Nontraditionally Trained Women as Mental Health Counselors/Psychotherapists

Abstract

Among a number of mentd health needs is that of additional manpower for providing traditional counseling/psychotherapeutic services. An intramural NEMH pilot training program, conducted by Rioch, aimed at this problem through the training of mature, bright, socially sensitive women who had raised families of their own. The women so trained have been employed in various mental health settings over the past three years, The results of this program have been under continuous study during this three-year period. Methods of study have included inventories, tapes, and ratings. Considerable weight was given to evaluations by supervisors and by co-workers in the various agencies. The results indicate these women to be providing quite creditable professional counseling and psychotherapy. The implications for mental health manpower are numerous and are discussed at some length.ARROWLY or broadly defined, problems

Paraprofessionals, partners, peers, paraphernalia, and print: Expanding mental health service delivery.

“…By performing more specified and routine treatments, they can free professional time to deal with more complex cases, differential diagnosis, and the development and evaluation of new therapeutic methods. A number of studies have found paraprofessional personnel to be equally or more effective than professionals in treating a variety of clients (e.g., Balch & Solomon, 1976;Carkhuff & Truax, 1965;Karlsruher, 1974;Magoon & Golann, 1966;Mandel & Rapport, 1968;McReynolds, Lutz, Paulsen, & Kohrs, 1976;Truax & Lister, 1970;Lindstrom, Balch, & Reese, 1976). It seems that this would be particularly likely when the effective components of a treatment method have been well defined (e.g., progressive relaxation training, systematic desensitization, training of parents in operant techniques for child management).…”

A Pedagogical Model of Clinical Supervision of Adolescents as Therapeutic Caretakers for Children and Each Other

“…Caplan (1964Caplan ( , 1974, one of the major theorists and practitioners of the era, wrote extensively on the contributions "ordinary citizens" could make to their neighbors by providing informal affective and instrumental support. Caplan was followed by a host of other theorists and practitioners who also supported the "ordinary citizen" concept as an emerging trend in therapeutic care (Carkhuff & Truax, 1965;Dreikurs, 1968;Gartner & Reisman, 1974;Glasser, 1975Glasser, , 1992Gordon, 2000Gordon, , 2003Gottlieb, 1986;Guerny, 1969;Haley & Haley, 2007;Jones, 1973Jones, , 1976Magoon & Golann, 1966;Reisman, 1965). Recognizing and mobilizing social support networks through consultation, education, and collaborative partnerships was a core directive in the community mental health movement.…”

Effectiveness of paraprofessionals: the evidence

“…Extensive evidence has been presented concerning the effectiveness of paraprofessional counselors in community and anti-poverty programs ( G a m e r 1969; Gordon 1965;Reiff & Riessman 1965), in mental hospitals and outpatient clinics (Carkhuff 1969;Carkhuff 8c Truax State University in San Marcos. 1965;Ellsworth 1968;Magoon & Golann 1966), and on school and college campuses (Brown 1972;Cowen, Zax & Laird 1966;Persons et al 1973).…”