Understanding our identity as counseling psychologists has been an issue since the inception of our specialty in the 1940s and one that the authors of these two articles (Goodyear et al., 2008 [this issue]; Munley, Pate, & Duncan, 2008 [this issue]) tackle in new and different ways. In this response, this author (a) identifies additional reasons…

The movement within behavior therapy to introduce cognitive terms, constructs, and techniques reflects and involves an extension of the pervasive cognitive movement within the experimental field and the long-standing cognitive approach of many clinicians. Modern day attacks on behaviorism by cognitivists have been almost exclusively geared to the…

Examines potential relevance of contemporary psychoanalysis to counseling theory, research, and practice. Argues contemporary psychoanalytic theorists increasingly emphasize adaptive processes and social relations. Claims contemporary psychoanalytic thought will not hold central position in counseling psychology until systematic research on…

This document presents an analysis of the identity of counseling psychology derived from the Greyston Conference in 1964 compared to current identity questions which were the focus of the Georgia Conference in 1987. The paper outlines what appears to be a major shift from counseling psychology based in schools, colleges, and career education…

Notes that client-centered counseling seems to be on the decline in United States. Attempts to explain why this decline is occurring and proposes some ways to revitalize client-centered counseling. Addresses some points made in previous article by Patterson. Notes that counselors owe it to their clients to critically review and continually develop…

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)

Reviews key assumptions of contextualism, as embodied in social role theory and the lifespan development tradition, highlighting relevant theory and research. Proposes that two vital forces within current counseling, constructivism and interactional counseling, are animated by contextualist notions of development. Outlines specific implications of…

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)

Comments on article by Brett N. Steenbarger in which the contextualist themes in counseling are described. Contends language should be put into practice so that research can be conducted to examine the concepts conveyed by language. Notes that in this way the mechanisms of change may be better understood and practitioners may benefit. (Author/ABL)

Updates 1985 review of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) noting recent criterion-based assessments of the MBTI remain largely unsystematic theoretically but generally positive. Claims more methodologically sophisticated approaches have been developed. Concludes that it seems premature to reject the MBTI owing either to its dichotomous approach to…

Comments on Falvey's article, focusing on whether and how research in mental health counseling can be enhanced. Makes a distinction between appreciation and consumption of research on the one hand, and research production on the other hand. Discusses ways of enhancing appreciation/consumption and production. (Author/ABL)

Responds to Elizabeth Falvey's article and Charles Gelso's reply to Falvey's article. Focuses on essential elements articulated by these two authors to a critical problem confronting mental health counseling profession-the split between mental health counseling practice and research. Calls for a rethinking of the discipline. (ABL)

Invites the American Mental Health Counselors Association to engage more fully in the science as well as the practice of mental health counseling. Reviews current status of research in psychotherapy with emphasis on a persistent divergence between those who identify themselves as researchers versus clinicians. Challenges that premise by examining…

Discusses counseling psychology's progress in multicultural counseling over the past 10 years and emerging directions for the future of multicultural counseling. Topics covered are recent theoretical advances, training and evaluation efforts, and ethnic minority representation issues. Includes a multicultural competency checklist. (SNR)