Youth Grief Counseling: An Exploration of Competency in Graduate Counseling Students

The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which practicum and internship students in graduate counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) perceive their competencies in youth grief counseling. A quantitative research design with an electronic one-shot survey was utilized to collect participants’ demographics, program status, and grief education and training received. An adapted version of the Grief Counseling Competencies Scale (GCCS) was completed by 66 participants, who rated their self-perceived competency in youth grief counseling. Variables including participants’ grief coursework taken, counseling program type, and status as a practicum or internship student were analyzed to determine any significant differences in self-perceived competency as measured on the four subscales of the GCCS (personal competencies, conceptual skills and knowledge, assessment skills, and treatment skills). ANOVA results revealed significant effects found for coursework taken and self-perceived youth grief counseling competency as measured on the GCCS subscales of conceptual skills and knowledge (p < 0.001), assessment skills (p < 0.001), and treatment skills (p < 0.001). Independent samples t-test results revealed significance for student status and assessment skills (p = 0.03). The results of this study provide new knowledge and insight to support CACREP-accredited counseling programs in considering current curriculum delivery and informing counselor education to prepare counselors-in-training to work with youth coping with loss.