Counseling Commons^™

Signature Pedagogies: Doctoral-Level Teaching Preparation, Casey A. Barrio Minton

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

In response to Baltrinic and Wachter Morris (2020), this article includes a history of teaching preparation in counselor education, exploration regarding current status of doctoral-level teaching preparation in counselor education, and review of literature regarding strategies for preparing doctoral students to teach. Supervision and mentorship emerged as key themes in this relatively new area of preparation. The author explores whether current practice is sufficient to identify these processes as signature pedagogies.

Signature Pedagogies: A Framework For Pedagogical Foundations In Counselor Education, Eric R. Baltrinic, Carrie Wachter Morris

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

The authors offer signature pedagogies, which refer to the particular types of teaching distinct to a particular profession, as a framework for conceptualizing and advancing our knowledge about the pedagogical foundations in counselor education. Signature pedagogies are further defined at the professional, program, and course levels along with examples to connect signature pedagogies to the discipline of counselor education. The authors offer refection questions to encourage readers to apply the content of this article to their own conceptualizations of pedagogy and conceptualize research designs grounded in a unified understanding of pedagogy. Implications for counselor education and future research are presented.

Aligning Cognitive Complexity Models: Bridging Development Across Educational And Supervisory Contexts, J. Scott Branson, Ashley N. Branson

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Cognitive complexity is a requisite skill for mental health professionals, as they routinely face complex, ambiguous tasks such as working within an evidence based practice framework in ways that bridge clients’ subjective experiences with relevant psychotherapeutic outcome research. Multiple models for conceptualizing and promoting cognitive complexity development in educational and supervisory settings have been articulated, and the similarities across these models is striking. The purpose of this article is to: 1) introduce readers to King and Kitchener’s (1994) Reflective Judgement model of educational development and 2) demonstrate the striking alignment between the Reflective Judgement model and prominent developmental models of …

The Development Of Professional Responsibility In Counselor Training, Ryan Bowers, Helen Hamlet

International Journal on Responsibility

Responsibility in the field of counseling is a complex, multi-faceted concept which includes responsibility to the client, responsibility to the profession, and responsibility to the self. These responsibilities encompass the profession’s global role, the call to establish consistent professional requirements, the American Counseling Association’s Code of Ethics, the developmental process of student skill acquisition and professional identity development, and the curriculum and training requirements of counselor education programs. Following a general exploration of responsibility in counselor education, this article focuses on when and how counselors-in-training (CITs), as they grow in counseling skills and professional identity through coursework and mentoring and …

Social Media Policy For Counselor Education Programs, Jared S. Rose, Robin Dufresne, Allison Arnekrans, Leslie Neyland

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

In light of the American Counseling Association’s ACA Code of Ethics (2014) addressing the use of social media in the counseling profession, counselor education programs must prepare to properly monitor their professional social media use. Social media is defined, followed by a review of types and uses of social media. The authors discuss a process for developing a social media policy for counselor education program including reviewing the relevant literature and ethical considerations. A suggested policy is included for counseling programs to consider. Keywords: counselor education, social media, ACA Code of Ethics

Integration Of Trauma Based Education In Counselor Education, Stevie Vanausdale, Jacqueline M. Swank

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

In recent years, there has been growing awareness of the widespread prevalence of trauma experiences. Knowledge of the prevalence and effect of trauma has led to a greater need for counselors to be competent and confident in working with clients’ trauma; therefore, a needs exist for counselor educators to prepare students for trauma work. Improving competency and self-efficacy among counselors-in training may lead to better client outcomes and prevent vicarious trauma. The authors provide a brief overview of the prevalence of trauma and the importance of trauma training. Then, they discuss ways counselor educators can infuse trauma education within five …

Selecting A Theoretical Orientation: A Constructivist Grounded Theory Study With Counselors-In-Training, Dayna M. Watson, John Super

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

No abstract provided.

