Helps school counselors identify those situations in which the Tarasoff court decision affects them and their students -- the decision requires psychotherapists to warn potential third party victims threatened by their patients. Considers the case history; the special role of school counselors; children, confidentiality, and competence; ethical…

Discusses difficulties counselors have in providing empirical data to support their contributions to education. Looks at counselor accountability and school success, explores ways to measure academic results of counseling interventions, and describes current accountability efforts. Argues for sound program planning and for the importance of…

Discusses deliberate psychological education as influenced by George Miller, Ralph Mosher, and Norm Sprinthall, and renewed calls for educational reform focusing on moral education. (JBJ)

Determines the percentage of elementary children in the United States who are currently receiving stimulant medication at school. Forty-six states and 246,707 children were represented in the survey. Approximately 3% of children were receiving stimulant medication at school with Ritalin the stimulant most widely used. Explores assessment issues…

Claims that pairing children fosters interpersonal development, problem-solving skills, and moral development, when other interventions have failed. Offers tips to school counselors on getting started, on session content, on play and problem-solving activities, and on ways to explore moral dilemmas. Outlines the counselor's role in pair…

Discusses the use of "Travelmates," teddy bears or other stuffed animals sent with a journal to various countries via airplane, in career education. "Hosts" of travelmates record details of the area it visited in its journal. Advocates the use of travelmates to study careers in conjunction with the classroom teacher's use of…

Investigates elementary school counselors' self-perceptions of role conflict as compared to middle and secondary school counselors. Results indicate that all counselors struggle (N=1,510) with role conflict, but elementary school counselors reported higher levels of role conflict than middle and secondary school counselors. Over 90% of counselors…

Explores how computers can help counselors more efficiently manage their workloads. Provides specific examples for using word processing and database programs in the area of computer-managed counseling. Highlights particular functions (e.g., merging, macros, desktop publishing) which cut across most software programs. (RJM)

Advocates that counselors incorporate humor in their work with Native Americans. Discusses psychological theories of humor and explores Native American humor. Examines humor's implications for counseling and suggests specific strategies for the use of humor, such as storytelling, imagination, puppets, clowns, games, word games, and other devices.…

Provides a history of animal-facilitated counseling (AFC) and offers insights on the use of AFC for assessing and treating children. Gives details on starting an AFC program: choosing an animal, characteristics of a good therapy dog, requirements for counselors who use AFC, and what happens when an animal dies. (RJM)

Provides school counselors with information on aerobic exercise (specifically running) and the psychological, behavioral, and physical benefits children obtained by participating in fitness programs. Recommends collaboration between school counselors and physical education teachers and gives a preliminary discussion of aerobic running and its…

Describes an elective, noncrisis course on death and dying which targets fifth graders. Discusses both the psychological theory behind the program and the ways that life and death values can be clarified. Program tries to allow children to grieve previous losses and helps children to develop appropriate grieving behaviors. (RJM)

Provides strategic and structural therapy concepts to use when addressing a child's school phobia. Describes how a family systems approach, which is solution-focused, employs family resources and fosters parental competencies. Offers a case study with a careful analysis of each session. Discusses implications for school counselors. (RJM)

Provides an example of how to evaluate an elementary school counseling program. The example described here is not all inclusive--such an evaluation would have been unmanageable. Evaluations become manageable when they are viewed as a continuous process and when specific services are isolated for scrutiny at different times. (RJM)

Identifies reasons to provide comprehensive induction programs for beginning counselors. Describes a pilot mentor education program on developmental principles, which features a new model of an in-service program aimed at addressing the needs of the novice counselor while providing experienced counselors with continued professional development.…