Community counseling

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Guidance and counseling is a process of helping an individual become fully aware of his/ herself and the ways in which he is responding to the influence of his/her environment. Counseling is a generic term for any of professional counseling that treats dysfunction occurring within a group of related people. This term describes a preventive system of counseling that works to combat psychological impairment through the improvement and development of community support. A community is defined as a group of interacting individuals who share a commonality. This commonality can be anything from location of residence to career interest, but a community counselor will use this common characteristic to council groups of people.

Contents

Guidance and Counseling actually refers to directing, steering, advising, leading, piloting and controlling individuals towards actions, behaviours, decision and opinions that would be beneficial to them.

Importance

The community that individuals function within can have a significant influence on their identity and connection to others. [1] A community counselor can work with groups of people experiencing an increased amount of psychological distress to help determine and address the source of the disturbance. Such interventions are used in communities which are poor and unsupported to improve mental health resources. [2] Dysfunctional environments can lead individuals to develop social and psychological impairments. Vulnerable and marginalized populations such as children, minorities, or individuals of a low socioeconomic status are disproportionately at risk of experiencing psychological impairments. Through the holistic treatment of a community, counselors can help alleviate mental health issues on a large scale. [3] Community counseling provides leadership for creating better access to mental health services. Through the analysis of individual interviews, Jon Boller and Burton Nolan revealed that many students report a need and desire for community counseling programs. [4] To meet these needs, community counseling continues to expand its reach.

History

The Great Depression and World War II created a need for jobs and counseling services in the United States. [5] This need was met with the expansion of career, school, and personal counseling services. At the same time, experts in the field began to emphasize the importance of preventive counseling in combating the need for remedial counseling. In 1965, the United States government allocated federal funds to the training of school counselors, a type of community based counseling. At the start of the 1970s, the more general idea of community counseling was developed to meet the increasing needs of the public. The discipline of community counseling grew slowly at first due to its lack of clear definition. However, in 1993, community counseling received recognition as a counseling specialization from the governing council of the American Counseling Association (ACA). This recognition allowed the Council for Accreditation of Counseling Relation Education (CACREP) to develop standards for the training of community counselors. With recognition and accreditation, community counseling expanded in popularity. [5]

Role of the counselor

Community counselors can work in a variety of settings such as private practice, mental health centers, rehabilitation facilities, or prisons. [1] Regardless of the setting, a community counselor's job is to work with individuals to develop appropriate mental processing and provide preventive services to the community. [6] Preventive efforts can be made by providing access to community-based organizations or educational programs. [7] Community counselors need to be strong leaders who can make these direct and indirect services available for their clients. [1]

Models

The Respectful Model of Community Counseling Respect Model of Community Counseling.png
The Respectful Model of Community Counseling

The Respectful Model

The Respectful Model is a holistic approach of understanding a community and its associated issues. [8] This form of counseling can be done individually or in groups across all ages and genders. The model is based on a ten-letter acronym designed to highlights factors that influence community dynamic. Counselors are expected to respect clients regardless of their religious affiliation, economic status, sexual orientation, psychological health, ethnicity, developmental differences, trauma, family, physical appearance, or genealogy. This inclusive and holistic approach to community counseling allows for an appreciation of environmental influence on mental health. [8]

The Marginalized Community Model

Annabel Manzanilla-Manalo and Fermin Manalo developed a community-based counseling approach to help marginalized groups overcome mental health problems that result from inequality and discrimination. [2] This approach works to integrate community psychology within the context of a social environment. The model values inclusivity, social justice, solidarity, and equality. Community counselors work to facilitate healthy development and establish a system that ensures the delivery of mental health services to the community. This model is focused on empowerment of individuals with the goal of relieving stigma or shame these individuals might feel because of their marginalized identity. This is achieved through support of group formation, enhancement of local resources, research, advocacy, and facilitation of collective action. [2]

Applications

Children

Children can suffer developmental and social delays because of untreated mental health issues. [9] Analysis of archival data from 364 children who visited a community counseling clinic revealed that treatment could significantly reduce internalizing and externalizing behavioral problems for children. However, the analysis also found that over half of the children who began treatment did not complete the full course of the available community counseling services. High dropout rates are often considered a significant barrier to providing effective community counseling. [9]

