Counseling training in the format of co-therapy

Abstract

Counseling with a co-therapist is gaining more and more supporters in group and family therapy, and also as a training of beginning psychotherapists. The article dwells upon the phenomena, principles, the evolution of relationships and professional ethics in co-therapy. We examine positive and negative specifics of work in pairs, symmetrical or nonsymmetrical in their counseling experience. Terms such as the group subject of discourse and the evolution of relationships between co-therapists are explained. We studied the influence of co-therapy as a method of professional training on personality and professional competence of beginning psychotherapists. According to the yielded results training in a pair helps students to overcome anxiety, increases their social intelligence and leads to deep understanding of their partner. We give advice on selecting a co-therapist and point out the types of work where co-therapy is most effective — family and group counseling and psychotherapy students training.