Review of The dynamics of the counseling process

Abstract

Reviews the book entitled "The dynamics of the counseling process" (see record 1953-02022-000 ) by E. Shostrom and L. Brammer. A book designed to meet the present needs of counseling should certainly deal with, among other things, problems of definition, real or apparently conflicting theories and practices, foundations in general psychology, especially learning and motivation, and the role of counseling in its various settings. This book was apparently so designed. Unfortunately, it falls short of the mark at almost every point. Its core is a description of the "self-adjustive" approach which represents one more attempt to synthesize the Minnesota and Chicago positions. It is Rogerian in its major features but tries to make room for testing and informational procedures. Concerning the synthesis of opposing points of view, the authors furnish their own best criticism: "It is this middle-of-the-road stand, taken by so many counselors, which has created more confusion than clarification in counseling methodology". The authors' attention to a systematic basis on learning theory for their method is commendable, but the reviewer was puzzled by their use of John Dewey's 1933 book as the principal (and almost exclusive) core of the presentation. Methodologically, they have accepted several doubtfully valid notions. While the foreword makes much of the fact that this book conceives of counseling as an integral part of education, the actual discussion of the role of counseling in colleges and universities is limited to six pages of quite superficial description of needs. The training of counselors is dealt with in fourteen lines which emphasize the value of electrical recordings; these presumably give the trainee a knowledge of rather than a knowledge about counseling. This book left the reviewer with one overriding impression: that it is undigested. The authors are obviously enthusiastic and ambitious; they are aware of the major needs of counseling; they have written well and made their points forcefully. Yet the total product is, regrettably, unsatisfactory. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)