Examines California confidentiality laws to exemplify differences in privileges held by psychotherapists and by the clergy. Advises clergy who are also practicing psychotherapists to be clear which role they are filling since confidentiality covers a broader area of communications for the psychotherapist than for the clergyperson. (Author/ABB)

Responds to article by Lopez, Lopez, and Fong in which research was reviewed on Mexican Americans' reactions to ethnically similar and dissimilar counselors. Reexamines choice and judgment methodologies, discusses limitations of simple choice methodology, and expresses concern that simple choice methodology in cross-cultural counseling research…

Discusses issues raised in two critiques of an earlier article concerning the reconceptualization of multicultural counseling. Points addressed include that the article does not imply that psychotherapy is outside the realm of scientific inquiry and that it does not serve as a model for multicultural counseling. (MKA)

Reviews research on ethnic similarity in the counseling process. Results lend credibility to the theory of social influence, although research on counselor bias and counseling outcome appear evenly divided on the influence of ethnic similarity. While Blacks generally preferred Black counselors, research with other ethnic groups is needed. (JAC)

College counselors (N=45) who reported employing writing assignments as a treatment strategy provided information about two writing assignment cases, one judged successful and one unsuccessful. Chi-square analyses indicated that success with writing assignments was related to client intelligence, motivation, and maturity. (Author/RC)

Suggests that consideration of the common factors found in psychotherapy and healing across cultures bridges the gap between culturally specific and universal approaches. Proposes that this perspective serves to unify the diverse body of multicultural-counseling literature, has empirical support, and may be useful in guiding future research,…

Research on similarity between counselor and client was reviewed to determine the effect on counseling process and outcome. Little evidence was found that membership-group or personality similarity contributes significantly to counseling effectiveness, and too few studies on cognitive similarity have been conducted to draw conclusions. (Author/ABB)

Using a paired comparison format, surveyed ethnic minorities' (N=193) preferences for counselor characteristics. Employed a statistical procedure for paired comparison data, which revealed that Asian Americans looked for similar attitudes and values in counselors. Counselor preferences were also related to problem type and other variables. (RJM)

Critically examines the Black experience from historical and contemporary perspectives, looking at the changing demographics of the United States, with the Black population increasing at twice the rate of the White population, and at discrimination. Reviews theoretical articles and empirical research on counseling Blacks. Emphasizes issues related…

Examined the effect of membership group and attitudinal similarity on perceived counselor credibility and attractiveness. Homosexual men (N=84) rated the counselor's credibility and attractiveness after listening to a recorded counseling interview. The counselor was rated more expert, trustworthy, and attractive when he stated a sexual preference…

Used 3 X 2 X 2 factorial design to study effects of acculturation (low, medium, or high), counselor ethnicity (Anglo-American or Mexican-American) and counseling style (directive or nondirective) on 169 Mexican-American subjects' perceptions of and willingness to see counselor. Subjects gave higher credibility ratings and were more willing to see…

Examined influences on perceptions of counselor credibility in 127 Mexican American community college students who responded to written and tape recorded counselor information, and completed the Counselor Effectiveness Rating Scale. Results showed attitude similarity rather than ethnicity influenced students' perceptions. (JAC)

College women (N=56) identified as holding either egalitarian or traditional attitudes toward dating-initiation, were randomly assigned to four taped, counseling conditions. Counselors expressing egalitarian attitudes were rated more favorably than counselors expressing traditional attitudes. (Author)

Examined whether clients who perceived their counselors as holding etiology attributions similar to their own would rate their counselors' credibility higher than clients who saw their counselors as holding dissimilar attributions. Results indicate that clients in the similarity of etiology attribution condition did rate their counselors as more…

Examines the relationship between stages of identity development among Black students and their racial preferences in choosing counselors. Finds that those holding values associated with the Resistance and Immersion stage prefer Black counselors to Whites, while those identified with the Synergetic Articulation and Awareness stage said that race…