Parallel processes in supervision occur when (1) the therapist brings the interaction pattern that occurs between the therapist and client into supervision and enacts the same pattern but with the therapist trainee in the client's role, or (2) the trainee takes the interaction pattern in supervision back into the therapy session as the therapist, now enacting the supervisor's role. We examined these processes in the interactions of 17 therapy/supervision triads (i.e., supervisor, therapist/trainee, and client). Each session was rated for dominance and affiliation, and the similarity of these dimensions across equal status pairs (supervisor-therapist and trainee-client) was examined. It was hypothesized that if parallel process existed, there would be more similarity in dominance and affiliation between equal status pairs in contiguous sessions than would be true relative to general responses; the dominance and affiliation would be more closely matched than would be expected given general response tendencies. This was examined separately for each supervision triad using single-case randomization tests. Significant results were obtained for each dyad indicating the presence of parallel processes in each supervision triad. Additionally, the relation between parallel processes over the course of treatment and client outcome was examined using hierarchical Bayesian modeling. Results indicate that a positive client outcome was associated with increasing similarity of therapist behavior to the supervisor over time on both affiliation and dominance (increasing parallel process) and an inverted U pattern of high-low-high similarity of client behavior to trainee behavior over time. This study provides support for the existence of bidirectional parallel processes at the level of interpersonal interaction. Implications for therapist training and supervision are discussed.

The structure of the Outcome Questionnaire-45 (Lambert et al., 2001) was examined in a sample of 1,100 university counseling center clients using confirmatory factor analysis. Specifically, the relative fit of 1-factor, 3-factor orthogonal, 3-factor oblique, 4-factor hierarchical, and 4-factor bilevel models were examined. Although the 3-factor oblique, 4-factor hierarchical, and 4-factor bilevel models fit the data well, the 4-factor bilevel model fit the data best. The results provided support for the fit of the 4-factor bilevel model where each item loads on 1 of the 3 independent scales of Symptom Distress, Social Role Performance, and Interpersonal Relations, in addition to a nonoverlapping general distress factor.

The authors advocate using a reasoned argument to approach the research conceptualization process, wherein the different aspects of any study logically relate to each other. Specific focus is placed on the integration of four separate research components including substantive theory, research design, measurement, and analysis. A model of an iterative, logical choice process for making decisions about each of these components in relation to the other components is presented. Finally, the authors discuss several common aspects of each of the four research components that are often ignored and thus result in discrepancies across the components and a poor study.

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Substance use is a pervasive public health problem for which millions of Americans will access treatment. Training, practice, and research in substance use traditionally have not been a focus for counseling psychologists. Thus, many in our field do not feel adequately trained to work with clients who have substance use disorders. Counseling psychologists need to remain viable in a rapidly changing health care environment where treatment for substance use and mental health disorders have parity with other medical treatments. The goal of this article is a call to the profession to increase our presence in the field of substance use alongside other health care providers. We discuss how this objective can be accomplished through training, practice, and research that will not only enhance our competence, but further solidify our value in the health care marketplace.