Undue Police Violence Towards African Americans: A Quantitative Analysis Of Professional Counselors, Darius Green

Dissertations, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which counseling professionals identify and address undue police violence (UPV) in their professional roles. This study investigated circumstances associated with experiencing types of force that counselors identify as undue, the extent of advocacy efforts made by counselors related to UPV, and training received related to UPV. Lastly, this study investigated the relationships between counselors’ attitudes towards officer legitimacy, perceived racism, and beliefs related to UPV and addressing it. An exploratory research design that used descriptive analysis, simple linear regression, and thematic analysis was used to analyze data collected for …

Assessment Courses In Counselor Education, Donna M. Gibson, Leah J. Mccallum

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Pre- and post-surveys of an assessment class within the counselor education curricula were used to assess the thoughts, feelings, and concerns of counselors-in-training enrolled in the class. A mixed-methods study was con-ducted to assess themes in responses and examine comfort and competence with the concept of assessment. Results provide counselor educators insight into possible factors that affect and alter the perspective of counselors-in-training before and after taking an assessment class. Recommendations and implications for future re-search are discussed.

Best Practices In Clinical Supervision: What Must Supervisees Do?, Johana Rocha

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Clinical supervision is critical for training competent counselors who provide ethical and professional services aimed at protecting the welfare of the populations they serve. Despite clearly outlining the roles and responsibilities of supervisors in supervision literature (Borders et al., 2014), scholars have not offered guidelines to inform supervisees with their responsibilities to make the most out of their supervision experiences. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to attend to the gap in the literature by understanding what supervisees perceive as their responsibilities in clinical supervision. Such an effort may inform further studies and provide an empirical basis to establish …

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.

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.

A Phenomenological Investigation Of Doctoral Students’ Gatekeeping Experiences, Shawna M. Corley, Jessica Lloyd-Hazlett, Hope Schuermann, Noel Blessing

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Counselor education doctoral students serve as gatekeepers simultaneous to their own training and evaluation. We used transcendental phenomenology to examine the gatekeeping experiences of 15 doctoral students at three programmatic levels. Findings and implications related to two primary themes, (a) precarious positions and power and (b) developing a gatekeeper identity, are discussed.

Exploring School Counselors’ Preparation To Address Disproportionality Of African American Students In Special Education, E Mackenzie Shell

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

While school counselors work with students in special education, little research describes their work with African American students in or at risk of special education or the phenomenon of disproportionality of African American students in special education. This phenomenological study explored the experiences and perceptions of eight high school counselors with African American students in special education and disproportionality. The researcher identified three themes: (a) Dis-Regard, (b) separate worlds and (c) professional knowledge. Intentional strategies to introduce counselors to the concept of disproportionality and its antecedents may mitigate processes that potentially lead to overrepresentation of African Americans in special education.

Critical Knowledge, Points Of Confusion, And Training Recommendations For Client Referrals, Jessica Lloyd-Hazlett, Samantha Airhart-Larraga, Lucy L. Purgason

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

The intersection of personal and professional values in relation to client referrals may cause uncertainty and confusion among counseling students. Current literature on this topic demonstrates a lack of agreement exists among student counselors about how to navigate the referral process, especially as it relates to making decisions about when to refer (Author, 2017). This content analysis examines what student counselors (N=104) perceive as critical areas of knowledge, points of confusion, and suggestions for training on ethical referrals. Emergent themes and implications for counselor education and future research are discussed.

A Duoethnographic Exploration Of Two Counselor Educators’ Growth In Assessment In Teaching, Phillip L. Waalkes Dr., Daniel A. Decino Dr.

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Assessment in teaching is a challenge for many beginning counselor educators. Although many researchers have discussed the importance of student learning outcomes, few have explored counselor educators’ experiences using assessment in their courses. In this duoethnographic inquiry, we engaged in a critical and reflective dialogue of our experiences with assessment. We aimed to acknowledge our biases, identities, and emotions related to assessment in transformative ways. For [researcher 1], our dialogue helped me gain theoretical and emotional perspective on assessment and inspired specific changes to my assessment practices including focusing more on process-based, low stakes assessment, developing clearer learning goals, and …

Student Selection, Development, And Retention: A Commentary On Supporting Student Success In Distance Counselor Education, Savitri Dixon-Saxon, Matthew R. Buckley

Walden Faculty and Staff Publications

This article reviews relevant research that provides context for a commentary by two long-time distance counselor educators and supervisors with over 35 years of combined professional experience. The authors explore factors that support successful outcomes for graduate students within distance counselor education programs, which include how students are selected, supported in their development, and retained in the program. Discussion targets how distance learning promotes open access to students who historically have been marginalized, who are living in rural areas, and who have not had the same access to educational opportunities. We focus on the roles and responsibilities of institutional and …

