Supporting Survivors of Public Mass Shootings

Mass casualty incidents, particularly mass shootings, are a serious issue in the United States. These incidents have increased over the past two decades and more than 32 public mass shootings have occurred since 2016, with approximately 12.8 incidents occurring each year. Since 1966, there have been over 1,202 fatalities and countless injuries due to public mass shooting incidents. Therefore, it is essential that professional counselors are equipped to treat primary, secondary, and tertiary victims of these incidents. The purpose of this article is to examine the current literature on public mass shootings, including psychological consequences, treatment considerations, ethical and legal issues, and cultural factors. Vicarious traumatization and self-care are also explored. Recommendations for training and resources are offered, and implications for professional counselors and counselor trainees are discussed

Perceptions of Grief Education in Accredited Counseling Programs: Recommendations for Counselor Education

As grief can be considered a critical life event, unresolved grief can interfere with quality of life, affecting lifestyle, behavior, emotional strength, and cognitive function. Unresolved grief can even result in suicidal ideation. Counselors can and often do work with grief issues in clients and can promote positive outcomes for grieving clients by addressing personal loss and helping clients process grief related issues. This study was based on an analysis of students within counseling programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs based on earlier research conducted by one of the authors. Self-perception of competency in counseling clients who are having grief-related issues from loss was assessed using the Grief Counseling Competency Scale. By analyzing results of the Grief Counseling Competency Scale, participants showed a need for further training in grief counseling skills and theory. Results and implications of the quantitative analysis as well as suggestions for further study are discussed

Perceived Competency in Grief Counseling: Implications for Counselor Education

Grief is regarded as a critical life event. Unresolved grief issues can interfere with quality of life and can result in emotional, behavioral, physical and cognitive symptoms, and if unresolved, can result in suicidal ideation. Counselors can be called upon and often do work with grief issues in clients, including U. S. Military veterans. This study examined whether 93 master’s level counselors specializing in rehabilitation counseling reported having been adequately trained to identify and work with clients who are having grief-related issues from loss or disability. Using the Grief Counseling Competency Scale (GCCS), participants showed a wide range of scores regarding personal competency related to grief. However, scores tended to be low when examining skills and knowledge relating to grief counseling. Implications for further research are discussed

Leadership Skill Development in Master’s-Level Counselor Education

Student leadership identity is fast becoming one of the most critical challenges educational institutions face today. However, mental health counselors may be limited in the amount of education and training received as they become leaders in the field. There is currently no known mandate at the master’s level for leadership embedded within the counseling curriculum in the educational environment, although research suggests otherwise. The purpose of this correlational predictive empirical study was to investigate leadership identity characteristics as measured by the Socially Responsible Leadership Scale, Revision 2 (SLRS-R2), moderated by demographic factors. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine outcome measures of the SLRS-R2 relating to leadership. Conclusions and suggestions for future practice regarding leadership skill development are provided

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

A practical collection of tools and strategies for prospective addictions counselors that includes a solid foundation of research, theory, and history. Practical and comprehensive, Foundations of Addiction Counseling explores an array of techniques and skills that a new practitioner will need in the real world while providing a thorough review of the research, theory, and history of addiction counseling. With chapters written by expert scholars, this text covers many topics in-depth often ignored by other comparable books, such as professional issues in addictions counseling, the assessment of client strengths, gender issues in substance abuse, working in rehabilitation centers, and working with clients with disabilities. The Third Edition of this unique text offers prospective counselors the tools and strategies they will need for outpatient and inpatient treatment, information about maintenance and relapse prevention, and counseling strategies for couples, families, children, adolescents, college students, and recovering addicts. The revised edition includes expanded discussions on a number of topics, new case studies, and completely updated resources and web references

School Counselor Involvement and College Degree Attainment: a Quantitative Conundrum

One of the most salient protectors of individual and family economic growth both is achievement in the area of education. Higher education in particular can serve as a mediator for those who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or other roadblocks to success. In the United States school counselors provide substantial assistance to students regarding academic planning. In this study, data collected from the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) reviewed participants (N = 12,144) who sought assistance from school counselors in an attempt to identify factors salient to college degree attainment. Data were analyzed using Logistic Regression in an effort to determine whether school counselor involvement resulted in the prediction of successful achievement of post secondary education. Results were mixed, suggesting the need for further research in this area

School Counselor Involvement and College Degree Attainment: a Quantitative Conundrum

One of the most salient protectors of individual and family economic growth both is achievement in the area of education. Higher education in particular can serve as a mediator for those who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds or other roadblocks to success. In the United States school counselors provide substantial assistance to students regarding academic planning. In this study, data collected from the National Education Longitudinal Study (NELS) reviewed participants (N = 12,144) who sought assistance from school counselors in an attempt to identify factors salient to college degree attainment. Data were analyzed using Logistic Regression in an effort to determine whether school counselor involvement resulted in the prediction of successful achievement of post secondary education. Results were mixed, suggesting the need for further research in this area

Inpatient and Outpatient Treatment

A practical collection of tools and strategies for prospective addictions counselors that includes a solid foundation of research, theory, and history. Practical and comprehensive, Foundations of Addiction Counseling explores an array of techniques and skills that a new practitioner will need in the real world while providing a thorough review of the research, theory, and history of addiction counseling. With chapters written by expert scholars, this text covers many topics in-depth often ignored by other comparable books, such as professional issues in addictions counseling, the assessment of client strengths, gender issues in substance abuse, working in rehabilitation centers, and working with clients with disabilities. The Third Edition of this unique text offers prospective counselors the tools and strategies they will need for outpatient and inpatient treatment, information about maintenance and relapse prevention, and counseling strategies for couples, families, children, adolescents, college students, and recovering addicts. The revised edition includes expanded discussions on a number of topics, new case studies, and completely updated resources and web references