Argues that there are severe and insurmountable problems in attempting to maintain a systemic perspective in family therapy. Advocates decentering family therapy to a more peripheral space within social network perspective. (Author/NB)

Uses Lakatos's philosophy of science as guide for resolving published authors' differences of opinion about interpersonal forgiveness. Reviews ancient writings and current philosophical writings on interpersonal forgiveness. Critiques papers on forgiveness which have counseling implications. Describes process model of interpersonal forgiveness.…

Reacts to previous article in which Becvar and Becvar contend that ecosystemic model represents counter-cultural movement, turning point, in mental health field. Finds it sad that, to many helping professionals, ecosystemic approach is still considered revolutionary. Hopes that Becvar and Becvar's article will stimulate continued discussion of…

Extends Loevinger's ego development theory, by presenting a specific application as an example, to elucidate how men perceive gender roles and their relationships with others. The implications for counseling are considered. Two clinical examples are included. (EMK)

Based on evidence that human performance can be influenced by effective belief systems, formal mentoring programs have been developed. Improvement is found in aspirations of economically disadvantaged students but none of the findings, with respect to self-efficacy and possible selves, indicated significant improvement. Further development of…

Discusses spirituality as a spiritual phenomenon that is independent of, yet open to, matters of personal religion and belief in God. Proposes that an elaborated psychology of spirituality helps therapists focus the psychotherapeutically relevant and spiritual issues in the client's presentation; build on the client's healthy commitments; and…

Responds to Gelso's (1995) and Arnkoff's (1995) responses. Asserts that counselor theoretical orientation should be seen as multifaceted and incorporating four elements: Theoretical School Affiliation, Espoused Theory, Inferred Theory in Action, and the superordinate Personal Therapeutic Belief System. (JPS)

Current discussion of action theory is premised on the fact that many counselors may avoid action approaches because of previous misunderstandings. Article addresses 12 misunderstandings. Overall, action theory is presented as highly suitable for understanding human behavior and for counseling as it is based on a wide spectrum of research as well…

Explains the contribution narrative makes to counselors' understanding of human action. By viewing action from a narrative perspective, it extends the construct of action beyond the realm of goal-directed behavior into the realm of language. States counselors must pay attention to the ways language can affect therapeutic practices. (JDM)

This article provides mental health counselors with information about the prevalence and course of adolescent depression, other empirically tested treatments for adolescent depression, an explanation of Interpersonal psychotherapy for adolescents (IPT-A) treatment protocol, and results of outcome studies on the effectiveness of IPT-A. Suggestions…

Presents a process analysis of a psychodynamic intervention for a client with panic attacks. Discusses how a psychodynamic understanding of the complex etiology of the client's panic attacks that ultimately produced improved coping skills and a subjective sense of improvement for her. Process analysis is used to illustrate the theoretical base,…

From a humanistic orientation, Carl Rogers (1964) described 3 ways of knowing with reference to empathic understanding: subjective, interpersonal, and objective. In the context of a threefold perspective of knowledge, the author expands on Rogers's conception of empathy. As a consequence of a conceptual change in the direction of empathy,…

In her strength-based model to train counseling psychologists, Smith (2006 [this issue]) criticizes deficit models of counseling. Rather than focusing on at-risk adolescents' victim status, she argues that counseling psychologists should concentrate on identifying at-risk youths' cultural and individual strengths. One can infer from her new…

Efforts toward integration and eclecticism in counseling and psychotherapy reflect continuing interest in systematically blending theoretical commonalties and eclectically using a variety of techniques across different schools of therapy in the hope of achieving a constituent working model that pools the strengths of different theories and…

Members of ethnic and racial groups, such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Hispanic Americans, or Native Americans, particularly those who are unemployed and living in low income districts, have continued to struggle to overcome social barriers. A review of the literature reveals that the lack of opportunity or means to overcome social and…