Although current research indicates that psychotherapeutic change both affects and is affected by spiritual concerns, relatively little is known about the degree to which spirituality is used as an intervention in counseling and how it is perceived by clients and mental health professionals. The purpose of this study was to examine the perceptions of clients and professionals regarding the use of spirituality in counseling. The results suggest that more professionals may be using spirituality in counseling than has previously been reported.

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This article describes the use of literature to teach counseling students. Specifically, the focus is on the art of diagnosing from the historicalperspective of "knowing someone through and through." The article describes an exercise that uses Potok's The Chosen to assist the clinician in understanding the individual and how to diagnosis him or her and maintain an understanding of the system in which behaviors occur.

This study investigated the meaning of family-centered intervention and the extent to which it is being implemented from the perspectives of both professionals and families who participated in developing IFSPs. Practice indicators reflecting three principles of family-centered intervention were developed to evaluate current practices. Findings from semi-structured interviews indicated that professionals have an understanding of the change in focus from child to family; however, there is some incongruence between family-centered attitudes and actual practice. Although families expressed overall satisfaction with services they were receiving, some professionals were clearly more family-centered than others in their practice. Implications for the development of practices to support the family-centered intent of IDEA, Part H, are discussed.

Focus [groups conducted with .students, parents, teachers, and alumni (J\/=54()) at 13 Catholic Marianist high schools provided rich insights into the experience and meaning of the education provided at these institutions. While academic excellence was a common thread woven across mectning i^iven hy both parents and teachers, students and alumni articulated a meanini^ replete with itnages of belonging. That these schools valued persons holistically (rather than solely academically) permeated most groups. Using theories of organizational culture as the foundation, the relationship between the mission und the meaning of life in these schools is discussed. V ery few large studies of Catholic high schools have been conducted. In 1993 Bryk, Lee, and Holland published their well-recognized study of seven Catholic high schools. Catholic Schools and the Common Good. Coleman, Hoffer, and Kilgore (1982) and Greeley (1982) also published national studies of Catholic high schools. Less well-known quantitative studies, such as Gamoran's 1988 comparative study of achievement among public magnet schools. Catholic schools, and private schools, also exist. For the most part these studies were attempts to examine learning outcomes among Catholic school students in comparison to students in public schools.

This article applies Freire's ideas regarding the movement from oppression to liberation via critical reflection to the field of mental health counseling, and discusses how Freire's concepts are intentionally and unintentionally manifested through the practice of diagnosing mental illnesses

Both the Stages of Change Model (transtheoretical model [TTM]) and solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) are widely used when counseling substance abusing clients, and there is broad support in the literature to document their effectiveness. Likewise, SFBT has also been applied in the martial and family counseling setting with good results. The authors found no documentation in the literature integrating the TTM and SFBT as a therapeutic technique. As both models are widely used, accepted, and have been empirically validated, after reviewing the pertinent literature, the authors propose a methodology incorporating both the TTM and the SFBT when working with non-substance abusing clients and their families.

My deepest gratitude goes to Darcey, itty wife and fellow traveler, for her unwavering love and support during iny educational pursuits. Every word in this dissertation is a reflection of her devotion. I would also like to express my thanks to my father, Dwaine Deinmitt, for the moral compass he instilled in me.