an online platform. Quantitative data were collected via pre- and post-training assessments and client satisfaction surveys, while qualitative data were gathered through interviews and focus groups. Results showed a 30% increase in competence scores for counselors receiving technology-based training, compared to a 15% increase for those in traditional training. Clients of technology-trained counselors reported higher satisfaction and perceived effectiveness of interventions. Qualitative feedback highlighted greater flexibility, interactive experiences, and immediate feedback in digital training, leading to higher engagement and knowledge retention. The study concludes that technology-based training effectively enhances counselor competence and outcomes, offering a flexible and interactive approach for continuous professional development.
Full text article
References
Archambault, É., Vigod, S. N., Brown, H. K., Lu, H., Fung, K., Shouldice, M., & Saunders, N. R. (2023). Mental Illness Following Physical Assault among Children. JAMA Network Open, 6(8), E2329172. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.29172
Arikan, G., Ustundag-Budak, A. M., Toz, N., & Senturk, G. (2023). Do Turkish mothers’ emotion regulation, psychological symptoms and caregiving helplessness vary based on attachment states of mind? Attachment and Human Development, 25(3–4), 417–436. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/14616734.2023.2219657
Arslan, G., Kabasakal, Z., & Ta?, B. (2024). Childhood Psychological Maltreatment, Mindful Awareness, Self-Transcendence, and Mental Well-Being in Emerging Adults. Emerging Adulthood, 12(1), 18–28. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/21676968231208246
Barr, E., & Newman, A. (2024). Children and adolescents as perpetrators of stalking: An overview. Journal of Forensic Practice, 26(1), 60–72. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1108/JFP-09-2023-0045
Bhattarai, A., King, N., Adhikari, K., Dimitropoulos, G., Devoe, D., Byun, J., Li, M., Rivera, D., Cunningham, S., Bulloch, A. G. M., Patten, S. B., & Duffy, A. (2023). Childhood Adversity and Mental Health Outcomes Among University Students: A Longitudinal Study. Canadian Journal of Psychiatry, 68(7), 510–520. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1177/07067437221111368
Brown, R., Van Godwin, J., Edwards, A., Burdon, M., & Moore, G. (2023). A qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives on the implementation of a whole school approach to mental health and emotional well-being in Wales. Health Education Research, 38(3), 241–253. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1093/her/cyad002
Campos, S., Nuñez, D., Pérez, J. C., & Robinson, J. (2024). Characterization of Psychopathology in Latin American Adolescents Using a Web-Based Screening Tool: Cross-Sectional Study. JMIR Formative Research, 8. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.2196/57038
Cao, H., Zhou, N., Buehler, C., Li, X., Liang, Y., & Chen, Y. (2024). Mothers’ work-to-family conflict, depressive symptoms, and parental role functioning: A five-wave, cross-lagged panel model from infancy through middle childhood. Family Relations, 73(2), 1178–1200. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/fare.12931
Davis, B. J., Fenley, A., Sanders, A., Ipekci, B., Thibeau, H., Khan, T., Shashidhar, G., Keshavan, M., & Kline, E. (2023). Development of the motivational interviewing for loved ones skills assessment (MILO-SA). Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 17(8), 792–797. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13376
Demetriou, C. A., Colins, O. F., Andershed, H., & Fanti, K. A. (2023). Assessing Psychopathic Traits Early in Development: Testing Potential Associations with Social, Behavioral, and Affective Factors. Journal of Psychopathology and Behavioral Assessment, 45(3), 767–780. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10862-023-10059-3
Evans-Barns, H. M. E., Hall, M., Trajanovska, M., Hutson, J. M., Muscara, F., & King, S. K. (2024). Psychosocial Outcomes of Parents of Children with Hirschsprung Disease Beyond Early Childhood. Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 59(4), 694–700. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2023.11.012
Fares-Otero, N. E., & Seedat, S. (2024). Childhood maltreatment: A call for a standardised definition and applied framework. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 87, 24–26. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.euroneuro.2024.07.002
Fedina, L., Hong, S., Rousson, A., Graham, L., Lee, J. O., & Herrenkohl, T. I. (2024). Childhood Maltreatment and Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration in Adulthood: An Investigation into Proximal and Distal Risk Factors across the Life Course. Journal of Family Violence, 39(2), 247–258. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-022-00468-5
Gagliano, A., Costanza, C., Bazzoni, M., Falcioni, L., Rizzi, M., Scaffidi Abbate, C., Vetri, L., Roccella, M., Guglielmi, M., Livio, F., Ingrassia, M., & Benedetto, L. (2023). Effectiveness of an Educational Filmmaking Project in Promoting the Psychological Well-Being of Adolescents with Emotive/Behavioural Problems. Healthcare (Switzerland), 11(12). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11121695
Gao, J., Song, W., Zhong, Y., Huang, D., Wang, J., Zhang, A., & Ke, X. (2024). Children with developmental coordination disorders: A review of approaches to assessment and intervention. Frontiers in Neurology, 15. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2024.1359955
