Presents a survey of published and private opinions of mental health professionals revealing a previously hidden consensus concerning certain values that enhance mental health: Freedom, Love, Identity, Truth, Universals, Symptom Management, and Work. There was disagreement about the effect of many other values on mental health. (Author/BH)

Sees healthy development as specified aim of mental health counseling. Classifies theories of development along two dimensions: person's internal drive and person's relationship to environment. Contends that each pole implies different role for counselors, that counselors must combine roles of cultivator and coach, and that mental health…

Counseling orientations are redescribed in terms of the relative importance they place on knowing. This epistemological redescription results in a reconsideration of the role of humanism. Specifically, rather than a treatment orientation, the author argues that humanism should be considered a moral imperative. Implications of this conclusion for…

Comments on Hershenson, Power, and Seligman's position on mental health counseling theory and also on the evaluation of their article by Blocher. Criticizes Hershenson et al.'s models, claiming they fail to provide a clear image of how theory plays a role in present and future endeavors of mental health counselors. (Author/ABL)

Contends that ecosystemic model represents counter-cultural movement in mental health field. Contends it is worldview that does not fit narrative story, politics, economics, normal science, or traditional therapeutic practice in Western culture. Discusses implications of ecosystemic perspective for practice of mental health counseling as…

A sound theoretical orientation is essential to the professional integrity of mental health counseling. Existential theory is congruent with the values of mental health counseling and offers a useful theoretical framework for explaining interventions. The basic concepts of existential theory as a basis for practice are delineated. (Author/EMK)

Drawing on social constructionism, presents a clinical model for mental health counseling called solution-focused counseling (SFC). SFC is distinguished from rational emotive behavior therapy in that SFC is presented as a process or framework for change rather than as a content to be learned. (EMK)

Humanistic thought has been oppressed by the dominant forces of contemporary mental health culture. The author argues that the rebellious essence of humanism must be incited to counter these reductive ideologies that have monopolized our times. A critical appraisal of the philosophical dualisms that support the prevailing mechanistic vision of…

Contends that ecosystemic therapy can be approached from two epistemological perspectives, each providing different way of thinking about nature of human systems, way problems develop, and means by which mental health counselor understands and works within systems. Presents case illustrating different "thought" rules and actions underlying these…

Reacts to previous article in which Becvar and Becvar contend that ecosystemic model represents counter-cultural movement in mental health field. Reviews each of the concepts presented by Becvar and Becvar, concluding that many effective counselors already function in a manner consistent with the ecosystemic model presented. (NB)

Reviews and applies three broad, diverse theoretical models currently existing within the field to a case study in order to demonstrate their respective strengths and weaknesses. Derives a framework for an integrated-eclectic model from these three positions. Examines future directions that theory building may take. (Author/ABL)

Presents reaction to Hershenson et al.'s article on theory and mental health counseling. Discusses the critical features of conceptual model building in the context of establishing a heuristic, parsimonious, and testable theory of mental health counseling. Explores the importance of the role of theory in practice and research. (Author)

Reacts to previous article in which Becvar and Becvar contend that ecosystemic model represents counter-cultural movement, turning point, in mental health field. Finds it sad that, to many helping professionals, ecosystemic approach is still considered revolutionary. Hopes that Becvar and Becvar's article will stimulate continued discussion of…

Responds to previous article by Rigazio-DiGilio on Developmental Counseling and Therapy and Systemic Cognitive-Developmental Therapy as two integrative models that unify individual, family, and network treatment within coconstructive-developmental framework. Discusses hidden complexities in cognitive-developmental ecosystemic integration and…

A disturbing new movement in the mental health field called "Culture Competence" or "multicultural therapy" threatens to discredit traditional therapy and replace it with identity politics. In its most radical form, multicultural therapy holds that human behavior is primarily culture dependent, that doctors and patients will…