Explored preference for counselor's sexual orientation among homosexual male (N=47) and lesbian subjects (N=36). Results indicated that subjects tended to prefer homosexual counselors, although a sizable number believed that counselors' sexual orientations did not make a difference. Found internalized homophobia predicted discomfort in discussing…

Examined therapist ability to identify client-reported reactions. Sixteen therapists each saw two volunteer clients for single session. Both clients and therapists rated helpfulness of therapist interventions. In 50 percent of instances, therapists matched clients, reporting same reaction cluster as client reported. Therapists' ability to match…

Examined phenomenon of counselor-therapist disclosure through direct assessment of potential clients' desires for disclosure and through development of a measure of counselor disclosure. Results revealed that clients wanted information about counselors. (Author/NB)

Introduces special journal issue which contains 58 personal accounts of the impact of direct experience on counselor development. Defines these experiences as "critical incidents," explores the impact of critical incidents on counselor education, describes theoretical perspectives, and explains the development of the special journal…

Examined the hypothesis that positive self-involving and self-disclosing counselor responses would be rated more favorably by college student subjects (N=214) than negative self-involving and self-disclosing counselor responses. Found counselor using positive self-involving responses was viewed as most interpersonally attractive. (Author/ABL)

Administered Counselor Disclosure Scale to explore amounts and types of counselor disclosures desired by actual clients (n=24) and by undergraduate students (n=24). Results indicated virtually no differences in disclosure preferences between undergraduates and clients. Findings have implications for counseling practice. (Author/NB)

Surveyed Chinese (N=102) and American (N=148) graduate students studying at the same large American university on the preferences for counselor characteristics, images of a counselor, and attitudes toward counseling and counseling services. Found that although both groups held positive attitudes towards counseling they had different preferences…

Surveyed 91 counselors to assess frequency of use of self-referent statements (positive and negative self-disclosure and self-involving responses) in individual counseling. Counselors reported using significantly greater frequency of positive versus negative self-reference. Found no significant differences resulting from counselor gender or level…

Research indicates that neither theoretical orientation nor training is predictive of therapy outcome; factors as nonspecific as therapist personal characteristics may be the primary determinants. The therapeutic bond has been isolated as an important influence. The author then questions the importance of research utilization in determining…

Investigated the relationships between clients' early premature termination of counseling and ratings of their counselors' expertness, trustworthiness, and attractiveness and the extent to which clients believed that they were understood by their counselors. Conducted a follow-up survey to assess clients' reasons for terminating prematurely. Time…

Proposes a direction for cross-cultural training and research different from the traditional ones which emphasize differences between groups and the need to develop culture-specific techniques. Delineates a conceptual model which provides an integrative framework for understanding the role of culture in counseling. Draws on work in transpersonal…