The purpose of this study was to conceptualize the common factors across many counseling approaches that were crucial for the process and outcome of counseling. The proposed conceptual framework consisted of four constructs comprising common factors: the client's characteristics, the therapist's characteristics, the process of change (counseling relationship; counseling techniques; placebo, hop...

This paper presents preliminary findings about the manner in which public policies that promote premarital counseling impact professionals who conduct premarital counseling. The purpose of this paper is to describe findings from a survey of premarital counseling providers in a state in which the government endorses premarital counseling. A total of 194 premarital counseling providers described ...

This paper integrates seminal authors of systems theory and current research knowledge to evaluate a social service organization. Using systems theory, this paper presents a micro and macro analysis of a social service case management system to suggest a holistic approach that adds behavioral health services to home care for the homebound elderly. Changing from an industrial to an information a...

OBJECTIVE The objective of this review of genetic counseling (GC) is to describe the current concepts and philosophical and ethical principles accepted by the great majority of countries and recommended by the World Health Organization, the stages of the process, its results and the psychological impact that a genetic disease has on a family. SOURCES The concepts presented are based on an his...

Sexual dysfunction is present the most important problem among menopausal women and thus counseling may have a major role for improving menopausal sexual state in this population. We aimed to assess effects of counseling on sexual function of menopause women and their spouses. An interventional trial study was performed on 120 consecutive Iranian couples (menopause women and their spouses) who ...

Is financial literacy a substitute or complement for financial advice? We analyze the decision by consumers to seek financial advice in the form of credit counseling. Credit counseling is an important component of the consumer credit sector for consumers facing debt problems. Our analysis accounts for the endogeneity of an individual’s financial situation to financial literacy, and the endogene...

BACKGROUND The use of mobile phone apps for improving lifestyles has become generalized in the population, although little is still known about their effectiveness in improving health. OBJECTIVE We evaluate the effect of adding an app to standard counseling on increased physical activity (PA) and adherence to the Mediterranean diet, 3 months after implementation. METHODS A randomized, multi...