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Harm reduction (HR) approaches to substance use show promising efficacy, but limited research exists exploring professional counselors' perceptions of HR. An online survey gathered data from 395 substance use providers, including 128 professional counselors. In measuring HR acceptance, t‐tests compared this sample to prior samples, an analysis of variance compared counselors to other providers, and multiple regression explored the influence of counselor identity factors. Empathic responsiveness and positive social justice attitudes were predictors of HR acceptance. Counselors' perceptions of HR were similar to other providers. Results indicated that counselor identity influences HR perceptions, with implications for practice and training considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To examine wellness and well‐being research in professional counseling journals, we completed a comprehensive 31‐year content analysis of counseling research within 25 counseling journals. Of the sample of 374 publications that met the search criteria, wellness publications accounted for 222 (59.4%) of the articles, and well‐being publications accounted for 152 (40.6%) of the articles. The authors examined publication patterns, topics, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies within wellness and well‐being counseling research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although advocacy is a priority for counseling professionals, little is known about counseling advocates' participation in the legislative advocacy process. Recent legislation to address the opioid crisis allowed counseling advocates to provide public comments to advance counselor inclusion in the Medicare program. A thematic analysis of 548 public comments provided on behalf of the counseling profession yielded four categories: advocacy on behalf of (1) the proposed rule change; (2) broader Medicare inclusion; (3) the proposed rule change with an additional request for broader Medicare reimbursement; and (4) no clear advocacy. Subthemes included increasing access to care, qualifications necessary to provide care, and the urgency of the opioid epidemic, among others. Implications for the counseling profession and counselor advocacy are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mental health conditions are relatively common among Medicare beneficiaries. Yet, Medicare provider eligibility was last updated in 1989, raising concerns about beneficiaries' access to mental health care in the United States. Beneficiaries are currently restricted from accessing mental health services provided by licensed professional counselors and licensed marriage and family therapists. Little is known about the impact of this Medicare mental health coverage gap (MMHCG) on Medicare beneficiaries. Hermeneutic phenomenology was used to analyze semistructured interviews with 18 beneficiaries who had attempted to access mental health care but were limited due to the MMHCG. Three themes emerged: (a) exasperating experiences with the MMHCG, (b) the MMHCG compounds barriers to mental health care, and (c) Medicare as a flawed system. These findings suggest current Medicare mental health policy interferes with beneficiaries' access to needed mental health services. Implications for the counseling profession are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Across the globe, COVID‐19 has disproportionately affected the physical and mental health of several vulnerable groups. In a series of two cross‐sectional studies conducted April to July 2020, we examined its acute mental health effects on two vulnerable U.S. community samples—home‐bound older adults who were at or below the poverty line (Study 1, N = 293, Mage = 76.94, SD = 8.64; 75.1% female, 67.9% Black) and adults with chronic disease (Study 2, N = 322, Mage = 62.20, SD = 12.22; 46.3% female, 28.3% racial/ethnic minorities). Based on the conservation of resources theory, we hypothesised that pandemic‐related resource loss would be associated with greater mental distress, but perceived social support and positive psychological characteristics (trait resilience and optimism) would buffer against this adverse effect. Across both samples of vulnerable adults, pandemic‐related resource loss was related to mental distress. Perceived social support was related to lower mental distress but did not consistently buffer the effect of resource loss on mental health. However, in Study 2, both trait resilience and optimism buffered this relationship. Findings are discussed in terms of their implications for the conservation of resources theory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors surveyed 6,550 members of the American Counseling Association regarding the current impact of Medicare policy on counseling professionals. More than half of respondents (54.8%) had been directly affected by Medicare reimbursement barriers, including 70.0% of practicing counselors. Statistical analyses indicated significant associations between years in the profession, direct experience with the Medicare coverage gap, and participation in professional advocacy related to Medicare. Implications for counselors, counselor educators, and counseling scholarship are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors analyzed data from 5,528 American Counseling Association members to examine advocacy beliefs and behavior regarding Medicare reimbursement and advocacy for counselors. Nearly half (49.3%) of the respondents had participated in one or more forms of Medicare reimbursement advocacy. Advocacy participation differed significantly by professional status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This quantitative synthesis combines results of 59 studies that published psychometrics of the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F‐Wel; Myers & Sweeney, 2005a, 2005b). Although few studies reported complete statistics, and demographically targeted research studies are needed, this synthesis reflects that the 5F‐Wel (also known as the FFWEL; Mind Garden, n.d.) is sound psychometrically for adults: Internal consistency, subsample means, and intrascale correlations are promising, as are correlations with related constructs. Consequently, the 5F‐Wel demonstrates utility for clinical use when working with clients on wellness goals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Because of demographic changes and the prioritization of Medicare reimbursement, there is greater attention to the mental health needs of older adults. To better understand the current state of gerontological counseling research, the authors completed a content analysis of counseling scholarship spanning 26 years. Only 1.68% of the articles reviewed focused on topics related to gerontological counseling. The authors analyzed publishing patterns, topics explored, and the roles of theory and empirical research in gerontological counseling research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the counseling profession's widespread interest in wellness, little research has been conducted on wellness in older adulthood. The author reviews the literature to identify current trends in research on wellness among older adults. Out of 273 articles, only 40 (14.63%) used a multidimensional, holistic framework. Further analysis revealed a lack of multidimensional models that were normed on older adults or tailored to their needs. The author concludes with an 8‐dimensional wellness framework to guide future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors surveyed 210 adults ages 56 to 97 to better understand which variables affect perceptions of aging. A correlational design was used to determine whether wellness and resilience predicted positive age perception and internalized ageism among this group. Both variables were found to significantly predict age perception, and the data supported an interaction effect between age and resilience when predicting internalized ageism. Results may inform counselors, counselor educators, and other professionals who work with older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]