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Due to drastic societal changes in the last few decades, there has been an increasing need for counseling services in China. Specifically, Chinese college students are confronted with many developmental challenges due to changes in expectations following college. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore Chinese college students' perceptions of counseling services in China. The authors identified six essential themes which made up the essence of this study. They were roles of counselors, issues that brought students to counseling, students' expectations in counseling, training and requirements for counselors, credentials and characteristics of counselor supervisors, and future development of counseling in China. The authors discussed the themes, implications, and offered recommendations for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiple heritage (i.e., multiracial, hiracial) population has been identified by the US Census Bureau as the fastest growing population in the US. With this growth, there is also the diversity of those in multiple heritage families and with multiple heritage backgrounds. In this article, the authors describe the challenges faced by this population, the individual identity development process, and ways of helping individuals at different developmental levels along with their families. There is also an introduction to the new Competencies for Counseling the Multiracial Population (Kenney et al., 2013). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies involving student ambassadors have demonstrated their significance in recruiting prospective students to universities and colleges but they have not included the perceptions of the student ambassadors themselves. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the perceptions and experiences of students who served as student ambassadors for their educational institution. Fifteen student ambassadors provided individual descriptions of their perceptions of being an ambassador. Four themes provided a description of ambassadors' perceptions: (a) belonging, (b) personal growth, (c) diversity, and (d) recruitment. A discussion of the benefits of student ambassadors as leaders are presented in terms of their ability to recruit for the university and college as well as the impact being a leader has on the ambassadors themselves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The goal of this multiple case study was to investigate straight counseling students’ perceptions of their preparation to work with GLBT clients. For this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six straight counselor education students from two universities. Pattern matching analysis revealed that students with significant exposure to GLBT individuals, as well as those who believed their training provided adequate preparation for GLBT counseling, were more likely to adopt a GLBT-affirmative identity and to experience greater self-efficacy about counseling with GLBT individuals. In addition, thematic analysis revealed seven themes of participants’ experiences that fell into four categories. Ideas for counselor educators to incorporate experiential learning into their programs are offered. Keywords: GLBT, Ally, Identity, Counselor Education, Counselor Trainee, Case Study, Qualitative Research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Much of the success of high-risk behavior prevention programs rests with teachers who deliver the curriculum however; few studies have investigated teachers' perceptions of program implementation. The objective of this phenomenological study was to answer the question, "What are the experiences of teachers who are asked to be involved in the implementation process when their school adopts a multiple high-risk behavior prevention program"? Participants included 10 teachers at a local, private high school in the Southern United States. Five themes emerged: (a) lack of consistent historical effort, (b) need for program, (c) positive but tentative perceptions, (d) challenges with implementation, and (e) review of program counselor. The qualitative results identified factors that can promote or hinder success of the program. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of middle school students with multiple heritage backgrounds has grown since they were first able to identify their multiple racial identities in the 2000 U.S. Census. Today, the multiple heritage population makes up 3% (U.S. Census, 2011) of the total population. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the perceptions and counseling practices of middle school counselors who work with adolescents with multiple heritage backgrounds. The authors identified five themes that made up the essence of this study: (a) generation dependent, (b) significance of presence, (c) single race identity, (d) students in crisis, and (e) need for acceptance. This article discusses the themes, implications for counselors, and the need for continued research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phenomenon of absent fathers is increasing in the Black community and insight from Black males raised in these households is needed to understand how they persevere and succeed. This study explored the life experiences of collegiate Black males raised in absent father homes. Five themes emerged, which included a male role model/mentor, a supportive mother, desire to achieve an education, respect for their fathers, and resilience. The authors discuss these themes and present implications for future studies focused on counselors working with Black males raised in absent father households. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to identify potential culture-related stressors in intercultural marriages and uncover some of the conscious and unconscious strategies applied by couples to cope with these stressors. In-depth ethnographic interviews were conducted with five intercultural couples. Interview data were then analyzed using a phenomenological reduction process to synthesize the meanings and essences of participant experiences. Results revealed that the intercultural couples studied used similar coping strategies to manage marital stressors that might be attributed to or accentuated by cultural differences. Six primary coping strategies were identified: (a) gender-role flexibility; (b) humor; (c) cultural deference by one partner; (d) recognition of similarities; (e) cultural reframing or the development of blended values and expectations that redefined the intercultural relationship; and (f) a general appreciation for other cultures. These intercultural coping strategies were supported by prior empirical research in the fields of intercultural communication and marital counseling. Further research is needed to understand better the unique stressors and coping mechanisms experienced by intercultural couples. Practical considerations for therapists who counsel intercultural couples are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We investigated the training of licensed professional counselors in Texas by focusing on how students receive expertise in specialty areas such as substance abuse, sexual concerns, domestic violence, play therapy, family therapy, and art and music therapy. A mail survey elicited responses from department chairs or program directors of community counseling programs. Results of the survey were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively and indicated that most participating programs offer coursework in specialty areas designed to prepare students to work with a wide variety of client issues in counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counselor educators were surveyed regarding their perceptions of a proposed increase in the required number of semester hours for community counselors from 48 hours to 60 hours. Twenty-four participants (49%) indicated a preference for keeping the current 48 semester hour requirement; whereas 25 participants (51%) chose the other given option of 60 hours. Participants were also asked about the advantages and disadvantages of both 48-hour and 60-hour counselor training programs and themes from these open-ended responses were coded and analyzed. Common themes and implications, and recommendations for future research, are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Multiple Heritage Couple Questionnaire (MHCQ) is a revision and extension of the Interracial Couple Questionnaire (ICQ). It is designed to help counseling professionals attend to crucial information that is often overlooked when working with multiple-heritage couples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Counselors and future counselors face a variety of challenges as society becomes more diverse and laden with differing value systems. As the Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice (American Counseling Association, 1995) is changed to become more inclusive of the values held in a diverse society changes in counselor preparation to incorporate these changing values are necessary. The authors discuss how values and ethics inform counselor preparation and recommend the application of J. A. Banks's (1981, 1988) multicultural educational pedagogy to counselor preparation programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Therapeutic interventions with Biracial women and girls are proposed with an emphasis placed on racial identity development. The Black/White Biracial Identity Development Model is presented as the basis for developing therapeutic interventions. The model was created based on a qualitative research study with Black/White Biracial women. It is proposed that an understanding of Biracial identity development is necessary in order to develop effective interventions that can assist Biracial women and girls with racial identity difficulties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a questionnaire for investigations into interracial marriages. Specific sociocultural and family influences on relationship; Counselors' personal attitudes, beliefs and biases toward interracial relationships and families.

This article presents a case study of the perceptions of a White female married to an African American male. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

School counselors face many challenges implementing a Comprehensive Developmental Guidance and Counseling Program ([CDGCP] Dahir, Burnham, & Stone, 2009). This case study explored the experiences of a program director's, an administrator's, and three school counselors' implementation of a statewide CDGCP at the elementary level in a large suburban school district in Southeast Texas. The themes of differences in knowledge of CDGCP, benefits, time constraints, role inconsistencies, and moving toward a fully implemented CDGCP emerged from participants' responses. Implications and recommendations for other districts school counseling programs are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]