Impairment: Implications for the Counseling Profession

The issue of impairment has not been adequately addressed in the professional counseling literature. The authors explore the issue of impairment in the counseling profession, drawing from the literatures of medicine and psychology in discussing the prevalence of impairment, several views of the topic, responses to the problem, and related ethical considerations. Recommendations for the analysis and resolution of impairment issues in counseling are presented.     

Suicidality in Schizophrenia: Implications for the Counseling Profession

Schizophrenia is a common mental disorder treated by many counseling professionals, and it is associated with a high rate of early mortality. The most common reason for early mortality in schizophrenia is suicide. To date, the most recent comprehensive study on correlates of suicidality among clients with schizophrenia is titled “Suicidal Behavior in Schizophrenia: Characteristics of Individuals Who Had and Had Not Attempted Suicide” (J. M. Harkavy‐Friedman et al., 1999). It is the purpose of this Trends article to review this study and discuss its implications for counselors.     

Standards of Care: Potential Implications for the Counseling Profession

The potential implications for development of professionally defined “standards of care” treatment procedures for mental health counseling are presented. The role of xpert witnesses in malpractice cases is examined as one source from which the standards are currently derived. The influence of managed care on the current clinical practices is noted. Finally, the importance of using outcome research as the basis for developing a “best practices” concept of standards of care is discussed. The authors note difficulties and challenges involved in making a commitment to what could be the next major impetus to the mental health movement.     

Five Licensure Portability Models for the Counseling Profession to Consider

This article presents licensure portability models for the counseling profession to consider. On the basis of a review of licensure portability literature discussed in other professions, the authors found 5 distinctive models: (a) nonprofit organization model, (b) mutual recognition model, (c) federal licensure model, (d) national licensure model, and (e) licensure language model. The article includes examples of professions using the models, application and implications of each model, and a call to the counseling profession for next steps.     

High School Graduation Rates in the United States: Implications for the Counseling Profession

This article reviews a troubling report of a nationwide study of U.S. public high school graduation rates conducted by J. P. Greene (2001) of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research. The statistics revealed that fewer students were graduating from high school in the United States than is being reported by school districts, states, and the National Center for Education Statistics. They also revealed that graduation rates were much lower for African American and Latino students than for White students. The author summarizes the research on the consequences of dropping out of school and discusses the implications of these findings for counselors and the counseling profession.     

A Qualitative Investigation of Somali Immigrant Perceptions of Disability: Implications for Genetic Counseling

This study examined the potential utility of genetic counseling services for Somali immigrants by investigating their perceptions of disability. Five Somali women participated in structured interviews that assessed their perceptions of the nature, causes, and impact of disability, and care for persons with disabilities. Using a Heideggerian Hermeneutics qualitative method of analysis, six major themes emerged: (1) disability refers to both physical and mental conditions, with mental disability generally thought of first and as more severe; (2) in Somalia, the family cares for disabled family members, treating them as if they were normal (3) there are major cultural differences between Somalia and the United States in how persons with disabilities are treated; (4) caring for a person with a disability is stressful for the family; (5) Allah determines whether or not a child will be disabled, and this cannot be predicted or altered; and (6) family is the primary life focus, and therefore, risk of disability does not affect reproductive decisions. These themes suggest that traditional genetic counseling may have limited utility for Somali immigrants. We recommend several modifications to traditional genetic counseling for Somali patients that also may be useful for populations that have similar beliefs.     

Ethical Implications of a Critical Legal Case for the Counseling Profession: Ward v. Wilbanks

This article presents the official position of the American Counseling Association on a seminal legal case for professional counseling: Ward v. Wilbanks. The focus is on three key questions: Is it permissible to deny counseling services to a homosexual client on the basis of a counselor's values? Can referrals be made at any time a counselor wishes to do so? When is a client a client?     

Advocacy for the Counseling Profession: Results of a National Survey

Seventy‐one leaders in state, regional, and national professional and credentialing associations in counseling responded to a survey concerning professional advocacy efforts, resources, obstacles, and needs. The results indicate a variety of ongoing advocacy initiatives, specific needs for resources and interprofessional collaboration, and agreement on the importance of advocacy for the future of the profession.     

Advocating for Atheist Clients in the Counseling Profession

Atheism is a controversial topic, with individuals who identify as atheist reporting high rates of discrimination. Despite increasing literature discussing religious/spiritual views and beliefs, few scholarly discussions of atheism in the counseling field can be found. Counselors need to be made aware of the issues facing atheist clients and educated on the best interventions to use in collaborative work with clients. Counselors should also be prepared to advocate for atheist clients in multiple domains. This article aims to explore the relevant literature around atheism, identify implications for counselors, and provide a path to advocacy for counselors in their work with atheist clients.     

Kierkegaard's Philosophy: Implications for Counseling

This article discusses how the philosophy of Søren Kierkegaard can provide useful guidelines for the study of the counseling process. Kierkegaard's philosophy is also compared with selected contributions of Freud, Skinner, Rogers, and May and with four common themes of counseling and psychotherapy.     

Human Intelligence: Implications for Counseling

Sternberg, R.J. (Ed.) (1982). Handbook of Human Intelligence. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.     

Women of Spirit: Leaders in the Counseling Profession

This phenomenological study documents the voices and experiences of 10 female leaders in the counseling profession. Two protégés of each leader were interviewed to gain additional perspectives about these leaders. Leaders described experiences, contexts, processes, and outcomes that characterized their roles as positional and nonpositional leaders. Leaders highlighted themes of opportunity, challenge, unique and common ways of being, and empowerment. Protégés confirmed and enriched the leaders' accounts. Recommendations for personal and professional development are included.     

Motivational Counseling: Implications for Counseling Male Juvenile Sex Offenders

Juvenile sex offenders (JSOs) often appear unmotivated to change, which thus necessitates a therapeutic approach that matches “resistant” client characteristics. In this article, the authors review common traits of JSOs, introduce motivational counseling as an effective treatment modality, and offer a case illustration.     

Counseling in Malaysia: An Emerging Profession

The emergence of counseling in Malaysia illustrates the importance of a strong professional association and counseling training programs at the university level.     

Changing Metaphors of the Self: Implications for Counseling

This article reviews some of the more prevalent metaphors used to describe the nature and character of the self. These metaphors include the unified and integrated selves as well as the postmodern perspectives of multiple selves. The authors contend that counselors have theories about the self whether implicit or explicit, and that these theories directly influence their practice. They further contend that it is beneficial for counselors and other helping professionals to take the time to clarify their beliefs and assumptions about the self and that metaphors are useful conceptual tools. Various ethical questions associated with different metaphors of the self are posed.