Evaluating counselor effectiveness: A critical review of rating scale instruments.

Critiques 6 frequently used counselor rating scales: the Counselor Rating Form (A. Barak and M. B. LaCrosse; see record 1976-07806-001), the Counselor Rating Form—Short Version (J. D. Corrigan and L. D. Schmidt; see record 1983-09385-001), the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory, the Counselor Evaluation Inventory (J. D. Linden et al; see record 1966-04251-001), the Counselor Effectiveness Scale (A. E. Ivey, 1971), and the Counselor Effectiveness Rating Scale (D. R. Atkinson and G. Carskaddon; see record 1975-25352-001). The validity, reliability, and pragmatic utility of each scale are critically examined, and the frequency of scale use across 3 counseling journals is recorded for an 11-yr period (1974–1984). Reliability and validity issues are raised, and it is suggested that use of these instruments has been based more on convention than on sound psychometric evidence. (50 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)