Adults

Older individuals who did not receive counseling for early psychological dysfunction or individuals who have experienced trauma later in life can benefit from community therapy. [5] A study of Vietnam War veterans demonstrated that community-based readjustment counseling can significantly reduce posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and improve life-satisfaction. [10] From these results, researchers have hypothesized that community counseling could produce more effective services for veterans in need of PTSD treatment. Programs and services that work to relieve psychological impairments such as PTSD can significantly improve the well-being of adults. [3]

Substance abuse

Community counselors can also act as members of the interdisciplinary teams used to holistically treat persons with drug addiction. [6] Community support and promotion of healthy habits can help improve the well-being of individuals struggling with addiction. In a study examining recovery from alcoholism, 50 participants were assigned to either a community counseling based intervention or a control condition. Results showed a significant reduction in drinking rates for individuals in the intervention which suggests that community counseling can help aid individuals in the process of addiction recovery. [11]

Training counselors

To become a community counselor, an individual must get both a bachelor's degree and a masters in counseling. [5] After receiving both degrees, an individual must obtain 3,000 supervised work hours before being able to practice independently. Once they have completed their necessary training, community counselors are expected to understand the power of environmental influences, the importance of a multifaceted approach to counseling, and the need for preventive action. [1] Additionally, community counselors need to be able to cultivate positive forces in the environment to improve the mental health of the community. [3] Despite these clear expectations of a community counselor, there is a large variation in the required coursework and semester hours needed to receive a master's degree from a community counseling program. [12] A study that compared the coursework requirements at 32 master's-level CACREP-approved community counseling programs found three general subsets to the curriculum: entry level, environmental, and specialty area courses. The range of recommended courses revealed a vast diversity across community counseling programs. The most common courses reported were:

While a large diversity of courses can help produce well-rounded counselors, continuing to increase professional standards could aid in the development of community counseling programs. [12]

Despite the range of courses offered, an examination of Tennessee's approved certification competencies revealed an insufficient level of customization needed for the various specializations within community counseling. [7] The study showed that learning, adjustment, counseling, ethics, and report writing competencies were needed across all sub disciplines of community counseling. However, the study demonstrated that aside from the five overlapping competencies, very different skill sets were needed for successful training in a specialty. This finding highlights the need for specialized programs in community counseling. However, a survey 104 Directors of CACREP-accredited community counseling programs explored the director's vision for the community counseling program in the future. [13] The results were split. Approximately half of respondents saw community counseling as preparation for generic group counseling, while the other half wanted to see an increase in specializations. This disagreement highlighted a lack of communication across the field of community counseling. Despite this lack of communication, a national survey of master's level community counseling programs revealed a central emphasis on prevention and systematic community intervention. [14] This finding suggests that community counseling programs have developed a central purpose in the absence of standardized requirements and specializations.[ original research? ]

In any discipline that works with vulnerable populations, it is important that the field holds professionals to a set of ethical standards. [5] In community counseling, ethical standards provide a code of practice to which counselors are expected to abide. This set of rules establishes what counselors may and may not do within the counselor-patient relationship. These rules are in place to protect patients from malpractice. Not only do the rules work to ensure the integrity of the counseling profession, but they help to build trust between the public and the counseling community. The American Counseling Association has set forth specific standards for ethical counseling practice that include: protecting clients from harm, promoting client welfare, avoiding multiple relationships, maintaining confidentiality, continuing involvement in professional associations, only practicing within training, and never misrepresenting qualifications. While this list is not exhaustive, it provides basic ethical standards that can be followed by professionals. When these ethical standards are not maintained, legal action may be taken. This legal action can lead to loss of licensure and the ability to practice within the field of community counseling. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Psychologist</span> Professional who evaluates, diagnoses, treats and studies behavior and mental processes

A psychologist is a professional who practices psychology and studies mental states, perceptual, cognitive, emotional, and social processes and behavior. Their work often involves the experimentation, observation, and interpretation of how individuals relate to each other and to their environments.

Drug rehabilitation is the process of medical or psychotherapeutic treatment for dependency on psychoactive substances such as alcohol, prescription drugs, and street drugs such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin or amphetamines. The general intent is to enable the patient to confront substance dependence, if present, and stop substance misuse to avoid the psychological, legal, financial, social, and physical consequences that can be caused.

