College counseling centers may come under increasing scrutiny by administrators regarding how their services contribute to student retention. College counselors can use data to demonstrate a positive influence of counseling on retention, but they also need to educate administrators that student retention should be a consideration among many when evaluating the efficacy of services. The author reviews findings from studies on the impact of college counseling on retention and addresses implications for counseling centers.
Would psychologists voluntarily participate in continuing education (CE) if it were not mandatory to do so? Does CE help make psychologists more effective clinicians? These and other aspects of mandatory CE were explored in a survey of 168 licensed psychologists in Pennsylvania. Although 75% of respondents were in favor of mandatory CE, the sample was divided over the question of whether they would obtain the required credits if not mandatory. Forty-five percent of respondents reported that attendance at CE programs often increases their clinical effectiveness, whereas 41% reported this as occurring sometimes, and 11% as only rarely. Because this survey was conducted in Pennsylvania, the results are discussed in light of varying CE requirements in other states.
BRUCE S. SHARKIN received hisPhD in counseling psychology from the University of Maryland. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at Kutztown University. His research interests include anger, college student counseling, and ethics and professional issues. PAULA M. PLAGEMAN received her MA in counseling psychology from Kutztown University. She is a counselor in the Department of Developmental Studies at Kutztown University. Her research interests include college student counseling and development. THIS RESEARCH WAS FUNDED by a Kutztown University faculty research grant. WE THANK Nick Ladany for his thoughtful comments on an earlier version of this article.
The subject of pet loss has received little attention within the field of psychology, which is surprising given the millions of people who form strong attachments with their pets and experience the death of a pet at some point during their lifetime. The primary purpose of this article is to show why it is important for psychologists to understand how significant pets can be in the lives of their clients and to be sensitive to clients' grief in response to the death of a pet. We discuss special considerations related to the effect of pet loss on families, children, and the elderly. In addition, we examine how psychologists can play an important role in helping people cope with the emotional impact of pet loss through grief counseling, consultation with animal health care professionals, and outreach. BRUCE S. SHARKIN received his PhD in counseling psychology from the University of Maryland. He is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Psychological Services at Kutztown University. His research interests include ethics and professional issues, anger, and college counseling. DONNA KNOX received her MA in counseling psychology from Lehigh University. She is a counselor in Kutztown University's Counseling Service and at Women's Solutions in Bethlehem, PA. Her research interests include grief counseling with children and women's issues.
Dealing with increasing numbers of college students who present with serious psychological problems has been identified as a significant challenge for counseling centers in the current decade. On the basis of their review of research, G. L. Stone and J. Archer (1990)
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