Licensure in the helping professions: anatomy of an issue

The licensing of psychologists is not generally a concern of counselors, counselor educators, or supervisors. However, with the enactment of new licensing laws such as the one described here, an issue is emerging that members of the counseling professions should not leave unattended. Through ignorance or complacency, we may contribute to the demise of the counseling professions as self-regulating groups. The authors examine this matter here and offer some recommendations for action.     

Undergraduates as campus mental health workers

This study evaluated, first, the effectiveness of group experiences in improving the interpersonal functioning of college freshmen and, second, the difference in effectiveness of group discussions led by undergraduate dormitory advisers (with consultation) and by psychology graduate students. A variety of measures of interpersonal behavior was used. Results show that freshmen in group discussions improved in their interpersonal relationships, especially as measured by a sociometric form. Members of groups led by graduate students showed slightly more improvement than those in groups led by dormitory advisers. Differences in group process were also found. Results suggest that indigenous subprofessionals can promote growth on the campus.     

The illusion of pre-enrollment counseling

Concern about attrition of college students has often led to recommendations that more counseling be supplied to entering freshmen. In the present study, student response to pre-enrollment counseling programs suggests that freshmen are able to consider only informational aspects of their entering status. The number of students requesting pre-enrollment counseling varied inversely with the amount of such information available outside of counseling conferences. As long as universities make it incumbent upon the student to adjust to the institution, the student who is not emotionally “bound” to attending a particular college will be seen as needing counseling although the opportunity for such counseling will be illusory. Institutional changes, as well as student changes, must be encouraged if the opportunity for counseling is to become a reality.