The original Personal Growth Initiative Scale (PGIS; Robitschek, 1998) was unidimensional, despite theory identifying multiple components (e.g., cognition and behavior) of personal growth initiative (PGI). The present research developed a multidimensional measure of the complex process of PGI, while retaining the brief and psychometrically sound…

Despite the exponential growth of non-appointment-based web counselling, there is limited information on what happens in a single session intervention. This exploratory study, involving a thematic analysis of 85 counselling transcripts of people seeking help for problem gambling, aimed to describe the presentation and content of online…

Although the literature on forgiveness is growing, little research exists on the process of forgiveness itself. This study was an initial effort to investigate the forgiveness process within a short-term longitudinal design. Participants (N = 41) completed 2 measures of forgiveness and a set of short-answer questions multiple times over 12 weeks.…

Explored use of guided imagery for revealing a client's phenomenal patterning in undergraduates (N=9). Found sequences of inclusion and exclusion behavior within the guided images were related to self-report data as a way of formulating initial descriptions of personal involvement patterns. (Author/ABL)

Although the concepts of greed and selfishness have often been used in discussions about human nature, there seems to be little attention to these characteristics in the disciplines of psychology and counseling. Considers characteristics of greed and selfishness as encountered in counseling from a multidisciplinary perspective and identifies…

Adult male clients often have little boys contained within their personality structures. This article explores the little boy as a part of an adult male and his qualities. The role of the little boy in counseling and ways in which the counselor might deal with him are examined. (Author)

Attempted to evaluate a readily available comprehensive bibliothearpy smoking cessation program and the impact of smoking and nonsmoking behavior of a spouse on the individual to stop smoking. Results suggest that motivation is an important variable in smoking cessation. (Author)

Examined model of therapeutic control, which posited that control indices can be described by 3 independent dimensions, through audio-recorded meetings of 26 clients. Rated audiotapes with 5 different control-coding schemes, and aggregated resulting sequential ratings with 3 different methods, yielding 15 different behavioral-control indices.…

Assessed correspondence between the Carkhuff and the Truax scales for empathy. Undergraduates responded to nine simulated client statements. An overall correlation of .89 was found. Interrater reliabilities for both scales were high. Degree of correspondence between scales varied with the content-affect characteristics of the simulated client…

In contrast to the usual counseling outcome assessment procedures, which rely on individual change scores on selected outcome instruments, this paper proposes a contemporary interactional perspective which suggests that the assessment of outcome should focus on determining changes in the counseling process itself, i.e., a change in the interaction…

Assessed the impact of the conceptual level (CL) matching model within a counseling situation. High-CL matching predictions were supported in expressions of self-awareness and satisfaction. Low-CL matching predictions were supported in areas of satisfaction and ratings of counselor helpfulness. Different behavioral outcomes and a flexible…

Examined differences in the verbal behavior of deep-elaborative versus shallow-reiterative learners who discussed personal problems. Verbal behavior of deep-elaborative subjects was rated as clearer, deeper, and more conclusion oriented and personal. There were no differences between groups on counseling satisfaction. (Author/BL)

Compared freshmen (N=2180) who were interested in different types of counseling, or indicated no interest, on a variety of attitudinal and demographic items. Results indicated that students who showed different counseling interests as incoming freshmen could also be differentiated on other variables (political and social attitudes, college…

Proactive counselor intervention requires recognition of the pattern of client requests for service. Five midwestern university counseling centers supplied usage data on client contacts. Counselors accurately reported the pattern but based it on perception of total contacts rather than initial contacts. (Author)

Stimatizing attitudes and expectations toward mentally ill individuals often lead to their behavioral confirmation. To investigate attitudes and behaviors towards people described as seeking psychological counseling, 136 college students (68 males, 68 females) took part in a mixed-sex dyadic conversation. One dyad member was randomly chosen as the…