Counselor-client agreement on session impact.

We propose a new framework for understanding studies of counselor–client agreement about their counseling. The framework includes five factors: the scope of counseling being studied (process, impact, or outcome), the dimension (index) being rated (in this study, session Depth, Smoothness, Positivity, or Arousal), the measure used to assess agreement (correlations or absolute differences), the level at which the analysis is conducted (session, client, or counselor), and the type of agreement—(a) consensus, the similarity of counselors' own ratings to clients' own ratings; (b) counselor awareness, the similarity of counselors' perceptions of their clients to clients' own ratings; (c) client awareness, the similarity of counselors' own ratings to clients' perceptions of their counselors; and (d) matched awareness, the similarity of counselors' perceptions of their clients to clients' perceptions of their counselors. In a study of session impact (scope), degree of agreement was found to vary substantially with each of the other factors—type of agreement, dimension rated, measure of agreement, and level of analysis. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counselors' feelings toward clients as related to intake judgments and outcome variables.

Investigated the relationship of the feelings of intake counselors to other judgments that they made as well as to clients' ratings of their counseling experience. Ss were 332 female and 175 male clients of a university counseling center. Results show that intake counselors' liking of clients was related to their rating of the realism of clients' goals, clients' motivation for counseling, and clients' physical appearance. Sex differences are discussed. (10 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Three methods in measuring the therapeutic process: Clients' and counselors' constructions of the therapeutic process versus actual therapeutic events.

Explored 3 methods in examining the therapeutic process that (1) assessed how clients construct and interpret the change process and counselors' behavior over time, (2) assessed the content and valence of clients' and counselors' most memorable thoughts immediately after the session, and (3) compared the clients' and counselors' memorable thoughts with the actual content of the counseling sessions. A single-S design was used to examine 3 counselor–client dyads across 7 counseling sessions. The results provided preliminary but rather encouraging support of 2 methodologies, Guided Inquiry and thought listing, that assess how clients and counselors construct and interpret aspects of the therapeutic process. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Influence of client race on counselors' assessment of case materials.

Determined whether racial labels contribute to counselors' assessments of clients. 86 graduate students from 6 counseling programs read and assessed 8 intake case summaries. Four summaries were used in the computation of data. For 1 group of counselors, the clients in those 4 summaries were labeled Black, for a 2nd group they were labeled White, and for a 3rd group there were no racial labels. The counselors rated the cases on 11 positive-to-negative dimensions. Analysis of counselors' ratings summed across cases indicated that Black-labeled cases were rated significantly more positive than those labeled White or with no label. A stepwise multiple regression using the no-label condition as a relative reference point indicated that in the final regression equation, Black-labeled cases contributed more to the prediction of counselors' ratings than level of counseling experience, level of physical social distance to minorities, or prior contact with minorities. Counselors seemingly overcompensated to avoid negative professional bias. The reverse biases they demonstrated are discussed as well as the implications for counseling minorities. (8 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relationship between counselor-initiated humor and client's self-perceived attraction in the counseling interview.

Videotaped 30 quasi-analogical initial counseling sessions between 30 31–66 yr old clients and 10 29–57 yr old counselors from 2 alcoholism counseling centers. Immediately following the sessions, clients rated degrees of attraction to counselors and recorded instances of counselor-initiated humor rated as humorous or not humorous. Results support the contention that counselor-initiated shared humor in an initial counseling session enhanced clients' attraction for counselors. (25 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counseling session impact as viewed by novice counselors and their clients.

The Session Evaluation Questionnaire (SEQ) was used to measure the perspectives of 17 graduate-student counselors and their 72 17–39 yr old clients on 942 individual counseling sessions along 2 evaluative dimensions—depth and smoothness—and 2 dimensions of postsession mood—positivity and arousal. A components-of-variance analysis showed that, from both perspectives, SEQ ratings varied greatly from session to session; ratings were only modestly predictable from differences among counselors or among counselor–client dyads. However, averages across 6–20 sessions permitted adequately reliable differentiation among dyads, for example, for comparisons with outcome measures. Correlations between corresponding counselor and client dimensions ranged from moderate to negligible, whether calulated across sessions, across clients, or across counselors, Novice counselors' judgments of session depth and value may have had little relation to their clients' evaluations. On the other hand, counselors' comfort in sessions and postsession positive mood were moderately predictive of client reactions. (32 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client self-terminations after one counseling session: Effects of problem recognition, counselor gender, and counselor experience.

