Challenges Russell and Morrill's (1989) assertion that a practical blending of Rational Emotive Therapy (RET) and systemic family therapy is possible. Cautions that a connection between these approaches be made only with an appreciation and respect for these schools' epistemological differences and correspondingly disparate cognitive change…

Although existential counseling offers an insightful and sobering perspective on the human condition, its complex and technical explanations have caused it to be inaccessible to counseling professionals. In an interview, Vontress explains the basic concepts in simple language and describes the personal journey that led him to adopt this…

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)

Evaluates eclectic counseling theory in light of significant historical developments in counseling and against standard criteria of theoretical adequacy. Sees one powerful, positive function of eclectic theory to be its organization of information generated in pursuit of related, but disparate theories. Identifies ultimate criterion for counseling…

Reviews issues raised in ongoing debate between advocates of eclecticism and proponents of single-theory-based counseling. Sees essential issue for field of mental health counseling to be need to build theory base specific to profession. Asserts that adequate theory must be based on defining principles of mental health counseling profession and…

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…

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)

Continues the discussion of postmodernism, constructivism, and multiculturalism presented in several recent publications of the "Journal of Mental Health Counseling." Besides providing an analysis of the junctures and distinctions among these three major conceptual forces, discusses their implications for mental health counseling practice.…

Integrates the counseling theories of Individual Psychology and Interpersonal Theory. This integration provides a social/interpersonal approach to conceptualize clients' problems and address them in counseling. The integrated approach presents a structure for assessment of clients' developmental experiences as well as a counseling approach that…

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)

A review of counseling theory and research demonstrates that emotionally arousing and expressive techniques are used in both brief and long-term mental health counseling. Techniques of emotional discharge or ventilation, insight, attitude change, creation of cognitive dissonance, and completing unfinished actions are supported in the literature.…

Examines Russell and Morrill's proposal to integrate rational-emotive therapy (RET) and systemic family therapy by combining RET's disputation and Mental Research Institute's reframing. Contrasts RET's disputation and Mental Research Institute's reframing across key clinical issues. Suggests that models combining these schools' techniques be…

Provides an update on theories of the etiology of obsessive-compulsive disorders and diagnostic instruments used in assessing the disorder. Describes the most effective current treatment techniques available, including behavioral group therapy, pharmacologic interventions, inpatient hospitalization, and combined treatment methods. (Author/NB)

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…