Implications For Counselor Training Research Articles

Not Your Fetish: Broaching Racialized Sexual Harassment Against Asian Women

Asian women’s paradoxical position of hypervisbility and invisibility is a result of society caricaturing and fetishizing their sexuality and bodies while simultaneously denying their humanity and personhood. Despite the long history of objectification and fetishization of Asian women in the United States, extant mental health counseling training programs and literature offer limited guidance to counselors on this concern, perpetuating an epistemic lapse in mental health counselors’ competency. With rising anti-Asian hate, the racialized COVID-19 pandemic, and anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States, there exist increased threats to Asian women’s mental health. Responding to a paucity of counseling literature, this article offers strategies grounded in the multidimensional model of broaching behavior to broach racialized sexual harassment experienced by Asian women. Implications for counselor training and future research are also offered.

Religious counselors and LGBTQ+ clients: A Q‐sort of value navigation

AbstractIn this study, we explored variation in religious value conflict navigation through a Q‐sort procedure of strategies for reaching an affirming stance toward counseling lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) clients. Factor analysis of the correlation matrix revealed a five‐factor solution accounting for 63% of the variance. We consider implications for counselor training and research.

Stress in the school counsellor’s contemporary role: scale development and validation

ABSTRACT Given school counsellors’ many responsibilities and the misunderstanding of their role by others, it is clear that school counsellors are vulnerable to harmful levels of stress. Existing stress scales provide insufficient solutions for the school counsellor’s contemporary role because they are not profession-specific, are unidimensional or outdated. Our purpose was to develop and validate a scale of school counsellors’ stress and to examine which stressors are perceived as most stressing. Exploratory factor analysis on a pilot sample (N = 72) revealed eight factors and confirmatory factor analysis on a larger sample (N = 205) yielded a good fit for the eight-factor structure. Participants consistently reported higher levels of stress due to bureaucracy, work-home conflict, teaching and discipline than for misunderstanding and lack of appreciation for the counsellor’s role, dealing with violence and conflict resolution. Benefits of measuring specific stressors rather than a unidimensional construct and implications for counsellor training are discussed.

Affirmative Counseling With LGBTQ+ Arab Americans

This article explores mental health risk factors and cultural considerations of Arab Americans who are LGBTQ+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or belonging to other nonheterosexual and/or non-cisgender identities), including the influence of intersecting identities, religion and spirituality, familial influences, sexuality and sexual behavior, and attitudes toward mental health counseling. LGBTQ+ affirmative counseling recommendations are presented with a focus on developing cultural competence via awareness, knowledge, skills, and action. Implications for counselor training and future research conclude this article.

Counselors’ Knowledge about HIV Transmission and Prevention

This article presents the results of an online survey study of 80 counselors to explore counselors’ knowledge about Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission, HIV prevention strategies, potentially related factors, and where counselors obtained their knowledge. Results show that approximately 90% of counselors correctly identified knowledge about HIV transmission, 68% correctly identified knowledge about HIV prevention strategies, and 64% reported receiving no education regarding HIV/AIDS in their graduate counseling programs. Implications for counselor training and professional development are discussed.

What can Counselors do to Lessen the Trauma to the DACA Population Caused by the 2016 Election Cycle Rhetoric?

This case study focused on the impact to DACA participants in a mid-western city enrolled at an urban school setting in a region where 30% of all residing immigrants are unauthorized (Capps & Ruiz Soto, 2016). The investigation aimed to understand if the language used during the 2016 election cycle altered trauma-related behaviors in the DACA population. The data collected during the study suggested that students who identified with the DACA group exhibited trauma-related behaviors different from behaviors previously observed, and the new behaviors were a result of election cycle rhetoric. Implications for counselor training were significant.

An Ecological Approach to Understanding Pervasive and Hidden Shame in Complex Trauma

Shame has been argued to be a core issue in complex trauma; however, few efforts have been put forth to systematically examine the conceptual and empirical evidence to support this claim. This review, using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological theory, presents a preliminary map of findings that highlight the pervasive and hidden shame in the ecological subsystems of complex trauma survivors. A psycho-social-cultural perspective was utilized to highlight the manifestation and disguising of shame in various contexts. Our review accentuates the centrality of shame in complex trauma and offers several ways in which mental health counselors can explicitly and systemically address shame in their work with complex trauma survivors. Implications for counselor training and future research are also discussed.

