Value dimensions in american counseling: A Taiwanese-American comparison

This paper is a discussion of prevailing American value dimensions in counseling theory and practice in general and a comparison of Taiwanese-Chinese and American counseling value dimensions in particular. Whereas most studies on cross-cultural issues to date have focused on American majority-minority value conflicts, this paper discusses a new level of value conflict, that between cultures, between nations.Part I discusses differences in cognition and affect between American and Taiwanese-Chinese. We have found that despite decades of American influence on Taiwanese culture, strong value differences persist between both countries, which leads us to believe that culture values are non-negotiable, structural elements of human existence. These basic differences in values influence perception, cognition, and behavior of American and Taiwanese culture bearers and result in predictable cross-culture conflicts.Part II presents a conceptualization of culture values and further discusses the American values embedded in counseling practices. To understand this influence we have identified (using Geert Hofstede's four culture value dimensions) cultural characteristics unique to Americans and Taiwanese-Chinese.Part III specifically discusses the impact of American individualism on counseling theory, and how the strong American belief of the universality of individualism can lead to an inability to validate collectivist cultures.We conclude by suggesting that more longitudinal and historic analysis could generate more in-depth information about culture values. This in turn could make a truly international and inter-cultural theory and practice of counseling a more likely possibility.     

Toward a Developmental Counseling Curriculum

Extensive attention has been given by ACES and AACD to the unique role of the counseling profession. It is suggested that the definition of the profession lies in the association name: American Association for Counseling and Development. Counselors must integrate developmental theory systematically into the practice of counseling. Several alternative developmental models are summarized in this article, along with their implications for the future. Special attention is given to the soul of counseling, which is defined as a professional commitment to development. Counseling is not psychology, it is a specialized profession with a unique role in society.     

The Sikh Model of the Person, Suffering, and Healing: Implications for Counselors

The migration of South Asians to the Western hemisphere calls for a more flexible approach to integrate traditional South Asian healing resources into the practice of counseling. Through an analysis of primary textual and secondary sources, this paper delineates the Sikh model of the person, suffering, and healing. The paper concludes by drawing parallels with Western counseling theory, and a case vignette to illustrate how the Sikh spiritual tradition can be integrated with Western psychotherapy.     

Collaborative Counseling: A Conceptual Framework and Approach for Counselors of Adults in Life Transitions

The emerging field of adult counseling generally refers to the applications of adult development and life transitions literature in counseling. To date, numerous definitions that apply a particular theoretical perspective to clients within an established counseling approach have characterized practice. In contrast, collaborative counseling is a term that defines an inclusive theoretical framework and distinct counseling approach. The phenomenology of counselors is defined in terms of three perspectives: (a) developmental—for conceptualizing adult experience and counseling; (b) collaborative—for characterizing counselor-client roles, interactions, and processes; and (c) idiographic—for conceptualizing applicability of theory and interventions to individuals. From these perspectives a specialized practice is derived that emphasizes transitional status assessment, adult processes, counseling outcomes in meaning and behavior, as well as multiple contexts and modalities for delivery of service. The implications for curriculum and training provide the basis for defining a specialization in adult counseling.     

The Systems Theory Framework of Career Development and Counseling: Connecting Theory and Practice

The practice of career counseling has been derived from principles of career theory and counseling theory. In recent times, the fields of both career and counseling theory have undergone considerable change. This article details the move toward convergence in career theory, and the subsequent development of the Systems Theory Framework in this domain. The importance of this development to connecting theory and practice in the field of career counseling is discussed.     

Native American Indian College Students: Implications for College Counseling Practice

College counselors can enhance the development of Native American Indian college students. College counselors need to be aware of traditional Native American Indian values, interpretation of mental health, content and process concerns in counseling, and indigenous healing practices. These areas are discussed, as well as implications for counseling practice.     

Teaching Interpreted Counseling Practice: A Step Toward Multicultural Competence

We conducted an interpretative phenomenological analysis of five counseling students' experiences collaborating with American Sign Language–interpreting students during counseling practice sessions. Themes were identified in developmental domains of counselor self-awareness, counseling relationship, and advocacy interventions. Interdisciplinary collaboration led students to address cultural deficiency models and increase multicultural competency and efforts in social justice.     

The Impact of Postmodernism on Counseling: Boon or Bane?

This article explores the impact of postmodernism on counseling theory and practice. First, it provides an overview of theoretical frameworks of postmodernism. Next, it examines the effects of postmodernism on counseling theories and modalities. Then, it identifies the strengths and limitations of postmodern counseling and points out that one way to address these limitations is to find a synthesis of modernism and postmodernism. Finally, it recommends that the Chinese traditional theory of Yin and Yang might be helpful to such a synthesis. A caveat is: though postmodernism has much to contribute to counseling theory and practice, critical and reflective thinking on its impact is warranted.     

