Counseling Children who Speak a Language in which the Counselor is not Fluent: Play Therapy and Counselor Perceived Self-Efficacy
This study investigated 9 variables to determine their relationship to the frequency of use of "Play Therapy" or non- verbal counseling techniques by elementary school counselors as well as their relationship to counselor perceived self-efficacy when counseling children who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent. The notion of placing an emphasis on "Play Therapy" or non- verbal counseling techniques with such a population has emerged as a possible therapeutic intervention when working with individuals from a cultural background which is different from that of the counselor. Researchers in counseling have noted the importance of providing adequate services to diverse populations including those who do not speak a language in which the counselor is fluent. This study was based on the concept that an elementary school counselor's effectiveness when counseling children who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent is related to the counselor's level of training in non-verbal counseling techniques, level of training in multicultural counseling, years of counseling experience, professional membership affiliations, fluency in other languages, gender, and grade level in which the counselor works. Statistically significant relationships were found with several of the variables including level of training in play therapy, membership in the Association for Play Therapy and American School Counselor Association, and grade level in which the counselor works. Elementary school counselors and counselor educators can utilize the findings of this study to develop and implement programs that teach play therapy and other non-verbal counseling techniques to elementary school counselors. These experiences may help provide better services to diverse populations including those who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent.
children, non-verbal counseling techniques, play therapy, school counseling, fluent, language, self-efficacy
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