This study is focused on Counselling skills as
a tool for the accompaniment of the candidates in initial
formation among the oblates of the Province of Congo.
The theory used was person centred approach. The
study adopted convergent parallel design which is
quantitative and qualitative in nature. The main
objective was to explore how counselling skills as a tool
for accompaniment could be effectively applied to the
formation of candidates in the Province of Congo. Five
research questions guided the study. The target
population was 82. The sampling size was 67 participants
from Oblate formators: 15; Oblate scholastics in
philosophy 12; Oblate scholastics in theology 24; Oblate
pre-novices 10; Oblate novices 6. The study used
structured questionnaire designed instrument to obtain
both open-ended and closed questions. The study used
Microsoft Excel Program that generated results through
tables and charts in order to analyse quantitative data
while qualitative data was coded and analysed in a
narrative form using research question themes. The
quantitative information is obtained through the close
ended questions and qualitative information is obtained
through the open ended questions in the questionnaire.
The findings of the research indicate that counselling
skills are a tool that can assist the formators to make
perfect the practice of the accompaniment as spiritual
directors. All the respondents agreed that counselling
skills are to be integrated in the spiritual accompaniment
because spiritual accompaniment without counselling
skills is limited. Respondents also affirmed that listening,
empathy and unconditional positive regard are the main
skills that are needed by the formators.
Keywords : Counselling Skills, Accompaniment, Initial Formation, Listening, Empathy, Unconditional Positive Regard.