Career Counseling Practitioners: Reflections on Theory, Research, and Practice

Career counseling practitioners of varied training levels were surveyed regarding the extent to which major career theories and research data inform their work with clients. In addition, this study was interested in career counselors views regarding (a) how career theorists, researchers, and practitioners can work together to address the needs of career clients, and (b) how theory and research findings can be more relevant to practice. Survey findings revealed that licensed counselors and psychologists as compared to non-counselor trained career practitioners agreed to a greater extent that their degree program had adequately prepared them to provide career counseling by emphasizing theory and attention to personal and career issues, and were more likely to regard professional development activities as important to their career counseling effectiveness. Finally, practitioners had numerous comments regarding the utility of career theory and interventions, and suggestions for bridging the gap between theory and practice.     

Helping Students Apply the Scientist-Practitioner Model: A Teaching Approach

The scientist-practitioner model was taught to counseling students by giving them an opportunity to integrate theory, research, and practice via a process research case study.     

Exploring Relational and Individualistic Counseling Preferences of Culturally Diverse College Students

This exploratory study examined the influence of gender and ethnicity on college student preferences for individualistic vs. relational‐focused counseling approaches. Overall, the results did not demonstrate significant differences across gender and ethnicity. However, there was a small tendency for women and African American participants to rate the counselor conducting the relational‐focused counseling approach more positively than did men and White participants, respectively.     

Teaching Group Counseling Skills: Problems and Solutions

The authors discuss ethical and professional issues regarding group counseling and argue that it is challenging to meet or exceed the standards established by the American Counseling Association's Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs for teaching principles and theories, leadership skills, and group counseling methods for effective group practice. This task is especially difficult for counselor education programs that do not have doctoral students who can provide instruction and group leadership. The authors present a model involving 2 courses that allow for mastery of skills and solve practical dilemmas of providing an experiential group experience and leadership opportunities.     

Living Systems and Counseling: Concepts,Goals, Strategies

This article explores the relationship between a general theory of living systems and the conceptualization and practice of counseling. Emphasis is placed on applicability to the individual, because previous systems writing in the counseling field has emphasized families and other multiple-person levels. After providing a rationale for adopting a systems perspective, specific system dimensions are discussed. The relationship of these dimensions to current counseling theories is developed, with an emphasis on the utility of concepts and techniques from a wide array of theories as understood within the context of living system theory.     

Greek American Ethnic Identity,Cultural Experience and the ‘Embodied Language’ of Dance: Implications for Counseling

This ethnographic study aims to contribute to better counseling services for the Greek American population in the U.S. by providing cultural knowledge and insight into one of the smaller ethnic groups that has been overlooked in the literature. More specifically, it explores the role of the ‘embodied language’ of dance in the formation of Greek American ethnic identity and the transmission of sociocultural knowledge and practices. The findings suggest that ethnic dances constitute a significant medium of transmission of cultural knowledge, and socialization into the life of the Greek American community through role modeling and intergenerational contact, as well as opportunity for fellowship and interaction with people who share common practices and traditions. All of the above contribute to a strong identification with the particular community and the development of ethnic identity. Implications for research and theory development in counseling, taking into account the embodied construction of ethnic identity, are also discussed.     

Creative Projects: A Place in Counselor Education

During the past 15 years, a series of dramatic and important changes in the conceptualization of counseling theory and practice has occurred. However, concomitant changes in counselor education theory and practice have not kept pace. Blocher (1968) addressed himself to this problem in the following way:     

The Expression of Depressive Symptomatology in Korean American Undergraduates: Sex and Generational Differences

This study examined the influence of acculturation and perception of the university environment on the depressive symptomatology of 228 Korean American undergraduates, with a focus on sex and generational differences. Perceptions of the university environment and perceived barriers were positive predictors of depressive symptomatology in respective regression equations by sex and generation. Study limitations and counseling practice implications are discussed.     

Counseling a Biracial Female College Student With an Eating Disorder: A Case Study Applying an Integrative Biopsychosocialcultural Perspective

This case study describes short‐term counseling with a young biracial woman experiencing an eating disorder. A biopsychosocialcultural conceptualization of the problem is described. The counseling approach is informed by feminist and multicultural theory and uses both interpersonal and cognitive behavior therapy.     

多元文化咨询理论:国际人口迁移对生涯咨询的影响

随着后工业化的推进,国际移民日益增多。人口迁移成了一个备受关注的全球化问题。由于生涯辅导的大部分理论都是基于美国社会的文化发展而来的,因此国际化人口移动带来的文化多样性,对生涯咨询师提出了新的挑战。面对这些挑战,多元文化的咨询理论为生涯咨询师的咨询带来了新的曙光。社会认知生涯理论,种族/性别生态模式、系统理论框架以及明尼苏达工作适应理论都为移民的生涯发展提供了依据。     

“Interpersonal” Clients,Students, and Supervisees: Translating Robert Kegan

The counseling profession prides itself on its developmental focus. However, counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors have generally applied only phasic, and not stage, theories to counseling and supervision practice and have not incorporated developmental concepts into their teaching. This article continues the effort of rectifying this situation by explicating the relevance of R. Kegan's (1982, 1994) subject‐object theory for counseling, supervision, and counselor education. The author reviews Kegan's (1982, 1994) interpersonal and institutional stages and applies the theory to promoting development beyond the interpersonal stage in 3 case illustrations: a counseling case, a counselor educator's experience, and a supervision challenge.