Relational Theory and Intergenerational Connectedness: A Qualitative Study

Relational theory encourages women to be connected in relationships. The authors used qualitative methodology to explore the interactions of a nonfamilial intergenerational group of 7 female adolescents (13–15 years) and 5 older women (62–80 years) in a structured retreat. Findings indicated that the participants experienced increased connectivity and feminine identity.     

A social competence intervention for young children with high functioning autism and Asperger syndrome: a pilot study

The key features of Asperger Syndrome (AS) and high functioning autism (HFA) include marked and sustained impairment in social interactions. A multi-session, small group program was developed to increase social perception based on the assumption perceptual or interpretive problems underlying these social difficulties. Additionally, the group format espoused a play therapy orientation and the use of sociodramatic play was the primary therapeutic modality used. Qualitative analyses of the data resulted in an explanation of the key changes in social interactions that took place through the course of the intervention. Although each participant's experience in this group was unique, all children in this program demonstrated improvements in their social interactions, as they experienced development both emotionally and behaviorally. Findings suggest that, despite their rigid interests and behavior patterns, the social limitations of these children improved when provided with the necessary environmental resources.     

“No One Ever Asked Me”: Urban African American Students' Perceptions of Educational Resilience

This qualitative study examined high‐achieving urban African American high school graduates' (N = 5) retrospective appraisal of what K–12 students from high‐risk urban areas need to succeed academically despite seemingly insurmountable social, financial, and educational barriers. Findings revealed 6 themes: shared responsibility for educational outcomes, being a part of the solution, parental involvement by any means, natural support systems, school counselors as change agents, and community collaboration to raise a scholar. Recommendations for school counselors are discussed. Este estudio cualitativo examinó la opinión retrospectiva de un grupo de graduados Afroamericanos urbanos de alto nivel académico en educación secundaria (N = 5) sobre lo que necesitan los estudiantes de K–12 en áreas urbanas de alto riesgo para tener éxito académico a pesar de las barreras sociales, económicas y educativas aparentemente infranqueables. Los hallazgos revelaron 6 temas: responsabilidad compartida por los resultados educativos, ser parte de la solución, implicación de los padres en cualquier modo posible, sistemas naturales de apoyo, consejeros escolares como agentes de cambio, y colaboración comunitaria para educar a un individuo estudioso. Se discuten recomendaciones para los consejeros escolares.     

Crying for a Vision: The Native American Sweat Lodge Ceremony as Therapeutic Intervention

The Native American sweat lodge ceremony or sweat therapy is being used increasingly in various medical, mental health, correctional, and substance abuse treatment centers serving both Native and non‐Native clients. This article explores the sweat lodge ceremony's background, elements of Native American spirituality, origin story, cultural symbolism, prayer, and contemporary use. Current evidence of effectiveness and therapeutic benefits is presented, then implications for integrating the sweat lodge ceremony as a complementary counseling approach are discussed.     

Direct and Indirect Measures of Social Perception,Behavior, and Emotional Functioning in Children with Asperger’s Disorder,Nonverbal Learning Disability,or ADHD

Understanding social interactions is crucial for development of social competence. The present study was one of the first to utilize direct and indirect measures of social perception to explore possible differences among children with nonverbal learning disability (NLD), Asperger’s Syndrome (AS), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Combined (ADHD-C), Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Predominately Inattentive (ADHD-PI), and controls (N = 342). Multiple informants provided ratings of the child’s behavioral and social functioning. Results indicated that the NLD and AS groups experienced the most difficulty understanding emotional and nonverbal cues on the direct measure. In addition, children with AS or NLD showed significant signs of sadness and social withdrawal compared to the other groups. Attentional skills, while related to social perception, did not predict social perception difficulties to the same degree as number of AS symptoms.     

Critical Issues of Literature on Counseling International Students

A review of the American professional counseling literature brings to light 5 patterns concerning research related to counseling international students. Emergent themes include universal vs. subgroup characteristics, environmental vs. personal factors, developmental vs. pathological perspectives, counseling goals, and methodological problems. Suggestions for future research and practice are provided. En un repaso de la literatura profesional de consejeria americana salen a relucir cinco modelos que tratan la consejeria de estudiantes intemacionales. Algunos temas que resaltan: las características universales en oposición a las sub‐grupales; los factores medioambientales en oposición a los personates; las perspectivas de desarrollo en oposición a las de patología; las metas de consejería; y los problemas metodológicos. Se hacen sugerencias para investigaciones y prácticas futuras.     

Beloved Women: Nurturing the Sacred Fire of Leadership From an American Indian Perspective

Counseling professionals are taught to rely heavily on theories and interventions steeped in a Western, masculinized worldview. This article explores a paradigm shift by providing a contrasting cultural view of leadership among women. The “crosswalk” between the American Indian perspective of nurturing leadership in women and the theoretical basis of relational‐cultural theory is explored as a way of adding critical, ancient knowledge about leadership to the counseling profession. Implications for mentoring female leaders are presented.     

Faces of the Future: School Counselors as Cultural Mediators

Twenty years ago, futurists examined the changing role of the school counselor and forecasted what the 21st‐century school counselor would need to know. This article forecasts the future of school counseling in the next 20 years by focusing on expected diversity of K‐12 students. Speculation on student enrollment based on projected trends and extrapolated data is used to describe the professional knowledge, awareness, and skills school counselors will need to touch the lives of the students of the future.     

Qualitative Exploration of Acculturation and Life‐Span Issues of Elderly Asian Americans

Awareness of aging issues across diverse populations begins the journey toward counselors becoming culturally competent across client life spans. Understanding the life‐span experiences of cultural groups is important for helping professionals. The purpose of this research was to gain insight into the qualitative experiences of Asian American elders. The authors conducted semistructured interviews with 8 participants between September 2010 and March 2011 and analyzed the data using the Consensual Qualitative Research method. Findings indicate unique patterns in life‐span development with this population.