Compared to demographic data from other healthcare professions, genetic counselors (GCs) are more likely to be Caucasian females. Many current underrepresented in genetic counseling (URGC) professionals in the field found genetic counseling later in their careers due in part to their lack of awareness. A pilot study consisting of equal numbers of…

Ten counselors were interviewed concerning their fears encountered in their therapeutic work. Participants were also asked what they had found to be helpful when attempting to deal with these fears. Fears reported are categorized into fears of losing control, fears of being separated from a group by way of disapproval or rejection, and fears of…

Presents intentionality as an emerging perceptual construct that is viewed as a trait related to counselor functioning and performance. Definitions are compared, and findings of current research of counselor intentions are reviewed. Contemporary use of intentionality to distinguish levels of professional functioning is also discussed. (JAC)

Three distinct clinical orientations were identified in a sample of chemical dependency counselors (N=406). Based on cluster analysis, the largest group, identified and labeled as "uniform counselors," endorsed a simple, moral-disease model with little interest in psychosocial interventions. (Contains 50 references and 4 tables.) (GCP)

Traces recent concepts of counselor motivations and intentions and proposes a model that locates intentions on a continuum of counselor strategy. A lack of published work on counselor motivation of practical or theoretical significance can be traced to methodological and design problems. Techniques for measuring intentions are discussed, with an…

Despite its widely acknowledged importance to effective therapeutic practice across theoretical orientations, it has been suggested that counsellor "personal development" remains a poorly defined area of training, and that the concept is itself endowed with numerous implicit meanings. In an attempt to move towards a more explicit and…

Discusses the importance of physical attractiveness from an anthropological perspective, and examines its role in counseling research and practice. (BH)

Review of research of counselors' influence on clients indicates clients respond more to the counselor role rather than to the individual. Nonverbal communication is often more effective than verbal statements in affecting clients' perceptions. Counseling may be considered an instance of social influence. Further research is recommended. (JAC)

This study supported evidence of reliability and validity of the Theoretical Orientation Profile Scale-Revised (TOPS-R) scores. The TOPS-R was designed to measure theoretical orientation among counselors and trainees. Factor analysis yielded a 6-factor solution accounting for 87.5% of the total variance in the scale. The 6 factors corresponded to…

Reviews research on ethnic similarity in the counseling process. Results lend credibility to the theory of social influence, although research on counselor bias and counseling outcome appear evenly divided on the influence of ethnic similarity. While Blacks generally preferred Black counselors, research with other ethnic groups is needed. (JAC)

It has been estimated that completed suicides in the United States leave behind 750,000 survivors every year. Many times, individuals who complete suicide had been seeing a mental health practitioner, who then must face the turmoil of losing a client to suicide. This paper reviews the literature on the frequency, impact, and recovery of…

Significant experiences with death and dying can be viewed as maturational crises through which people learn to cope with themselves during adversity and change. The death counselor needs to be knowledgeable about human development across the lifespan and sensitive to the problems of communication. (Author)

Reviews research that examined the effects of counselor disability status on counselor preferences and perceptions (expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness) as expressed by individuals with and without a disability. Results show that counselor disability status had a limited effect on perceptions and preferences, which were moderated by…

Discusses the counselors' emotional and ideological problems and their relationship to training. Factors which predispose and precipitate stress include personal recovery from alcoholism, treatment ideology, professionalism, bureaucratic and social issues, personal and home life, the transition to being a counselor, and problems with supervision.…

Members of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (n=300) completed a questionnaire on career satisfaction. A majority reported being quite satisfied with their careers. most experienced only occasional burnout, and over half perceived their career stress as no greater than moderate. (Author/KW)