Reviews psychological and pharmacological comparative outcome studies, typically using examples of cognitive-behavioral interventions from among psychological therapies and of depression from among disorders. Considers methodological concerns such as selecting outcome measures, calibrating quality of therapy, and investigating client and therapist…

With the addition of the Board of Ethnic Minority Affairs to the American Psychological Association and the observation that greater numbers of ethnic minorities are seeking psychological treatment, a growing area of research has been related to ethnic issues in psychotherapy. Many empirical studies have been conducted comparing psychotherapy…

Since a 1970 study found differential mental health standards for men and women, studies evaluating the impact of such standards on psychotherapy treatment plans have been mixed. Two recent investigations were designed to correct for earlier problems in archival research, and a third was designed to correct for the analogue problem of using…

The proposed study will examine some critical therapist characteristics (skin color, speech rhythm, expertise levels, and counseling approach) possessed by present Chicano mental health personnel. One hundred and sixty lower division Mexican American college students will be asked to rate the therapist on expertness, attractiveness,…

Current psychotherapy research emphasizes the interrelationships of process variables and outcomes to predict success. A methodology was developed for studying the variables of client problems, therapist qualities, and methods in relation to client satisfaction. To assess clients' experiences, expectations, and therapy perceptions, questionnaires…

University counseling center clients read one of six counselor descriptions generated by crossing counselor gender with counselor sex roles (feminine, androgynous, and masculine), then rated their willingness to see the counselor for a variety of concerns. Feminine sex role was rated highest for personal concerns, masculine for assertiveness…

Identifies psychotherapeutic and professional skills and personal characteristics important for private practice of marriage/family therapy in rural areas. Discusses implications for professional training. Describes private practice in geographically isolated Wyoming community, citing importance of skills in adjunct professional activities, i.e.,…

Recent studies in counselor training have focused on the trainee/supervisor relationship, with little empirical research on the supervisor and trainee qualities that may contribute to a successful experience. To explore the supervisor and trainee characteristics that may contribute to high quality training, 40 pairs of trainees and supervisors in…

Feminist therapists' writings, while focusing on the needs of female clients, do not always consider the limitations of the therapist. Gender differences in beginning psychotherapists' behaviors and client interactions were investigated to determine the effect of sex-role stereotyping on therapeutic interactions and interventions. Verbatim…

Although incompatible differences appear to exist between psychoanalytic therapy, which involves a hierarchical relationship, and feminism, which stresses egalitarian values, some versions of psychoanalytic theory are able to maintain their hierarchy within a context consistent with feminist values. Freud touched on the importance of the…

Developed measure of client reactions to therapist interventions, which differed significantly on client helpfulness ratings. Therapist intentions related to client reactions more for successful cases than unsuccessful cases. Pretreatment symptomatology was highly predictive of reactions reported. Predictable changes in reactions occurred across…

Elaborates issues surrounding ethical decision making in counseling and mental health professions. Articles covering implications for training, ethical counseling of adolescents and the elderly, and reviews of research on counselor ethics are included. (BH)

Research has shown that therapy preference affects both the quality of the initial therapy session and treatment outcome. To determine personality characteristics which would affect subjects' preference of therapeutic orientation and to obtain qualitative information about subjects' therapy preferences, 203 community college students indicated…

Examines relationship of client and therapist characteristics to length of stay and premature treatment termination in 595 psychotherapy cases at a rural Arizona community health clinic. Finds results similar to those obtained in urban settings: small number of psychotherapy sessions attended and tendency to premature termination unrelated to…

University students (N=169) rated their preferences for counselor gender for nine client concerns and completed a sex role inventory and a demographic questionnaire. Most who expressed a preference for counselor gender preferred male counselors for concerns other than sexual issues, particularly for vocational/academic and social/interpersonal…