DOCSLIB.ORG

A Look Into Counseling's Future

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
A Look Into Counseling's Future A look into counseling’s future Also inside: • Counseling foster children and adopted children • Applying the grief process to everyday losses • What goes into developing counselor identity? • Engaging millennial students in the classroom ACA 2012 Annual Conference & Expo • March 21-25 • San Francisco CounselingTodayMarch 2012 Cover Story 32 What the future holds for the counseling profession Compiled by Lynne Shallcross As ACA celebrates its 60th year as an organization, 19 counseling leaders assess the trends taking place within the profession and society at large and do their best to predict the direction counseling will take over the next decade. Features 32 52 Fitting together as a family By Lynne Shallcross Counselors can help foster children, adopted children and parents to address the wide range of challenges that might be encountered as they attempt to weave together a secure and cohesive family unit. 58 Space to grieve everyday losses By Stacy Notaras Murphy Getting laid off, moving away from friends or even aging can launch people into the 52 same grief process that accompanies the death of a loved one, but clients often need help recognizing these losses as “grief-worthy” and adjusting to their new reality. 62 Knowledge Share A closer look at developing counselor identity By Timothy E. Coppock Clients will benefit if they are treated by professional counselors who are not only competent in their counseling skills but also confident in the specific role that professional counselors play in providing services. 58 66 Reader Viewpoint Engaging millennial students in today’s counseling classroom By Jeannine Studer & Blanche O’Bannon Today’s counseling students possess a unique array of characteristics and perspectives not previously seen in classrooms, and instructors risk shortchanging these students when they do not take the time to better understand them and their learning needs. Extras ACA Graduate Student Committee 68 Contents launches mentorship initiative March 2012 | Counseling Today | 3 CounselingTodMarcha 2012y Columns ACA 10 Washington Update 11 The Two-Minute Advocate Celebrating 6060 yearsyears 12 Counselor Career Stories The American Counseling Association is celebrating its 60th anniversary as an organization in 2012. Here, Counseling Today highlights some of the history, milestones and memories from ACA’s past. Through a Glass Darkly 14 ACA (then known as the American Personnel and Guidance Association) began publishing The Guidepost (which evolved into Counseling Today) in 1958. Here are a 18 New Perspectives few items that appeared in the pages of The Guidepost from 1960 to 1964: n APGA announces a $50,000 grant from the Fund for the Advancement of 22 The Digital Psyway Education to study the function of guidance programs and to develop clear guidelines for the operation of such programs in U.S. schools during the next 24 Private Practice Strategies 20 years. (January 1960 issue) n APGA announces that the APGA Code of Ethics, adopted at the 1961 APGA Resource Reviews Convention in Denver, is in its final form and will be printed in an upcoming 26 issue of The Personnel and Guidance Journal. (July 1961 issue) n Guidance counselors and placement officers are encouraged to broaden their Spotlight on Journals 30 knowledge of a fledgling program known as the Peace Corps and to help select qualified Americans for service abroad. (December 1961 issue) n The U.S. Chamber of Commerce underscores the importance the business sector places on guidance activities by stating that effective guidance programs Need to Know should be a prerequisite to state accreditation of secondary schools. (April 1962 issue) 5 From the President n APGA membership reaches an all-time high to that point in the organization’s history: 16,283 members. (June 1962 issue) 7 Executive Director’s Message n APGA President Willis E. Dugan and APGA Executive Director Arthur A. Hitchcock personally present an APGA Senate resolution supporting the estab- lishment of the National Service Corps to Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. Letters to the Editor 8 Hitchcock tells Kennedy, “Our members through their responsibilities in the guidance profession are in continuous touch with young people. This Associa- 51 CT Learning Test tion has felt a growing need and concern for the development of new occupa- tion areas. The establishment of the National Service Corps will serve partially 65 In Memoriam: to answer [that] need ...” (May 1963 issue) Jennifer Bramer Correll n President John F. Kennedy invites APGA officials to a meeting of educators at the White House to discuss the civil rights problem facing the nation, particu- larly the high proportion of Black students dropping out of school. A few weeks NBCC Perspective 70 later, Kennedy announces he is allocating $250,000 to better enable counselors to keep potential dropouts in school. (Summer 1963 issue) Division, Region & Branch News 72 n APGA produces a 13-week, nationwide radio series titled Topic of Conversation for the Mutual Broadcasting System, the largest radio network in the nation. 74 Bulletin Board Designed to show that counselors are an essential element in solving educa- tional and social concerns, programs include “Career Choice in the ’60s and 75 News & Notes ’70s,” “Juvenile Delinquency — Let’s Look to Community Services,” “Techni- cal Education — Preparing for the Future,” “The Changing Role of Women in Classifieds Today’s Society” and “The Dropout — The Counselor, the Community and 76 the Parents.” (October 1964 issue) 4 | Counseling Today | March 2012 From The President CounselingToday Counseling Today Staff Why attend state and Publisher Richard Yep Associate Publisher national conferences? Carol Neiman Editor-in-Chief Don W. LockeDon W. others and being exposed to different and new ideas. Participation provides opportunities to Jonathan Rollins 800.347.6647 ext. 339 listen to common issues being discussed and [email protected] then to share with one another our successes Senior Writer and, in some cases, our