Dr. Jane Myers
Department of Counseling & Educational Development
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro
Dr. Myers has worked as a rehabilitation counselor and administrator of aging programs in the state of Florida. She directed five national grant projects on aging for the American Counseling Association(ACA), with funding in excess of $1,000,000. These projects developed curriculum materials to train counselors to work with older persons, provided continuing education for more than 3,200 practicing professional counselors in gerontological issues, developed a model and curriculum resources for infusion of gerontological counseling into counselor education, and a statement of competencies for training of gerontological counselors. The competencies, which include both minimum essential competencies for gerontological counselors and gerontological competencies for all counselors, formed the basis for the National Certified Gerontological Counselor credential that was established through the National Board for Certified Counselors as well as the national standards for counselor accreditation in gerontological counseling through CACREP, the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.
Currently Dr. Myers serves as Coordinator of the Gerontological Counseling Program Track in the Department of Counseling & Educational Development, one of two CACREP-accredited gerontological counseling programs. She also coordinates the Post-Master's Certificate in Gerontological Counseling. For more information on these programs, contact ced@uncg.edu.
Dr. Myers' publications in the area of gerontological counseling, videotapes, and information on the Older Persons Counseling Needs Survey (OPCNS) are included below.
The following 10 minimum essential competencies for gerontological counselors were developed through a national project funded by the Administration of Aging and the American Counseling Association (ACA). Professional counselors, counselor educators, and personnel working in the aging network participated in a series of five national workshops to define the competencies, which later were adopted by the Association for Adult Development and Aging, a division of ACA.
The following resources provide additional information relative to the competencies and their development:
Myers, J.E. (1995). From forgotten and ignored to standards and certification: Gerontological counseling comes of age. Journal of Counseling and Development, 74(2), 143-149.
Myers, J.E., & Schwiebert, V. (1995). Competencies for gerontological counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Myers, J.E. & Sweeney, T.J. (1990). Gerontological competencies for counselor and human development specialists. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
1. Exhibit positive, wellness-enhancing attitudes toward older persons, including
respect for the intellectual, emotional, social, vocational, physical, and spiritual
needs of both individuals and the population as a whole.
2. Understand and exhibit sensitivity to sensory and physical changes and physical
limitations of later life and be able to institute appropriate environmental
modifications to facilitate helping relationships.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of the unique considerations in establishing helping
relationships with older persons.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of human development for older persons, including major
psychological theories of aging, physiological aspects of “normal”
aging, and dysfunctional behaviors of older adults.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of social and cultural foundations for older persons,
including common positive and negative societal attitudes, major causes of stress,
needs of family caregivers, and the implications of major demographic characteristics
of the older population (e.g., numbers of women, widows, increasing numbers
of older minorities).
6. Demonstrate knowledge of special considerations and techniques for group
work with older persons.
7. Demonstrate knowledge of lifestyle and career development concerns of older
persons, including the effects of age-related physical, psychological, and social
changes on vocational development, factors affecting the retirement transition,
and alternative careers and lifestyles for later life.
8. Demonstrate knowledge of the unique aspects of appraisal with older persons,
including psychological, social, and physical factors that may affect assessment,
and ethical implications of using assessment techniques.
9. Demonstrate knowledge of sources of literature reporting research about older
persons and ethical issues in research with this populations.
10. Demonstrate knowledge of formal and informal referral networks for helping
older persons and ethical behavior in working with other professionals to assist
persons in these age groups. These networks are also known as systems of care.
Sweeney, T. J. & Myers, J. E. (1989). Infusing gerontological counseling into counselor preparation: Parts 5-7. NY: Insight Media; also distributed by Microtraining, Amherst, MA.
Sweeney, T. J. & Myers, J. E. (1989). Infusing gerontological counseilng into counselor preparation: Video resources, Parts I-IV. NY: Insight Media; also distributed by Microtraining, Amherst, MA.
