Counseling Commons^™

Using Systems Perspectives In Supervision, Marilyn J. Montgomery, C. Bret Hendricks, Loretta J. Bradley

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

This article emphasizes the important contributions of systems theory in the supervision process. A case study is used to illustrate how attention to the systemic contexts of the client, the supervisee, and the supervision process itself enlarges the possibilities for helpful change. The unifying themes of many systems theories are identified (diagnosing the system, viewing problems in context, and focusing on systemic change), and techniques for keeping supervision systemically focused are suggested. The usefulness of systems perspectives for conceptualizing diverse cultural influences and for framing advocacy efforts is explored. In addition, the supervision goals of three common systems-based approaches (structural, …

Theories Of Crying, Jeffrey A. Kottler, Marilyn J. Montgomery

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

It was dark outside, and cold, so cold the man’s eyes stung from the moisture on his lids. He was hunched over, trying to make himself as small a target as possible against the frigid wind. He shuffled along at an unsteady gait, trying to keep his balance on the slick sidewalk. Occasionally, he would stop, peek out from under his hood to reorient himself in the blowing snow, and then step cautiously but purposefully onward toward his destination.

Feminist Perspectives On Erikson’S Theory: Their Relevance For Contemporary Identity Development Research, Gwendolyn T. Sorell, Marilyn J. Montgomery

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

In view of recent controversies about theory and self, identity development re- searchers need to examine the utility of their own theory. In an effort to begin this enterprise, we define what we see as the central concerns of Erikson’s theory—a life- span, psychosocial emphasis, and the notion of agentic identity development—and use a feminist standpoint analysis to examine the usefulness of these aspects of his theory in a rapidly changing, multicultural context. We critique the theory’s emphasis on biology as a significant component of psychosocial development, including the emphasis on the biological distinctiveness of women and men as an …

Opportunity Knocks Only Once? Challenging Common Beliefs About Adulthood, Marilyn Montgomery, Camille Debell, Patricia R. Mccarthy, Gerald Parr

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

Growth-oriented groups for adults are designed to help individuals learn about themselves for the purpose of making constructive life changes. While the success of such groups always depends to some extent on individual characteristics (e.g., motivation, openness to experience), group success can also be affected by members' beliefs or stereotypes about appropriate age-related behaviour. In this article, proverbs such as Don't change horses mid-stream or Opportunity knocks only once are targeted for discussion by group participants as a means of identifying irrational beliefs, confronting stereotypes, promoting flexible thinking, and examining acceptable adult behaviour.

Prescriptive Travel And Adventure-Based Activities As Adjuncts To Counselling, Jeffery A. Kottler, Marilyn J. Montgomery

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

One of the greatest challenges for counsellors is finding ways to promote constructive client actions outside sessions (Shelton & Levy, 1981). Often, clients perform well during therapeutic encounters but have difficulty applying what they have learned to real life situations (Stokes & Baer, 1977). In fact, inability to generalize learning is one of the most frequent problems encountered in our field (Rose, 1989).

Some of our most difficult and resistant clients are those who appear compliant, cooperative, eager, and solicitous in sessions but don't translate insights into action in their lives (Kottler, 1992), and don't continue their progress after treatment …

Three Variations On A Theme: The Power Of Pure Empathy, Jeffrey A. Kottler, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Aretha Faye Marbley

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

With the counseling profession’s increased emphasis on developing brief therapies, applying innovative techniques, and measuring outcomes, helping someone feel understood is sometimes neglected. Three narratives by humanistic practitioners illustrate the value of pure empathy in our work with clients, students, and others in our diverse communities.

Calming Anxiety: Developmental Interventions For Multigenerational Parent-Child Therapy, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Camillel Debell, Judith Wilkins

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

When parents bring a child or an adolescent to therapy, they often are anxious and want problems to be resolved as soon as possible. Sometimes, the counselor realizes that targeting interventions toward only the child will lead to limited change and might perpetuate the family's view of the child as a "problem." On the other hand, parents might resist suggestions for family therapy, believing as they do that the problem is located in the child. This article presents a method of working with both parents and the child that provides supportive therapy for the child while intervening with the parents …

The Critical Contact: A Study Of Recruiter Verbal Behavior During Campus Interviews, Camille S. Debell, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Patricia R. Mccarthy, Richard P. Lanthier

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

The verbal behaviors of 25 corporate recruiters were content analyzed and compared to student applicants’ postinterview evaluations of them. Qualitative and quantitative analyses identified and counted helper and other responses made by recruiters. Additional analyses indicated significant variability in the quality of interviews, the talkativeness of recruiters, and the relative impact of recruiter verbal behaviors on the applicants’ ratings. Recruiters who para- phrased, asked questions, and made influencing statements tended to be rated significantly higher on their expertness, or competence. Recruiters who dis- closed sometimes-irrelevant information tended to be rated significantly lower on Responsiveness. These results are discussed within the …

Dual Relationships And Pastoral Counseling: Asset Or Liability?, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Camille Debell

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

Dual relationships are proscribed in the standards of ethical conduct for most professional groups that provide counseling or psychotherapy. Dual relationships are thought to be unethical because they cloud the clinical judgment of the counselor and may present conflicts of interest that prevent the counseling relationship from being beneficial. Pastors frequently provide counseling for troubled persons or families, yet they often maintain other roles and relationships with these persons and families. This article addresses the issue of the inevitability of dual relationships in pastoral counseling. Courses of action for handling dual relationships in pastoral counseling are identified.

Differences In Love Attitudes Across Family Life Stages, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Gwendolyn T. Sorell

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

Differences in the endorsement of six love styles among four family life stage groups were investigated using the Love Attitude Scale. The sample included 250 adults in four groups: college-age single youth, young childless married adults, married adults with children living at home, and married adults with launched children. Significant differences in the groups' endorsements were found on several subscales, with most differences occurring between the non-married and married groups. Associations be- tween the love attitudes and relationship satisfaction at all life stages are discussed.

Patterns Of Courtship For Remarriage: Implications For Child Adjustment And Parent-Child Relationships, Marilyn J. Montgomery, Edward R. Anderson, Mavis E. Hetherington, Glenn W. Clingempeel

Faculty Publications - Graduate School of Counseling

Most children who experience their parents' divorce also experience their custodial parent's remarriage. However, research has not addressed how patterns of courtship for remarriage influence the developing child and his or her relationships in the new family. This longitudinal study focuses on 57 remarried, stepfather families with a target child aged 9 to 13, using multimethod, multi-informant measures of child adjustment and parent-child relationships. Comparisons were made to determine whether the custodial mother's number of dating partners, remarriage courtship length, or the timing and sequence of typical courtship stages affected the child's adjustment and his or her relationships with the …