failures. Participation his month, American Counseling Lynne Shallcross is the opportunity to spend several days 800.347.6647 ext. 320 Association members and many with folks who care and talk about what we [email protected] other professional counselors will T do every day. It is a chance to socialize and Staff Writer be attending the ACA 2012 Annual Confer- connect with people who understand what Heather Rudow ence & Expo in San Francisco. Throughout 800.347.6647 ext. 307 drives each of us to do what we do because we the year, ACA divisions and state branches [email protected] share similar motivations. provide opportunities for counselors to at- Advertising Representative The “why attend” question sometimes tend information-packed events ranging Kathy Maguire encompasses the added element of “can I from learning institutes to extensive confer- 607.662.4451 attend?” Most of us have asked ourselves this [email protected] ences with a variety of presentations. question when faced with the decision to In an era in which information is both Graphic Designer “become involved” with state, regional and Carlos J. Soto II rampant and readily available through a vari- national groups of professional counselors. 800.347.6647 ext. 377 ety of technology or media sources, the ques- [email protected] I believe that it requires participation and tion “Why attend state and national confer- involvement for us to truly feel a part of a ences?” is being asked more frequently. The CT Column Editors profession. It requires us to become active. We same query has been voiced throughout the Washington Update cannot be active without attending and being 60-year history of our association, but now Scott Barstow that personal development opportunities are a part of our state and national conferences. 800.347.6647 ext. 234 [email protected] being designed (many by ACA) and delivered Time and money are critical issues for us via webinars, blogs, information links, enews all, but many times those issues become our Counselor Career Stories Rebecca Daniel-Burke and a variety of other sources, that line of excuse rather than an actual rationale for limiting attendance and involvement. Cost 800.347.6647 ext. 230 questioning has gained strength. The quick [email protected] is certainly a concern, but value must also be and easy availability of professional develop- Resource Reviews ment opportunities, especially when coupled considered. Kelly Duncan with our country’s current economic climate, Value must transcend the question of what [email protected] seemingly makes the question more prevalent specific personal benefit one will receive. Value Private Practice Strategies than in years past. The high cost of travel, must also include an answer to the question Anthony Centore housing and sustenance at some locations “What can I contribute?” Our profession has [email protected] further reinforces the viewpoint that in- reached a level of visibility that necessitates Spotlight on Journals unity of effort and leadership from all of us, Sheri Bauman person attendance might not be necessary. [email protected] When conferences are discussed, I often regardless of the specific issue or topic. Active involvement in each state and at the national New Perspectives hear the term participate. For example, Donjanea L. Fletcher someone will ask, “Are you going to level gains greater individual significance as the [email protected] topics become more defined and have greater participate in the conference this year?” That The Digital Psyway is the key element in my response to the political and/or economic impact. Marty Jencius “why attend?” question. For me, the bottom My recommendation to each of you is [email protected] line is the concept of participation. I realize not just to “attend” local, state, regional and Inside the DSM-5 that with advances in technology and the national conferences, but to “participate” in K. Dayle Jones advent of virtual reality, sometimes we are led those conferences and in your organizations.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Therapy, Counseling, and Other Supportive Mental Health Resources
    Therapy, Counseling, and other Supportive Mental Health Resources Local Therapy and Counseling Agencies Frontier Behavioral Health Provides services for adults, youth, and elders who are dealing with a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral health concerns, including but not limited to individuals who are impacted by substance use disorders. Many types of treatment options are available. Services are available to individuals with state health insurance. Multiple locations 509-838-4651 https://fbhwa.org/ Community Behavioral Health Services through Catholic Charities Provides individual, group, and family therapy services, case management, and peer support options for individuals with wide ranging mental health concerns. Accepts multiple insurance options and is committed to providing services regardless of client ability to pay. 1960 N Holy Names Court Spokane, WA 99224 (509) 242-2308 https://www.cceasternwa.org/counseling Lutheran Community Services Provides individual, group, and family counseling for adults as well as children who have experienced trauma, sexual assault, and/or trafficking. Additionally offers peer support and care coordination services. Accepts WA State Medicaid, Crime Victim’s Compensation, and some insurance plans. 210 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 747-8224 https://lcsnw.org/office/spokane/ Partners with Families and Children Offers adult, child, and family therapy for families who have been affected by abuse or neglect. Additionally offers Parent-Child Interaction Therapy, EMDR therapy, and trauma focused group therapy, and substance use disorder treatment options. Accepts all insurances and is committed to providing services regardless of client ability to pay. 106 W Mission Ave Spokane, WA 99201 (509) 473-4810 https://partnerswithfamilies.org/ YFA Connections Provides outpatient and intensive outpatient services for adults working to overcome substance abuse disorders as well as adults with co-occurring substance use disorders and mental health disorders.