Books, Edited Journals, Monographs
Myers, J.E. & Sweeney, T.J. (1990). Gerontological competencies for counselor and human development specialists. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.Myers, J.E., & Schwiebert, V. (1995). Competencies for gerontological counseling. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association.
Schwiebert, V.E. & Myers, J.E. (1995). Counseling older persons: An annotated bibliography. New York: Greenwood Press.
Myers, J.E., Emmerling, D., & Leafgren, F. (Eds.).(1992). Wellness throughout the lifespan. Journal of Counseling and Development (special issue), 71(2).
Myers, J. E. (1990). Empowerment of older persons. Ann Arbor, MI: ERIC/CAPS.
Myers, J. E. (1989). Adult children and aging parents. Alexandria, VA: AACD.
Myers, J. E. (1989). Infusing gerontological counseling into counselor preparation: Curriculum modules and resources. Alexandria, VA: AACD.
Riker, H., & Myers, J. E. (1989). Retirement counseling: A practical guide for action. New York: Hemisphere.
Myers, J. E. (1985). Counseling older persons: An information analysis paper for the ERIC data base, 1966 through 1984. Searchlight Plus Series. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan.
Myers, J. E. (1984). Rehabilitation of rural disabled elderly: Curriculum modules in rural aging. Athens: Ohio University.
Myers, J. E. (1983). A directory of counselor education programs offering coursework to train gerontological counselors. Athens: Ohio University.
Myers, J. E. & Rimmer, S. (Guest Co-Editors). (1982). Aging and assessment. Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance (special issue), 15 (3).
Myers, J. E. (Guest Editor). (1981). Rehabilitation of older persons. Journal of Rehabilitation (special issue), 47 (4).
Myers, J. E. & Ganikos, M. L. (Eds.). (1981). Counseling older persons, Volume II, Basic helping skills for service providers. Alexandria, VA: American Association for Counseling and Development.
Myers, J. E., Finnerty-Fried, P. F., & Graves, C. (Eds.). (1981). Counseling older persons, Volume I, Guidelines for a team approach to training. Alexandria, VA: American Association for Counseling and Development.
Myers, J. E. (Ed.). (1981). Counseling older persons, Volume III, A trainer's manual for basic helping skills. Alexandria, VA: American Assocation for Counseling and Development.
Myers, J. E. (1981). Subject and author index for counseling the aged: A training syllabus for educators. Alexandria, VA: American Association for Counseling and Development.J ahns, I. & Myers, J. E. (1981, unpublished manuscript). Counseling the adult for lifelong learning.
Myers, J. E. (1980). Counseling needs of older persons. Resources in Education. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan, ERIC/CAPS.
Myers, J. E. (1978). The development of a scale to assess counseling needs of older persons. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, University of Florida.
Refereed Journal Articles
Myers, J. E., & Harper, M. Evidence-based effective practices with older adults: A review of the literature for counselors. Submitted for review.
Huffman, S., & Myers, J.E. (in press). Menopause and African American women: Attitudes and symptom reporting. . Journal of Counseling & Development.
Myers, J. E. (2003). Coping with caregiving stress: A wellness-oriented, strengths-based approach for family counselors. The Family Journal, 11, 1-9.
Glass, J.S., & Myers, J.E. (2001). Combining the old and the new to help adolescents: Individual psychology and adventure based counseling. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 23, 101-114.
Myers, J.E., Dice, C., & Dew, B.J. (2000). Alcohol abuse and misuse in later life: Issues and implications for counselors. Adultspan, 2(1), 2-14.
Schwiebert, V.S., Myers, J.E., & Dice, C. (2000). Ethical guidelines for counselors working with older people. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78(2), 123-129.
Myers, J.E., Sweeney, T.J., & Witmer, M. (2000). Counseling for wellness: A holistic model for treatment planning. Journal of Counseling and Development, 78, 251-266.
Huffman, S., & Myers, J.E. (1999). Counseling women in midlife: An integrative approach to menopause. Journal of Counseling and Development, 77(3), 258-266.
