The contract as a counseling technique

The contract system has been successfully employed in recent years as a method of conducting individual academic study. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate how an adaptation of this system may be used to provide an innovative approach not only to counseling but also to other segments of the school guidance program. Besides providing a logical, self-directed approach to problem solving, the contract system forces the student to assume responsibility for his own behavior. The rewards and punishments inherent in this system are only those the individual metes out to himself.     

The Results of Family Therapy: A Critical Review of the Literature

A search was conducted in the family therapy literature for studied which reported on the outcome of family therapy. It was difficult to find any consensus on a definition of family therapy. Therefore an arbitrary definition, involving the predominant use of joint and family interviews, was stipulated. A total of eighteen studies met minimal standards for inclusion and were summarized and discussed in this paper. Only two of these studies could be considered adequate in their research design; the remainder of the studies were (with one borderline exception) considered inadequate. The clinical evaluations of family therapy were summarized and possible methods and goals for future research into the outcome of family therapy are discussed.     

The Cognitive Bases of Peak Performance: A Classroom Intervention with Student-Athletes

The stress inoculation training paradigm developed by Donald Meichenbaum and his collaborators has been successfully applied to the treatment of a variety of problems. The author describes the use of stress inoculation training as the super structure of a university course in peak performance for student-athletes. Several sorts of data suggesting that the intervention is efficacious in altering behavior are examined.     

Preschool Assessment: Implications for Counselors

Paget, K.D., & Nagle, R.J. (1986). A conceptual model of preschool assessment. School Psychology Review, 15, 154–165. Wilson, C.C. (1986). Family assessment in preschool evaluation. School Psychology Review, 15, 166–179.     

Preparing Counselors to Meet the Needs of the Handicapped

The Education for All Handicapped Children Act (PL 94–142) mandates a number of counseling and allied services for the handicapped and their parents. In many cases counselors will need to acquire additional information and training to meet the needs of this special population. This article outlines many competencies that need to be considered in developing pre-service and in-service programs for counselors serving the handicapped. Hosie discusses several professional development areas relating to these competencies, and provides resources and training materials.     

Using the Spiritual Perspective in Counseling Persons with HIV/AIDS: An Integrative Approach

The authors explore counseling persons infected with HIV and AIDS, within the specific themes of rejection, powerlessness, and death. These themes have been chosen because they are common concerns of people with HIV and AIDS. Selected quotations from 14 interviews with persons diagnosed with HIV/AIDS are used to clarify these concerns. Specific counseling recommendations are provided to make counseling an effective, compassionate endeavor with this population. Counselors are encouraged to struggle with these themes to enhance the counseling they provide to people with HIV and AIDS.     

Self-Defense against Verbal Assault: Shame, Anger, and the Social Bond

With many years of experience and refinement, the arts of self-defense against physical assault are highly developed. Without an effective theory and a useful practice, there is little in the way of self-defense against verbal assault. For THEORY, I draw upon ideas from aikido, family systems theory, and the sociology of emotions. Since unacknowledged shame seems to generate rage and damage social bonds, I emphasize the management of shame, anger, and bonds. To illustrate the meaning of these principles, I offer several episodes as examples, using the METHOD of discourse analysis. I apply this theory and method to the PRACTICE of psychotherapy by describing some rudimentary principles of defense of self against verbal aggression, especially the subtle aggression of innuendo. Psychotherapy is often an arena of verbal aggression by both therapist and client, even though it is usually unintentional and outside of awareness.