Classification of Professionally Important Abilities and Skills of a Counseling Psychologist

Abstract

The article presents the results of theoretical and empirical research of professionally important abilities and skills of a counseling psychologist. Based on the analysis of scientific achievements and the results of anonymous questionnaires, the classification of professionally important abilities and skills of a counseling psychologist by certain groups was carried out. Professionally important abilities of a counseling psychologist are presented in four areas - volitional, gnostic, speech and perceptual; and professionally important skills are presented in seven areas - gnostic, communicative, perceptual, didactic, technological, organizational, control and evaluation. It is emphasized that professionally important abilities and skills should be classified separately. Since the abilities are due to the natural inclinations of the individual and mental phenomena, and skills are developed, formed and improved during the life of the person. Abilities and skills are interconnected and interdependent.Classification of professionally important abilities and skills of a counseling psychologist by certain groups provides opportunities: 1) to most systematically present the necessary professionally important characteristics of a counseling psychologist, 2) to review educational training programs for psychologists; 3) select the necessary methods and techniques for the diagnosis and verification of these professionally important characteristics of the candidate for the position of " counseling psychologist". According to the results of a scientific study on the expert assessment of the reference level of development of a counseling psychologist of professionally important abilities and skills, it was found that respondents believe that these abilities and skills should have a very high level of development.