Gordon-Achebe, K., Legha, R. K., & Durham, M. P. (2024). Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists as Agents of Change: Reimagining Systems of Care to Address the Pediatric Mental Health Crisis. Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, 33(4), xvii–xviii. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chc.2024.07.003
Granner, J. R., Lee, S. J., Burns, J., Herrenkohl, T. I., Miller, A. L., & Seng, J. S. (2023). Childhood maltreatment history and trauma-specific predictors of parenting stress in new fathers. Infant Mental Health Journal, 44(6), 767–780. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/imhj.22084
Guo, S., Goldfeld, S., & Mundy, L. (2024). Factors that impact mental health help-seeking in Australian adolescents: A life-course and socioecological perspective. Child and Adolescent Mental Health, 29(2), 170–180. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/camh.12694
Hanson, J., Heslon, K., & Ogourtsova, T. (2023). Mental health services and resources for children with developmental disabilities and their families: Scan of local practices, gaps, and opportunities created. Frontiers in Rehabilitation Sciences, 4. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fresc.2023.1118769
Jakhar, J., Kapoor, M., Aneja, T., Kashyap, P., Panghal, A., Fani, H., Suhas, S., Kharya, P., & Biswas, P. S. (2023). Mental Health Impact of COVID-19 Infection on Postpartum Women from Lower and Middle-income Backgrounds in India and its Effects on Early Mother-infant Bonding: An Observational Study. Psychiatric Quarterly, 94(3), 385–398. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11126-023-10043-w
Koerber, M. I., Mack, J. T., Seefeld, L., Kopp, M., Weise, V., Starke, K. R., & Garthus-Niegel, S. (2023). Psychosocial work stress and parent-child bonding during the COVID-19 pandemic: Clarifying the role of parental symptoms of depression and aggressiveness. BMC Public Health, 23(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-14759-5
Larocca, D., Puma, J., Rosten, T., Lacy, R., Risendal, B., Martinez, M., & Leiferman, J. A. (2023). A Qualitative Study Identifying a Rural Community’s Barriers and Facilitators to Addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences in Families with Young Children. Health and Social Care in the Community, 2023. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3865025
Luo, H. (2023). Emotional Management and Mental Health Promotion in Young Children: An Empirical Study of Educational Intervention. Eurasian Journal of Educational Research, 2023(107), 212–234. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.14689/ejer.2023.107.013
Marshall, E., Shieh, E., Franzone, J. M., & Enlow, P. T. (2024). Mental health screening in pediatric lower limb deficiency population. PM and R. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/pmrj.13156
Marsland, A. L., Jones, E., Reed, R. G., Walsh, C. P., Natale, B. N., Lindsay, E. K., & Ewing, L. J. (2024). Childhood trauma and hair cortisol response over the year following onset of a chronic life event stressor. Psychoneuroendocrinology, 165. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2024.107039
Morales-Hidalgo, P., Moreso, N. V., Martínez, C. H., & Sans, J. C. (2023). Emotional problems in preschool and school-aged children with neurodevelopmental disorders in Spain: EPINED epidemiological project. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 135. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2023.104454
Nweze, T., Ezenwa, M., Ajaelu, C., & Okoye, C. (2023). Childhood mental health difficulties mediate the long-term association between early-life adversity at age 3 and poorer cognitive functioning at ages 11 and 14. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry and Allied Disciplines, 64(6), 952–965. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpp.13757
Oktay, M. A., Derinöz Güleryüz, O., Akyüz Oktay, S., & Akca Caglar, A. (2023). Mental health emergency admissions in the paediatric emergency department. Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health, 59(9), 1061–1066. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpc.16455
Pontoppidan, M., Nygaard, L., Hirani, J. C., Thorsager, M., Friis-Hansen, M., Davis, D., & Nohr, E. A. (2024). Effects on Child Development and Parent–Child Interaction of the FACAM Intervention: A Randomized Controlled Study of an Interdisciplinary Intervention to Support Women in Vulnerable Positions through Pregnancy and Early Motherhood. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 21(5). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph21050587
Pryor, L., Melchior, M., Avendano, M., & Surkan, P. J. (2023). Childhood food insecurity, mental distress in young adulthood and the supplemental nutrition assistance program. Preventive Medicine, 168. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107409
Rawal, T., Shrivastava, S., Duggal, C., & Harrell, M. B. (2023). Public Health Approaches to Healthy Behaviors among Children and Adolescents in Schools. In Public Health Approaches to Health Promotion (pp. 135–141). CRC Press; Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1201/b23385-25