    [Show full text]
  • Using Technology Creatively to Empower Diverse Populations in Counseling
    VISTAS Online VISTAS Online is an innovative publication produced for the American Counseling Association by Dr. Garry R. Walz and Dr. Jeanne C. Bleuer of Counseling Outfitters, LLC. Its purpose is to provide a means of capturing the ideas, information and experiences generated by the annual ACA Conference and selected ACA Division Conferences. Papers on a program or practice that has been validated through research or experience may also be submitted. This digital collection of peer-reviewed articles is authored by counselors, for counselors. VISTAS Online contains the full text of over 500 proprietary counseling articles published from 2004 to present. VISTAS articles and ACA Digests are located in the ACA Online Library. To access the ACA Online Library, go to http://www.counseling.org/ and scroll down to the LIBRARY tab on the left of the homepage. n Under the Start Your Search Now box, you may search by author, title and key words. n The ACA Online Library is a member’s only benefit. You can join today via the web: counseling.org and via the phone: 800-347-6647 x222. Vistas™ is commissioned by and is property of the American Counseling Association, 5999 Stevenson Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304. No part of Vistas™ may be reproduced without express permission of the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved. Join ACA at: http://www.counseling.org/ Suggested APA style reference information can be found at http://www.counseling.org/library/ Article 14 Using Technology Creatively to Empower Diverse Populations in Counseling Renae Reljic, Amney Harper, and Hugh Crethar Reljic, Renae, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Resource Guide for Mental Health 2021-2022
    2021 -2022 Resource Guide for Mental Health It’s okay not to be okay. www.squarecarehealth.com Table of Contents Contents Table of Contents ................................................................................................................................... Introduction ......................................................................................................................................... 1 Postpartum Care: ................................................................................................................................. 2 Links to resources for Fathers & Families experiencing Postpartum Depression: .................................. 7 Fertility Specialists: .............................................................................................................................. 8 Infertility Counseling: ......................................................................................................................... 16 Online Therapy for Moms: ................................................................................................................. 21 Outpatient Psychiatry Services: .......................................................................................................... 25 Outpatient Psychiatry Services that provides Therapy: ...................................................................... 31 Psychotherapy Services ONLY: ........................................................................................................... 48 Resources for LBGT+
    [Show full text]
  • Virtual Group Therapy
    VIRTUAL GROUP THERAPY Evidence summary for child and youth mental health service providers March 2021 Suggested citation: Edwards, M., Sundar, P., Brown, J., & Summers, N. (2020). Virtual group therapy: Evidence summary for child and youth mental health service providers. Ontario Centre of Excellence for Child and Youth Mental Health. https://www.cymh.ca For information about this report, contact Dr. Jaime Brown at [email protected]. Virtual group therapy 2 Table of contents Overview.............................................................................................................................4 Methodology .......................................................................................................................5 Findings ..............................................................................................................................6 Evidence on how to deliver virtual group therapy for children and young people with mental health challenges ................................................................6 In-person group therapy for children and young people .........................................6 Effectiveness of virtual group therapy .....................................................................7 Adapting in-person group therapy to virtual formats ...............................................8 Strategies for delivering virtual care .......................................................................8 Dealing with common challenges when delivering virtual group therapy .....................9
    [Show full text]
  • American Counseling Association 2012 Conference & Expo