From a pool of 758 clients seen individually by 1 of 34 counselors at a large university counseling center, 533 clients were identified as having self-terminated from counseling after their initial session or as having continued in counseling for at least 3 sessions. The authors investigated potential relationships between continuation in counseling and the variables of counselor experience, counselor gender, and counselor recognition of clients' problem definitions. As predicted, the results of logit analyses indicated that clients were more likely to self-terminate after 1 session when problem recognition was absent. This relationship was more pronounced for experienced counselors than it was for trainees, suggesting a possible explanation for the lack of a direct relationship between counselor experience and continuation in counseling in recent studies. Female counselors had higher rates of early premature terminations than male counselors. (15 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Client-specific counselor self-efficacy in novice counselors: Relation to perceptions of session quality.

Two versions of a counselor self-efficacy (CSE) measure were administered to 110 prepracticum counselors: a general version, assessing perceived capability to perform basic helping skills and manage the session process with clients generally; and a client-specific version, tapping capability to perform the same behaviors with a specific, current client. Client-specific CSE was found to (a) relate moderately to strongly with general CSE over the course of four counseling sessions, (b) increase significantly over sessions, and (c) account for unique variance in counselors' evaluations of the quality of their sessions. Although it was not a useful direct predictor of clients' session ratings, higher client-specific CSE was associated with greater congruence between counselors' and clients' perceptions of session quality. Implications for further research and training are considered. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gay and bisexual male clients' perceptions of counseling: The role of perceived sexual orientation similarity and counselor universal-diverse orientation.

A recurring question in multicultural counseling is whether client–counselor similarity on sociodemographic characteristics benefits counseling. A related issue is how counselor orientation to diversity relates to counseling process and outcome, both as a main effect and in interaction with counselor–client sociodemographic match. This cross-sectional study investigated these questions in relation to gay and bisexual male clients' counseling experiences by examining clients' perceived similarity to their counselor in sexual orientation, as well as counselors' self-reported orientation to diversity (assessed in terms of level of universal-diverse orientation [UDO]). Data were from 83 male–male client–counselor dyads recruited from lesbian/gay/bisexual-affirming counseling practices, where clients identified as gay or bisexual and counselors identified as gay, bisexual, or heterosexual. Counselor UDO was positively and uniquely associated with client ratings of the working alliance, session depth, and session smoothness. Perceived sexual orientation similarity was not directly related to any of the counseling-related criterion variables. Moreover, when counselors reported low levels of UDO, perceived similarity was negatively associated with the client-rated alliance and perceived improvement. Client religious commitment—a control variable in all analyses—was uniquely and negatively associated with client ratings of perceived improvement in counseling. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2011 APA, all rights reserved)     

Racial microaggressions against African American clients in cross-racial counseling relationships.

This study examined the relationships among African American clients' perceptions of their White counselors with respect to (a) perceived racial microaggressions in cross-racial counseling relationships, (b) the counseling working alliance, (c) their counselors' general and multicultural counseling competence, and (d) their counseling satisfaction. Findings revealed that greater perceived racial microaggressions by African American clients were predictive of a weaker therapeutic alliance with White therapists, which, in turn, predicted lower ratings of general and multicultural counseling competence. Greater perceived racial microaggressions also were predictive of lower counseling satisfaction ratings. In addition, African American clients' perceptions of racial microaggressions had a significant indirect effect on these clients' ratings of White counselors' general and multicultural counseling competence through the therapeutic working alliance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of perceived etiology attribution similarity on client ratings of counselor credibility.

An experimental design was used to test the hypothesis that clients who perceived their counselors as holding etiology attributions similar to their own would rate their counselors' credibility higher than clients who perceived their counselors as holding dissimilar attributions. 40 undergraduate volunteers participated as clients in counseling role-plays with 11 graduate student counselors. At the end of the 3-session counseling analogue experience, each client was exposed to a mock counselor questionnaire on which the counselor's etiology attributions were manipulated to either agree or disagree with the client's etiology attributions. Results indicated that clients in the similarity of etiology attribution condition rated their counselors to be more credible sources of help than did clients in the dissimilarity of etiology attribution condition. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Node-link mapping and the evaluation of drug abuse counseling sessions.

Node-link mapping is a visual representation system that can be used in group and individual counseling sessions to illustrate clients' problems, issues, and plans. One hundred sixty-nine methadone treatment clients and their 10 counselors evaluated each of their individual and group sessions during a 2.5-month period by using the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (W. B. Stiles, 1980) and map rating items. A series of multivariate analyses of variance and correlational analyses indicated that the use of mapping (including the quantity and quality of mapping) was positively related to higher ratings of session depth by both clients and counselors. In addition, mapped group sessions were rated higher on several evaluative dimensions than were mapped individual sessions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Convergence in client and counselor recall of important session events.

