Beyond Integration: A Phenomenology of Faith-Informed Clinical Practice

The provision of clinical counseling within the context of a Christian worldview has profound meaning for those who seek education in Christian institutions. This phenomenology explored the essence of faith-informed clinical practice for experienced licensed professional counselors. The following six overarching themes emerged from interviews with 10 clinicians: Faith-Informed Clinical Practice Emerges from an Eternal Perspective, Distinct Aspirations of Faith-Informed Clinicians, The Clinician’s Inner World, Bi-directional Influences of Faith and Professional Development, Clinical Issues Specific to Faith-informed Practice, and Suggestions for Faith-Based Education. Recommendations include the replacement of integration studies with spiritual formation and a more holistic, practical, experiential, and spiritual approach to counselor training in faith-based institutions.

Professional Counselors’ Experiences Counseling and Working in Areas Repeatedly Impacted by Hurricanes

Previous research on professional counselors’ lived experiences of disaster counseling has focused mainly on single disasters. Researchers have identified a need to explore further the phenomenon of post-disaster counseling and shared trauma between counselors and clients. In this article, the authors sought to answer the following research question: What are the lived experiences of professional counselors who live and facilitate post-disaster counseling in areas repeatedly affected by hurricanes along the Texas Gulf Coast? The authors describe their phenomenological study of licensed professional counselors (n = 6) who lived and worked in areas repeatedly impacted by hurricanes along the Texas Gulf Coast. Implications for counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors are provided.

Scope of Practice Impact on Employability in New York State: Director and Counselor Views

An exploratory survey revealed the effects of New York State's Licensed Mental Health Counselor Law on hiring Licensed Mental Health Counselors. The state Office of the Professions interpreted the absence of the word diagnosis in the law as indicating that LMHCs are ineligible to diagnose mental disorders. Directors of mental health agencies (n = 22) reported that LMHCs are qualified to work in state-licensed programs and are satisfied with the quality of their work, yet they hesitate or are unwilling to hire LMHCs due to reimbursement obstacles arising from the law. LMHCs (n = 23) reported being denied opportunities for employment, promotion, and insurance reimbursement and that consumer access to care is being restricted. It is advised that licensed professional counselors advocate for inclusion of the term diagnosis in the law in New York and in other states where the practice of professional counseling is unduly restricted.