Emotion-Focused Communication Training on Assertiveness Levels of Counselor Candidates: A Mixed Design Study

In this study, the effect of Emotion-Focused Communication Training (EFCT) developed by the researcher was examined on the assertiveness levels of counselor candidates. The study has a mixed design because it includes quantitative and qualitative dimensions. In the quantitative dimension of the study, a quasi-experimental design with a pretest-posttest control group was used. The experimental group of the study consisted of 12 (7 female, 5 male) counselor candidates studying at Dokuz Eylül University, Buca Faculty of Education, Psychological Counseling and Guidance undergraduate program; the control group consisted of 12 (8 female, 4 male) counselor candidates studying in the same department and not included in the experimental group. The Voltan-Acar Assertiveness Scale was used to measure the assertiveness levels of counselor candidates. The quantitative data of the study were analyzed using the SPSS program. In addition, a semi-structured interview form developed by the researcher was used to determine the views of the counselor candidates on the training. The qualitative data of the study were analyzed using the content analysis technique. As a result of the study, it was found that the EFCT led to a significant increase in the levels of assertiveness of counselor candidates. In the study, the counselor candidates' opinions about the effects of the EFCT were that the training contributed positively to their communication skills, awareness of communication, and assertiveness levels.