ABSTRACT

Parents are important stakeholders in school counseling, but research is impeded by the lack of a scale to measure their perceptions. We developed the Parental Perceptions of School Counseling (PPSC) Scale in Chinese and English. We conducted an exploratory factor analysis and found four factors: (1) negative beliefs about school counseling, (2) willingness to meet school counselors, (3) positive beliefs in the benefits of school counseling, and (4) trusting attitude toward counseling. We then conducted a confirmatory factor analysis and construct validation tests. Results supported the scale's four-factor structure. High degrees of reliability and validity were found. The scale's construct validity was tested by examining its relationship with theoretically related constructs, with the negative beliefs about school counseling dimension emerging as the most critical factor. Our study contributes to the literature by developing a psychometrically robust instrument that could help researchers better understand parental perceptions of school counseling.

Journal of Counseling &Development, Volume 103, Issue 2, Page 127-128, April 2025.

ABSTRACT

School counselors are tasked with designing and implementing a comprehensive school counseling program (CSCP) to support student development. Although factors influencing CSCP implementation have been studied, a comprehensive model is needed to classify these variables by ecological type, clarifying their unique contributions and varying importance to school counselors’ CSCP implementation. We investigated whether sociocultural factors (e.g., sexual orientation, socioeconomic status), professional development experiences (e.g., ASCA national model training), intrapersonal and interpersonal factors (e.g., self-advocacy, role stress), and systemic factors (e.g., organizational support, school counselor caseload) uniquely contribute to school counselors’ CSCP implementation. Our sample included 265 school counselors, nationwide. The final hierarchical regression model explained 51% of the variance in CSCP implementation. We also identified several ecological factors with unique contributions in explaining the variance in CSCP implementation. We discussed implications for counseling practice, research, and advocacy.

ABSTRACT

For many counselors, both topics of nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) and harm reduction practices can feel intimidating and unclear. Yet, depending on the client, discussion of complete and immediate cessation from NSSI can feel impossible and isolating. This article combines harm reduction principles, a concept initially developed for addiction treatment, with select existing recommendations for NSSI treatment to offer a clinician's guide to best practices for harm reduction implementation with clients engaging in NSSI. By meeting clients where they are and offering a supportive space to brainstorm nontraditional treatment options, counselors can maintain the core principles of the American Counseling Association's Code of Ethics and limit the number of individuals who seek help through online sources. Ethical considerations and implications for counseling are included.

Journal of Counseling &Development, Volume 103, Issue 1, Page 1-2, January 2025.