Sees need for research examining differences among psychotherapy treatments to use model to narrow search for variables mediating between treatment type and outcome. Asserts that tests of treatment selection models that cut across narrow theoretical differences among psychotherapies and that operationalize definitions of patient types hold promise…

Used meta-analysis to synthesize results of 24 studies (based on 20 distinct data sets) relating quality of working alliance (WA) to therapy outcome. Found moderate but reliable association between good WA and positive therapy outcome. WA quality was most predictive of treatment outcomes based on clients' assessments, less so of therapists'…

Examines client characteristics, referral and screening procedures, program characteristics, treatment goals, financial arrangements, and staff characteristics in 50 programs using adventure experiences with substance abuse populations. Notes needs for specific program evaluation research and for the development of prescriptive treatment…

Surveyed Family Service America member agencies to assess impact of impetus to look to private sector for provision of services. Found that family service agencies experienced tremendous growth in 1980s in both client caseloads and areas of service provision. Family service agency client was likely to be minority person seeking counseling within…

Defines manipulative behavior and its potentially detrimental impact on helping relationships. Client manipulative behaviors discussed and illustrated include attempting to control conditions of treatment, avoiding engaging in helping process, attempting to gratify needs in helping relationships that are ordinarily gratified for other sources,…

Examined cross-racial practice experiences of 53 counselors. Both white and minority counselors perceived themselves to work equally well with white clients, but white counselors perceived themselves to be less effective when working with minority clients. White and minority counselors reported identifying source of white clients' problems as…

Examined who would benefit from computerized career counseling. Clients (n=54) who came to Career Planning and Placement Center seeking career assistance were referred to System for Interactive Guidance and Information PLUS (SIGI-PLUS). Clients with more stable goals had greatest gain in vocational identity. Clients who showed more defensive…

Describes federally funded personnel preparation project supporting implementation of educational and clinical sequence in handicapped, medically complex, and at-risk infant and toddler specialization. Addresses vehicles of professional development, including courses and seminars, clinical rotations, and research activities. Discusses implications…

Introduces special journal issue devoted to dynamics of counseling when working with difficult clients. Presents overview of what is meant by difficult client and perspective on responsibility that counselors and clients have for use of this term in counseling practice. Examines concept of client difficulty from perspective of counselor and…

Critically reviews characteristics thought to be associated with "difficult clients" in light of research findings emerging from psychiatric and psychological literature pertaining to Borderline Personality Disorder. Reviews recent developments for brief treatment strategies and describes development of short-term interpersonal therapy…

Extends concept of cultural diversity to include disability of hearing impairments as means of improving counseling psychologists' work with clients who are hearing impaired. Gives criteria for understanding hearing impairments and presents methods of communication. Discusses misconceptions about deaf and hard-of-hearing. Outlines issues in…

Critiques works from "Journal of Mental Health Counseling" special issue on mental health counseling for men. Notes Kelly and Hall's confusion of terms regarding biological sex and masculine gender roles. Contends that Heesacker and Prichard presented dualistic statements and pigeonholed men. Advocates for greater knowledge of gender-related…

Explores importance of rituals to a culture and more particularly the formation, development, and evolution of rituals in couples. Also explores ways in which values of the couple and counselor affect the development of new rituals and the reevaluation of existing rituals as a grounding mechanism for change. (Author/NB)

Provides guidance to counselors who are referred identified and alleged sex offenders for psychosexual evaluations. Reviews the critical legal, ethical, and clinical issues that counselors should consider when responding to these referral requests. This article can be used to educate referral sources about the indications of evaluations of this…

Study compares the responses to the Age Bias Questionnaire among professional clinical counselors, psychologists, and clinical social workers. Results indicate that mental health professionals judged older clients significantly less competent and less likely to improve than younger clients. They also judged female clients as less competent than…