Empathy is more important than ever to a national population worried about difficult political and socioeconomic situations. During the last 10 years, an enormous amount of research has been carried out to elucidate the nature, mechanism, and function of empathy. New research from social-cognitive neuroscience and related fields indicates that,…

This article explores the effectiveness of using Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in an adult learning environment. Within this discourse, special attention is given to show how SFBT can be used effectively to support the increasing number of adults who find themselves out of work who are now returning to education. Key ideas within SFBT will…

By serving as experts, counselors can help judges, hearing officers, or juries see that all persons receive a fair hearing and that informed decisions are made. Counselors can help to make a difference by learning to express professional opinions in an honest and professional manner. Experienced attorneys recognize the benefits of expert testimony…

Examines the typical client request for advice and identifies limitations and alternatives to counselor advice giving. (Author)

Discusses the dynamics of suicide, how to work with a potentially suicidal client in the counseling relationship, and legal and ethical implications for the counselor. (Author)

For more than half a decade, the author edited a quarterly ethics column focusing on family work, first in the "International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors Newsletter" and later in "The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families." These columns responded to ethical dilemmas in family work…

DreamWeavers listen for the dreams within themselves and within others. The process of career counseling, career management coaching and career/life planning invites practitioners to consistently listen for the dreams, understand that dreams are visions and that visions guide us to action. This paper highlights how career practitioners are called…

Suggests that counselors might profitably investigate new graphic approaches to showing clients what their multivariate profiles mean. Gives illustration in terms of Holland's RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional) model of vocational interests. Notes that same issues and principles of graphic display would…

Two primary sources of beginning counselor worries are identified: (1) concern for one's competence as a counselor and a person and (2) worry about the increasing intimacy involved in discussing the emotional life of a client. A catalog of possible humorous responses of beginning counselors is provided, and each response is illustrated with an…

Advises career counselors to define their practice's focus and scope by (1) defining their identity as a private practitioner; (2) identifying preferred and ancillary roles and the amount of variety desired; and (3) recognizing their motivations for private practice. (SK)

Calls client resistance a frequent occurrence within the helping profession. Defines client resistance, provides a brief review of related literature, and offers counselor attractiveness as one way of addressing the issue. Identifies attractive counselor behaviors and attitudes and presents case study illustrating specific attractive counselor…

This paper discusses N. B. Ralph's (1980) four stages of development for the novice therapist, focusing on the fourth stage (therapists become aware of their own feelings and reactions to the therapeutic process) through the author's experience in therapy. The therapist as client is discussed according to Karen Horney's classification of neurotic…

Presents framework for thinking about interactions between client and therapist systems in relation to participants' personal explanatory systems and models of reality. Examines therapist contributions to forming structures, elements of covert interview of therapist performed by client system, model for therapist training, and case presentation…

The role of the college student activities staff in advising student organizations is examined, and guidelines are offered for establishing an effective advisor-student leader relationship, attendance at student organization meetings and events, the extent of the advisor's influence and control over organizational and students' activities, and…

This book provides students and novice clinicians with advice about the process of doing therapy, starting with the first contact with a new patient. Organized around the treatment of one fictitious patient, with other case examples brought in as needed to illustrate special topics, the book speaks directly to the questions, concerns, and…