Using Yalom’s When Nietzsche Wept to Enhance Psychological Mindedness in Future Counselors

Bibliographic Data

ID8913218
AuthorsKıvanç Uzun (0000-0002-6816-1789, Usak University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume54
Issue2
Pages213-239
Publication date2026-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueThe Counseling Psychologist (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0011-0000 • E-ISSN: 1552-3861
PublisherSAGE Publishing (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/00110000251352571
OpenAlexW7128158898
LanguageEN
References cited30

This study examined the effectiveness of a structured, literature-based intervention designed to enhance psychological mindedness among counselor candidates. Psychological mindedness , a core competency for mental health professionals, involves the capacity to understand one’s own internal processes as well as those of others, yet empirical interventions targeting its development remain limited. To address this gap, an experimental book reading and discussion-based program grounded in Irvin D. Yalom’s When Nietzsche Wept was implemented with undergraduate counseling students in Türkiye. Participants in the experimental group ( n = 20) engaged in weekly reading and discussion sessions over 7 weeks, while the control group ( n = 20) received no intervention. Psychological mindedness was assessed at pretest, posttest, and 45-day follow-up. Results indicated that the intervention significantly increased psychological mindedness in the experimental group and that these gains were maintained over time. The findings support literature-based experiential methods in counselor education as effective tools for fostering reflective professional competencies

Empirical research · Experiential learning · Grounded theory · Intervention (counseling · Mental health · Psychological intervention · Reading (process · Counseling Practices and Supervision · Counseling, Therapy, and Family Dynamics · Psychological Treatments and Assessments

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