School Counseling and Counseling Psychology Collaboration: A Cautionary Tale

Counseling psychology and school counseling programs have been historically aligned since the inception of their respective professions. Given current trends, there appear to be differences in the foci and approach to training and professional engagement in the two disciplines. The current investigation surveyed programs in which counseling psychology and school counseling programs were housed within the same department or college to identify areas of collaboration. The survey and journal reviews revealed a divide in the areas of curriculum, service delivery, and professional organization engagement. There appeared to be better collaboration in research, although limited in scope. Although counseling psychology and school counseling continue to have shared values, current trends in curriculum needs, accreditation and professional foci suggest a limited scope of collaboration. Research may be an area in which the two professions can remain professionally engaged. We offer suggestions for increasing collaborative activities

Influence of fee collection procedures on various therapy process variables

A rural outpatient mental health center attempted to improve the efficacy of its fee collection procedure by requiring payment for therapy sessions prior to their onset. The main purpose of the change was to increase the total amount of fees collected and potentially increase the number of cancellations with 24-hour notice and decrease the number of failed appointments. These variables were assessed longitudinally over a two-year time span. Results indicated that the change in fee collection procedure alone did not significantly influence these variables. Demographic and therapeutic variables were assessed to determine their relationships to number of cancelled and failed appointments. Several therapeutic variables served as significant predictors of number of cancelled and failed appointments. Frequency of contact was positively correlated with number of cancellations. Total number of sessions was positively correlated with number of failed appointments. Therapist type was significantly correlated with number of failed appointments. The findings indicated that paying for therapy prior to the session was not a more efficient payment system and that there were several therapeutic variables which served as efficient predictors of number of cancelled and failed appointments.Thesis (M.A.

The effect of gender stereotyping on the career adjustment of women

Investigation explored gender role stereotypes and the effect of stereotyping on the career adjustment of women. Occupational gender type ratings obtained from employed women were similar, although less extreme, than those observed in earlier studies (Shinar, 1975; White, Kruczek, Brown, White, 1989). Traditionally employed women provided more extremely stereotyped ratings than did their nontraditionally employed counterparts. All women were administered the Personality Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) to assess the level of instrumental and expressive characteristics representative of their behavior. All women displayed a higher level of instrumental behaviors at work compared to home. Further, all women reported the level of instrumental behaviors they displayed at work surpassed the level that was characteristic of their overall personality orientation. Differences in gender role behaviors between traditionally and nontraditionally employed women were present across conditions: home, work, overall personality orientation. These two, groups differed with regard to the level of gender role behaviors they perceived as necessary for successful job performance. Job satisfaction (as measured by the Job Descriptive Index and Hoppock Satisfaction Questionnaire) was used as an index of career adjustment. Women employed nontraditionally expressed greater levels of dissastisfaction with their work, supervisors, and coworkers.Thesis (Ph. D.)Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance Service

The effect of gender stereotyping on the career adjustment of women

Investigation explored gender role stereotypes and the effect of stereotyping on the career adjustment of women. Occupational gender type ratings obtained from employed women were similar, although less extreme, than those observed in earlier studies (Shinar, 1975; White, Kruczek, Brown, White, 1989). Traditionally employed women provided more extremely stereotyped ratings than did their nontraditionally employed counterparts. All women were administered the Personality Attributes Questionnaire (PAQ) to assess the level of instrumental and expressive characteristics representative of their behavior. All women displayed a higher level of instrumental behaviors at work compared to home. Further, all women reported the level of instrumental behaviors they displayed at work surpassed the level that was characteristic of their overall personality orientation. Differences in gender role behaviors between traditionally and nontraditionally employed women were present across conditions: home, work, overall personality orientation. These two, groups differed with regard to the level of gender role behaviors they perceived as necessary for successful job performance. Job satisfaction (as measured by the Job Descriptive Index and Hoppock Satisfaction Questionnaire) was used as an index of career adjustment. Women employed nontraditionally expressed greater levels of dissastisfaction with their work, supervisors, and coworkers.Department of Counseling Psychology and Guidance ServicesThesis (Ph. D.

Influence of fee collection procedures on various therapy process variables

A rural outpatient mental health center attempted to improve the efficacy of its fee collection procedure by requiring payment for therapy sessions prior to their onset. The main purpose of the change was to increase the total amount of fees collected and potentially increase the number of cancellations with 24-hour notice and decrease the number of failed appointments. These variables were assessed longitudinally over a two-year time span. Results indicated that the change in fee collection procedure alone did not significantly influence these variables. Demographic and therapeutic variables were assessed to determine their relationships to number of cancelled and failed appointments. Several therapeutic variables served as significant predictors of number of cancelled and failed appointments. Frequency of contact was positively correlated with number of cancellations. Total number of sessions was positively correlated with number of failed appointments. Therapist type was significantly correlated with number of failed appointments. The findings indicated that paying for therapy prior to the session was not a more efficient payment system and that there were several therapeutic variables which served as efficient predictors of number of cancelled and failed appointments.Thesis (M.A.