Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the Counselor Self-Reflection Inventory (CSRI) from a Transformative Learning Theory framework for counselors, and counselors-in-training to use in clinical and training settings. Method: A sample of 351, mostly female (86.89%), white (85.19%), counselors with MS or MA (88.08%)…

The term "at-risk" is used by educators and policymakers to describe a wide variety of students who struggle in schools (Kronholz, 2011). Factors associated with labeling students at-risk include minority status, poverty, language difficulties, low school attendance, and poor family support (Reglin, Akpo-Sanni, Losike-Sedimo, 2012;…

School-based mental health practitioners are positioned to address low-income urban African American girls' mental health needs through culturally responsive services. Despite the importance of culturally reflective practice, it is understudied. We asked school-based mental health practitioners (N = 7) to reflect on barriers and facilitators to…

The loss of a client to suicide is a painful personal and professional experience for mental health providers. Whether trainee or experienced professional, the affected clinician often reports feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for the experience of client suicide, together with significant emotional distress and diminished work performance. In…

The researchers describe a study conducted to explore how child protection practitioners negotiate their way through ambiguous and contradictory evidence when working with families under a "suspicion" of neglect. In depth interviews were conducted in order to understand the processes of discernment that practitioners used to determine how to…

This article discusses the complexities associated with adopting a not-knowing stance in Child and Youth Care practice. By highlighting some of the challenges, it also clarifies the distinctions between practitioner lack of knowing how to proceed and an intentional, uncertain attitude when working with children, youth and families. Recommendations…

This article presents an innovative model of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) that has been used in Scotland to encourage research and to develop research skills amongst applied educational (school) psychologists. This is a process-based CPD model rather than the traditional "attendance at CPD workshops" model, leading to active…

The U.S. has a powerful weapon in its educational arsenal: its community colleges. Yet these institutions, according to the author, are so often overlooked in discussions of the future of U.S. society and the U.S. work force that they might as well be deemed "top secret." More than 1,200 community colleges enroll some 47% of all undergraduates.…

This paper presents the results of an heuristic study based on the research question: 'How do psychotherapists experience working with older clients?' The question came from the researchers' experience and interest in working with older clients in general practice. It started from the researchers' desire to examine more closely feelings and…

Gives three different definitions of countertransference. Identifies and describes some typical behaviors and patterns that illustrate countertransference, including overprotective, benign, rejecting, and hostile countertransference behaviors. Distinguishes countertransference from responses generated by reality, empathy, and projective…

Describes tactics to improve the effectiveness of referrals to helping services outside the school. Presents guidelines on when, who, and how to refer, and suggests that counselors examine their own attitudes toward referral. (JAC)

The goals of this presentation were to help mental health professionals become more cognizant of cultural factors in the processes of death and grief and more introspect about their own personal and intercultural awareness of death, grief, and multiculturalism. Commonly reported counselor cultural biases are highlighted, as are factors to consider…

Presents training format that encourages mental health counselors to address their own comfort with sexuality and then offers specific concepts for working with sexually active clients. Presents five areas: counselor comfort with sexuality, sexuality assessment tools, societal values about sexuality, treatment approaches to clients' sexual issues,…

Compares responses of counselors in isolated school settings to their non-isolated peers on work environment issues. Reports isolated counselors viewed themselves and their role as more highly valued and felt a greater sense of control than their non-isolated peers, but found obstacles to service delivery in isolated settings. (Author/DHP)

Six treatment principles of Milton Erickson, physician and hypnotherapist, are applied to counselors and educators. Principles include: (1) People are always responding, always communicating. (2) Respect all messages from the client. (3) People make the best choice for themselves at any given moment. (4) Teach choice; never attempt to take choice…