Theory Use in Counseling Practice: Current Trends

A Survey of Demographic, Professional, and Clinical Characteristics of Clinicians in University Counseling Centers

“…Most recently, the Center for Collegiate Mental Health (CCMH, 2020) published demographic data of college counselors across a large sample, among other data collected from the annual survey. As with other research findings with general mental health practitioners (e.g., Barth & Moody, 2019; Norcross & Rogan, 2013) and findings from practitioners working in UCCs (e.g., LeViness et al, 2019; Worthington & Atkinson, 1993), college counselors identified as primarily female ( n = 1,291, 71%) and White ( n = 1,256, 69%). Additional findings indicated that the majority of college counselors had earned a PhD ( n = 575, 32%), that they had earned their highest degree in counseling psychology ( n = 555, 34%) or clinical psychology ( n = 537, 33%), and that they were fully licensed ( n = 1,317, 73%).…”

“…Findings indicated that the majority (64%) of time was spent providing direct services, followed by indirect services (21%), administrative services (13%), and other services (2%). UCC directors also reported that their staff primarily identified as White ( n = 1,595, 72%), cis‐female ( n = 1,712, 74%), and heterosexual ( n = 1,560, 84%), which is similar to the findings of broader demographic surveys of mental health practitioners outside of UCCs (e.g., Barth & Moody, 2019; Norcross & Rogan, 2013).…”

“…Several similarities and differences exist between the results of this study and the findings from literature previously referenced. As with the study by Barth and Moody (2019), the majority of participants reported identifying as White, female, and fully licensed as clinicians. Important to note is the racial/ethnic makeup of our sample, given that researchers have supported the theory that the number of therapists of color in UCCs predicts the percentage of students of color who seek services (Hayes et al, 2011).…”

“…Similarly, Barth and Moody (2019) sought to explore trends in the use of theoretical orientation among mental health counselors. Their sample ( N = 140) consisted of a majority of female ( n = 89, 64%), White ( n = 128, 91%), and licensed counselors ( n = 129, 92%) who averaged 22 years of experience and worked mostly in private practice.…”

A Life Deliberately Lived: An Existential Portrait of Authenticity, Freedom, and Responsibility in Counseling

“…Existentialism can be understood as an intellectual history, philosophy of being, cultural movement, theory of change, and pillar of humanistic counseling (Bugental, 1964; Cooper, 2017; Vos et al, 2015). The use of theories within the counseling profession continues to shift and change over time (Barth & Moody, 2019). Although diverse in its presentation, several core concepts of existential philosophy can support humanistic counselors in their efforts to affirm the irreducible nature of clients and orient themselves to value the acute sovereignty of the individual (Hansen, 2015; Vontress, 1988; Yalom, 1980).…”