An individualized, problem-oriented, self-report of change as a follow-up of a university counseling service.

Using a target-complaint approach, an instrument to evaluate the effectiveness of a counseling service was constructed on which clients stated in their own words, and then rated, the severity of their presenting problem at the initial interview. A follow-up questionnaire allowed a self-report measure of change (as compared to satisfaction) to be constructed which was then used to assess the effectiveness of the counseling service. In general, this procedure was successful and allowed flexibility in data analysis, making it adaptable to different counseling situations. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Helping Clients Heal: Does Forgiveness Make a Difference?

Broken trust, broken hearts, and broken spirits: these are all potential issues facing clients who have been hurt by others. Some have claimed that helping clients explicitly forgive those who have hurt them is a legitimate therapeutic intervention. However, do clients need explicit forgiveness interventions? Do clients want them? After they are received, are these interventions helpful? For the majority of 59 clients from 3 university counseling centers the answers were mostly affirmative. They had experienced a hurt that they wanted to forgive and wanted to talk about in therapy. Those who talked explicitly about forgiveness reported more overall improvement in their presenting symptoms. Implications for using explicit forgiveness interventions with clients are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effect of time-limited counseling on client change.

24 college-student clients seeking help from a counseling center for emotional or personal-social problems were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 treatment conditions: time-limited or undetermined-time counseling. Pre- and postcounseling measures were obtained relating to client status and problems. These included the Personal Orientation Inventory and Strupp's therapist questionnaire. Findings indicate significant improvement in terms of self-acceptance and increased independence as well as on various other self-report statements for clients in the time-limited group over a period of 8 wks. In addition, assessment by clients and the 15 counselors of improvement in both groups was significantly related. Implications of findings in terms of use of time-limited counseling in a time-limited environment, e.g., college counseling centers, are discussed. (19 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Waiting list dropouts in a university counseling center.

Surveyed 59 clients at a university counseling center who had been placed on a waiting list and subsequently decided not to renew their request for counseling. Ss were asked why they did not renew their request and whether they were still interested in counseling. Responses were analyzed in terms of type of problem, time on the waiting list, and degree of urgency. Most Ss did not report negative reactions or effects from their placement on the waiting list, although Ss in the highest urgency category tended to report that the wait was too long. 30 Ss stated that the intake interview was enough or that the problem had been resolved, while 23 were still interested in counseling. It is suggested that (1) high-urgency clients should be given priority at university counseling centers, (2) directive crisis-intervention approaches can be used to resolve issues at intake sessions, (3) assessment should identify clients whose motivation for counseling is related to developmental issues that need to be dealt with immediately, and (4) alternative treatments such as groups or workshops should be made available to waiting-list clients. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Development of the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 (CCAPS-62).

Few instruments have been designed specifically to address the needs of college counseling centers. This article reviews existing instruments and presents 4 studies that describe the development and psychometric properties of a new instrument, the Counseling Center Assessment of Psychological Symptoms-62 (CCAPS-62). Study 1 describes the initial item development, factor analysis, and preliminary scale development steps. Study 2 describes the results of exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses using data from more than 22,000 clients pooled via a national practice-research network of counseling centers. Studies 3 and 4 provide preliminary evidence of subscales' convergent validity and retest reliability. Results from these 4 studies provide support for the instrument's factor structure, construct validity, and subscale reliabilities for both the total sample and subgroups. Clinical and methodological issues pertaining to the future development of the CCAPS are discussed in the context of a national practice-research network of college counseling centers. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Evaluation of a procedure for increasing sex-fair counseling.

Assigned 24 students to a treatment or control section of an upper division university course in individual counseling to evaluate the effectiveness of procedures designed to ultimately increase sex-fair counseling. The experimental course differed from the control in that role-playing exercises in the identified areas of perceived sex bias and sex role stereotyping that affect women as clients were integrated with the usual instruction in the core areas of counselor competency. The effectiveness of the treatment was evidenced by the experimental group's more liberal attitudes toward women's roles, greater sensitivity to sex bias in 2 videotaped counseling vignettes of female clients, and more positive clinical evaluation of the 2 clients who appeared in the vignettes. Implications for teaching and research in the area of sex-fair counseling are discussed. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Current practice of group therapy at university counseling centers: A national survey.

The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the current practice of group psychotherapy at university counseling centers. A group usage survey was developed and used to assess the current practice of group psychotherapy. Surveys were distributed to 232 counseling center directors, with 148 responding, yielding a return rate of 64%. The results of the study indicate that the typical group consists of 5–8 members, is co-led for 1.5 hrs, and meets weekly in the late afternoon. Results include information about group screening, preparation, and other group factors. Although group therapy is a widely practiced therapeutic modality, it appears that it is not carrying enough of the burden of treatment delivery despite the widespread administrative constraints on treatment length and the concurrent high level of demand for services in university counseling centers. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Goal attainment scaling as an adjunct to counseling.

