I'm actually a bit surprised you got the reactions that you did, though perhaps its because I kind of agree with you. Almost everyone I've met who is either already in a PhD program, or wants to go to one feels the same way.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but is your problem that you think the "touchy-feely" aspects aren't important for communication? Or just that you feel many of them should be obvious to someone who wants to be a therapist, and that you'd like to learn something that will allow you to not just actively listen, but actively help people as well?
I've had classes like that before as well as an undergrad - to me at least, all that stuff is just flat out common sense. Which is weird because I consider myself at least mildly socially anxious and uncomfortable in certain social situations. Guess it means I'm not as bad as I think I am
I will likely be equally as annoyed during similar classes. People are right that the stuff you described as "crap" is an important part of therapy, but I'd also think the sorts of things you mentioned are things that
1) Should have been developed LONG before admission to graduate school (or hell, admission to HIGH school)
2) Can't be taught anyways.
I remember in my business communication class we had an entire 50 minute lecture on how its important to listen to people when they talk, because they may be telling you something important. Pardon my language, but no ****. If I have to hear lectures on this in graduate school, I will think something is horribly wrong with the school. I mean after all, if the professors teaching the class actually listened to people during interviews, they'd have picked people with at least semi-functional brains and realized that therapists have to be good listeners
When I think therapy classes, I want to learn CBT, differential diagnosis, etc.. I want specific examples of how to help people with depression, eating disorders, specific phobias. What to say if they mention this problem? What are some of the hardest questions clients ask and how to respond? What to do with a client who is resistent to trying treatment x? What to do when a client doesn't seem to be improving? Those are the kind of things I want to cover. Not a professor telling me its important to actively listen to clients, or that picking your nose and wiping it on clients is bad. I hope by the time you've reached doctoral level training, both of those should go without saying.
I don't know you beyond these posts, but it sounds like you have a good handle on what you want and I think that despite what others here have said, you would make a fine therapist. Unfortunately, since I haven't started my PhD yet, I have no way to answer your actual question.
Best of luck with your decision.
