Counseling Commons^™

Managed Care Organizations In Counseling Practice, Research, And Education, Carol Seehusen, Roseina Britton, David Duys

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This article examines the role managed care organizations (MCOs) have in the counseling profession. Ethical dilemmas present in working with MCOs are discussed as they apply to clinical practice and clinical decision making. Implications and potential solutions are explored, as well as a discussion on the limitations of current research and prospective future research suggestions on the effect MCOs have on the counseling profession. Counselor education considerations are also discussed. Specific American Counseling Association (ACA) standards are included throughout the article where applicable.

Training Issues Related To Touch In Counseling, Jonathan D. Wright

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Touch is considered by many to be the most important of the five senses for optimal human development and has been used in healing and medical practices throughout history. Touch also plays a key role in human communication but maintains a position detached from other forms of verbal and nonverbal communication within the field of counseling. Most counselors receive little training in the role of touch in counseling, and there are no ethics codes specific to the use of touch available to guide counselors. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of historical and current issues related …

Counselor Professional Identity Development In Cacrep And Non-Cacrep Accredited Programs, Melanie Person, Curtis Garner, Michelle Ghoston, Connie Petersen

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Through increasing the strength and understanding of counselor-in-training professional identity development, the profession as a whole gains credibility and a place within mental health treatment. This study sought to determine CACREP’s impact on professional identity development of counselors-in-training. Results indicate that individuals who attended a CACREP-accredited Master’s program had significantly higher overall scores on the Professional Identity Scale in Counseling (PISC) (Woo & Henfield, 2015), but not in all subscales. Implications support continued promotion of CACREP involvement in the training of counselors.

Applying Markov Chain Analysis To Supervisory Interactions, Dan Li, David K. Duys, Darcy Haag Granello

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

In this study, we explored transitional dynamics (i.e., movement patterns between six common supervision events) of the supervision process using transcripts of 20 actual supervision sessions in naturalistic settings. Specifically, we first proposed an events-based framework to conceptualize the supervision process. We then provided a step-by-step protocol to perform Markov chain analysis, which is an innovative and useful means to study ongoing processes. Next, we identified transitional dynamics of the entire sample and then detected statistically different verbal interactional patterns for the dyads with longer or shorter trainee experience. Results of this study provided insights on supervision process features for …

The Research Self-Efficacy, Interest In Research, And Research Mentoring Experiences Of Doctoral Students In Counselor Education, John T. Petko, Stephen A. Sivo, Glenn W. Lambie

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Doctoral programs in counselor education are believed to be developing effective researchers, yet there are few studies that examine the research constructs within counselor educator programs. The purpose of this study is to investigate a national sample of doctoral counselor education students’ research quality by measuring three constructs: 1) research self-efficacy, 2) interest in research and 3) research mentoring. A cross-sectional, correlational research design was used to test if doctoral students programs could predict these constructs. Also, the study investigated whether students’ research practices, (e.g., publishing refereed journal articles, et al.) correlated with their response levels.

Keywords: counselor education and …

Are Counselors Prepared? : Integrating Trauma Education Into Counselor Education Programs, Seriashia Chatters, Peihsuan Liu

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Due to the high prevalence of traumatic events, counselors are likely to have clients with histories of trauma. Counselors need to be prepared to work with trauma-related issues. The Council of Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs supports the importance of trauma education in the 2016 CACREP standards. Due to the 60 credit hour requirement of counselor training programs, the authors suggest that counselor educators integrate trauma education throughout Counselor Education curricula as opposed to creating a whole course. This article elucidates the need of integrating trauma education in counseling graduate programs, and provides suggestions regarding how counselor educators …

The Effect Of Affect: Krathwohl And Bloom’S Affective Domains Underutilized In Counselor Education, J Scott Nelson, Debra A. Pender, Charles E. Myers, Donna Sheperis

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Bloom's (1956) Taxonomy cognitive domains have proven useful for decades. Counselor educators are experts in affect, and yet most are unfamiliar with Bloom's affective domains that correspond to the cognitive domains. The affective domains focus on attitudes and values that can help counselor educators assist students to more successfully navigate Bloom's cognitive process by harnessing the effect of affect through combining Bloom's affective and cognitive domains. Since Bloom's cognitive domains are already widely and effectively utilized, perhaps it is time for counselor educators, the experts in affect, to use the affective domains in conjunction with the cognitive domains as initially …

Integrating Intersectionality Into Clinical Supervision: A Developmental Model Addressing Broader Definitions Of Multicultural Competence, Jennifer H. Greene, Paulina S. Flasch

