Sigmund Freud and B. F. Skinner are often seen as psychology's polar opposites. It seems this view is fallacious. Indeed, Freud and Skinner had many things in common, including basic assumptions shaped by positivism and determinism. More important, Skinner took a clear interest in psychoanalysis and wanted to be analyzed but was turned down. His…

The authors reply to J. T. Hansen's (2005) call for the profession to revalue the inner subjective experiences (ISE) of clients. Hansen argued that social constructionism has influenced the decline of the counseling profession by obscuring its unique focus on ISE. The authors maintain that social constructionism is a useful framework for…

Students who are at high risk of dropping out of high school encounter serious difficulties and challenges in their school-to-work and school-to-school transitions. While acknowledging that the prevention of high school dropout requires a comprehensive and systematic helping approach, this article attempts to take a close look at one of the…

Describes the influence of the philosophy and values of Carl Rogers and Milton Erickson on the counseling profession. Reviews the person-centered approach, direction, therapeutic climate, and the influence of early experiences. Includes a reaction by Carl Rogers. (JAC)

Inequalities and disparities abound in U.S. society. Research studies reveal that across the contexts of people's lives--in the workplace, the home, churches, banking and lending, health care, criminal justice system, and schools--unevenness and disparities exist across racial, gender, sexual orientation, language background, ability, and…

Offers an overview of the root metaphors and philosophical assumptions associated with formism, mechanism, contextualism, and organicism, the four world views described in Pepper's 1942 philosophical treatise and his presentation of root metaphor theory. Examines recent and historical trends of development in counseling theory and practice within…

Discusses how the primary emphasis on the individual raises for counselors the possibility of a kind of therapeutic individualism inimical to social commitment and the common good. Examines importance placed on social commitment in counseling and the influence of therapeutic individualism. Proposes that the balance between the individual and…

Considers inquiry into the nature and process of change to be fundamental to the domains of counseling and psychotherapy. Clarifies distinction between first- and second-order change. Proposes that rationalist approaches to counseling are guided by first-order assumptions about change whereas constructivist approaches are based on second-order…

Offers reaction to McBride and Martin's article on eclecticism in counseling. Acknowledges hierarchy of eclectic practices presented by McBride and Martin provides a refined depiction of the state of eclectic practice in the field of mental health counseling. However, strong disagreement is expressed with unenthusiastic attitude toward…

Clinical assimilation of the various methods of family therapy, while maintaining an analytic, self-psychology perspective gave rise to Complementary Narcissism's novel system's perspective of the individual in context. While Complementary Narcissism Theory is applicable to all families, its interventions are most effective with those families who…

Shows the nature of psychotherapy as a moral enterprise through an examination of two views of theory, i.e., they either contain moral values or require them as assumptions necessary for practice. Briefly discusses implications for the teaching and presentation of forms of psychotherapy. (BH)

Presents an interview with Jay Haley, an acclaimed pioneering therapist and master teacher. He is one of the founders of family therapy and has written 19 books on various aspects of therapy. (GCP)

Proposes that concepts of causality and power are compatible with systemic paradigm based on cybernetics of Ashby rather than that of Bateson. Criticizes Bateson's repudiation of causality and power; addresses related Batesonian biases against "quantity" and "logic." Contrasts relevant aspects of Ashby's cybernetic theory with…

Offers defense of eclecticism in counseling in response to critique by Ginter (1988) and in response to Kelly's (1988) reply to that critique. Distinguishes technical eclecticism from theoretical eclecticism. Employs a general systems theory to conceptualize the divergence among the various theories in a way that suggests that a synthesis of the…

Argues integrative and eclectic theorizing and counseling are inevitable and represent progress in field of mental health counseling. Claims more research is required to examine relation of mental health counselor's theorizing and cognitions in counseling to clients' outcomes. Contends understanding of limitations of traditional counseling…