Enhancing Counselor Education Through Supplemental Online Empathy Training Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Trial Article

Knight-Kuhnley, A, Hinkley, P, Johnson, H et al. (2026). Enhancing Counselor Education Through Supplemental Online Empathy Training Interventions: A Randomized Controlled Trial . 10.1080/21501378.2026.2654385

cited authors

  • Knight-Kuhnley, A; Hinkley, P; Johnson, H; Garza, T; Allen, TC; Stokesberry, S

authors

abstract

  • Empathy is a foundational competency in counseling, yet its development among counselors-in-training (CIT) is often inconsistent. This randomized controlled trial examined the effectiveness of an 8-week supplemental online evidence-based empathy training (ET) that was offered to increase cognitive and affective empathy among counselor trainees. The researchers hypothesized that CIT completing the ET would demonstrate greater increases in empathy than those in the control group and that cognitive and emotional empathy would be positively correlated. Participants (N = 124) were randomly assigned to ET or waitlisted control group where researchers used the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Multi-Dimensional Emotional Empathy Scale for assessment. Pre/post results showed significant increases in cognitive and emotional empathy, demonstrating ET’s effectiveness in enhancing empathy in CIT. The two forms of empathy were positively correlated; ET was associated with gains in each. These improvements suggest ET enhances CITs to form connections with clients and cultivate the therapeutic relationship.

publication date

  • January 1, 2026

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)