    ARG_ACA_SponsorshipAd012612_BW_55_Layout 1 1/27/12 10:10 AM Page 1 tradition | passion | excellence a passion to help At Argosy University, we are committed to a student-centered, life-focused experience both in the classroom and beyond. Our programs focus on real life and real student needs, featuring practical knowledge taught by experienced, passionate faculty. For students currently working or desiring to work in the field of counseling psychology, Argosy University offers both a Master’s and Doctorate degree in Counseling Psychology. Students learn skills that integrate individual and group theoretical foundations of professional counseling psychology into appropriate client interaction and intervention skills. Argosy University. Passionate Learners. Counseling Psychology is available at 12 nationwide campus locations. 855-274-6798 (855-ARGOSYU) argosy.edu See AUprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important info. Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Argosy University is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (985 Atlantic Avenue, Suite 100, Alameda, California, 94501, http://www.wascsenior.org). The EdD Counseling Psychology programs (including those with the optional concentration in Counselor Education and Supervision) offered at the Argosy University’s campuses in Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Washington, Utah, DC, and Virgina are NOT designed
    [Show full text]
  • Grief Counseling from a Multicultural Perspective
    Scholars Crossing Department for Counselor Education and Faculty Publications and Presentations Family Studies 8-10-2019 Grief Counseling from a Multicultural Perspective Deborah A. Braboy Liberty University, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ccfs_fac_pubs Part of the Counseling Commons Recommended Citation Braboy, Deborah A., "Grief Counseling from a Multicultural Perspective" (2019). Faculty Publications and Presentations. 152. https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/ccfs_fac_pubs/152 This Conference Presentation is brought to you for free and open access by the Department for Counselor Education and Family Studies at Scholars Crossing. It has been accepted for inclusion in Faculty Publications and Presentations by an authorized administrator of Scholars Crossing. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Central Virginia Counselor Development Symposium Liberty University Lynchburg, VA | August 10, 2019 Liberty University – Center for Counseling and Family Studies has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Providers, ACEP No. 4592. Program that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Liberty University – Center for Counseling and Family Studies is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. Table of Contents • Detailed Conference Schedule and Session Information • Summary Schedule with Tracks Identified o School Counseling o Clinical Counseling o Special Populations/Advocacy o Digital/Telementalhealth o Supervision • Presenter Biographies • Sponsors NOTE: The opening session, lunch, and poster sessions will take place in the Montview Alumni Ballroom. All other sessions will be held in various rooms of the Freedom Tower, as indicated on the schedule. Conference Schedule & Session Information Saturday August 10th, 2019 Registration Table Opens 8:00- 8:30 AM Location Montview Alumni Ballroom 8:30- 9:30 AM Welcome Dr.
    [Show full text]
  • Volume 10, Issue 4 in This Issue Contents
    About The Professional Counselor Editorial Staff Amie A. Manis, Editor Catherine Clifton, Managing Editor Gretchen C. Porter, Sr. Copy Editor The Professional Counselor Kristin Rairden, Sr. Graphics Specialist (TPC) is the official, peer- Rachel P. Sommers, Media Support Specialist reviewed, open-access Kylie P. Dotson-Blake, Publisher electronic journal of the National Board for Certified Senior Advisory Board Counselors, Inc. and Judith C. Durham Lynn K. Hall James P. Sampson, Jr. Affiliates (NBCC), dedicated Samuel T. Gladding Theodore P. Remley, Jr. to research and commentary on empirical and theoretical Editorial Review Board 2020 topics relevant to professional counseling and Hannah Acquaye Courtney E. Gasser Jessica Lloyd-Hazlett Susan A. Adams Gary G. Gintner Sandra Logan-McKibben related areas. TPC publishes Kathryn Alessandria Barry Glick Huan-Tang Lu original manuscripts relating Ellen Armbruster Charlotte Hamilton Miles J. Matise to the following topics: Jennifer Beebe Latoya Hanes-Thoby Mary-Catherine McClain mental and behavioral Sara Bender Shannon Hodges Carol McGinnis health counseling; Kirk Bowden Linda Holloway Cherise M. Murphy Kathleen Brown-Rice Eleni Maria Honderich Cheryl W. Neale-McFall school counseling; career Matthew R. Buckley Franc Hudspeth Allison Paolini counseling; couple, Rebekah Byrd J. Richelle Joe J. Dwaine Phifer marriage, and family Joel Carr David Jones Dustin Reed counseling; counseling Keith M. Davis Maribeth F. Jorgensen Wendy Rock Mary M. Deacon Viki P. Kelchner Jyotsana Sharma supervision; theory Daniel DeCino Elizabeth Keller-Dupree Katharine Sperandio development; ethical Karen Decker Carie Kempton Angelica Tello issues; international Joel F. Diambra David S. King Michael M. Tursi counseling issues; program Karen Dickinson Jason King Alwin E.