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Intersectionality addresses multiple areas of diversity while considering areas of power, privilege, marginalization, and oppression. Intersectionality as a theory has gained recognition and utilization in multiple fields, including counseling. Intersectionality can and should be utilized in counseling supervision while maintaining a focus on the development of counselors in training. Intersectional supervision is a part of social justice work, the “fifth force” in counseling. The authors provide context for intersectionality as a theory and apply intersectionality to the multiple roles that supervisors take on in the context of supervision. Potential impact on clients is discussed. Suggestions for specific supervision techniques and …

Epistemological Issues In Counselor Preparation: An Examination Of Constructivist And Phenomenological Assumptions, Brett D. Wilkinson, Gary Shank, Fred Hanna

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This article clarifies how the epistemological issues of belief justification and truth values relate to counselor preparation methods. Exploring constructivism and phenomenology in detail as well as aspects of positivism relevant to counselor education, we highlight how specific philosophical assumptions about student learning inform counselor education. We propose that counselor educators and researchers may benefit from exploring phenomenology as a supplementary instructional approach to constructivism.

Why Grant Writing And Research Matters In Counselor Education: Advancing Our Discipline, Megan E. Delaney, Sandy Gibson

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study outlines findings from an online survey gauging counseling faculty (N = 174) on their experience with grant funding. Results indicate that faculty, especially junior faculty, lack experience and desire knowledge in grant-writing skills. A discussion on why grant funding is important to the future of counseling is included.

Counselor Educators’ Internal Experiences Of Gatekeeping, Victor Chang, Deborah Rubel

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor educators practice gatekeeping to graduate only students who are ethical and competent, yet students with problems of professional competence (PPC) continue to graduate. Gatekeeping challenges include personal, pedagogical, administrative, ethical, and legal concerns, and gatekeeping has been characterized as a taxing emotional and social process. Specific knowledge about counselor educators’ internal experiences during gatekeeping is limited. Researchers asked how do counselor educators experience their internal reactions during gatekeeping processes for PPC? Researchers interviewed counselor educators about their gatekeeping experiences and analyzed data using grounded theory methods. The authors propose a grounded theory of striving to be an effective gatekeeper …

Leadership And Gender: School Counselors’ Experiences Of Girls’ Leadership In Secondary Schools, Jennifer H. Greene, Cheryl L. Fulton, Maria Haiyasoso, Sarah M. Blalock

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

There has been a proliferation of girls’ leadership programs to stymie the leaking pipeline of women’s leadership and resulting gender leadership gap. School counselors are advocates and change agents in the schools and play a key role in student development and leadership programming. School counselors’ training in their counseling programs may impact their support and assessment of girls’ leadership programming. This phenomenological research utilized the open-ended questions of an online survey to understand school counselors’ experiences of girls’ leadership. The themes, (a) Formal Approach to Girls’ Leadership, (b) Informal Approach to Girls’ Leadership, (c) No Girls’ Leadership, and (d) Non-Gender …

The Validation Of The Multicultural Supervision Scale, Varunee Faii Sangganjanavanich, Yue Dang, Xin Liang

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The Multicultural Supervision Scale (MSS) is a self-reported instrument aimed at measuring supervisors’ multicultural supervision competencies. A total of 308 individuals completed the present study for the purpose of validating the MSS with the consideration of the influence of social desirability. Results from a confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the three-factor structure of the MSS including Supervisory Skills, Supervisors’ Attitudes and Beliefs, and Stereotypes Toward Diverse Populations. Statistical evidence suggested that the MSS, which consists of 21 self-reported items, demonstrated a moderate level of internal consistency and validity of its construct. Directions for future research and implications to clinical supervision and …

Preparing 21st Century Counselors And Healthcare Professionals: Examining Technology Competency And Interprofessional Education Comfort, Kaprea F. Johnson

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Healthcare professionals are expected to work in interprofessional teams while also communicating distantly with these team members through telehealth platforms to improve patient care. This study sought to understand how comfort with technology, interprofessional education, and collaboration was perceived by graduate students in counseling, dental hygiene, nursing, and physical therapy. A quantitative investigation with N=111 students resulted in comfort with technology among all groups but there were significant differences among the allied health professions regarding positive professional identity and willingness to engage in teamwork and collaboration. The data revealed that both preparation, rationale for interprofessional work, and placement of interprofessional …

Counselor Educators’ Experiences Of Gatekeeping In Online Counselor Education Programs, Amy Gilbert, Anita A. Neuer Colburn, Sherry Todd, Kathie Erwin

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor educators serve as gatekeepers by ensuring that only those students who meet standards of competence enter the counseling field. This qualitative study explored the gatekeeping experiences of seven counselor educators in online Master’s-level counseling programs. The resulting themes offer implications for counselor education, administration, and research.