Sammallahti, S., Holmlund-Suila, E., Zou, R., Valkama, S., Rosendahl, J., Enlund-Cerullo, M., Hauta-alus, H., Lahti-Pulkkinen, M., El Marroun, H., Tiemeier, H., Mäkitie, O., Andersson, S., Räikkönen, K., & Heinonen, K. (2023). Prenatal maternal and cord blood vitamin D concentrations and negative affectivity in infancy. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 32(4), 601–609. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-021-01894-4
Sblendorio, E., Simonetti, V., Comparcini, D., D’Accolti, D., Germini, F., Imbriaco, G., Cascio, A. L., Milani, A., Napolitano, D., Israr, A., & Cicolini, G. (2023). Assessment of Stress Levels using technological tools: A Review and Prospective Analysis of Heart Rate Variability and Sleep Quality Parameters. In Dentamaro V., F. of C. S. University of Bari Aldo Moro Via Orabona 4, Bari, Parsapoor M., & Erdman L. (Eds.), CEUR Workshop Proc. (Vol. 3521, pp. 53–72). CEUR-WS; Scopus. https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0 85177435422&partnerID=40&md5=694e99c2876cadef5539e725f02c5a12
Shaban, S., & Amin, H. (2024). Childhood disabilities and the cost of developmental therapies: The serviceprovider perspective. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, 19(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1080/17482631.2024.2345816
Sharma, P., Malhotra, N., Gupta, S., Nashine, A., Kumar, D., & Sen, M. S. (2024). Mental Illness Leading to Homelessness in Adolescents and Reintegration with Families: A Case Series of Three Adolescent Girls. Indian Journal of Social Psychiatry, 40(3), 307–310. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.4103/ijsp.ijsp_136_23
Sheed, A., McEwan, T., Simmons, M., Spivak, B., & Papalia, N. (2024). Characteristics of Young People who use Family Violence in Adolescence and Young Adulthood: An Age-based Analysis. Journal of Family Violence, 39(5), 849–860. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10896-023-00529-3
Shin, M., & Brunton, R. (2024). Early life stress and mental health – Attentional bias, executive function and resilience as moderating and mediating factors. Personality and Individual Differences, 221. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2024.112565
Subba, P., Petersen Williams, P., Luitel, N. P., Jordans, M. J. D., & Breuer, E. (2024). A qualitative study on the adaptation of community programmes for the promotion of early detection and health-seeking of perinatal depression in Nepal. BMC Women’s Health, 24(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12905-024-03122-y
Ulrich, S. M., Renner, I., Lux, U., Walper, S., & Löchner, J. (2023). Families with Increased Parenting Stress and Conflict Potential: A Target Group for Psychosocial Support Services? Gesundheitswesen, 85(5), 436–443. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-1867-4415
van Aswegen, T., Samartzi, E., Morris, L., van der Spek, N., de Vries, R., Seedat, S., & van Straten, A. (2023). Effectiveness of family-based therapy for depressive symptoms in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. International Journal of Psychology, 58(6), 499–511. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijop.12926
Vanzella-Yang, A., Vergunst, F., Domond, P., Vitaro, F., Tremblay, R. E., Bégin, V., & Côté, S. (2024). Childhood behavioral problems are associated with the intergenerational transmission of low education: A 16-year population-based study. European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 33(2), 595–603. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00787-023-02193-w
Verma, A., Kota, K. K., Bangar, S., Rahane, G., Yenbhar, N., & Sahay, S. (2023). Emotional distress among adolescents living with perinatal HIV in India: Examining predictors and their mediating and moderating effects. Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health, 17(1). Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13034-023-00587-x
Wolfe, I., Forman, J., Cecil, E., Newham, J., Hu, N., Satherley, R., Soley-Bori, M., Fox-Rushby, J., Cousens, S., & Lingam, R. (2023). Effect of the Children and Young People’s Health Partnership model of paediatric integrated care on health service use and child health outcomes: A pragmatic two-arm cluster randomised controlled trial. The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, 7(12), 830–843. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2352-4642(23)00216-X
Yue, A., Song, Q., Gao, Y., Liang, S., Zhang, X., Zhang, Y., Ding, Y., & Shi, Y. (2024). Effect of parenting centers on caregiver mental health——Evidence from a large scale randomized controlled trial in rural China. China Economic Review, 87. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chieco.2024.102259
Yus, I., Guillén-Riquelme, A., & Quevedo-Blasco, R. (2023). Meta-analysis on the efficacy of psychological interventions in minor refugees. Revista Iberoamericana de Psicologia y Salud, 14(1), 26–39. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.23923/j.rips.2023.01.063
Zashchirinskaia, O., & Isagulova, E. (2023). Childhood Trauma as a Risk Factor for High Risk Behaviors in Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder. Iranian Journal of Psychiatry, 18(1), 65–71. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.18502/ijps.v18i1.11414
Zhao, J., Gu, H., Guo, B., & Li, X. (2023). Editorial: Mental health of disadvantaged children. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. Scopus. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1130118
Authors
Copyright (c) 2024 Dhiana Setyorini, Dian Aby Restanty, Ariefa Quinta Hanum
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.