Assessment Of Dispositions In Program Admissions: The Professional Disposition Competence Assessment—Revised Admission (Pdca-Ra), Curtis Garner, Brenda Freeman, Roger Stewart, Ken Coll

Literacy, Language and Culture Faculty Publications and Presentations

Tools to assess the dispositions of counselor education applicants at the point of program admission are important as mechanisms to screen entrance into the profession. The authors developed the Professional Disposition Competence Assessment—Revised Admission (PDCA-RA) as a screening tool for dispositional assessment in admissions interviews. In this study, 70 participants engaged in a video-based training protocol designed to increase the interrater reliability of the PDCA-RA. An intraclass correlations coefficient was calculated as an index of interrater reliability. Cronbach’s alpha coefficients were calculated for internal consistency, and Fleiss’ kappa, free-marginal kappa, and percent of agreement were calculated for absolute agreement. Calculations …

College Students With Physical Disabilities: An Exploratory Investigation Within Counselor Education, Adam Tolbert Wall

Dissertations

According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES, 2017a), there are over 19 million students who are currently enrolled in institutions of higher education. For the past 40 years, the number of students with disabilities attending colleges and universities has grown exponentially (NCES, 2017b). There is an abundance of research regarding many aspects of the experience of college students with a physical disability across social science, medical, and education literature; however, research targeted specifically at general counseling practitioners, counselor educators, and college counselors is relatively limited.

The purpose of this investigation was to study the inner lives of a …

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.

Relational Cultural Theory: A Guiding Framework For Study Abroad Experiences, Janee R. Avent Harris, Syntia S. Dietz, Loni Crumb

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Faculty led-study abroad programs promote cultural competence and professional and personal development for students. However, students from historically marginalized and underrepresented groups do not participate in these experiences at the same rate as students from majority cultures. Counselor educators must seek ways to recruit diverse populations to promote equity in and access to international education experiences. Relational Cultural Theory (RCT) provides a guiding framework for counselor educators to diversify study abroad programs while also attending to cultural and power dynamics. Implications for counselor educators and recommendations for future research are also included.

Social Justice Advocacy Training: An Innovative Certificate Program For Counselor Education, Katherine A. Feather, Tiffany M. Bordonada, Kimberly A. Nelson, Kathy M. Evans Ph.D

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

The authors outline an innovative certificate program that promotes the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC; Ratts, Singh, Massar-McMillan, Butler, & McCullough, 2015) and how counselor education programs can commit to a social justice approach. In addition, the authors provide a detailed summary of the certificate program that requires counselors-in-training to move beyond a multicultural understanding of diverse cultural worldviews so that they commit to becoming social change agents and take action on issues of equality and justice. Limitations and implications for counselor educators are presented.

Problem-Based Learning In Human Growth & Development Counselor Education, Javier F. Casado Pérez Ph.D. Ncc, Elliot Witherspoon Lpc

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

As a core curricular standard that applies to all Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP, 2015) accredited programs, human growth and development can present unique challenges for the teaching professional. In this article, we present an in-class activity grounded in problem-based learning that uniquely lends itself to the task of supporting medium-to-large classrooms in learning about human growth and development.

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.

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.

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 …

Clinical Mediation: Advocating For A New Role, Dominique S. Hammonds, Nickolas A. Jordan, Jessica L. Block

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Mediation training standards are inconsistent and fail to focus on the pivotal skill set of addressing, understanding, and working with underlying emotions that shape conflict and may prevent mutual goal attainment. The purpose of this article is to explore skills essential to counseling and mediation and advocate for the potential benefits of formally training counselors to facilitate the process of mediation and conflict resolution.

Game-Based Learning In Counselor Education: Strategies For Counselor Training, Zachary Pietrantoni, Julia Hennig, Johnna Totten, Leigh Shindelar, Brandon Keene-Orton

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselors value equity, diversity, and inclusion (American Counseling Association, 2018). Counselor educators are tasked with ensuring counselor trainees are competent in empathetic understanding, cultural awareness, and advocacy. Game-based learning is a teaching strategy that promotes the process of acquiring empathy, cultural awareness, and advocacy (Cheng & Su, 2012; Qian & Clark, 2016). Game-based learning has many documented benefits over the last two decades (Hwang & Wu, 2012; Tsai et al., 2011) yet counselor education has not incorporated it into counselor training. The authors addressed this gap by providing a conceptual framework for incorporating GBL into training with implications for counselor …