The Relationship Between Empathy And Theoretical Orientation Of Counselors-In-Training, Elizabeth Manzano Boulton, Eric Davis

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study examined the relationship between theoretical orientation and empathy levels of a group of 166 counselors-in-training. Participants’ responses to the Toronto Empathy Questionnaire (TEQ) and the Theoretical Evaluation Self-Test (TEST) were collected and analyzed. Only individual items from the TEQ were found to have a relationship with the theoretical orientation inclination responses on the TEST. However, a trend between humanistic theories and counselors-in-training theoretical orientation inclination seems to exist. The study concluded that counselors-in-training might need to develop self-awareness before selecting a theoretical orientation that fit. Incongruences were found between theoretical orientation selected in the demographic questionnaire and the …

Increasing The Use Of Evidence-Based Practices In Counseling: Cbt As A Supervision Modality In Private Practice Mental Health, Jerome Fischer, Diana M. Mendez

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This paper demonstrates how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) supervision can be applied in a private practice mental health setting. The CBT model of supervision is a good fit for a private practice mental health setting because of its action orientation and empirical grounding. The CBT modality meets the challenges of a private practice mental health setting since it is appropriate for the types of issues presented by clients in counseling. While CBT is an effective therapy to use for supervision and counseling in a private practice mental health setting, it is recommended that mental health practitioners expand their professional identity …

Economic Stress Of International Students: What Counselors Should Know, Yuh-Jen Guo, Shu-Ching Wang, Angela P. Wong, George A. Loftis, Jada M. Mathison, Megan K. Ashpole

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

College students encounter high levels of stress due to intensive demands from developmental and academic tasks. In addition to the stress induced by developmental and academic tasks, economic stress adds substantial distress to college students. Economic contraction is known to bring up mental health concerns in society. Financial stress and diminished optimism are affected by distressful economic conditions. This study examined the different perceptions of economic stress between American students and international students of one English for Speakers of Other Language (ESOL) program. International students in this study sustained equally high economic stress but were more sensitive to the economic …

Fostering Group Counseling And Social Justice Competence Through Community-Based Programs, Alicia J. Harlow, Aikaterini Psarropoulou, Sharon L. Bowman

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This qualitative study explored the reactions of 12 counselor trainees to community-based group counseling work. The impact of community outreach on counselor conceptualizations of client problems, and the development of social justice competence were of particular interest. Analysis of results using Consensual Qualitative Research (CQR) methodology revealed an emphasis on the following domain areas: Increased awareness of client and self, a shift in social justice attitudes and interest, and an increased awareness of systemic problems and injustices. Core ideas associated with each of these domains, as well as suggestions for future research, are discussed.

Experiences Of Spanish Speaking Counseling Students: Implications For The Profession, Melissa Alvarado, Eunice Lerma, Javier Cavazos Vela, Autumn Wright

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Due to the rise of predominate Spanish-speaking individuals in the United States, there is an increased need to provide bilingual counseling services. Understanding the experiences of bilingual counseling students is imperative for the training of bilingual counselors and overall service delivery. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the experiences of students who provide counseling services in Spanish yet trained in an English-language counselor education program. This study attempted to expand and specify the unique challenges and needs of this student counselor population. Analyses revealed that there are some unique challenges in bilingual counseling service delivery. Four overarching …

Evaluation Of A Youth Suicide Prevention Course: Increasing Counseling Students’ Knowledge, Skills, And Self-Efficacy, Laura L. Gallo, Diana M. Doumas, Regina Moro, Aida Midgett, Sherise Porchia

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Adolescent suicide rates continue to rise within the United States. This study evaluated a Youth Suicide Prevention course in a Master’s in Counseling Program. Participants reported increases in knowledge and perceived ability to help suicidal clients post-training and in suicide prevention skills and suicide assessment and intervention self-efficacy at the 3-month follow-up. Implications for counselor education programs, such as using both experiential and didactic teaching methods, as well as timing suicide training before practicum, are discussed.

Developing Authentic Problem Solving Skills In School Counselors-In-Training Through Problem Based Learning, Phillip L. Waalkes, Daniel A. Decino

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

According to the American School Counseling Association’s school counseling competencies and the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Program’s standards, school counselors should have skills, abilities, and attitudes to address complex and authentic problems in their practice. Yet, school counselors often do not feel prepared by their preparation programs in being able to address the realities of their practice. Problem Based Learning activities, such as the one proposed in this article, may help school counselors-in-training develop the skills in internship supervision to address complex problems they will face in their future work. Implementation guidelines, a case example, and …

Teaching Ethical Decision-Making In Counselor Education, Dana H. Levitt, Connie S. Ducaine, Kimberly Greulich, Kelly Gentry, Lisa Treweeke

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

How and when counseling graduate students are taught to apply ethical codes and principles varies. In this article the authors review foundational concepts and proposed practices for ethics education in graduate counseling programs. The authors present strategies for teaching ethical decision-making that focus on the intersection of personal values, principle and virtue ethics, and self-reflection. Recommendations are provided for content delivery and activities and assignments that encourage self-reflection of values in conjunction with the application of decision-making skills and models. Implications for future research are addressed.

