Postmodern Perspectives On Contemporary Counseling Issues

Postmodernism is one of the most revolutionary and transformative ideological movements to emerge in the history of counseling and psychotherapy. However, descriptions of postmodernism are often abstract and philosophical, thereby making it difficult for practitioners to discern concrete ways that the ideology might enrich their ability to help clients. In Postmodern Perspectives on Contemporary Counseling Issues, contributions from expert scholars and practitioners clearly detail the implications of postmodern ideology for counseling practice. Contemporary issues such as trauma, addiction, social justice advocacy, couples counseling, and education are conceptualized within a postmodern context, and creative treatment options are illustrated with numerous case examples. Although the broad, conceptual details of postmodernism are reviewed, the primary focus of this text is on innovative ways to help clients with solution-focused, narrative, and other postmodern approaches. The rich descriptions of the implementation of postmodern approaches and techniques make it an invaluable training tool for supervisors and counselor educators. The book is also ideal for counselors, psychotherapists, and other helping professionals who would like to bolster and enliven their practice with cutting-edge methods, tools, and techniques derived from postmodern ideology.

Postmodernism is one of the most revolutionary and transformative ideological movements to emerge in the history of counseling and psychotherapy. However, descriptions of postmodernism are often abstract and philosophical, thereby making it difficult for practitioners to discern concrete ways that the ideology might enrich their ability to help clients. In Postmodern Perspectives on Contemporary Counseling Issues, contributions from expert scholars and practitioners clearly detail the implications of postmodern ideology for counseling practice. Contemporary issues such as trauma, addiction, social justice advocacy, couples counseling, and education are conceptualized within a postmodern context, and creative treatment options are illustrated with numerous case examples. Although the broad, conceptual details of postmodernism are reviewed, the primary focus of this text is on innovative ways to help clients with solution-focused, narrative, and other postmodern approaches. The rich descriptions of the implementation of postmodern approaches and techniques make it an invaluable training tool for supervisors and counselor educators. The book is also ideal for counselors, psychotherapists, and other helping professionals who would like to bolster and enliven their practice with cutting-edge methods, tools, and techniques derived from postmodern ideology.

Humanism is considered by many to be the foundation for the values and practices of counseling. This book explores and presents current counseling issues from a humanistic perspective, providing a valuable resource for counselors and therapists seeking effective approaches, founded on humanistic principles, to use in their practice. Each chapter describes the significance of a specific counseling issue, reviews the humanistic literature on this issue, discusses the theoretical model provided by a humanistic perspective, and concludes with applications and implications for practitioners. Situations considered include, among others, marital/couples counseling, multicultural counseling, and healing trauma, all of which have been shown to benefit from the use of humanistic approaches. Applications in educational settings, such as addressing school violence, working with at-risk youth, and counseling in college and university settings, are also discussed. The book concludes with a section on uses of humanistic approaches in counselor education and training. After reading this book, practitioners will be inspired to advocate for counseling’s holistic and empowering approach to helping all individuals across the lifespan.

One of the aspects of this textbook that I most appreciate is that Dr. Flynn embraces action as a scholar by integrating the most relevant and impactful theoretical practices, tackling developing trends such as telebehavioral health, and challenging us, as readers, to apply complex theoretical constructs from an intersectional, culturally responsive, and social justice paradigm. This is not a reimagining of the traditional counseling theories textbooks from 10 years ago but rather an act of evolution and engagement captured in the immediate assertion of social justice–oriented theories. Nicole R. Hill Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Professor, Counselor Education Shippensburg University Helps future counselors apply key theoretical constructs to real-world scenarios through session transcripts and detailed case conceptualizations For students enrolled in master’s and advanced doctoral programs, this groundbreaking textbook blends theoretical insight and practical application. Woven throughout is a focus on the multiple levels of diversity, intersectionality, and identity that individuals embody and the skills and interventions necessary to produce positive outcomes. The book is distinguished by the inclusion of Voices from the Field, digital video interviews with 12 expert practitioners of leading theories. These practitioners, representing different contextual backgrounds and intersectional identities, share their perspectives and experiences on how to best use a particular theory to help marginalized communities who have experienced discrimination. All theory-based chapters provide readers with case conceptualizations, session transcripts, and videos of Voices from the Field. Additionally, all chapters include learning objectives, chapter summaries, and student activities. Within each chapter, students will learn theory-aligned assessment instruments that resonate with clients’ needs and acquire proficiency in an eclectic array of techniques derived from both classic and contemporary counseling theories. The book innovatively applies techniques and skills to pressing issues, such as racism, discrimination, and inequity, through adept application of theory to empower healing and transformation. Instructors will also have access to a full suite of ancillaries, including an Instructor Manual, Test Bank, and chapter PowerPoints. Key Features: Mapped to the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) 2016 and 2024 standards Examines nuances of 36 counseling theories, new and emerging counseling theories, and describes 24 theoretically congruent assessment instruments Includes 12 digitally recorded Voices from the Field interviews that showcase first-person accounts from diverse clinicians working with marginalized communities, people of color, LGBTQIA+ clientele, and other underrepresented populations Contains detailed information about the profession’s unique theoretical history, leaders, legacies, waves of philosophical and political change, and practice-based skills Incorporates information needed to fully understand how counseling theories make meaning of mental health issues, human development, and client and counselor therapeutic roles Chapters include an examination of the findings of contemporary theory-based research Demonstrates the use of theoretical and atheoretical case conceptualization and skills using the same reoccurring case Provides session transcripts for each theoretical chapter demonstrating in-depth examples of theory-based skills

