American Mental Health Counselors Association Research Articles

Practices and Perceptions of Mental Health Counselors in Addressing Smoking Cessation

This study sought to examine the practices and perceptions of clinical mental health counselors in addressing smoking cessation with clients. A survey instrument was mailed to 700 clinical members of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Of those who responded (n=330; 53.1% response rate), the majority (58.9%) had not considered asking all clients about their smoking status at every visit. Counselors reported low use of the guidelines for smoking cessation intervention and for recommending pharmacotherapy. Levels of both efficacy and outcome expectations were significantly higher among counselors who reported regular use of smoking cessation interventions. Although 86.7% of counselors reported high confidence in assisting their clients in quitting smoking, there is a dearth of professional training for this.

The American Mental Health Counselors Association: Reflection on 30 Historic Years

The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) celebrated its 30th anniversary in May 2006. This article provides a synopsis of AMHCA's illustrious history, from its urgent beginnings in 1976 to its current status as the premier organization attending to the needs and representing the interests of mental health counselors in the United States and elsewhere.

Perceived Benefit of CACREP (2001) Core Curriculum Standards

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perceived benefit of the core curriculum standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP; 2001). A total of 641 individuals, whose names were obtained from a 6% proportional randomized sample of members from the American Mental Health Counselors Association, American School Counselor Association, and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, responded to this study. Results suggest various perceptions both within and between groups regarding the 8 CACREP core curriculum standards.

Posttermination Friendship Between Counselors and Clients

This study examined counselors' behaviors and attitudes regarding friendships and sexual relationships with former clients. A random sample of 96 members of the American Mental Health Counselors Association responded to our survey. Although a minority of counselors (33%) believed that posttermination sexual relationships might be acceptable 5 years after termination, only 4% admitted to engaging in such relationships. In contrast, 70% of the counselors believed that posttermination friendships were acceptable 2 years (on average) after termination and 33% acknowledged that they had engaged in such friendships. Potential harm to the client was the most important concern expressed by the counselors. Ethical and research implications are discussed.

Therapeutic interventions recommended for treatment of sexual addiction/ compulsivity

Abstract This study surveyed 248 counselors, members the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) or International Association for Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC), divisions of the American Counseling Association, regarding their perceptions of the nature and treatment of sexual addiction/com-pulsivity. Findings indicated that counselors perceived sexual addiction as an obsessional illness, characterized by out-of-control sexual behavior. A combination of individual and group therapy was most often suggested. Strategies most often recommended for treatment of sexual addiction included cognitive restructuring, defining behavioral boundaries, empathy, positive self-talk, and recognizing and avoiding high-risk situations.

The National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors: Creating A New Professional Identity

The National Academy of Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselors was developed by the American Mental Health Counselors Association as an effort to firmly establish the role and identity of mental health counselors in the fields of counseling and mental health. This article provides a brief background of and discusses future goals for the Academy.

The American Mental Health Counselors Association

The American Mental Health Counselors Association