Jack De Stefano

Measuring Changes in Counselor Self-Efficacy: Further Validation and Implications for Training and Supervision

This study examines the changes in counselor self-efficacy beliefs during training. For this purpose, the Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory (COSE), based on Banduras self-efficacy theory (1986), was employed (Larson et al.,1992). Both global counselor self-efficacy measures as well as specific measures related to five areas of counseling (i.e., micro skills, process, handling difficult client behaviors, cultural competence, and awareness of values) were analyzed. A total of 20 first-year MA students in counseling psychology completed the COSE at two time intervals 8 weeks apart. Results show a significant increase in the overall measure of self-efficacy skills. We also found a significant increase in one of the factors, micro skills. Implications for training and supervision are discussed.

Trainees’ experiences of impasses in counselling and the impact of group supervision on their resolution: A pilot study

A qualitative analysis of eight interviews was conducted to answer the following questions: ‘How do trainees experience a clinical impasse?’ and ‘How does the experience of group supervision help or hinder the resolution of these impasses?’ MA students in a counselling psychology program at a Canadian university were interviewed at two points in time: after experiencing a clinical impasse and after receiving group supervision for the impasse. Data were analyzed using consensual qualitative research methodology (CQR; Hill, Thompson & Nutt-Williams, 1997) to identify themes relative to our two questions. Results indicated that when trainees experienced an impasse they reacted with negative emotions because they did not know what to do in session with the client at that point in time, and they experienced the impasse as a failure. Trainees reported seeking supervision to obtain validation/support, and found that supervision provided them with this. As well, a new perspective on the impasse event and increase in self-awareness was reported. An unexpected finding included dissatisfaction with the dynamics of the supervision group. These findings have implications for trainers: for understanding the supervisory needs of trainees, for appreciating the impact of supervision on counsellor development, and for generating alternate practices of supervision.

Learning to Be Supervisors: A Qualitative Investigation of Difficulties Experienced by Supervisors-in-Training

This study examined the challenges and difficulties of supervisors-in-training during the course of providing individual and group supervision to masters-level counseling trainees using both group and individual formats. We interviewed 10 supervisors-in-training regarding their supervisory experiences with masters-level counselor trainees. Data analysis used a variation of the consensual qualitative research method (Hill, Thompson, & Nutt-Williams, 1997). The results included five categories of difficulties: (1) managing the “gatekeeping” role, (2) simultaneously managing multiple processes, (3) experiencing an ongoing attempt at establishing a supervisory stance, (4) self-doubt about their abilities as supervisors, and (5) managing dynamics with their co-supervisors. We discuss some reasons for the training difficulties that the doctoral supervisors-in-training experienced in assuming a new role and offer implications for supervision curricula and training in doctoral programs.

Extramarital Affairs: Basic Considerations and Essential Tasks in Clinical Work:

Among heterosexual couples extramarital affairs are common and they occur with regular frequency. In the short term, the discovery of an affair generally precludes a crisis for both partners and where this is not resolved, negative longer-term effects can be expected. In this article we discuss a number of key issues that have implications for practitioners working with these individuals and couples. At some point in their professional lives all counselors will encounter the dilemmas and challenges associated with a clients infidelity and they will therefore want to keep up-to-date about clinical and empirical developments. In addition to a discussion of the relevant literature, we highlight three specific aspects of working with individuals and couples that are an inherent part of this work. The three areas of handling disclosures, dealing with traumatic reactions, and fostering forgiveness are seen as unavoidable features of working with the complexities of marital infidelity.

Professional identity among counselling psychology doctoral students: A qualitative investigation

Counselling psychology has always had an interest in exploring its professional identity. This may be due to diverse multidisciplinary influences on counselling psychology. While diversity and multiplicity can be considered a hallmark feature of the profession, it can also be a source of stress for doctoral students. This study explores counselling psychology doctoral students’ perceptions of their professional identities. It is guided by two research questions: (a) What experiences and conditions do counselling psychology doctoral students perceive as contributing to their professional identities? (b) What experiences and conditions do counselling psychology doctoral students perceive as hindering their professional identity? We developed a semi-structured interview protocol and interviewed 10 graduate students who had completed their first year of doctoral study. A variation of the consensual qualitative research method was used for data analysis. Seven categories of experiences that fostered professional identity and four categories of experiences that hindered professional identity were identified. These findings have implications for the practice of counselling psychology within the larger mental health delivery system as well as for the training of counselling psychologists, including counselling curriculum and counselling supervision.