Clinical psychology is an integration of human science, behavioral science, theory, and clinical knowledge for the purpose of understanding, preventing, and relieving psychologically-based distress or dysfunction and to promote subjective well-being and personal development. Central to its practice are psychological assessment, clinical formulation, and psychotherapy, although clinical psychologists also engage in research, teaching, consultation, forensic testimony, and program development and administration. In many countries, clinical psychology is a regulated mental health profession.

Counseling psychology is a psychological specialty that began with a focus on vocational counseling, but later moved its emphasis to adjustment counseling, and then expanded to cover all normal psychology psychotherapy. There are many subcategories for counseling psychology, such as marriage and family counseling, rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, educational counseling, etc. In each setting, they are all required to follow the same guidelines.

An employee assistance program generally offers free and confidential assessments, short-term counseling, referrals, and follow-up services for employees. EAP counselors may also work in a consultative role with managers and supervisors to address employee and organizational challenges and needs. Many corporations, academic institution and/or government agencies are active in helping organizations prevent and cope with workplace violence, trauma, and other emergency response situations. There is a variety of support programs offered for employees. Even though EAPs are mainly aimed at work-related issues, there are a variety of programs that can assist with problems outside of the workplace. EAPs have grown in popularity over the years.

Peer support occurs when people provide knowledge, experience, emotional, social or practical help to each other. It commonly refers to an initiative consisting of trained supporters, and can take a number of forms such as peer mentoring, reflective listening, or counseling. Peer support is also used to refer to initiatives where colleagues, members of self-help organizations and others meet, in person or online, as equals to give each other connection and support on a reciprocal basis.

Critical incident stress management (CISM) was a controversial, non-empirical, adaptive, short-term psychological helping-process that focused solely on an immediate and identifiable problem. It included pre-incident preparedness to acute crisis management through post-crisis follow-up. Its purpose was to enable people to return to their daily routine more quickly and with less likelihood of experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, after researchers showed that debriefing techniques did not decrease rates of PTSD, CISM is now seldom used and has largely been replaced with immediate psychological care techniques that do not use debriefing such as those endorsed by the CDC, Red Cross, WHO, American Psychological Association and National Center for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (NC-PTSD). Responsible practitioners who still use CISM must eliminate debriefing steps in order to remain compliant with best practices and clinical guidelines.

A mental health professional is a health care practitioner or social and human services provider who offers services for the purpose of improving an individual's mental health or to treat mental disorders. This broad category was developed as a name for community personnel who worked in the new community mental health agencies begun in the 1970s to assist individuals moving from state hospitals, to prevent admissions, and to provide support in homes, jobs, education, and community. These individuals were the forefront brigade to develop the community programs, which today may be referred to by names such as supported housing, psychiatric rehabilitation, supported or transitional employment, sheltered workshops, supported education, daily living skills, affirmative industries, dual diagnosis treatment, individual and family psychoeducation, adult day care, foster care, family services and mental health counseling.

A mental health counselor (MHC), or counselor, is a person who works with individuals and groups to promote optimum mental and emotional health. Such persons may help individuals deal with issues associated with addiction and substance abuse; family, parenting, and marital problems; stress management; self-esteem; and aging. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics distinguishes "Mental Health Counselors" from "Social Workers", "Psychiatrists", and "Psychologists".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palo Alto University</span> Private university in Palo Alto, California, U.S.

Palo Alto University (PAU) is a private university in Palo Alto, California that focuses on psychology and counseling. It was founded in 1975 as the Pacific Graduate School of Psychology and became Palo Alto University in 2009.

A licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) is a professional who has been qualified to provide psychotherapy and other counselling services. LCPCs are trained to work with individuals, families, and groups to treat mental, behavioural and emotional problems and disorders. The main goal of LCPCs is to use counselling strategies to help people live a more satisfying life, which typically involves identifying a goal and finding potential solutions.

