Showing papers in "Canadian Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy in 1986"

The Critical Incident Technique: An Innovative Qualitative Method of Research

Abstract: The critical incident technique is an exploratory qualitative method of research that has been shown both reliable and valid in generating a comprehensive and detailed description of a content domain. After being used widely in industrial psychology during the 1950's, the technique fell into diverse and is only now enjoying a renaissance. The critical incident technique basically consists of asking eyewitness observers for factual accounts of behaviours (their own or others') which significantly contribute to a specified outcome. The emphasis is on incidents (things which actually happened and were directly observed) which are critical (things which significantly affected the outcome). This paper tells how to do a critical incident study, using illustrations from the author's and others' research. The many and varied applications of the technique are indicated. These uses range from criterion development and test construction to foundational work and theory development. It is concluded that the critical incident technique should contribute significantly to the development of a unique methodology for the discipline of counselling.

Counselling Research in a Different Key: The Promise of Human Science Perspective

Abstract: It is maintained in this article that the human science perspective holds great promise with regard to achieving methodological balance in counselling research. In the interests of increasing the likelihood that this promise will be realized, an attempt is made: 1) to provide the reader with a perspective on the meaning, structure, and content of the human science orientation; (2) to identify and illuminate selected qualities of "being" and of "mind" that appear to be related to human science research competence; and (3) to suggest some possibilities for the deliberate facilitation of such competence. The article concludes with the raising of selected issues which will need to be dealt with if progress in the direction of achieving a high degree of fidelity to human experience in counselling research is to continue to be made.

Developing Phenomenological Method for Researching Lesbian Existence.

Abstract: This paper argues a complementary relationship between phenomenological method and feminist theory; then develops a research method suited to the study of lesbians in their communities. A comparison of three phenomenological methods produces one new method with methodological innovations in interviewing, mapping and data analysis. Findings of the study under discussion are summarized. Pitfalls and challenges of phenomenological research, and implications for counsellors and researchers are outlined.

Brief Morita Therapy for Social Anxiety: A Single Case Study of Therpeutic Changes

Abstract: Morita therapy is a Japanese therapy for anxiety-related problems developed by Shoma Morita (1874-1938) in the 1910's. Through didactic discussion and confrontation, it modifies anxious clients' self-critical thinking and unproductive self-preoccupation. Clients in Morita therapy are encouraged to appreciate the existential and self-actualizing meaning of anxiety and to translate it into constructive action instead of resisting and becoming preoccupied with anxiety symptoms in a self-defeating manner. Using a multiple baseline design across two target problems (fear of speaking in groups and fear of approaching strangers), the present study examined therapeutic changes associated with brief (3-session) Morita intervention in a socially anxious client. Notable changes regarding both problems were observed immediately after intervention and in the follow-up phase in the client's ratings on (1) acceptance of anxiety, (2) problem severity, and (3) effectiveness in coping with anxiety problems. Qualitative information provided by the client suggested the lasting therapeutic impact of Morita-based interpretation of anxiety and confrontation. Suggestions are given for future single-case experimental research on Morita therapy.

Evaluation of Peer Counselling in the Elemntary School

Abstract: Recently, counsellors in a variety of settings have begun to make use of a relatively new concept know as "peer facilitation" or "peer counselling." The authors identify some of the evaluation instruments being used in peer counselling programs in the school systems along with some essential aspects of evaluation. The need for evaluation and research is indicated.

Career and Life Role Aspirations of High Ability Women Graduates

Abstract: This exploratory and descriptive study used a biodemographical questionnaire and a variant of Kelly's (1955) repertory grid technique to examine the life role aspirations (career, home and family, and personal) of a group of high ability women undergraduates. The results showed that these women aspired to relatively high level full-time careers for the next fiveyear period of their lives. Their most preferred roles were professional roles. They appeared to be most strongly influenced by a desire for personal growth, which they seemed to construe mostly in terms of achievement. On the whole, they seemed to be conflict-free in their attitudes toward their projected life roles. The data support more recent theory on the diminishing importance of the career-marriage conflict for women. The results of this study are useful to counsellors and educators working with high ability women who are seeking to combine multiple roles in a manner which allows for maximum development of potential.

Meaningless, Death, and Responsibilty: Existential Themes in Career Counselling

Abstract: The position taken in this article is that existential thought is appropriate and applicable to career counselling. Three existential concerns, meaninglessness, death, and responsibility, are discussed and their applicability to career counselling is demonstrated. Career counselling exercises which help to introduce the client to these themes are identified. It is the belief of the author that career decision-making is enhanced, in some instances, by the client and counsellor engaging in an open and intimate examination of these existential motifs.

