Improving the tool kit of counselors: Nonverbal Behavior Training Program (NOBET)

Reading nonverbal behavior is important for mental health professionals. It helps clients understand their feelings and intentions. The main purpose of this thesis is to develop a training program on nonverbal behavior and evaluate the program's effectiveness in contributing to the skills of counselors who are mental health workers, to understand and interpret nonverbal behaviors. In the experimental dimension of the thesis, which was designed according to the mixed method, the true experimental design (2x2 factorial design) with a pre-test and post-test control group was applied. After the experimental studies were completed, the participants' opinions about the Nonverbal Behavior Training Program (NOBET) were taken using the case study design. The participants of the experimental study consisted of 46 counselors. Personal information form, JACFEE, Momentary Emotion Recognition Test, Nonverbal Behavior Knowledge Level Assessment Test, and semi-structured interview form collected data. The findings showed that there is a statistically significant difference between the counselors in the experimental and control groups' pre-test and post-test mean scores for JACFEE (F(1.44) = 18.804, p<.001, η2 = .30), Momentary Emotion Recognition Test (F(1.44) = 16,780, p<.001, η2 = .28) and Nonverbal Behavior Knowledge Level Assessment Test (F(1.44) = 9.381, p<.01, η2 = .18). The follow-up test results from two months later also reveal that the scores obtained from the screening tools are not different from those obtained from the post-test. As a result of the qualitative research content analysis, the participants' opinions on NOBET were gathered under four themes: characteristics of NOBET, its contribution to behavior analysis, its contribution to individual awareness, and suggestions. It is thought that NOBET will contribute to strengthening the communication between counselors and clients, getting to know clients, and understanding their problems.