This workshop focuses on the utility of decision making counseling: what it is, how it is operationalized into counseling behaviors, and what applications it has to counseling. Four sequential stages are proposed for explaining the use of the technique, including: (1) conceptualization; (2) enlargement of the response repertoire; (3)…

The multidimensional nature of counseling and psychotherapeutic treatment and the wide choice of intervention strategies underscore the desirability of conducting treatment according to preformulated treatment plans. The extent of correspondence between counselors' pretreatment plans for using each of 14 intervention strategies and their…

There is evidence that informal caregiving systems, called natural helping networks, already carry much of the service load of community mental health services, and need to be strengthened to provide even more. Social network analysis is a useful tool for understanding how these informal mechanisms operate, as well as the way in which some…

This guide is addressed to those individuals who are considering the development of a volunteer program in agencies that provide prevention of, and treatment and rehabilitation services for alcohol abuse and alcoholism. Specific steps for planning and implementing a volunteer program utilizing individual volunteers to extend and complement staff…

A total of 289 Boston University College of Basic Studies freshmen were randomly divided into two groups: (1) the Experimental Group in which each student was assigned a counselor who was also his psychology instructor; and (2) the Control Group in which each student was assigned a counselor who was not in a teaching relationship to him. Pre-study…

Noting the increased interest in the use of group approaches, the author discusses the rationale: that human beings are social beings who grow and develop by having adequate and meaningful exposure to social situations. The therapeutic forces which can be operative in groups are listed and the leader's awareness of them as a powerful tool for…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the actual and ideal roles of counselors as perceived by Wisconsin secondary school counselors and teacher counselors and to compare them with a counselor role model based on a consensus of Wisconsin counselor educators. An extensive review of the literature on counselor role determination and…

Featured are the following: (1) an article on the counselor in the classroom, a program in which counselors offer human relations seminars and also work with students on communication skills in the regular classroom; and (2) an outline of a seminar in behavior modification designed to teach parents how to establish an environment that supports the…

This issues of Communique, a newsletter providing resource information for practicing counselors, features a decisional "balance sheet", to aid students who are thinking about college in making sound, stable decisions that involve careful scanning of all the relevant considerations; reports of three studies in curriculum decision making…

Describes the use of Virginia Satir's model to family counseling, emphasizing prevention, personal growth, self-esteem, and communication in improving the functioning of the family system. Presents a case study using the model. Results indicate the family became more nurturing as a result of counseling. (JAC)

Describes the initial evaluation phase of family therapy, which clarifies the circular interaction maintaining the symptom, the family structure, and its relationship to the therapist. Suggests using first sessions to collect data and organize it meaningfully. Presents phenomenological and mythical models of family functioning as guides for…

Probes the impact of legal incursion into the fabric of confidentiality in the counselor-client relationship. Concludes that a major challenge will confront counselors as they attempt to implement the increasingly restricted legal definition of confidentiality, while safeguarding client rights and interests. (Author/JAC)

Discusses the relationship between emergent trends in counseling and behavioral medicine. Examines the failure of some behavioral strategies to maintain positive change in terms of social learning theory. Suggests the role of counselors in the treatment of chronic physical disease may have a positive impact on behavioral medicine. (Author)

Describes concepts from social anthropology as confirming the traditional role and skills of the counselor--warm, emphatic, interpersonal communicator. Proposes counselors take comfort in the speculation that they actually serve the long-term needs of society, but that helping professionals should also be concerned about accountability. (JAC)

Counselors working in corrections need to be flexible. Drug counseling in correctional settings can provide some significant services to inmates with drug problems when counselors discuss their various responsibilities with clients and maintain a helping orientation in all the roles they assume. (Author)