    [Show full text]
  • Designing Peer Support Chats for Mental Health Katie O’Leary,1 Stephen M
    CHI 2018 Honourable Mention CHI 2018, April 21–26, 2018, Montréal, QC, Canada “Suddenly, we got to become therapists for each other”: Designing Peer Support Chats for Mental Health Katie O’Leary,1 Stephen M. Schueller,2 Jacob O. Wobbrock,1 Wanda Pratt1 1The Information School | DUB Group 2Center for Behavioral Intervention Technologies University of Washington Northwestern University Seattle, Washington, USA 98195 Chicago, Illinois, USA 60611 {kathlo, wobbrock, wpratt}@uw.edu [email protected] ABSTRACT One way to overcome these barriers is to provide training and Talk therapy is a common, effective, and desirable form of mentoring to build the capacity of peers with mental health mental health treatment. Yet, it is inaccessible to many challenges to support each other. Peer support is the people. Enabling peers to chat online using effective backbone for several well-established forms of mental health principles of talk therapy could help scale this form of mental services, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, crisis counseling, health care. To understand how such chats could be designed, and telephone support lines. This peer-to-peer support can we conducted a two-week field experiment with 40 people take many forms, including peer-led and peer-run experiencing mental illnesses comparing two types of online organizations, and peer-support workers providing care and chats—chats guided by prompts, and unguided chats. Results support within traditional organizations and services [60,72]. show that anxiety was significantly reduced from pre-test to post-test. User feedback revealed that guided chats provided Most of this peer support has traditionally been face-to-face, solutions to problems and new perspectives, and were but is being transformed through online access.
    [Show full text]
  • September2010ctonline.Pdf
    CounselingTodaySeptember 2010 Cover Story 28 Strength in numbers By Lynne Shallcross Counselors who specialize in group work believe the empowering sense of community and connection helps certain clients blossom in ways that may be hard to achieve with individual therapy. Features 28 36 Livelihoods and cultures in crisis By Lynne Shallcross Louisiana counselors provide on-the-ground accounts of how one of the largest oil spills in history is affecting the mental health of residents in Gulf Coast communities. 41 Breaking the cycle of addiction and crime By Chris Morkides Drug courts offer substance abuse treatment, mental health counseling, job counseling and social skills training to nonviolent offenders who otherwise face time in jail or prison. 36 44 Reader Viewpoint One school’s response to external traumatic events By Thomas J. Pallardy Concerned by how their own students and staff members might respond to media coverage of the deadly shootings at Virginia Tech, St. Laurence High School in Illinois developed a plan to help members of its community process external traumatic events. 48 Reader Viewpoint 41 Addressing spiritual diversity By Angela St. Hillaire Although a diversity perspective is being preached in counselor education, a review of the literature suggests that spiritual diversity might remain a neglected aspect of multicultural training. Extras 50 Soledad O’Brien, Judith Beck to keynote 2011 ACA Conference An award-winning news correspondent and an expert in cognitive therapy will address counselors gathering in New Orleans
    [Show full text]
  • Distance Counseling: Perceived Advantages and Disadvantages Among Christian Counselors
    Distance Counseling i DISTANCE COUNSELING: PERCEIVED ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES AMONG CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS A Dissertation Presented to the Faculty of Liberty University In Partial Fulfillment of The Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy by Anthony J. Centore March 2006 Distance Counseling ii Distance Counseling iii Abstract of Dissertation Presented to the Center for Counseling and Family Studies of Liberty University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy DISTANCE COUNSELING: PERCEIVED ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES AMONG CHRISTIAN COUNSELORS by Anthony J. Centore 2006 Chairperson: Fred Milacci D.Ed. Committee: David Jenkins Psy.D. Gary Sibcy Ph.D. Tim Clinton Ed.D Department: Center for Counseling and Family Studies Abstract The perceived advantages and disadvantages of distance counseling provision by email, online text chat, telephone and videoconference were investigated among 1863 Christian counselors. Participants completed a 148-item self-report survey measuring general, clinical, ethical, and practice management issues that have been proposed in recent literature as intrinsic advantages or disadvantages to distance counseling provision. In most cases, Christian counselors’ perceptions aligned with literature, with a moderate tendency to perceive disadvantages over advantages. By means of computing several exploratory one-way ANOVAs, counselor characteristics including reported age, gender, Distance Counseling iv professional status, counseling experience, proficiency with technology, and sufficient availability of clients in a counselor’s area to maintain a fulltime practice were investigated to determine whether these characteristics were associated with attitudes toward distance counseling. A post hoc analysis using LSD determined that counselor non-professional status, high proficiency with technology, and the insufficient availability of clients to maintain a fulltime practice were significantly associated with positive attitudes toward distance counseling mediums.