The Experiences of Students of Color at a Predominantly White Institution: Implications for Counselor Training

This qualitative study examined the experiences of 11 students of color who participated in 2 multicultural counseling courses in a master’s‐level counseling program at a predominantly White institution. Findings illustrate students’ learning experiences based on instructors’ racial and ethnic identities, including a pivotal transition from distrust to trust toward the White instructor. Implications for teaching race‐based topics with students of color are presented.Este estudio cualitativo examinó las experiencias de 11 estudiantes de color que participaron en dos cursos de consejería multicultural en un programa de consejería de nivel máster en una institución predominantemente blanca. Los hallazgos ilustran las experiencias de aprendizaje de los alumnos basadas en las identidades raciales y étnicas de los docentes, incluyendo una transición fundamental desde la desconfianza hasta la confianza hacia el docente blanco. Se presentan las implicaciones para la enseñanza de temas basados en la raza con alumnos de color.

Counseling Self-Efficacy of International Counseling Students in the U.S.: the Impact of Foreign Language Anxiety and Acculturation

This study examined the influence of international counseling students’ (ICSs) acculturation and foreign language anxiety on their counseling self-efficacy (CSE). Results indicated that foreign language anxiety significantly predicted ICSs’ CSE, while acculturation needs further examination in this regard. Discussion and implications for counselor training and research are provided.

Choosing to be present with clients: an evidence – based model for building trainees’ counselling competence

ABSTRACTBeing present with clients has been suggested to be a necessary condition for the therapeutic relationship [Geller & Greenberg, 2012. Therapeutic presence: A mindfull approach to effective therapy. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association. doi:10.1037/13485-000] and therefore for therapeutic effectiveness. In this article we describe the results of a qualitative investigation of how counsellors in training (CITs) describe their experience of being present and the meaning they make of that experience. The findings suggest that starting students down the pathway to becoming a master counsellor involves more than training in basic counselling skills and theories. Our findings add a new dimension to existing counsellor development models and have implications for counsellor training and supervision.

Problems, Difficulties and Challenges Faced by Counsellors

Even though counselling is as old as Psychology in India, counselling education at post-graduate level and counsellors working in diverse settings are of recent origin. Not much is known about the problems, difficulties and challenges the counsellors face. The current study is done within the qualitative framework, with exploratory study design for which 14 participants who were working in different settings like school, college, employee assistant programme (EAP), family counselling centre, psychiatric rehabilitation centre, de-addiction centre, private practice, multiple settings, counselling centre, Christian religious setting, HIV/Aids centre were chosen through purposive sampling and were interviewed. The audio-recorded interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis and the emerging themes were noted. The study showed among others, that the counsellors face several problems, difficulties and challenges like, lack of awareness of counselling among people, inadequate pay, job insecurity, absence of a professional body to regulate counselling, lack of network of counsellors and mental health professionals for seeking supervision and consultation, and so on. Implications for counsellor training, professional development are discussed.

Examining Predictors of Group Leader Self-Efficacy for Preservice School Counselors

Group counseling is an important treatment modality used to support clients in a variety of therapeutic settings. This article highlights the results of an exploratory study that examined site supervisory factors that predicted group leader self-efficacy for preservice school counselors. Results of multiple regression analyses suggest meaningful relationships between receiving feedback and managing anxiety specific to group leadership (two important aspects inherent in the process of supervision) and preservice school counselors’ group leader self-efficacy. Implications for counselor training and supervision are discussed.

Faith as a Cultural Variable: Implications for Counselor Training

Counselors are faced with a unique challenge when faith is a prominent clinical variable. Although faith is deemed relevant, counselors may not feel comfortable approaching the subject of faith with clients. Participants in this study were practicing counselors licensed in their respective states; each was also a current doctoral candidate in counselor education and supervision. A scenario involving a complex interaction of faith; family systems; and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues in clinical practice was provided. Participants were found to be more likely to value the importance of addressing faith in sessions than they were to actually use faith as an intervention.

