Search

The successful termination of the psychotherapy relationship is each psychotherapist's goal. Yet, a number of circumstances may arise that interfere with the successful completion and termination of treatment. This article addresses both termination and abandonment and illustrates the applicable guidelines and standards from the American Psychological Association's (2002) Ethics Code. We conclude with 12 recommendations for proactively addressing termination and abandonment consistent with professional standards and each patient's best interests. Keywords: termination; abandonment; psychotherapy; ethics

The research on positive psychotherapy outcome consistently indicates that the quality of the alliance is important across different models of psychotherapy (D. E. Orlinsky, M. H. Ronnestad, & U. Willutzki, 2004; B. E. Wampold, 2000). Social psychological research has documented how 'unintentional bias' can produce barriers to university admissions, employment, and advancement of well-qualified members of ethnic minority groups (J. F. Dovidio, S. L Gaertner, K. Kawakami, & G. Hodson, 2002). Neuroscience is further confirming social psychological responses associated with race (J. L Eberhard, 2005). Unintentional bias identified in social psychological research may be part of the psychotherapist/client interaction, interfere with the therapeutic alliance, and partly account for the high dropout rates and underutilization of psychotherapeutic services by people of color. The purpose of this article is to provide an evidence-based analysis of how psychologists in practice may unintentionally interfere with development of quality alliances with culturally different clients or patients and thus contribute to the barriers to effective multicultural counseling and psychotherapy. Principles from the American Psychological Association's (2003) multicultural guidelines and a review of relevant research are applied in suggesting strategies to reduce bias and to develop culturally appropriate skills in psychological practices. Keywords: multicultural counseling, therapeutic alliance, evidence-based analysis, multicultural guidelines, unintentional bias

Psychologists regularly struggle with boundary issues and multiple relationships. Knowing which boundary crossings are acceptable, when a behavior becomes a boundary violation, and which multiple relationships are acceptable and which are not can present great challenges for practicing psychologists. Furthermore, for those who work with diverse populations, these challenges may become even more pronounced. A rational approach to addressing boundaries and multiple relationships is presented along with 4 expert commentaries that further elucidate these issues. Special attention is paid to the role of culture and other diversity factors as they affect how psychologists address boundaries and multiple relationships. Recommendations for ethical and effective practice that incorporate rational decision making and attention to individual differences are made. Keywords: boundaries, decision making, diversity, ethics, multiple relationships

In this article, six faculty and students of color who participated in a panel discussion at a symposium during the National Multicultural Conference and Summit of 2003 talk about the barriers they encountered and continue to encounter in their graduate training and places of employment. They also discuss strategies they found to be effective, enhancing, and positive and suggest other possibilities. The contributors describe their relationships with dominant-group and minority peers and talk about how issues of social class, disability, and sexual orientation as well as color have been part of their experience. Keywords: increasing diversity, ethnic minority recruitment and retention, increasing persons of color in psychology, barriers to and strategies for achievement, multiple diversities

This article identifies the key issues involved in the debate about affirmative action. The June 2003 Supreme Court decisions allowing consideration of race to ensure that there is a 'critical mass' of African American, Latino/ Latina, and Native American applicants to higher education are addressed. Social psychologists have identified key myths and provided clarifications about the need for and consequences of strategies used to promote equal opportunity for persons of color and women. A brief history of affirmative action and of the problems it was designed to solve is provided. The accomplishments, benefits, and compelling interest of diversity and affirmative action are described, as well as the concerns and counterpoints. The lack of a substantial applicant pool in psychology hinders progress toward diversity. Alternative strategies for remedying this lack beyond affirmative admissions policies in psychology are briefly discussed. Keywords: affirmative action, equal opportunity, ethnic minority pipeline in psychology, compelling interest of diversity

The Competencies Conference: Future Directions in Education and Credentialing in Professional Psychology was organized around eight competency-focused work groups, as well as work groups on specialties and the assessment of competence. A diverse group of psychologists participated in this multisponsored conference. After describing the background and structure of the conference, this article reviews the common themes that surfaced across work groups, with attention paid to the identification, training, and assessment of competencies and competence. Recommendations to advance competency-based education, training, and credentialing in professional psychology are discussed. This is one of a series of articles published together in this issue of the Journal of Clinical Psychology. Several other articles that resulted from the Competencies Conference will appear in Professional Psychology: Research and Practice and The Counseling Psychologist. Keywords: competencies; education and training; credentialing

Exercise has been identified as an effective intervention to increase well being, and to decrease depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses and disorders (Hayes, 1999). This paper is designed to identify exercise as an important intervention which is conceptually congruent from a feminist psychodynamic perspective. Although this author works from an eclectic approach, and believes it is helpful to conceptualize from a variety of perspectives for various disorders, and for various individuals, the focus of this paper will be to consider the use of exercise from a feminist perspective as applied to psychodynamic psychotherapy. Case examples will be provided, especially ones which reflect work with Latina clients. KEYWORDS. Latinas, psychodynamic therapy, empowerment, exercise

The decision to dismiss an intern from a program can be very distressing both for the trainer and the trainee. Organizations and laws have been placed to prevent trainee dismissal due to the trainer's whim or personal biases. Remediation for nonpassing trainees have been centered mostly on increased supervision, repeat of the practicum or internship, and extra coursework. There has not been enough evidence proving that such strategies are effective. Training programs should have a well-defined set of rules and regulations prior to the acceptance of trainees.

Virtue ethics can facilitate the process of ethical decision making and policy development in multicultural settings. However, several questions remain unanswered on the relationship of community, virtues and psychological processes. Virtue ethics may be an essential component in improving the ethical competence of psychologists particularly in establishing appropriate ethical conduct in multicultural settings.

The American Psychological Association's 1992 ethics code provides more proscriptive guidance and better details for the practice of individual psychotherapy. Standards 4 and 5 in the current code, which deal with Therapy, and Privacy and Confidentiality, are expanded to address issues such as informed consent to therapy and limits of confidentiality. The new code has also introduced cross-referencing and refers to consumers as 'clients or patients' and not just 'clients' as in the previous codes.

The increasing representation of women, ethnic minorities, gays and lesbians in society and related demographic changes have made it necessary for academicians to reconsider the thrust of theoretical studies involving the subject groups. Researchers now have the ethical responsibility to integrate these diverse groups into pyschological, social science and mental health related courses.

Discusses educational attainment rates among Latin American women in the United States and factors that militate against their educational and professional achievement. Roles of family, community, discrimination and strategies to counteract discrimination; Tribute to Martha Bernal, Latina pioneer in psychology.

Focuses on the article `Trainee Impairment,' by Linda Forrest, Nancy Elman, et al which discussed training of psychologists. Role of feminist/multicultural professionals in altering the consciousness of the country; Responsibilities of psychology trainors to their students' future clients; One of the disappointing issues highlighted by the article.

Counseling psychology has traditionally been associated with particular practice settings. The past 25 years, however, have shown an increase in the diversity of settings in which the counseling psychologists' unique perspective is applicable and valued. This report examines the evolution of counseling psychology's perspective and several arenas in which counseling psychologists currently practice. Implications for our expansion into various settings and for accreditation and practice standards are explored. Recommendations for implementation of suggested changes are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Pays tribute to psychologist Martha E. Bernal, who died on September 28, 2001. Educational background; Career highlights; Contributions to the field of psychology; Honors and awards received.