    [Show full text]
  • Journaling: an Underutilized School Counseling Tool
    1 Journaling: An Underutilized School Counseling Tool Brett Zyromski Southern Illinois University at Carbondale Journaling: An Underutilized 2 Abstract The effectiveness of journaling as a therapeutic and teaching tool is well documented. However, specific examples of school counselors utilizing journaling as a therapeutic tool are sparse. Existing school counseling literature was reviewed and journaling as an educational and therapeutic tool was explored and related to the school counseling environment. Suggestions for using journaling as an effective school counseling resource were offered and possible applications of online and paper and pencil journaling as a school counseling tool were presented. Journaling: An Underutilized 3 Journaling: An Underutilized School Counseling Tool For school counselors seeking a flexible intervention that can be utilized in individual counseling, small groups, or classroom guidance, journaling provides a solution that has been well supported in other fields. Although school counseling and journaling have been shown to positively affect physical, emotional and mental health, journaling continues to be an underutilized school counseling tool. Journaling saves time because there is a limited amount of face-to-face contact time in group and one- on-one counseling sessions. Journaling can be implemented in one-on-one sessions, small group sessions, or as an integral part of classroom guidance. Students benefit from journaling as a therapeutic tool, as an avenue for storytelling, as a tool to assist in recovery from trauma, and as a cross-grade writing interaction tool. Students also benefit when journals are used as a tool to improve group dynamics in classes or small groups, as a problem solving tool, as a tool to encourage emotional healing from issues such as divorce, loss of a family member, friendship issues, and many other issues (Allan & Bertoia, 2003).
    [Show full text]
  • Large-Scale Analysis of Counseling Conversations: an Application of Natural Language Processing to Mental Health
    Large-scale Analysis of Counseling Conversations: An Application of Natural Language Processing to Mental Health Tim Althoff,∗ Kevin Clark,∗ Jure Leskovec Stanford University althoff, kevclark, jure @cs.stanford.edu { } Abstract could make a difference in someone’s life. Thus far, quantitative evidence for effective conversation Mental illness is one of the most pressing pub- strategies has been scarce, since most studies on lic health issues of our time. While counsel- counseling have been limited to very small sample ing and psychotherapy can be effective treat- sizes and qualitative observations (e.g., Labov and ments, our knowledge about how to conduct successful counseling conversations has been Fanshel, (1977); Haberstroh et al., (2007)). How- limited due to lack of large-scale data with la- ever, recent advances in technology-mediated coun- beled outcomes of the conversations. In this seling conducted online or through texting (Haber- paper, we present a large-scale, quantitative stroh et al., 2007) have allowed counseling ser- study on the discourse of text-message-based vices to scale with increasing demands and to col- counseling conversations. We develop a set of lect large-scale data on counseling conversations and novel computational discourse analysis meth- their outcomes. ods to measure how various linguistic aspects of conversations are correlated with conver- Here we present the largest study on counseling sation outcomes. Applying techniques such conversation strategies published to date. We use as sequence-based conversation models, lan- data from an SMS texting-based counseling service guage model comparisons, message cluster- where people in crisis (depression, self-harm, sui- ing, and psycholinguistics-inspired word fre- cidal thoughts, anxiety, etc.), engage in therapeutic quency analyses, we discover actionable con- conversations with counselors.
    [Show full text]