T. J. Kiresuk and R. E. Sherman (see record 1970-04099-001) have proposed a method of evaluating programs and counseling that combines theoretical approaches that may be beneficial to the counseling process itself. The present study hypothesized that counseling with these Goal Attainment Scaling evaluation procedures would improve the conduct of counseling. The Personal Orientation Inventory, Nowicki and Strickland Children's Locus of Control Scale, a consumer satisfaction questionnaire, and behavioral measures were used to assess outcome of counseling for 20 13-17 yr olds with adjustment problems. (20 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Competency-Based Behavior Consultation Training: An Evaluation of Consultant Outcomes, Treatment Effects, and Consumer Satisfaction.

Assessments of consultants, clients, and consumer satisfaction were used to examine the effects of a competency-based consultation training program conducted over 4 years. Using a multiple-baseline framework to assess training effects on consultants and single-case study designs to evaluate changes in client behavior, a number of significant results were found. As predicted, consultants (N=24) significantly increased their consultation skills and knowledge, but with no change in attitudes toward behavioral intervention techniques. Supervised consultation with preschool teachers and parents resulted in a range of behavior change in clients (N=39), with an overall effect size of 0.51. Consumers reported a high level of satisfaction with training and consultation services. Results of a long-term follow-up with consultants indicated positive views and use of consultation. The discussion focuses on these results, and implications for consultation training and future research directions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Informed consent: Therapists' beliefs and practices.

To assess the current status of informed consent among psychotherapists, a survey instrument was sent to 324 American Psychological Association members currently practicing therapy. 189 therapists returned completed surveys, yielding a response rate of 58%. Survey responses provided information on use, importance, reasons, communication, methods, and timing regarding 5 specific consent issues. These issues included confidentiality, risks, treatment length, treatment procedures, and alternatives. Results suggest similarity and variability in therapists' reported beliefs and practices. Therapists of a cognitive-behavioral orientation indicated they inform clients more often and consider the issues more important. These findings, along with the reasons given for not informing clients, highlight the complexity of applying ethical standards to practice contexts. Implications for practice and research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counselor gender and early premature terminations from counseling: A replication and extension.

Attempted to replicate and extend an earlier study in which N. E. Betz and S. L. Shullman (see record 1980-05878-001) found that clients (CL) of both genders were less likely to return for scheduled 2nd counseling sessions following an initial intake session when the intake counselor (CO) was male rather than female, and that this pattern was even more pronounced when the CL was referred to a male CO for continued counseling. The present study examined the relationship of CO gender, client gender, and CO experience to return rates of CL, with the nature of CL concerns and their severity included as independent variables. Return rates to scheduled 3rd counseling sessions were also examined. Ss were 309 1st-time CLs at a large university counseling center who were seen individually by 1 of 30 COs. Results indicate that male COs had higher return rates than female COs regardless of their level of experience, the session examined, the gender of CL, the concerns of CL, or the severity of those concerns. (11 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Therapists' self-reported training and success rates in treating clients with childhood sexual abuse

In this two-part study, three groups of therapists (16 psychologists, 11 counselors, and 14 social workers) were compared with regard to their success rates with clients presenting with childhood sexual abuse, and 43 graduate programs were asked whether they offered courses covering counseling techniques with such clients. Therapists' self-reported success rates were not significantly related to therapists' training, but type of therapy was. Given a response rate of 18.6%, self-reports should be treated cautiously. Over two-thirds of the training programs (45% response rate) offered courses covering issues in childhood sexual abuse and 67% offered courses covering counseling techniques with such clients. However, in 85% of these courses, treatment of childhood sexual abuse was a topic covered under more general course headings.     

Factors related to client return rate following intake.

Examined the relationship of client sex, intake counselor sex and experience level, and the sex of the counselor to whom the client was referred to the percentages of clients returning for counseling following an intake interview. In addition, the effect on return rate of referral to another counselor vs continuation with the counselor seen at intake was examined. Results from 67 male and 74 female counseling center clients and 25 regular counseling staff indicate that clients of both sexes were significantly less likely to return when initially interviewed by male rather than female intake counselors. Further, clients referred by male intake counselors to other male counselors were significantly less likely to return than were clients seen by and/or referred to female counselors. (12 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gallstones and isoflurane hepatitis

OBJECTIVES: To assess the level of satisfaction of physicians in provincial psychiatric hospitals with Review Boards (RBs) regarding Civil Commitment Certificates (CCCs), Certificates of Incompetence (COIs), and Treatment Orders (TOs). METHOD: A total of 200 survey questionnaires were distributed to physicians in provincial psychiatric hospitals. Ninety surveys (completed by 25 females, 45 males, and 20 unknown gender) were returned, representing a 45% return rate. Because of their assignments (for example, outpatient department), not all physicians were involved with RBs, and the return rate is likely to have been influenced by this factor. RESULTS: Physician satisfaction rates of 58.2% for CCCs, 66.7% for COIs, and 70.0% for TOs were obtained. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the level of physician satisfaction with RBs for CCCs was predicted best (44.7% of variance) by physician level of comfort with certification and years of institutional affiliation. Qualitative physician responses revealed 3 major themes: patient-related issues, physician-related issues, and RB structure- and process-related issues. CONCLUSIONS: Strategies that increase physician comfort level with RBs and changes in the medicolegal structure and process are discussed. A similar survey of patients and RB members is recommended.     