Parallel Process Of Professional Identity Development During Clinical Supervision, Nancy E. Thacker, Joel F. Diambra

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselors-in-training (CITs) and counselor educators-in-training (CEITs) have a similar need to develop professional identities that are genuine to self and congruent with the counseling and counselor education professions. As CITs and CEITs enter their respective professional roles, they experience a parallel process of professional identity development (PID). This parallel process can be used as a tool to promote PID during clinical supervision. The authors will explore the PID processes of CITs and CEITs, consider their mutual influence on each other’s growth in clinical supervision, and provide a case study application with suggestions for supervision practice that fosters mutual PID.

An Exploratory Investigation About Graduate Counseling Students’ Perceived Competencies In Integrated Care, Bridget Asempapa

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Integrated care is a holistic treatment modality that increases collaborative efforts between primary care and mental health providers. Support for integrated care is evident, but the development of counselors for this level of care is limited. This study examined graduate counseling students’ (N = 243) perceived competencies about integrated care. Additionally, the study shares findings regarding students’ experiences, useful skills, and concerns about their work in integrated care settings. The results from this study suggest that students have encouraging perceived competencies. However, there were indications that specific contextual challenges remain, but exposure to integrated care training will be valuable. Implications …

Mental Health Professionals’ Attitudes Toward Clients With Antisocial Personality Disorder: An Exploratory Study, Edward T. Dunbar Jr., Shari M. Sias, Stephen Leierer, William L. Atherton, Robert J. Campbell, Lloyd R. Goodwin Jr

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This exploratory study examined mental health professionals’ attitudes toward clients with antisocial personality disorder. Specifically, are mental health professionals’ attitudes influenced by (a) personal experiences with criminal victimization, or (b) contact with clients with antisocial personality disorder. A factorial MANOVA and follow-up univariate ANOVAs revealed a statistically significant main effect in relation to participants’ level of clinical contact with clients having antisocial personality disorder. Participants with higher levels of clinical contact were associated with more positive attitudes towards clients. Implications for mental health professionals, supervisors, and counselor educators are discussed, and suggestions for future research are provided.

Cacrep Accreditation Simulation: Transformative Learning In Counselor Education, Molly M. Strear, Jennifer L. Murdock Bishop, Heather M. Helm

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

A CACREP accreditation simulation activity is provided as a framework for counselor educators to facilitate experiential learning for doctoral students in counselor education. This article includes instructional strategies for self-directed learning and reflective journaling to introduce program development and accreditation processes throughout a semester length assignment. Participating students embody the roles of fictional faculty members embarking on accreditation to promote student collaboration and increased knowledge of CACREP standards through transformative learning.

Learning To Be A Counselor At A Distance: A Qualitative Investigation Of The Distance Education Experience For Counselors-In-Training, Gregory Roth, Charles J. Jacob, Cheria Jackson, Jessica R. Stoler, Wemi Oloidi

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor education has evolved to include distance education. There is, however, a dearth of research aimed specifically at distance education for counselors-in-training. This research looks to redress this by analyzing data gathered during interviews of six counselors-in-training. The results revealed that online counseling students were predominately satisfied with their education experience despite some concerns. Themes relating to convenience, separateness, connectedness, self-efficacy, and stigma were identified. As distance education continues to progress, it will be imperative that counselor educators create programs that meet the needs of students but also allow for proper training and protection of clients and the public.

Counselor Educators' Teaching Practices In Contemporary Society, Don P. Trahan Jr, Jeanmarie Keim

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor education programs aim to provide students with curricula that enables them to effectively engage culturally diverse populations. However, there are no universal standards for infusing multiculturalism into curricula. This qualitative study provides an in-depth understanding of how various counselor educators infused multiculturalism/diversity into their counseling curricula. Implications for practice and future research are offered.

Gatekeeping In Master’S Level Rehabilitation Counseling Programs: An Exploratory Study, Allison Levine, Connie Sung, Alicia Strain

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The current study explores attitudes and procedures of gatekeeping in rehabilitation counseling programs. Using the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB), the current study explores underlying causes for a lack of gatekeeping discussion and action in rehabilitation counseling. Rehabilitation educators and program directors from both CORE and CACREP-accredited rehabilitation counseling programs participated in the online Gatekeeping Attitudes and Procedures Survey (GAPS). Results indicate that, while attitudes towards gatekeeping were positive, programs lack formalized procedures. TPB aids in understanding that attitudes towards gatekeeping may not influence educator behavior on the matter. Implications include further research into this area to better understand the …