Mandatory Reporting of Child Maltreatment for Counselors: An Innovative Training Program

Despite counselors’ ethical and legal responsibility to report suspected child abuse, they often lack formal training in identifying and reporting child maltreatment. This article describes the implementation of an Internet-based child abuse tutorial for future counselors (N = 43). Data were obtained and analyzed using a mixed methods design. Pre- and posttest knowledge scores were statistically significantly related, with posttest scores higher, indicating the majority of participants had increased their knowledge. Qualitative data were coded using thematic analysis. Three themes described the concepts most often learned: reporting procedures and penalties, statistics/data, and maltreatment signs/identification. Implications for counselor training on mandatory reporting of child abuse are discussed.

Exploring Outcomes of a Targeted Supervisory Training Curriculum on Developing Multicultural Competency and Social Justice Advocacy

Although there is extensive literature addressing the need to incorporate multicultural competency and social justice advocacy training in school counseling coursework, there are few empirical studies that have examined outcomes of incorporating such curriculum into field placement course work. Qualitative content analysis was employed to examine the use of targeted instruction on developing multicultural competency and social justice advocacy with a sample of 21 counseling students during a school practicum placement. Analyses of semi-structured interviews suggested the potential benefit of infusing targeted instruction on multicultural competency and social justice advocacy. Implications for counselor training and research are provided.

Integrating Religion and Spirituality Into Counselor Education: Barriers and Strategies

Despite a professionally recognized need for training in religion/spirituality, literature indicates that religious and spirituality issues continue to be inconsistently addressed in counselor education. Ten experts were asked to identify potential barriers to integrating religion and spirituality into counselor education and indicate strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Barriers included a lack of information and a lack of personal interest or relevance, and strategies included continuing education, heightened awareness of self and others, and curriculum‐specific recommendations. Implications for counselor training and recommendations for future research are discussed.

Examining Spirituality and Sense of Calling in Counseling Students

This study explored the link between counseling students’ spiritual well‐being and sense of calling to the profession. A final sample of 415 counseling students demonstrated significant spiritual well‐being (religious and existential) and a strong sense of calling to the counseling profession. Results also indicated that spiritual well‐being was predictive of students’ sense of calling to the profession. Implications for counselor training are discussed.

‘My language thing … is like a big shadow always behind me’: International counselling trainees' challenges in beginning clinical practice

Background: While counsellor education becomes increasingly culturally diverse, little is known about international trainees' experiences of training. Objective: The present study explores one aspect of training, namely clinical practice from the perspective of international, non‐native speaking trainees. In particular, this paper focuses on the challenges this group encounters when practicing in a second language. Methodology: Semi‐structured interviews with four non‐native English‐speaking trainees were conducted and analysed following the principles of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Results: Findings suggest that participants encounter practical difficulties related to their non‐native/foreign identity in practice, such as problems with articulate self‐expression and understanding the client's speech. These difficulties generate anxiety and impact on the trainees' confidence. Conclusions and implications for counsellor training: This study elucidates language as a fundamental aspect of culture, and identifies second language use as a significant source of difference in counselling practice. This paper highlights the need for attention to linguistic diversity and for appropriate support during counsellor education. This will improve international trainees' experiences of training, but also enhance all trainees' understanding of difference, resulting in better service provision for the community.

Child Discipline in African American Families

Child discipline is a fundamental component of child rearing in African American families. The authors examined the patterns and context of child disciplinary strategies used by African American parents to address repeated misbehavior in children. Results indicated that African American parents use a variety of disciplinary strategies to address recurring misbehavior. These disciplinary strategies represented a hierarchal pattern. Implications for counselor training and practice are presented.

Counselor Training in the Use of Spiritual Lifemaps: Creative Interventions for Depicting Spiritual/Religious Stories

In this study, the authors explored the experiences of 39 students trained in the use of the spiritual lifemap intervention. Participants reflected on their experience via essay responses. Three predominant themes emerged: (a) aversion to the topic of spirituality/religion, (b) the spiritual lifemap as facilitative of breadth and depth in client expression during role-play sessions, and (c) appreciation of the creative elements of the spiritual lifemap. Based on these themes, the authors suggest implications for counselor training.