With statutory regulation of mental health professions clearly at the forefront in many Canadian jurisdictions, counselling appears to be experiencing internal tensions regarding its vision and direction. The goal of this study was to collect data directly from Canadian counsellors to more clearly define the current practices of counselling in…

This article highlights a narrative inquiry study that considered the experience of and the effects on 8 northern helping practitioners (5 women, 3 men, ages 30-60) who have 7 to 40 years of experience in providing trauma support in isolated communities in northern BC and the Yukon. Using a three-phase narrative analysis, 10 categories provided a…

Karl Tomm, a Canadian psychiatrist and family counsellor, has been at the forefront of developments in collaborative practice with clients for over 25 years. We situate Dr. Tomm's ideas in relation to counselling, noting some of his important contributions to conceptualizing counsellors' engagement with clients. We will also depict Tomm's…

Canadian counsellors are increasingly called upon to work with diverse client populations whose needs may not be met through traditional counselling models. The question for many is how to develop the attitudes, knowledge, and skills for competent and ethical practice. This article introduces core competencies designed to assist counsellors to…

Although the displacement of people from their home countries is of growing concern, little attention has been paid to refugees in the counselling literature. Experiences of refugees are more complex and difficult than those of voluntary immigrants because refugees are typically pushed out of their countries. Using heuristic inquiry, four main…

The present study examined the client's perspective on what helps form and strengthen the counselling alliance and aims to provide a preliminary catalogue of concrete client-identified alliance-building factors. Nine participants (four males, five females) currently or previously in counselling were interviewed using the Critical Incident…

Examined expectations of psychotherapists (N=68) using specific response modes to short written transcripts of therapy sessions under conditions of either high or low self-awareness. Analyses showed no difference between high and low self-awareness group and no significant relationships between self-rating of subjects and ratings of peers, or any…

Therapeutic letter writing as an adjunct to counselling has increased in use by counsellors in the last decade. Despite this growth, limited research attention has been devoted to how clients interpret such documents. This study investigated the letter-writing practices of a small group of counsellors as well as the experiences of seven clients…

Participants from two graduate counselor training programs (N=95) were assessed on anxiety level, self-talk, and counseling skill. High anxiety reflected high negative self-talk, low positive self-talk,and poor videotape performance. (Author)

Examined the extent to which two dimensions of two measures of counseling effectiveness represent similar constructs. College students viewed filmed excerpts of therapy sessions conducted by experienced male therapists using different therapeutic approaches. Three higher-order factors were identified, thus supporting the purported…

Observed work of 14 mental health and school counselors in their initial supervised experience to determine whether some behaviors become automatic during first 6 months of supervision. Attending skills and skills that facilitate disclosure were found to be present significantly more often at conclusion of supervision period. Neither diagnostic…

This paper discusses the issue of counsellor burnout and secondary traumatic stress (STS) and its potential impact on ethical behaviour. Burnout and STS are common outcomes of providing counselling and psychotherapy and may lead to counsellor impairment. A diminished ability to function professionally may constitute a serious violation of the…

Examines important elements of the decision of whether and how counseling should be regulated by statute. Presents the current status of certification, registration, and licensure for counseling in Canada. Discusses regulatory schemes in North America and unintended negative consequences inherent in regulation. Recommends that counseling…

Studied demographic characteristics, incidence, and levels of general life stress, burnout, and traumatic stress among a random sample of counselors (N=161). Younger counselors and those with the least amount of experience in trauma appeared more vulnerable to general stress and traumatic stress, respectively. Provides a profile of impaired…

Describes two models of counseling and psychotherapy that are based on a synthesis of developmental theory and multicultural counseling theory with a coconstructivist epistemology: Developmental Counseling and Therapy (DCT), and Systemic Cognitive-Developmental Therapy (SCDT). Presents five principles to help clinicians expand their own…