Although many studies have shown that motivational interviewing (MI) is effective in reducing problem behaviors, few have investigated purported causal mechanisms. Therapist interpersonal skills have been proposed as an influence on client involvement during MI sessions and as a necessary precursor to client commitment language. Using the…

Assessed the effects of gender and credibility introduction on eighth graders' (N=240) perceptions of counselor expertness, attractiveness, trustworthiness, and confidence. Results showed that perceived expertness was more a function of the credibility introduction than of counselor gender with female counselors' ratings more sensitive to the…

Examined the effects of two nonverbal cues, counselor's dress and sex, on high school students' preferences for counselors. Results of the multivariate analysis of variance showed that students' preferences for counselors varied with counselors' sex and dress, the type of concern, and race of the students. (Author)

Evaluated the effectiveness of Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) feedback in developing empathy in novice counselors. Results suggest training with biofeedback was associated with more affective responding by the counselor but did not facilitate counselor communication of understanding of clients' concerns, nor was a pervasive increase in perceptual…

Discusses the concept of invitational education, defines invitational education, discusses the skills of the inviting middle school counselor, suggests techniques for helping middle school students feel adequate as learners, and delineates methods for making the middle school invitational. (RC)

Examined problems college freshmen saw as appropriate for discussion with a counselor and whether they would prefer a male or female counselor. Results indicate educa- tional/vocational/academic problems were the most appropriate and personal adjustment problems the least. Overall 75% expressed "no preference" about sex of counselor. (Author)

Describes concepts from social anthropology as confirming the traditional role and skills of the counselor--warm, emphatic, interpersonal communicator. Proposes counselors take comfort in the speculation that they actually serve the long-term needs of society, but that helping professionals should also be concerned about accountability. (JAC)

Social workers may offer clients four types of support: protection, acceptance, validation, and education. Social workers must examine their own attitudes toward support as well as evaluate the support they receive within their professional settings. They must also assess clients' needs. (Author)

Counselors working in corrections need to be flexible. Drug counseling in correctional settings can provide some significant services to inmates with drug problems when counselors discuss their various responsibilities with clients and maintain a helping orientation in all the roles they assume. (Author)

Tested effects of counselor disability status (hearing, deaf) and communication method (sign language, interpreter, written) on deaf adolescents' (N=106) ratings of counselor social influence, empathy, and willingness to see counselor. Subjects rated videotaped counselors higher on social influence, counselor effectiveness, and empathy if used…

Examined whether counselor-client similarity had influence on client's perception of treatment environment. Findings from 96 institutionalized female delinquents indicated the counselor-client similarity on personality dimension measuring sociability, character, responsibility, and intrapersonal values was significantly related to client's…

Responds to earlier article by Mio and Iwamasa (1993) on white researchers investigating ethnic-minority populations and other cross-cultural issues. Discusses original rationale for symposium summarized in previous article, presents a white identity case study--the symposium audience--and makes recommendations for counseling training. (NB)

Responds to earlier article by Mio and Iwamasa (1993) on white researchers investigating ethnic-minority populations and other cross-cultural issues. Discusses three lessons from the symposium: counseling and psychotherapy have failed to recognize the important contributions of minority authors; a major fourth force of counseling and therapy…

Responds to earlier article by Mio and Iwamasa (1993) on white researchers investigating ethnic-minority populations and other cross-cultural issues. Identifies and discusses 10 problems confronting white cross-cultural researchers. Sees problems resulting from emphasizing differences to exclusion of similarities, emphasizing similarities to…

Responds to earlier article by Mio and Iwamasa (1993) on white researchers investigating ethnic-minority populations and other cross-cultural issues. Selectively and critically highlights, clarifies, and/or expands on some of the points contained in the Mio and Iwamasa article that are reflective of comments of respective participants in symposium…