Client Outcomes in a Counseling Training Clinic: Longitudinal Changes in Distress and Perceived Stress

Counseling training clinics are widely used to prepare counselors-in-training (CITs) for clinical practice, but comparatively little research has examined the effectiveness of services delivered through these clinics. The present study explored the effectiveness of CITs working in a counseling training clinic in reducing client distress (RQ1, N = 221; RQ2, N = 157) over the course of at least seven sessions. Results from a paired samples t-test and repeated measures ANOVA revealed clients had significant reductions in distress symptoms, interpersonal difficulties, and perceived stress over the course of treatment. The findings provide support for the effectiveness of counseling training clinics in serving adult community members and underscore their potential in expanding access to care within communities.