The National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates (NBCC) is an international certifying organization for professional counselors in the United States. It is an independent, not-for-profit credentialing organization based in Greensboro, North Carolina. The purpose of the organization is to establish and monitor a national certification system for professional counselors, to identify certified counselors, and to maintain a register of them. NBCC also certifies Coaches through its affiliate Center for Credentialing and Education. Individuals may earn the Board Certified Coach credential through third party programs, including online programs in Life Coaching and Psychosynthesis Coaching.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Richmont Graduate University</span>

Richmont Graduate University is a private Christian university with campuses in Chattanooga, Tennessee and Atlanta, Georgia. It offers Master's degrees and it does so through its School of Counseling and School of Ministry. Richmont's most popular programs include its Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and its Master of Arts in Ministry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre</span>

The Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre, or AARC, is a drug rehabilitation centre for adolescents and family members located in Calgary, Alberta. AARC specializes in treating young people suffering from drug addiction and alcoholism, and takes in clients who have been thought of as being too far-gone for recovery. The AARC program is a multifaceted drug treatment program that uses twelve-step recovery processes, peer pressure, family and group therapy. A survey conducted by AARC found they had an 80% success rate, and that former addicts can permanently abstain from using drugs or alcohol following treatment at the centre. Another study found that the "AARC program is a unique model for comprehensive, long-term adolescent substance use treatment with a high rate of treatment completion (80.5%)."

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs (CACREP) is a programmatic accreditor of counseling education programs at colleges and universities in the United States. It is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">TAMAR Education Project</span> Mental health intervention

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References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Gladding, Samuel; Veach, Laura (2003). Leaders and Legacies: Contributions to the Profession of Counseling. New York, NY: Brunner-Routledge. pp. 65–77. ISBN   9780415944588.
  2. 1 2 3 Manzanilla-Manalo, Annabel; Manalo, Fermin (2014). "Bringing Psychology to the Marginalized: Exploring the Role of Community-Based Counseling". Journal of Psychology and Christianity. 33 (2): 121–126. ISSN   0733-4273.
  3. 1 2 3 Lewis, Judith (1989). Community Counseling . Pacific Grove, California: Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. ISBN   0-534-10248-4.
  4. ↑ Boller, Jon (1974). "Community counseling: Community, school, both?". Pupil Personal Services Journal. 3 (3): 27–30. ISSN   0161-3766.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hershenson, David; Power, Paul; Waldo, Michael (1996). Community counseling: Contemporary theory and practice . Needham Heights, Massachusetts: Allyn and Bacon. ISBN   0-205-17274-1.
  6. 1 2 Doukas, Nick (2015). "A Contemporary New Role for Counselors in Recovery: Recovery Coaches in Communities of Recovery". Alcoholism Treatment Quarterly. 33 (2): 244–247. doi:10.1080/07347324.2015.1018786. S2CID   146503755.
  7. 1 2 DeRidder, Lawrence; Stephens, Tedd; English, Thomas; Watkins, Edward (1983). "The Development of Graduate Programs in Community Counseling: One Approach". American Mental Health Counselors Association Journal. 5 (2): 61–68. ISSN   0193-1830.
  8. 1 2 "10 Multicultural Factors to Consider in Counseling - Blog". 5 April 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2018.
  9. 1 2 Tsai, Mei-Hsiang; Ray, Dee (2011). "Children in therapy: Learning from evaluation of university-based community counseling clinical services". Children and Youth Services Review. 33 (6): 901–909. doi:10.1016/j.childyouth.2010.12.011.
  10. ↑ Daniels, Lori; Boehnlein, James; McCallion, Phillip (2015). "Life-Review and PTSD Community Counseling With Two Groups of Vietnam War Veterans". Traumatology. 21 (3): 1–11. ISSN   0016-9013.
  11. ↑ Bobo, Janet; McIlvain, Helen; Lando, Harry; Walker, Dale; Leed-Kelly, Amber (1998). "Effect of smoking cessation counseling on recovery from alcoholism: findings from a randomized community intervention trial". Addiction. 93 (6): 877–887. doi:10.1046/j.1360-0443.1998.9368779.x. PMID   9744123.
  12. 1 2 Cowger, Ernest; Hinkle, Scott; DeRidder, Lawrence; Erk, Robert (1991). "CACREP community counseling programs: Present status and implications for the future". Journal of Mental Health Counseling. 13 (2): 172–186.
  13. ↑ Hershenson, David; Berger, Gisela (2011). "The State of Community Counseling: A Survey of Directors of CACREP‐Accredited Programs". Journal of Counseling & Development. 79 (2): 188–193. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6676.2001.tb01959.x.
  14. ↑ Conyne, Robert (1980). "The "Community" in Community Counseling: Results of a National Survey". Counselor Education and Supervision. 20 (1): 22–28. doi:10.1002/j.1556-6978.1980.tb02028.x.

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