Comparative effectiveness of professional and paraprofessional helpers

Abstract

Used meta-analysis to resolve some of the contentious issues raised in the debate between J. A. Durlak (see PA, Vols 62:11736 and 66:2004) and N. T. Nietzel and S. G. Fisher (see record 1981-22035-001) about the relative effectiveness of professional and paraprofessional counselors. Effect sizes based on 154 comparisons from 39 studies show that clients who sought help from paraprofessionals were more likely to achieve resolution of their problem than those who consulted professionals; moderators of this conclusion were related to experience, duration of treatment, and the manner in which effectiveness was measured. It is concluded that there is substantial evidence that paraprofessionals sh..