Myers, J.E., & Schwiebert, V. (1999). Grandparents and stepgrandparents: Challenges in counseling the extended blended family. Journal of Adult Development and Aging, 1(1), 50-60.
Huffman, S., & Myers, J.E. (1998). Menopause: An overview and implications for rehabilitation counselors. Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling, 9(3), 23-35.
Myers, J.E., & Schwiebert, V.L. (1996). Grandparenting in the 1990s: Issues for counselors. Therapeutic Strategies for the Older Adult, Volume III. New York: Hatherleigh.
Schwiebert, V.L., & Myers, J.E. (1996). Short-term group treatment for adult children caring for aging parents: A psychoeducational approach. Therapeutic Strategies for the Older Adult, Volume III. New York: Hatherleigh.
Myers, J.E. (1995). From forgotten and ignored to standards and certification: Gerontological counseling comes of age. Journal of Counseling and Development, 74(2), 143-149.
Schwiebert, V., & Myers, J.E. (1995). Midlife caregivers: Effectiveness of a psychoeducational intervention for midlife adults with parent-care responsibilities. Journal of Counseling and Development, 72(6), 627-632.
Myers, J.E. (1995). Therapeutic strategies with the older adult: Introduction. Directions in Rehabilitation, 1(6), 1-1-1-6.
Myers, J.E. (1995). Employment, retirement, and life-career counseling for older workers. Directions in Rehabilitation, 1(6), 6-1-6-12.
Myers, J.E. (1994). Understanding the older worker: Physical and emotional factors. Career Planning and Adult Development Journal, 10(2), 4-9.
Myers, J.E. (1994). Education and training for aged care professionals. Disability and Rehabilitation: An International Journal, 16(3), 171-180.
Myers, J.E. & Hyers, D.A. (1994). The philosophy and practice of client-centered therapy with older persons: An interview with C.H. Patterson. The Person-Centered Journal, 1(2), 49-54.
Myers, J. E. & Perrin, N. (1993). Grandparents affected by parental divorce: A population at risk?. Journal of Counseling and Development, 72, 62-66.
Myers, J.E. (1993). Empowerment of older disabled persons: A rehabilitation imperative. Directions in Rehabilitation Counseling, 11(4), 1-14.
Myers, J.E. (1993). Psychological empowerment of older individuals. Ageing International.
Myers, J.E. (1992). Competencies, credentialing and standards for gerontological counselors: Implications for counselor education. Counselor Education and Supervision, 32(1), 34-42.
Myers, J.E., Poidevant, J.P. & Dean, L. (1991). Group work with older persons and their caregivers: A review of the literature. Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 16(3), 197-205.
Myers, J. E., Loesch, L. C., & Sweeney, T.J. (1991). Trends in preparation of gerontological counselors. Counselor Education and Supervision, 30(3), 194-204.
Myers, J.E. (1990). Aging: An overview for mental health counselors. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 12(3), 245-259.
Raup, J. & Myers, J. E. (1989). The empty nest syndrome: Myth or reality? Journal of Counseling and Development, 68 (2) 180-183.
Myers, J. E. (1988). The mid-late life generation gap: Adult children with aging parents. Journal of Counseling and Development, 66, 331-335.
Myers, J. & Burdin, J. (1988). Teacher preparation and certification in aging: From benign neglect to needed action. Educational Gerontology, 14 (2), 121-130.
Myers, J. E. & Shelton, B. (1987). Abuse and older persons: Issues and implications for counselors. Journal of Counseling and Development, 65 (7), 376-380.
Myers, J. E. & Blake, R. (1986). Professional preparation of gerontological counselors: Issues and guidelines. Counselor Education and Supervision, 26 (2), 137-145. Also published in Japanese by the National Institute of Employment and Vocational Research.
Barry, J. B., Bozarth, J., Myers, J. E., & Heyn, J. (1986). Jungian analytical psychology and old age. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 4 (2), 105-110.
