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…

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…

Continues recent debate on the current state of theory and the proper role of eclectic approaches. Presents brief overview of Adaptive Counseling and Therapy/Readiness model as systematic form of eclecticism. Makes argument for matching counseling approach to nature of problem and readiness of the client rather than maintaining a single…

Discusses Earl Ginter's challenge to the mental health profession to reexamine the status of counseling theory. Describes the author's journey in selecting rational-emotive therapy as his theory of choice and the role its selection has played. Presents information about discrepancy identification, a process that helps mental health counselors…

Attachment theory has increasingly become a primary clinical focus as counselors cope with the repercussions of an insecure attachment style. Provides a brief overview of current attachment literature, an argument in favor of using attachment theory based on the possible consequences of insecure attachment, and an example of treating an…

This is a continuation of the dialogue among Albert Ellis, Jeffrey T. Guterman, Earl Ginter, Sandra A. Rigazio-DiGilio, Allen E. Ivey, and Don C. Locke that has been appearing in the Journal of Mental Health Counseling on ethical issues of counseling in the postmodern era. Specifically addresses the ethical, constructivist, multicultural, and…

Discusses problems with current definitions and uses of eclecticism in counseling practice and importance for mental health counselors of learning to apply theory even if they wish to be eclectic. Proposes a hierarchy of eclectic practices. Claims mental health counselors need to make use of theoretical knowledge of counseling profession to offer…

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…

This article compares the experience of people working in the area of the World Trade Centers on September 11th to the experience of refugees. Positive and negative aspects of diagnosing victims of disasters are discussed both in general and specifically related to post-traumatic stress disorder. Information regarding the refugee experience is…

Relationship Enhancement (RE) therapy can be a useful intervention for adolescents with serious mental illness and their family members. This article reviews the basic concepts and effectiveness of RE therapy and illustrates how it is implemented. Presents a case example and discusses implications for research and mental health counseling.…

Provides response to two reaction papers to January 1989 article "Mental Health Counseling Theory: Present Status and Future Prospects." Addresses many issues that either clarify past statements or show differing positions from viewpoints expressed by two reactions. Concludes that theory can guide skill-based, empirically validated practice as…

Suggests a method to encourage proponents of opposing models of alcoholism treatment to work together. Emphasizes relapse prevention skills; deemphasizes etiological arguments. Claims traditionalists and antitraditionalists can, by joining forces, create treatment programs which offer standard group processes, and new components for more specific…

Provides historical overview of changes in psychodynamic theory that have provided foundation for reassessing significance of client-mental health counselor interactions. Introduces Mobius interaction, interaction qualitatively different from Freud's concepts of transference and countertransference. Argues that Mobius interaction results from…

Promotes understanding of the philosophical systems that undergird models of counseling, and the implications of those systems for actions in counseling. Traces the development of 18 major counseling models and speculates on how these models and philosophies began. Considers how philosophies within models can influence mental health counseling…