One of the pillars of the counseling is empowering clients to achieve the goals they have set themselves. But over time, counselors have also placed greater focus on international issues and social justice counseling. Manivong J. Ratts, president of Counselors for Social Justice, a division of the American Counseling Association, calls social justice the “fifth force”… continue reading

Laura Hoskins, who runs a private practice in Brattleboro, Vt. and specializes in adopted children and their families, offers some recommended reading for counselors working with adopted and foster children: For clinicians and parents: Creating Capacity for Attachment by A. Becker-Weidman Twenty Things Adopted Children Wish Their Parents Knew by Sherrie Eldridge Affect Regulation, Mentalization and the Development… continue reading

A nationwide report about stress in day-to-day life conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) reveals that, although average stress levels have decreased slightly over the past year, a substantial number of Americans say their individual stress has actually increased through the years. Not surprisingly, the report also reveals that stress has a domino effect… continue reading

David Kaplan, chief professional officer for the American Counseling Association, delivered the following keynote presentation at the American Association of State Counseling Boards on Jan. 4. He can be contacted via email at dkaplan@counseling.org or by phone at 703-823-9800 ext. 397. “I am a prisoner in my own state.” These were the words of a… continue reading

One of the largest-ever national surveys of school counselors suggests that these counselors are ready to be more proactive in students’ lives, while also helping them to bridge the gap between college and career readiness. The National Survey of School Counselors, released Nov. 15 at collegeboard.org and civicenterprises.net, was a collaborative effort among the College… continue reading