Comments on article by Brett N. Steenbarger in which the contextualist themes in counseling are described. Contends Steenberger recognizes and validates importance of considering cultural diversity in human development. Makes case for stage theories that do incorporate contextualist themes. (ABL)

Introduces guidance system for the application of invitational theory. Calls system "Helix" because it spirals through 12 steps of development divided into three levels. Offers schema for examining one's own development as an invitational student, practitioner, and theorist. Provides impetus for further discussion about developmental…

Comparison and contrast of brief therapy and multicultural counseling highlighting the tension created by their different developmental assumptions. An integrative, multicontextual model of counseling that bridges this gap by intervening at the interface between individuals and their physical, social, and cultural contexts is outlined. (Author/SR)

Drawing on social constructionism, presents a clinical model for mental health counseling called solution-focused counseling (SFC). SFC is distinguished from rational emotive behavior therapy in that SFC is presented as a process or framework for change rather than as a content to be learned. (EMK)

A review of counseling theory and research demonstrates that emotionally arousing and expressive techniques are used in both brief and long-term mental health counseling. Techniques of emotional discharge or ventilation, insight, attitude change, creation of cognitive dissonance, and completing unfinished actions are supported in the literature.…

Describes the evolution and testing of an "attributes checklist" tool for assisting counselor development. These attributes relate to characteristics of case notes that indicate evidence of counselor reflection and consideration of the counseling process. (Author/GCP)

How counselor intentions function within the process of counseling is explored. Counselor intentions are discussed within the framework of the cognitive mediational paradigm. Implications of the use of counselor intentions for the training of beginning counselors are also delineated. (Author/EMK)

Describes how the dimension of spirituality can be added to an existing counseling theory, multimodal therapy (MMT), to provide counselors with a practical approach to incorporating clients' religious and spiritual beliefs in the counseling process. Discusses the context of spirituality in counseling and explains the process by which it can be…

Responds to an article (May/June 1997 issue) in which Eugene Kelly contended that the counseling profession should integrate its theories to combine strengths of both the humanistic and technical orientations in the field. Notes the importance of previous efforts such as Robert Carkhuff's Human Technology (HT). Discusses and emphasizes the…

Examines the usefulness of postmodernism in career counseling. Makes a case for broadening career counseling theories and techniques to feature the contextual influences inherent in each individual's unique career history. Introduces a career intervention, titled the Career-O-Gram, as a tool for exploring contextual influences on career…

Seeks to clarify how therapists' preferences for certain techniques relate to theoretical orientation as a commentary on Poznanski and McLennan's (1995) article. Suggests reasons for the slow pace of research on multi-item self-report measures of theoretical orientation, and an alternative measurement approach. (JPS)

Describes some challenges facing employment counselors who are working with mandated clients, since goals with mandated clients are often set by a government or a contracted agency. Proposes four counseling principles that are essential when dealing with mandated clients. They include: nondefensive open discussion; empathy; clarification of…

Expresses the author's personal view of evil as considered by psychotherapeutic theories. Challenges the psychotherapeutic tendency to avoid the moral and existential dimensions of evil via the transformative language of psychopathology that allows practitioners to rely upon metaphors of disease or immaturity. Presents an inter-psychic viewpoint…

Discusses a paradigm for understanding the myriad of counseling theories and their corresponding intervention techniques. The paradigm organizes counseling theory and practice around three principles: a way of being, a way of understanding, and a way of intervening. The paradigm allows counselors to eclectically use various theories and techniques…

Argues against Hughes' recommendation for a comprehensive clinical case planning process since it cannot displace consumers' need for psychological practice guidelines which can be applied autonomously. Challenges the notion that theory has been omitted from current research on empirically supported treatments. Concludes the problem facing…