Traces historical development of training standards for mental health counseling and gives a detailed rationale of the importance of such standards. Presents newly adopted training standards of the American Mental Health Counselors Association and discusses implications of these standards. (Author)

Notes that, although preventive counseling has been purported to be defining characteristic of mental health counseling throughout its history, literature review suggests that prevention rarely has been emphasized in training process or mental health counseling practice. Suggests some explanations and remedies for disparity between preventive…

Presents model for performing brief strategic counseling that is a synthesis of various strategic approaches found in the literature. Employs systemic/strategic approach. Provide examples of procedures and techniques in addition to resources for further study of technique and theory. (Author/ABL)

Ten studies concerned with developing culturally sensitive programs for mental health treatment of American minority groups are presented. Chapters 1-5 discuss variables to be considered when creating such programs. Work in cross-cultural settings has raised questions about the validity of some of the newly developed psychiatric diagnostic…

Describes five new ideas for mental health counselors that are supplanting principles of career planning: viewing jobs as career bridges rather that career steps; considering context and content of the field; defining oneself in terms of competencies rather than job titles; focusing on possibilities rather than job positions; and developing…

Advocates expanded view of health for assessment and treatment of individual clients in helping them achieve and maintain their maximum potential for high-level wellness. Describes multidimensional systems model for wellness and reviews gender differences along those dimensions. Discusses application of the model and implication for counseling.…

Discusses key elements of the cognitive-developmental perspective and the need to integrate it as an important component of the wellness model. Notes that each speaks to the personal empowerment of every person to live a rewarding and responsible life and that each also emphasizes the ongoing promotion of growth rather than secondary prevention or…

Notes that men experience gender role transitions over the life span and redefine their thoughts and feelings about masculinity and femininity. Defines 30 gender role transitions that men may experience. Discusses factors activating gender role transitions. Defines fears of femininity as inhibitors to gender role transitions; discusses concepts…

Introduces systems view of optimal health and wellness that is consistent with mental health counseling's concern for holism and well-being of clients. Systems view suggests women may be more attentive to and receptive of self-regulatory feedback, whether temperature regulation at tissue level, marital distress at family level, or sex…

Claims counseling psychologist faces many challenges when choosing to work in community mental health center setting. Claims as early professional, the obstacles of immense paperwork and shrinking dollars translating into increased caseload allow for rich although costly training/professional experience. Discusses pros and cons within the context…

Introduces special journal issue on ecosystemic mental health counseling, defining ecosystemic thinking as thinking that recognizes indivisible interconnectedness of individual, family, and sociocultural context. Contends that ecosystemic mental health counseling enlarges the field of inquiry and interventions and leads to depth perception and…

Introduces fundamental concepts of problem-determined linguistic systems approach to counseling and demonstrates utility of these concepts for students, trainers, supervisors, and practitioners. Contends that problem-determined linguistic system provides alternative approach to developing meaning that has implications for how mental health…

Examines African-American church as potential research setting for mental health counseling research. Theoretical discussion identifies relevant research questions that could facilitate collaboration of mental health counseling researchers and African-American clergy and church congregations in responding to mental health needs of community.…

A developmental dimensional model of maturing is presented that has received some transcultural and longitudinal validation. Specific principles, induced from such research and from existing psychological research more generally, provide guidelines about how to encourage healthy growth. (Author)

Addresses issues facing a new professional in a community mental health center (CHMC). Recommends appropriate training in graduate school with extended practicum experiences along with extensive coursework in assessment and testing. Emphasizes awareness of issues involved in working with broad client base and need for resources at many different…