THE ROLE OF NODE-LINK MAPS IN ENHANCING COUNSELING EFFICIENCY

Node-link mapping is a counseling tool that helps clients and counselo rs visualize relationships between ideas, actions, and feelings. Previ ous research has shown that methadone-maintained clients receiving map ping-enhanced counseling have more positive during-treatment outcomes (e.g., better session attendance and higher probability of clean urine s) than those receiving standard counseling. Findings also suggest tha t mapping enhances the efficiency of counseling sessions by increasing ''on task'' attention and by reducing communication problems. In this study, mapping counseling was associated with greater coverage of col lateral issues (i.e., issues indirectly related to drug use) than stan dard counseling and lower during-treatment use as indicated by urinaly sis results.