Peer Programs in Post-Secondary Institutions in Canada.

Abstract: This article presents the results of a Canada-wide survey of post-secondary counselling centres as to their involvement in peer programs. Seventy-eight per cent of the sample responded and the results are reported by institutional type, program type, number of trained student helpers, the length of training, and sources of funding.

The Case of "Kim": The Feelings and Experiences of a Bulimic

Abstract: In this paper the case of "Kim" (a pseudonym) is used to illustrate the main characteristics of a bulimic. To illustrate this eating disorder and Kim's feelings and experiences about it, representative excerpts are taken from a series of interviews with her. Kim is followed through the process of learning to vomit, deciding to seek help, and through therapy sessions.

Counselling via a "Death Perspective"

Abstract: The author points out that there has been much progress in the clinical literature in helping people deal with the event of death (e.g., working with the terminally ill, counselling someone who has lost a loved one, etc.). But, he argues, there is great neglect in the literature regarding viewing death as a perspective, and its valuable clinical use. By referring to Heidegger's contributions to existential psychology, he explains what he means by this perspective, how it can be used therapeutically in our counselling, and offers guidelines for its careful application.

Conflict in the Career Decision Schemes of High Aspiration Youth

Abstract: This study investigated the degree and scope of conflicts among ten career values Eighty-four IOth and Ilth graders with high occupational aspirations rated ten individually selected occupations on ten standard career values It was found that about every third substantial relation among values involved conflict, and that there was at least one conflict for every pair of values

The Developmental Imperative and Counsellor Education

Abstract: Following a brief account of the state of knowledge with regard to developmental approaches to counselling, it is argued that the developmental training imperative implicit in the counselling literature should be taken seriously. It is suggested that this might be done through more concentrated efforts to articulate the specifics of counsellor education along developmental lines. A constructive-developmental theoretical framework well suited to developmental counsellor training is presented and the manner of its incorporation into two core theory classes in a counsellor education program is described. Finally, an account is provided of how a training effort employing the constructive-developmental framework was experienced by participants, including the writer.

Vocational Knowledge Testing of a Deaf and Hard of Hearing Population

Abstract: A total of forty-eight adults with either complete or partial hearing impairment were involved in a study to investigate the efficacy of a test of vocational knowledge to assist in decisionmaking and career-planning for the deaf and hard of hearing. The twenty-one women and twenty-seven men ranging in age from eighteen to fifty-three years were clientele of an Edmonton, Alberta, employment centre for those with special needs. All participants were administered a test adapted from the Scale of Vocational Maturity using a questionnaire based on Holland's (1975) classification of occupations. Results indicated that the type of school attended by the client influenced vocational knowledge scores more than any other factor considered. Those who had attended schools for hearing populations demonstrated significantly more knowledge concerning specific occupations than those who had attended schools for the deaf. Women scored higher than men in knowledge related to occupations in the "Artistic" category. No differences due to sex were evident for values related to sex-stereotyping of jobs. High scores across the entire population tested on attitude towards sex-roles indicated a high degree of acceptance of the capability of wither sex to perform any of the occupation considered. Inter-item reliability was apparent as correlations between scores of knowledge of specific occupations and overall occupational scores were generally positive and highly significant. When occupation class scores for each individual were normed for the population in the present study and graphed on a profile, results from the objective test compared favourably with the counsellor's personal appraisal of the client's overall vocational knowledge, demonstrating a high degree of external validity.

Change Lives in the Poetry of Its Meaning

Abstract: This paper explores three dimensions of change in play therapy. Following the work of Vygotsky, actual case material is used to examine the role of pivots as windows of change in the helping process. It is argued that the pivoting function may serve as a universe for change which allows us to focus more intently on therapeutic events. Doing so gives us questions to address rather than answers to confound.

Psychological Aspects of Vocational Maturity: Implications for Counselling

Abstract: In order to better identify and master specific developmental stages and tasks necessary for the enhancement of vocational maturity of adolescents, this article discusses the relationship between vocational maturity and a set of developmental and/or psychological characteristics —moral development and social interest. The sample of 240 adolescents included all of the students enrolled in the ninth- and twelfth-grade classes of a high school in Winnipeg, Canada. A sketched literature review of vocational maturity as well as the definitions of the vocational, social, and moral developmental tasks are presented. This is followed by a brief description of the sample design, instrumentation, statistical methodology, and results of the study. The conclusions and counselling implications suggest that vocational maturity is significantly correlated with social interest and moral development. These are three developmental tasks of adolescence which are interrelated processes which cannot be isolated from one another or from other aspects of the adolescent's development.