Psikolojik Danışmanların Alet Çantasını Geliştirmek: Sözsüz Davranış Eğitimi Programı (Södep)

Abstract

Reading nonverbal behavior is important for mental health professionals. It helps clients understand their feelings and intentions. The main objective of this work is to develop a training program for nonverbal behavior and to evaluate the effectiveness of the program in terms of the ability of mental health counselors to understand and interpret nonverbal behavior. In the experimental dimension of the work, designed according to the mixed method, the true experimental design (2x2 factorial design) was applied with a pre-test and post-test control group. After the experimental studies were completed, participants' opinions about the Nonverbal Behavioral Training Program (NOBET) were collected using a case study design. Participants in the experimental study consisted of 46 counselors. A personal information form, the JACFEE, the Momentary Emotion Recognition Test, the Nonverbal Behavior Knowledge Level Assessment Test, and a semi-structured interview form were used to collect data. The results show that a statistically significant difference between the mean scores of the counselors in the experimental and control groups’ pre-test and post-test for JACFEE (F(1.44) = 18.804, p<.001, η2 = .30), Momentary Emotion Recognition Test (F(1.44) = 16,780, p<.001, η2 = .28) and Nonverbal Behavior Knowledge Level Assessment Test (F(1.44) = 9.381, p<.01, η2 = .18). The results of the follow-up test two months later also show that the results of the screening tools do not differ from those of the post-test. As a result of the content analysis of the qualitative research, participants' opinions about NOBET were grouped under four themes: Characteristics of NOBET, its contribution to behavioral analysis, its contribution to individual awareness, and suggestions. It is believed that NOBET contributes to strengthening communication between counselors and clients, getting to know clients, and understanding their problems.