Reviewed 149 studies which measured counselor or therapist competencies and examined them for evidence of the reliability and validity associated with the assessment instruments. Only 43 percent of the measurements included reliability data computed at the time they were used, and only 12 percent were accompanied by evidence of their validity.…

Research showed that (1) subjects' ratings of comfort in disclosing were greater with female and egalitarian counselors, (2) female egalitarian counselors were perceived as most expert, and (3) male traditional counselors were perceived as least trustworthy. Suggests the need for a more consistent definition of sex role orientation. (Author)

Findings indicated that expert therapists were similar in their communication of empathy, the basis for their therapeutic relationships. Theoretical orientation, however, differentially influenced use of direct guidance and facilitative techniques, interview content, therapist self-disclosure, therapist initiative, and supportive therapy climate.…

Patients described their perceptions of ideal therapist characteristics and subsequently described their own therapist. Data suggest there is consensus on what patients expect in a therapist and also suggest a relationship between how well therapists meet these expectancies and how effective patients consider their therapy. (Author)

There were no significant differences in the way explicit and implicit counselors were perceived. Subjects preferred seeing counselors with whom they agreed on the values issue. Subjects hearing the explicit counselor value statement rated the counselor as more trustworthy when they agreed with her values. (Author)

Counseling sessions were structured to include clusters of verbal and nonverbal procedures administered at predetermined times. Analysis of the data did not indicate clearly significant results. (Author)

Assessed effects on initial expectancies of whether counseling was time-limited and of interaction of time limits with chronicity of the client's problem. Subjects in the chronic problem condition had the most negative expectancies. Time limits did not affect expectancies for client activity and responsibility and for counselor activity.…

To ascertain the effectiveness of the guidance "services" approach to counselor education, a survey was conducted of alumni of Georgia Southern College. Of 144 respondents, 94 were "highly satisfied" with preparation; of 92 respondents, 51 rated the GSC staff as superior. (Author)

Student's perceptions of the faculty advising process were found to be relatively undifferentiated, emphasizing student's reactions to perceived social skills of advisors, with minimum awareness of technical functions. This view was contrasted with faculty perceptions, which are more complex. Implications for training and evaluation are discussed.…

Client-reluctance was: (1) negatively correlated with client-perceived satisfaction and improvement; (2) negatively related to degree of congruence between perceived problem and perceived emphasis of the agency and; (3) positively correlated with premature termination in counseling. (Author)

Describes the Counseling Competencies Self-monitoring Form (C2S-mF), which combines styles of verbal interaction and Carkhuff's dimensions of interpersonal functioning, and recommends its use in systematic self-monitoring of counseling behavior. Counselor trainee use of the C2S-mF reduces amount of reliance on instructors and supervisors for…

Inquired into prisoners' preference for and evaluation of peer counselor inmates trained in counseling or professional counselors, through use of videotaped, simulated counseling vignettes. Barron's Ego Strength Scale was not a useful predictor of inmates' preference. Several subjects preferred professional counselors; however, this did not lead…

A study of four methadone clinics, the addicts treated at these clinics, and their families, reveals basic dissonances in treatment ideology and professional-paraprofessional relationships which, combined with the addict's particular mode of functioning, make significant change in his behavior improbable. (Author)

A sample of 40 college subjects were asked to rate counselor warmth and empathy after viewing videosegments of non-verbal body language. Arm and leg positions significantly affected the ratings of counselor warmth and empathy. The arms-crossed position was the least empathic position. (Author)

Examined how the clarity of 38 counselors' stated intention and their anxiety while in session mediated the outcome in brief counseling. Counselors, clients, and independent judges rated the quality of the counseling sessions. Results showed that clarity of counselor's stated intention was related positively to the judges' ratings, while anxiety…