Finnerty-Fried, P. F., Myers, J. E., & Barry, J. B. (1986). Rehabilitation of older persons disabled by cancer, stroke, and heart disease. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 29 (4), 266-277.
Sweeney, T. J. & Myers, J. E. (1986). Early Recollections: An Adlerian technique with older people. The Clinical Gerontologist, 4 (4), 3-12.
Myers, J. E. (1985). Using linkeages to help older disabled persons with transitions. Rehabilitation Counseling Bulletin, 29 (2), 143-149.
Myers, J. E. & Peterson, T. (1985). Assessment and older persons: Training and resources. Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development, 18 (3), 128-131.
Wass, H. & Myers, J. E. (1984). Death and dying: Issues for educational gerontologists. Educational Gerontology, 10, 65-81.
Myers, J. E. (1984). Aging and counseling: Developing a partnership. Gerontology and Geriatrics Education, 4(2), 67-73.
Myers, J. E. & Blake, R. (1984). Employment of gerontological counseling graduates: A follow-up study. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 62 (6), 333-335.
Myers, J. E. & Salmon, H. (1984). Counseling programs for older persons: Status, shortcomings, and potentialities. The Counseling Psychologist, 12 (2), 39-53.
Myers, J. E. & Navin, S. (1984). To have not: Aging childless women. Journal of Humanistic Education and Development, 22 (3), 91-lOO.
Myers, J. E. (1983). Rehabilitation of older workers. Rehab Brief Bringing Research Into Effective Focus, VI (80), 1-4.Myers, J. E. (1983). Rehabilitation counseling for older disabled persons: The state of the art. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 4 (3), 47-53.
Nishi-Strattner, M. & Myers, J. E. (1983). Attitudes toward the elderly: An intergenerational approach. Journal of Educational Gerontology, 9, 389-397.
Navin, S. & Myers, J. E. (1983). A model of career development for disabled adults. Journal of Applied Rehabilitation Counseling, 14 (2), 38-43.
Myers, J. E. (1983). A national survey of geriatric mental health services. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 5 (2), 69-74.
Myers, J. E. (1983). Gerontological counseling training: The state of the art. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 61(7), 398-401.
Rimmer, S. & Myers, J. E. (1982). Testing and older persons: A new challenge for counselors. Measurement and Evaluation in Guidance, 15 (3), 182-187.
Wass, H. & Myers, J. E. (1982). Psychosocial aspects of death among older persons: A review of the literature. Personnel and Guidance Journal, 61 (3), 131-137.
Murphey, M. & Myers, J. E. (1982). Attitudes of children toward older people: What they are, what they can be. The School Counselor, 29 (4), 281-289.
Myers, J. E., Giannini, M., Housman, R., & Wedewer, D. (1981). Perspectives on rehabilitation of older persons. American Rehabilitation, 7 (1), 18-22.
Myers, J. E., Murphey, M., & Riker, H. C. (1981). Mental health needs of older persons: Identifying at-risk populations. American Mental Health Counselor Association Journal, 3 (2), 52-61.
Myers, J. E. & Loesch, L. C. (1981). The counseling needs of older persons. The Humanist Educator, 20 (1), 21-35.
Myers, J. E., Wass, H., & Murphy, M. (1980). Ethnic differences in death anxiety among elderly persons. Death Education, 4 (3), 237-244.
Myers, J. E. (1980). Counseling the disabled older person for the world of work. Journal of Employment Counseling, 4 (3), 37-48.
Wass H., Christian, M., Myers, J. E., & Murphy, M. (1978-79). Similarities and dissimilarities in attitudes toward death in a population of older persons. Omega, 9 (4), 337-354.
Myers, J.E. The Older Persons Counseling Needs Survey. Palo Alto, CA: Mindgarden, Inc.
The OPCNS was designed for use with persons aged 60 and above. It assesses counseling needs and desires for counseling. Concerns addressed include personal, social or interpersonal, activity, and environment. It can be used for both group screening and individual exploration.