Counselor Self-Efficacy: Relationship with Mindfulness and Self-Compassion

Mindfulness training has well-documented effects on psychological and physical health (Davis & Hayes, 2011). Recent findings suggest that mindfulness may be a predictor in counselor self-efficacy (Bentley, 2008; Greason & Cashwell, 2009; Kane, 2010). However, a review of literature indicates that this relationship, along with the mediating effects of self-compassion, have not been examined quantitatively with mental health providers-in-training. This study examined the predictive relationship between mindfulness and counselor self-efficacy and the potential mediating effects of self-compassion. A total of 213 mental health providers-in-training were surveyed to determine their levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and counselor self-efficacy. Three scales were used to measure the variables in this study: Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ), Self-Compassion Scale (SCS), and Counselor Self-Efficacy Scale (CSES). A mediator pathanalysis supported the hypothesis that mindfulness is a significant predictor of counselor self-efficacy. However, results indicated that self-compassion was not a mediator of the mindfulness and counselor self-efficacy relationship. Implications for the use of mindfulness as a development of key counselor preparation outcomes are discussed