This was a two-part study on choosing a counseling professional. The sample consisted of counseling professionals in Study 1 and clients in Study 2. Study 1 utilized 43 respected counselors (with MAs and PhDs), psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and social workers. Participants in both studies evaluated issues in the literature as to their pertinence to the consumer in choosing a counseling professional by taking the Pertinent Issue Information Questionnaire. The most pertinent and the least pertinent issues are presented here, as assessed by counseling professionals and clients. Counselors and psychiatrists were compared in their' rankings. A significant positive correlation was found between the two groups. Study 2 utilized 39 clients of counseling professionals in four categories: counselors, (MA & PhD), psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers. Five items that differed significantly among clients' responses in the four professional counseling groups are also presented. Results in both studies indicate the presence of general unifying concepts pertinent to consumer evaluation of potential counseling professionals.
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