Applied the Directives Rating System (DRS), which classifies directives, to transcripts of four expert group therapists. DRS yielded satisfactory estimates of interrater agreement and validity. Findings showed that DRS ratings were related to therapists' theoretical orientation and that therapists tended to use imperatives and requestives when…

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…

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) provides an eight-phase emotionally corrective experience described as a "learning catalyst" for reprocessing traumatic events. The originator of EMDR discusses the experiences that influenced her innovative approach. EMDR is discussed as a learning catalyst, and many misconceptions about the…

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)

Discusses a method of counseling supervision similar to the wu-wei practice in Zen and Taoism. Suggests that this strength-based method and an understanding of isomorphy in supervisory relationships are the preferred practice for the supervision of family counselors. States that this model of supervision potentiates the person-of-the-counselor.…

Using K. Bartholomew's (1990) 4-dimensional model of adult attachment as an organizational framework, 10 developmental personality styles are differentiated regarding their unique attachment experiences, working models of self and other, and feedforward beliefs. Implications of an attachment theory framework for counseling clients with problematic…

In this article the author traces the history of inner subjective experiences (ISE) as a focus of the counseling profession and discusses the implications of this history for the identity of the profession and counseling practice. He outlines the history of ISE in the counseling profession by discussing (a) the valuing of ISE as the foundation of…

This article proposes a strength-based model for counseling at-risk youth. The author presents the assumptions, basic concepts, and values of the strength perspective in counseling and offers strength categories as a conceptual model for viewing clients' behavior. Propositions leading toward a theory of strength-based counseling and stages of this…

The authors investigated the applicability of a transactional theory of stress to the understanding of countertransference with male clients. Counselors responded to either a traditional or nontraditional videotaped male client vignette. As expected, counselors' stress appraisals predicted their countertransference behavior. Specifically,…

Humans organize into constellations subjective attributes that help them to know themselves. Self-esteem refers only to those aspects of one's self-concept to which an evaluation is assigned. Self-esteem reflects one's sense of personal efficacy and worth. Love has been described as emotional closeness, passion, and decision/commitment; esteem for…

There is currently a strong interest in brief psychodynamic therapy. Therapists adopting this approach need to become familiar with different character or personality styles. The psychodynamic therapist who understands and works in conjunction with the client's particular character style will be able to establish a therapeutic relationship more…

Although group counseling is recognized as a needed and helpful approach, group counseling for enhancing career development has received little attention. This monograph provides information on group process, ideas, and techniques which have helped tie the principles of career development to group counseling. Chapter 1 defines group career…

This information analysis paper is based on a computer search of the ERIC database from November 1966 through May 1984 and on pertinent outside resources related to counseling older persons. Following the brief introduction, the historical development of gerontological counseling is discussed. Major issues in gerontological counseling are…

Counseling for recovery from divorce may be significantly enhanced if a general model of emotional health/deficiency can be applied. This article introduces an amalgam of Erik Erikson's developmental stages and Abraham Maslow's motivational hierarchy as a means of understanding the rigors of marital dissolution. The paradigm promotes client…