Cognitive Flow Model for Training Couples Counselors

Supervision and training of couples counselors is relatively new in university settings. Counselor training programs have tended to focus on a behavioral approach to what the counselor does in session. On the basis of research, the counselors' cognitiveflow (i.e., what they are thinking) during the counseling session seems to be at least as important to the effectiveness of the therapeutic work. This article presents the stages of counselors' cognitiveflow based on research along with associated techniques that can be used by supervisors of any theoretical orientation to teach supervisees working with couples to be aware of and modify thezr thought processes in sessions.