DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.
DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.

                                     Darius Muniz, Eric D. Shafarman, Angelica Maciel

                                                   & Malcolm S. Ranger-Murdock

                                                           New York University

I. What do counseling psychologists do?

    *            Counseling psychology facilitates personal and interpersonal functioning across the life span                 with a focus on emotional, social, vocational, educational, health-related, developmental, and           organizational concerns.

    *            Through the integration of theory, research, and practice, and with a sensitivity to multicultural           issues, this specialty encompasses a broad range of practices that help people improve their             well-being, alleviate distress and maladjustment, resolve crises, and increase their ability to live       more highly functioning lives.

II. What is the difference between counseling and clinical psychology?

    *            Traditionally, the main difference between counseling and clinical psychology is their                 perspective and training.

    *            Counseling psychologists focus more on the psychologically healthy individuals where clinical               focuses on individuals with serious mental illness (e.g. schizophrenia).

    *            Counseling Psychology has grown out of Vocational Psychology and has a strong educational                   component whereas Clinical programs are more medically orientated in nature focusing on the                  treatment of mental illness.

III. Career Possibilities and Work Settings

    *            A Counseling Psychologist can consult with a variety of agencies (e.g. schools, government,     private organizations)

    *            Teach at the College Level (undergrad and graduate levels)

    *            Do Research          *            Conduct Therapy (e.g. group, individual, family)

    *            Hold Academic Administrative Positions (e.g. dean of a college)

IV. Theoretical Orientations and Therapies

    *     Family Therapy         *      Client Centered                   *    Solution Focused Brief Therapy                             

    *     Gestalt Therapy        *      Cognitive Behavioral Therapy       *    The Existential Approach

V. Important Individuals in Counseling

    *            Carl Ransom Rogers (1902 – 1987)          *    Friedrich Salomon Perls (1893-1970)

    *            Irvin David Yalom (b. June 13, 1931)       *      Alfred Adler (1870 –1937)

VI. Education and Training

    *             In the U.S. Counseling Psychology Programs are accredited by the (APA)

    *            While Counseling Programs are accredited through the (CACREP)

    *            How Does One Become a Counseling Psychologist?

    *            Counseling Psychologists are trained at the doctoral level (usually PhD, but also Psy.D. or Ed.D.)

    *            What is the difference between MA and PhD programs?

    *            An MA in counseling generally takes 2-3 years to complete depending on the program and        whether you do it full or part time, So it takes considerably less time to complete than an PhD          and you are minimally involved in research.

    *            PhD in Counseling Psychology: These take about 5 years to complete. Generally you take 4      years for classes, research, clinical practica, and then complete an internship in the 5th year. You       also complete a dissertation in the 4th year before going on internship. PhD programs generally           require more clinical experience and involvement in research than masters’ level programs.

    *            What do I need for admission into graduate programs?

    *            ·   GRE Scores (you need to take this test)

                  ·   Letters of recommendation (the number can vary from 3-5)

                  ·   Good grades (an overall GPA of at least a 3.0 is the absolute minimum)

                  ·   Volunteer or paid experience in a clinical setting       ·   Experience in a research setting

VII. Scholarly Journals and Organizations

    *            Scholarly Journals: The Counseling Psychologist;  Counseling Psychology;  Counseling Psychology            Quarterly; 17 Newsletter; Journal of Conflict Resolution & Journal of College Counseling

    *            Counseling Organizations: American Counseling Association; American Psychological Association (Division 17) & National Board of Certified Counselors

 

 

VIII. Literature Review

    *            Topic: The Therapeutic Alliance and its Effects on Addiction in Adult Substance Abuse                                     Patients

    *            Trends: The Therapeutic Alliance has been shown to be a crucial feature of the client-                  therapist relationship which promotes progress in drug therapies. Specific qualities of the          therapist and Client factors have also been shown to contribute to a strong therapeutic            alliance. A combination of these factors, along with reliable and valid measurements of                    the          therapeutic alliance, have shown that a strong relationship early in the therapy process                  will          produce more positive treatment outcomes than have been achieved without this defining    feature.

    *            Gaps: some gaps in the research have been to identify client traits and coping techniques        with disregard to the counselors’ traits and techniques that would affect this relationship.                    Another gap has been that the expectancies of only the client have been taken into account ignoring the counselors’ expectations which are equally important in creating a                strong bond.       Finally there are many measurements indicating the importance of the                   therapeutic alliance, yet              there is no one measurement that takes into account all the crucial features of both the           counselor and client.                             

                                                                             References

 

Ackerman, S. J., & Hilsenroth, M. J. (2003). A review of therapist characteristics and techniques

       positively impacting the therapeutic alliance. Clinical Psychology Review, 23(1), 1-33.

Brochu, S., Cournoyer, L. G., Tremblay, J., Bergeron, J., Brunelle, N., & Landry, M. (2006). Understanding  

     treatment impact on drug addicted offenders. Substance Use & Misuse, 41, 1937–1949. DOI:

     10.1080/10826080601025995

Basic counseling skills.com. (2008). Introduction to counseling theories. Retrieved from:

     http://www.basic-counseling-skills.com/counseling-theories.html

Corey, G. (2008). Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy. Belmont, CA:

     Thompson Books/Cole.

 

Dew, S. E., & Bickman, L. (2005). Client expectancies about therapy. Mental Health Services Research,

     7(1), 21-35. doi: 10.1007/s11020-005-1963-5

Duff, C. T., & Bedi, R. P. (2010). Counselor behaviors that predict therapeutic alliance: From the client's  

     perspective. Counseling Psychology Quarterly, 23(1), 91-110 doi:10.1080/09515071003688165

Elvins, R., & Green, J. (2008). The conceptualization and measurement of therapeutic alliance: An

     empirical review. Clinical Psychology Review, 28(7), 1167-1187. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2008.04.002

Helms, J.L, & Rogers, D. T. (2011). Careers in clinical and counseling psychology. Majoring in

      psychology (174-197). United Kingdom: Wiley-Blackwell.

Joyce, A. S., Piper, W. E. (1998). Expectancy, the therapeutic alliance, and treatment outcome in short-

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Lunnen, K. M., & Ogles, B. M. (1998). A multiperspective, multivariable evaluation of reliable change.

     Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 66(2), 400-410.

Myshrink.com. (2011). Counseling theories. Retrieved from : http://www.basic-counseling-

     skills.com/counseling-theories.html

Online college guru.com. (2011). Counseling psychology career overview. Retrieved from:

     http://www.onlinecollegeguru.com/careers/psychology/counseling-psychology/

Psychotherapy.net (2011). The gift of therapy. Retrieved from: http://www.psychotherapy.

     net/article/the-gift-of-therapy

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. (2010). Results from the 2009

      National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Volume I. Summary of National Findings (Office  

      of Applied Studies, NSDUH Series H-38A, HHS Publication No. SMA 10-4586 Findings).

      Rockville, MD.

Wikiversity.org (2011) Theories of counseling. Retrieved from: http://en. wikiversity. 

     org/wiki/Theories_of_counseling

DRAFT: This module has unpublished changes.