Evaluation of workshops on healing through multicultural counseling: Sport psychology implications

Abstract

Training of psychologists in general and sport psychologists in particular takes place within a global village called planet earth, with all its multifaceted problems. Relevant integral healing approaches are needed in both general and sport psychological contexts. Healing through multicultural counselling workshops were conducted at universities in South Africa and the United Kingdom respectively with a total sample of 52 participants; 18 women and 27 men, with a mean age of 27.9 years and an age range of 20 to 51 years. The sample was culturally, linguistically and ethnically diverse. The sample consisted of 9 fully qualified psychologists, 10 professionally registered student psychologists and 32 third year sport psychology students. Quantitative evaluation indicating a mean perceived effectiveness rating of 8 out of 10 was supported by qualitative evaluation, which indicated a satisfactory degree of credibility, dependability and transferability with regard to students‟ most valuable learning experience and their suggestions on workshop improvement and the promotion of multicultural counselling globally. Sport psychology implications include training in multicultural, human movement counselling with regard to both general, integral healing as well as specific human movement, exercise and sport psychological skills, relevant for individuals and groups from different cultural backgrounds in diverse physical activity, exercise, sport and recreational contexts.

Keywords: Evaluation, workshop, healing, multicultural counselling, sport psychology.