Counseling psychology trainees' social justice interest and commitment

Scholars within the field of counseling psychology have for some time now articulated eloquent and compelling calls for attending to social justice in the social sciences. To date, counseling psychologists have been at the forefront of addressing social justice issues in research, practice, and professional development. The present study advances empirical perspectives on social justice by testing the external validity of M. J. Miller et al.'s (2009) social-cognitive model of social justice interest and commitment in a sample of 229 doctoral trainees in counseling psychology. Present findings support the ability of the model to explain, in part, counseling psychology trainees' social justice interest and commitment. In addition, the present study provides novel findings that demonstrate the direct and indirect ways in which program training environment and personal moral imperative relate to social justice interest and commitment. Study limitations, future directions for research, and implications for training are discussed.     

Counseling psychology and employee assistance programs: Previous obstacles and potential contributions

In the last two decades, an important new therapeutic delivery system has been emerging to serve the needs of the American workforce. Known as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), these company and community based programs were created to provide mental health services to workers whose job performance is impaired due to substance abuse or other difficulties. Although there are obvious similarities between the mission espoused by EAPs and traditions of the counseling psychology profession, many members of our discipline have only recently become involved in these programs. This paper discusses various reasons why counseling psychologists have not become involved with EAPs. It also presents some ways that counseling psychologists may contribute to these programs and it highlights the similarities in the philosophies and the activities of EAP and counseling psychology practitioners and scientists. Additionally, some suggestions for how to prepare counseling psychologists for entrance into the EAP profession are offered. Finally, a brief research agenda designed to guide counseling psychologists who are interested in the study of EAP related variables is presented.We are appreciative of Karen Novak's and Marilyn Bayer's editorial assistance on this paper.     

Teaching the Multicultural Counseling Competencies and Revised Career Counseling Competencies Simultaneously

The need for all counselor trainees to simultaneously acquire the Multicultural Counseling Competencies and the revised Career Counseling Competencies is discussed, and the interface between them is examined. The authors recommend the development of simulation and technology resources so that both sets of competencies can be implemented for ongoing learning in counselor education. La necesidad que todos los estudiantes de consejería adquieran simultaneamente las Competencias de Consejería Multicultural y las competencias revisadas de la Consejería sobre Carreras, es discutida. La relación entre ambas competencias es examinada. Los autores recomiendan el desarrollo de recursos para simular y el uso de la tecnología para que ambos conjuntos de competencias sean implementadas para el aprendizaje progresivo en la educación consejeros.     

Rehabilitation Counseling and the Ex-Offender

Ex-offenders present a number of difficulties to rehabilitation counselors. Counselors must be aware of their own strengths and limitations, the special needs of their clients, and society's perceptions of ex-offenders. In many respects ex-offenders can be seen as “socially disabled” persons, subject to the same treatment as other minority groups. Both counselors and clients must work to overcome barriers in the counseling relationship. Certain affirmative approaches are discussed, including self-help groups, peer counseling, and the use of paraprofessionals.     

Counseling and the development of responsibility

Growth in counseling means growth in responsibility. Examination of this clinical observation reveals a threefold development. Specifically, the individual becomes more responsible by gaining an increased ability to acknowledge his faults, to exercise his freedom of choice, and to respond to his situation in a fitting way. Each development is an important part of being responsible, but the individual moves toward genuine fulfillment only when he is able to be responsible in the last sense.Dr. Aden is Professor of Pastoral Care at the Lutheran Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, 7301 Germantown Road, Philadelphia, PA 19119.     

Counseling the aging

In a culture preoccupied with youth, the aged are often relegated to a secondary and neglected status. Mary Buckley's article asks us to take another look at the aged and realize that, contrary to our prejudices, personal growth and creative living do not end with the beginning of retirement. She describes her counseling style with the aging, which is designed to provide an atmosphere of understanding and sharing in order to foster their growth.     

Racial Microaggressions Against Black Counseling and Counseling Psychology Faculty: A Central Challenge in the Multicultural Counseling Movement

This article reports on the results of a qualitative study of Black faculty working in counseling and counseling psychology programs. This investigation involved the use of semistructured interviews to explore the racial microaggressions Black faculty members reportedly experienced in academia. Results of the analysis indicated that 7 primary microaggression themes were perceived by the participants, including alternating feelings of invisibility and hypervisibility, receiving inadequate mentoring, and difficulties determining whether discrimination was race or gender based.     

Perceptions of Clients and Counseling Professionals Regarding Spirituality in Counseling

Although current research indicates that psychotherapeutic change both affects and is affected by spiritual concerns, relatively little is known about the degree to which spirituality is used as an intervention in counseling and how it is perceived by clients and mental health professionals. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of clients and professionals regarding the use of spirituality in counseling. The results suggest that more professionals may be using spirituality in counseling than has previously been reported.