A qualitative study of client experiences of working with novice counsellors

Aims: This paper reports on a qualitative analysis of written accounts by clients who participated in a counselling relationship with beginning-level trainees. The purpose of the study was to explore how clients experience the process of counselling with novice practitioners. Method: Consensual qualitative research was used for data analysis. Findings: Three general thematic categories were identified – client perceptions of self in counselling; client perceptions of the counsellor; and client perception of the counselling process. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that these clients saw the interpersonal qualities and skills of the counsellor as major contributors to their experience. Implications: Clinical training of novices should start by developing the interpersonal and collaborative skills of trainees.

Intimate Partner Violence Making the Case for Joint Couple Treatment

Intimate partner violence (IPV) has received increasing public awareness in recent decades because of its prevalence and widespread deleterious and sometimes fatal effects. While clinicians and researchers alike are turning their attention more than ever to the treatment of the problem, there is continuing debate in the field on how to best address and manage the problem legally, socially, and therapeutically. This article adds to the debate by reviewing some of the major issues in IPV and its treatment. In spite of advances in our understanding, the use of gender exclusive batterer groups continues to be a preferred approach to dealing with the problem. We describe how and why, in many cases, conjoint couple therapy has replaced group treatment as an alternate approach and provide empirical evidence in support of this practice. We conclude with some practical guidelines for clinicians who are to engage in conjoint treatment for IPV.

Am I competent enough to be doing this?: A qualitative study of trainees’ experiences working with clients who self-injure

This study examined the experiences of counsellors in training working with clients who present with non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) as a basis for understanding how trainees react to and resolve the challenges presented by difficult counselling cases. A qualitative data analysis using consensual qualitative research [Hill, C.E., Knox, S., Thompson, B.J., Nutt Williams, E., Hess, S.A., & Ladany, N. (2005). Consensual qualitative research: An update. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 52, 196–205; Hill, C.E., Thompson, B.J., & Nutt Williams, E. (1997). A guide to conducting consensual qualitative research. The Counseling Psychologist, 25, 517–572] was conducted on 12 transcribed interviews of Masters level trainees who had recently worked with at least one client who self-injured. Three general themes were reflected by the data. Specific to NSSI the findings revealed that trainees created an intuitive model of NSSI that reflected some understanding of the phenomenon despite little or no prior exposure to it. With regard to the work involved in these challenging cases, trainees reported a number of personal struggles and tasks that they needed to resolve while trying to be helpful to these clients. These tasks included managing their emotional reactivity and resolving ethical and confidentiality issues. Engaging in these two tasks heightened their feelings of uncertainty yet also focused them to be highly intentional in their work. Whereas supervision often serves novices well when they struggle, participants reported that supervision only partly alleviated the difficulties they faced. Implications and limitations of these findings are discussed.

Positive experiences of doctoral-level supervisors-in-training conducting group-format supervision: a qualitative investigation

Experiential learning opportunities are powerful in shaping positive supervisor behaviours. We were interested in examining the positive experiences of supervisors-in-training during their first practice experience as supervisors. Our study was guided by two research questions: (a) what are the experiences that supervisors-in-training viewed as positive during the course of providing clinical supervision to masters-level counselling trainees? and (b) how did these positive experiences contribute to their professional development? We employed a variation of the consensual qualitative research method developed by Hill, Thompson, and Nutt-Williams (1997) and interviewed 10 supervisors-in-training regarding their positive experiences in supervising masters-level counselling trainees. The results included five major categories of positive experiences: (a) the positive value of feedback; (b) enhanced confidence in using a wider variety of supervision tasks and procedures; (c) the impact of the experience on other aspects of professional practice; (d) increased familiarity with the multiple roles of the supervisor; and (e) for some, increased comfort navigating co-supervision dynamics. Each of these categories included subcategories. We discuss our findings within the context of supervision training in graduate education.

Nonsuicidal self‐injury across cultures and ethnic and racial minorities: A review

The field of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) is dominated by research conducted with Caucasian-majority samples in Western countries such as United States, Canada, Australia and European countries. This article critically reviewed the empirical research on NSSI in non-Western countries and among ethnic/racial minority individuals who live in the West to give voice to and understand the patterns of NSSI among individuals who do not fall within the dominant Caucasian majority. The study found both similarities and differences between Western and non-Western data in terms of characteristics and functions of NSSI. Differences in gender patterns in regards to prevalence of NSSI and methods used as well as presence of a more relational functionality of NSSI rather than emotion regulation functionality were two points of divergence in the findings of these studies. In addition, the findings seem to indicate that the role of ethnicity/race is mediated by important factors such as socioeconomic status (SES) and gender. Existing gaps in the literature and suggestions for further research are discussed.