This qualitative study examined the subjective experience of school counseling interns (N = 26) with and without teaching experience. Non-teachers acknowledged a steep learning curve as they adjusted to the school and teacher cultures, but relied on personal qualities and counselor training as they moved successfully into competence. Teachers…

Counselor educators and practitioners have debated the necessity of classroom teaching prior to becoming a school counselor. This research seeks to add to the discussion by presenting the perspective of practicing school counselors and administrators in Montana. Additionally, the study was conducted following a Montana Office of Public Instruction…

Analogue studies have demonstrated that clients who have been instructed to try to deliberately produce certain impressions in their counselors are able to create those impressions reliably and to affect the counselors' evaluations of the clients. It has not been demonstrated, however, that actual clients engage in strategic self-presentation with…

This study focused on three objectives: (1) to identify those activities which school counselors perceive to be their greatest time wasters; (2) to identify the percentage of time counselors believe they spend on each of the primary counselor job functions; and (3) to compare those perceptions with counselors' ideal allocation of their time.…

Administrators, faculty, students, and counselors themselves are often unsure of the counselor's functions. This study sought to determine the problems for which selected high school seniors would seek help from their guidance counselors. Subjects were high school seniors (N=1,734) from 10 Indiana high schools. A 24-item Likert-type questionnaire…

This article goes beyond the traditional survey of student attitudes toward the school guidance service. The student data are used as a springboard to the broader issues affecting the counseling profession. The focus is on counselor discouragement and what all concerned practitioners can do to revitalize the profession. (Author)

Discusses effects of school experiences, cultural differences affecting self-esteem, and group counseling for native-American children. Describes desirable characteristics of counselors for these students. Concludes that counselors can perhaps be of greatest help to these students by incorporating the unique values of their culture into the group…

The paradigm presented in this chapter is predicated on certain assumptions about the future of schools and schooling as well as the role of the school counselor. These assumptions include: the cultural and demographic profile of school counselors will continue to be different from students; the counselor will have an ever-present role on school…

Highlights four competency areas that are needed by school counselors to be effective in the role of consultant to parents, teachers, and administrators. Presents an inventory that will allow counselors to assess their awareness of some of the issues and competencies required for successful school consultation. Explores implications for in-service…

Presents an objective-based model for the selection of counselors. The model places emphasis on a systematic approach, with staff involvement and clear objectives for the process, and includes suggestions for avoiding ineffective behaviors based on traditional approaches. (Author)

Examined whether differences exist between students' (n=322) and counselors' (n=11) perceptions of work activities performed by the latter group in a community college. Results indicated that students did not believe that counselors were actually performing the majority of tasks commonly and ideally associated with career counseling services.…

Creating and maintaining a successful and comprehensive school counseling program built on group work requires far more than excellent group skills. Results derived from an in-depth case study illustrate how an elementary school counselor's knowledge and skills (e.g., vision, identity, beliefs and values, capabilities, and behaviors) contributed…

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…

This study examines counselor characteristics, especially how the characteristics factor into the helping relationship. Prior research on this topic has been couched in the social psychology research on personal attraction and relationship development, which suggests that credibility, attractiveness, and influence are functions of the degree of…

Psychologists learn early that the first place it is necessary to establish consistency of values is within the self. This foundation is a necessary condition to becoming an indispensable psychologist. Three ingredients to professional indispensability in psychology are excellence, relevance, and passion. Combine these with motive power (the drive…