The authors examined convergence of clients' and counselors' recall of important session events by comparing client and counselor Critical Incident Questionnaires (CIQs) from 27 counseling dyads. In addition, clients reported interpersonal problems before and after counseling. Trained judges rated matched pairs of CIQs for similarity of change mechanisms and content. Individual growth modeling was conducted with the Hierarchical Linear Model program. Results showed that (a) convergence of client and counselor recall of important therapeutic events increased linearly over time, and (b) increasing convergence was related to counseling outcomes, as measured by a decrease in interpersonal problems. Implications for counseling practice and future research are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Effects of counselors' smoking behavior and the intimacy level of clients' presenting concerns on nonsmokers' perceptions of counselors.

Counselor smoking and the interaction between the extent of counselor smoking and the level of intimacy of clients' presenting concerns were hypothesized to influence perceptions of counselors and expectancies for counseling. Nonsmoking female participants (N?=?270) observed a videotaped interview in a design that crossed 3 levels of intensity of counselor smoking, 3 levels of client presenting problem intimacy, and 2 female counselors. No interactions were observed, but counselor smoking exerted a negative impact on participants' impressions of counselors' characteristics and counselors' competence. Fewer differences were related to intimacy levels of clients' presenting problems. The impact of counselor smoking was discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Session depth and smoothness in relation to the concept of engagement in counseling.

Investigated the relation of client-counselor evaluation of initial interview to client return for another session. At the end of the initial session, 5 professionals, 5 practicum trainees, and their 290 college-student clients completed the depth and smoothness indexes of the Session Evaluation Questionnaire (W. B. Stiles; see record 1980-12384-001). Clients also completed the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire, and counselors completed items from the Pre-Counseling Assessment Blank (C. J. Gelso and D. H. Johnson, 1983). The duration of the intake interview was recorded. Client return was positively related to: longer interviews; deeper interviews, as rated by both client and counselor; and greater client satisfaction, disturbance, and motivation. The results are discussed in relation to the concept that the initial session represents an engagement session when clients return for more sessions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Counselors' attitudes regarding bisexuality as predictors of counselors' clinical responses: An anlogue study of a female bisexual client.

Ninety-seven counselors read a fictitious intake report about a bisexual woman who was seeking counseling services for several psychological concerns. Counselors then rated the woman's psychological functioning and their own anticipated reactions to having the woman as a client. As the authors hypothesized, counselors with the most negative attitudes regarding bisexuality were more likely than others to have negative reactions to the client, anticipate responding to the client in a biased and judgmental manner, believe the client had problems in areas related to bisexual stereotypes, and rate the client as having a low level of psychosocial functioning. Attitudes regarding bisexuality were significantly related to counselors' clinical judgments and reactions even after controlling for attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Gender in the context of supportive and challenging religious counseling interventions.

This study explored an interactive framework for understanding how gender influences the counseling process in religious counseling. Participants (N ?=?314) viewed 1 of 16 videotapes in which either a male or female counselor interacted with a male or female client about a religious problem. Counselors either supported or challenged the clients' religious values. It was found that female counselors were perceived as more religious and effective than were their male counterparts. Multiple regression was used to demonstrate that perception of counselors' religiousness partially mediates the influence of gender on perceived effectiveness of the counselor. Results illustrate that the effects of gender on the counseling process can be predicted with an interactive model. Participants' religiousness also interacted with intervention type to influence their perceptions of the counselors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Interpersonal influence process in real-life counseling: Investigating client perceptions, counselor experience level, and counselor power over time.

Examined the interpersonal influence process within an actual counseling context over an average of 8 sessions. Counselors were either beginning or advanced practicum students or doctoral interns (n?=?27); clients were 31 students who sought counseling at a university center. Before and after counseling Ss completed the Counselor Rating Form, the Expectations about Counseling measure, and the Counselor Perceptions Questionnaire. Results indicate that (a) the actual counselor experience level did not affect client perceptions of the counselor; (b) perceived counselor expertness, attractiveness, and trustworthiness changed over time, but not in the same direction across counselors; (c) different levels of client need did not affect clients' perceptions of counselor characteristics; and (d) counselors rated as highly attractive indicated they had more therapeutic power over clients than counselors rated as moderately attractive. (46 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Relation of counselor intention and anxiety to brief counseling outcome.

Explored the construct validity of counselor intention as conceptualized in the cognitive-mediational paradigm (Martin, 1984). Specifically, we examined the influence of clarity of counselor-stated intention, which is the quality of articulation of counselor statements of intention associated with counseling interventions, and counselor in-session anxiety as mediators of outcome in brief counseling. Counselors, clients, and independent judges rated the quality of counseling sessions. The clarity of counselor-stated intention was related positively to clients' and judges' ratings of counseling outcome. Counselor in-session anxiety was associated negatively with the outcome ratings of the counselors. The implications of these findings for the counselor intention construct and Martin's paradigm are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)