This integrative book brings forty years of research and scholarship in counseling, psychology, and education together in a singular analysis. In Making Meaning, Hayes illustrates how the construction of meaning can have a profound effect on how we come to know ourselves and others. Hayes depicts meaning-making as an ongoing, dialectical, and recursive process of change and reinvention. This process plays a central role in individual development and loss and helps promote multiculturalism, collaboration, and group and team development. This book is recommended for mental health professionals and educators looking to promote democratic learning communities.

This book presents a culture change in addictions treatment that places wellness at the forefront of relapse, addiction, and recovery. The authors introduce a wellness-based conceptualization of addiction and recovery including the wellness model that grounds Wellness-Based Addictions Counseling (WBAC) and the techniques of this approach. Wellness-Based Addictions Counseling advocates for wellness as the primary variable in addiction and recovery outcomes, presents a wellness-based model of addiction and recovery, and highlights techniques for unlocking the motivational and strength-based aspects of this approach. Specifically, the authors provide wellness questions and screening tools to incorporate into the clinical evaluation and structure for creating a wellness plan and family wellness plan for the client’s loved ones. Readers will learn numerous wellness-based techniques related to the mind, body, spirit, emotions, and connection that can prevent relapse and facilitate well-being. All WBAC interventions are grounded in developmental, culturally responsive, and strength-based perspectives. Wellness-Based Addictions Counseling is essential reading for professionals who provide addictions treatment and counseling as well as scholars who conduct writing and research on addiction.

In The Experiential Therapist: Phenomenology, Trauma-Informed Care, and Mental Health, Peter D. Ladd steps outside of the medical model to explore alternative ways of thinking about mental health disorders. Through case studies and analyses of current methods and research, Ladd stresses the importance of incorporating trauma-informed care, phenomenological insights, and empowerment methods in daily practice. By analyzing issues such as collaboration, wisdom, momentum, dialogue, and necessary suffering, Ladd highlights the importance of engaging with a patient’s mental health experience and its impact on her family and argues that successful treatment results from an informed understanding of a patient’s experience, not an ability to name and categorize difficult experiences as classical disorders.

Contemporary Theories in Counseling and Psychotherapy provides readers with a comprehensive introduction to cutting-edge therapeutic approaches that are widely revered and used, but generally not included within traditional counseling theories textbooks. Readers learn theories that will not only keep their knowledge current in an evolving field, but also will help to improve and support the ongoing development of their personal practice. The text features contributed chapters written by scholars in the discipline that cover the following contemporary theories: contemporary psychodynamic therapy (CPT); contemporary person-centered counseling (CPCC); cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT); integrative post-modern therapy (IPMT: narrative, solution-focused, relational-cultural); dialectical behavior therapy (DBT); acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT); motivational interviewing (MI); positive counseling; neurocounseling (including EMDR); and complementary, alternative, and integrative modalities (CAM). Each chapter presents the history of the theory, critical views of human nature, key concepts, techniques, and an overview of the counseling process. Social and cultural issues and the efficacy of each theory are discussed. Each chapter concludes with a vignette that demonstrates a client experiencing the counseling approach, followed by questions to pique students' interest. Video demonstrations of select theories are included. A thoroughly modern and critical resource, Contemporary Theories in Counseling and Psychotherapy is ideal for courses focusing on current theories of counseling and psychotherapy. It's also an excellent supplementary resource for courses on classical theory.

This book presents an international review of the principle new post-modern narrative interventions in Guidance and Career Counseling. With contributions from the most important scholars in the field this volume presents new qualitative approaches and tools to assess the effectiveness of narrative interventions. It provides a critically needed review of case studies regarding the most innovative and updated interventions. This volume explores the field of Guidance and Career Counseling according to the most recent post-modern theories in career construction, life construction and life meaning, the psychology of working and the relational theory of working. It offers an international perspective for the application of effective post-modern Guidance and Career Counseling interventions to facilitate individuals’ life and career management. The volume serves as a fundamental instrument and reference for researchers, professionals, counselors, career counselors, professors, and students interested in the field.

Integrates key techniques into current teaching and practice This text provides a framework for the synthesis of postmodern theories of counseling. The cutting-edge Strength Centered Counseling model can be incorporated effectively with the more traditional models of counseling, resolving the ambiguity about how postmodernism fits into every day practice and results in more direct application of knowledge and skill sets for training in counselor education. Authors Colin Ward and Teri Reuter offer a practical and straightforward resource that presents clients with opportunities to look at life not only from a context of problems and adversity; but also of solutions, strengths, and hope. Key Features Interactive learning experiences including Learning Activities (within chapters) and Professional Growth Activities (at the end of chapters) present throughout the text Clear direction for application of principles, techniques and interventions Counselor Interview and Reflection guides serve as both valuable as a learning tool and a structural guide for future sessions with clients This text is appropriate for counseling theories and counseling skills related courses in counseling, psychology, and related fields.