Adolescent dating violence (ADV) is an understudied public health crisis that affects the academic, behavioral, and social-emotional health of children today. This study assessed 130 school psychologists to determine the prevalence of ADV in their schools, their knowledge and perceptions of ADV, and their feelings of preparedness to assist victims…

This qualitative study was undertaken to explore what undergraduate students reflect on during their learning to practice social work in the field. Reflection is essential in the social work field practicum where students learn the practice of social work by doing. Seventeen BSW students' final field practicum learning papers are analyzed. Four…

Little is known about preparing BSW students to work with intimate partner violence (IPV). This study describes an experiential exercise designed to introduce them to working with survivors of IPV. Qualitative methods were used to explore BSW student descriptions of their experiences of and learning from the exercise. Analysis revealed students'…

This study explored bachelor's-level social work students' readiness to practice with individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and their attitudes toward individuals with ID. Fifty-eight students completed a Web-based survey that assessed their knowledge of four etiological conditions and their willingness to maintain social contact with…

The authors explored the connection between the facilitative conditions present within the supervisory relationship, the therapeutic relationship, and client outcomes. A correlational research design was used with a sample of 55 counselors-in-training and 88 clients. Results indicated a significant positive relationship between the therapeutic…

We present an experience-near account of the development of therapeutic listening in first year counselling students. A phenomenological approach was employed to articulate the trainees' lived experiences of their learning. Six students who had just completed a one-year postgraduate certificate in counselling skills were interviewed and the…

The primary study aims were to create reliable measures of therapists' attitudes about and preferences to use Relationship Focused Interventions (RFIs), and investigate factors that influence them. Explicit and implicit measures of therapists' attitudes and preferences were administered to a national sample of mental health trainees and FAP…

Effective group leaders possess specialized counseling skills and abilities; however, attention to group leadership training appears to be lagging behind that of individual counseling. In this phenomenological study we explored group leaders' perceptions of their training and experience. Twenty-two professional counselors participated in…

This qualitative study investigated three novice counselors' experiences and characterizations of therapeutic relationships. Thematic analyses of interviews and diaries revealed six common themes: (a) the centrality of supervision and training experiences to navigating interpersonal experiences with clients; (b) anxiety about counselors' roles in…

The focus of this study was the exploration of specific developmental dimensions that may have an impact on the counselor training process, which ultimately will affect the quality of care offered by counselors to clients. Specifically, the relationship of cognitive developmental level and counseling competency skills was examined to determine if…

Counselor development has been conceptualized as a gradual progression from the cognitive, technical, and relational rigidity of novices to the optimally effective cognitions, interventions, and therapeutic alliances of master practitioners (Hogan, 1964; Loganbill, Hardy, & Delworth, 1982; Skovholt & Ronnestad, 1992a; Stoltenberg, 1981).…

Some reasons lesbians seek counseling are unique to their experiences as lesbians. These relate to difficulties in coming out and to relationship problems. In most cases it is difficult to establish therapeutic rapport without disclosure; lesbians have difficulty finding counselors sensitive to their concerns. Specialized services issues are…

In this study a group of graduate students in counseling courses were randomly placed in an experimental group and were trained to be open-minded in their attitudes. They were compared with a randomly selected control group who received no training. During a 10-week period, subjects in the experimental group completed 8 written exercises, and…

Within a therapeutic relationship, there are two levels functioning simultaneously: first is the working level of the client and counselor; and second is the basic human level in which the counselor offers a stance of mutual respect and equality. This paper expands upon the second level by examining its nature and qualities. It posits a basic…

This article is based on the author's doctoral dissertation completed at the University of Florida.