Attendance-enhancing procedures in group counseling for domestic abusers.

A quasi-experimental design was used to examine the effectiveness of motivational enhancement techniques in increasing session attendance and reducing dropout among 189 men undergoing group domestic abuse counseling. The treatment retention procedures were associated with significantly greater session attendance and lower dropout rates even after controlling for demographic factors. Increased session attendance was associated with lower posttreatment relationship violence and criminal recidivism among those who received the treatment retention intervention. The intervention appeared to be particularly effective with ethnic minority clients. Findings indicate that supportive treatment retention procedures during the course of therapy can reduce the high dropout rates commonly reported in counseling programs for male domestic abuse perpetrators. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Social cognitive variables in the prediction of client motivation and attrition.

Applied A. Bandura's (1986) social cognitive theory to the prediction of client motivation and attrition from counseling. 139 university counseling center clients completed a measure of self-efficacy regarding their ability to negotiate counseling tasks, along with measures of counseling-related outcome expectations, perceived motivation, problem distress level, state anxiety, and self-esteem. Results indicated that (1) self-efficacy and outcome expectations each explained unique variation in motivation, beyond client and counselor background variables; (2) self-efficacy and motivation each contributed to the prediction of client return status after an intake interview; and (3) self-efficacy did not relate to global self-esteem or to state anxiety at the intake session. These results suggest that social cognitive theory may help illuminate the process whereby clients commit to counseling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Duration, satisfaction, and perceived effectiveness of cross-cultural counseling.

The relationship between cultural dissimilarity and the duration, satisfaction, and perceived effectiveness of counseling was studied in the context of 70 actual treatment dyads that varied as to the race of the counselor and the client (White or non-White). White counselors provided fewer sessions than non-White counselors, and non-White clients expressed lower levels of overall satisfaction with counseling, regardless of counselor race. No differences in counseling effectiveness were observed as measured by counselor and client ratings of perceived relief, understanding, and coping. Relative to other treatment dyads, however, White clients seeing White counselors attributed their change more to counseling than to other, outside factors. (16 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mutational analysis of the hMLH1 gene using an automated two-dimensional DNA typing system

Directiveness and nondirectiveness are considered here as psychological phenomena and separated from the issue of giving or withholding advice. The former is a form of persuasive communication involving various combinations of deception, coercion, and threat, whereas the latter describes procedures that promote and enhance the autonomy and self-directedness of clients. Examples are given showing that professionals have considerable difficulty dealing with relatively simple, common issues arising in genetic counseling. It is suggested that many, if not most, problems involving the issue of nondirectiveness arise because of inadequacies in applying basic counseling skills. Several examples are given of nondirective counseling in situations involving direct questions and the proffering of "advice." The need to raise standards in counseling training is underscored if the field of genetic counseling is to remain nondirective.     

An assessment of the gap between counseling theory and practice.

Used microcounseling procedures to assess differences between intended counseling behavior and actual practice among 43 graduate students in counselor education. A paradigm developed by D. H. Frey was used to divide counseling behavior into 4 types: rational-insight counseling, affective-insight counseling, affective-action counseling, and rational-action counseling. Ss met with 1 of 2 distinctly different coached clients in a 4-min videotaped microcounseling interview in which both self- and peer ratings were obtained. No significant differences were found between intended and actual behavior as perceived by the counselors themselves, but their intended behavior was significantly different from peer perceptions of interview behavior. Client type had no effect. Results indicate that beginning counselors have a need to see their counseling as being theoretically consistent, even when peer ratings indicate a gap between the beginning theoretical stance and actual practice. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The effectiveness of marital counseling in Germany: A contribution to health services research.

Despite its widespread use, marital counseling's effectiveness in field settings (e.g., in marital counseling agencies) is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of marital counseling in Germany in an uncontrolled, prospective health service research study using a battery of questionnaire measures (e.g., the Marital Satisfaction Inventory). In total, 84 counselors recruited 495 clients into the study. The attrition rate was high: Only 51% of the clients participated in the postassessment 6 months later, and only 24% of the original sample provided data for the 6-month follow-up. The pre-post comparisons resulted in significant improvements in several scales; however, the overall effect size (ES) was low ( M ES?=?0.28; 0.44 for follow-up completers). The implications of the results for future studies and for training marital counselors are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)