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Expanding Instruction Of Human Sexuality In Counselor Education, Rachel Willard May 2019

Expanding Instruction Of Human Sexuality In Counselor Education, Rachel Willard

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Though counselors are expected to be familiar with human sexuality and its impact on clients’ mental health, as well as sensitive to diverse identities and expressions, training in these topics is often overlooked in counselor education. This project advocates for the inclusion of a human sexuality course in the curriculum of graduate counseling programs and provides an overview of the relevant literature. It then offers a sample training curriculum for a three-credit graduate level course in human sexuality aimed at counseling students and provides additional resources for the instructor. Special considerations for the potential instructor and classroom environment are also …


High School Teachers’ Roles And Needs In Addressing Students Experiencing Trauma, Katherine Flemister May 2019

High School Teachers’ Roles And Needs In Addressing Students Experiencing Trauma, Katherine Flemister

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Childhood trauma is a hidden epidemic that can have profound impacts on children including significant educational impact. Teachers are responsible for the academic success of all of their students, so it is critical for teachers to be prepared to help a student who has been exposed to trauma to reintegrate back into the classroom. Almost all of the limited research available regarding a teacher’s role in helping students experiencing trauma has been conducted within the elementary schools, so the current study aimed to further the literature by exploring the role of high school teachers in helping students who have experienced …


Inter-Professional Collaboration Between Local Departments Of Social Services And Schools For Children In Foster Care: Current Practices And Needs, Stephanie Mcgrew May 2019

Inter-Professional Collaboration Between Local Departments Of Social Services And Schools For Children In Foster Care: Current Practices And Needs, Stephanie Mcgrew

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Children in foster care are an important group of students who have many needs. Due to the numerous risk factors that they face, it is of the utmost importance that we maximize the amount of protective factors in their lives, one of these being inter-professional communication. Without collaboration, school and social services professionals may not be aware of a child’s educational strengths and needs, making it likely that no one is advocating for them (Zetlin, Weinberg, & Kimm, 2004). A survey regarding inter-professional collaboration between Local Departments of Social Services (LDSS) and school systems was emailed to a convenience sample …


Beyond Words: Expressive Arts Therapy In Individual And Group Process In Recovery From Trauma, Agnes Carbrey May 2019

Beyond Words: Expressive Arts Therapy In Individual And Group Process In Recovery From Trauma, Agnes Carbrey

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This paper describes expressive arts therapies that are interventions for the treatment of trauma. A literature review of this broad topic is narrowed to define art therapy used in conjunction with talk therapy, and provides brief examples from dance movement therapy, visual arts therapy, poetry-journaling-storytelling therapy, and sound-music therapy. Recent innovations in the field include the use of body-oriented interventions and group processes. When thinking about trauma, the body is a positive and negative reservoir of memory, and trauma may be trapped in the body. The author reviews the overlap between contemporary art, contemporary dance movement analysis, and forms of …


School Psychologists’ Current Practice, Training, And Interest In The Integration Of Substance Abuse Training As Part Of The Mental Health Profession, Margaret Dassira May 2019

School Psychologists’ Current Practice, Training, And Interest In The Integration Of Substance Abuse Training As Part Of The Mental Health Profession, Margaret Dassira

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Adolescents’ suffering from substance abuse may also be experiencing academic, social, emotional, and behavioral difficulties. Substance abuse problems are difficult to address in schools due to barriers related to confidentiality, implementation, and resources. School personnel may also lack necessary experience or training to adequately provide these services to students’ suffering from substance abuse. School-based intervention programs have shown to be effective in helping to identify and support students with substance abuse issues (Mitchell et al., 2012; Winters et al., 2012). With both evidence-based intervention practices and competent mental health professionals, students experiencing substance abuse problems may receive needed services and …


School-Based Mindfulness Intervention For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Richard Krogmann May 2019

School-Based Mindfulness Intervention For Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Richard Krogmann

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The symptoms of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) have large impacts on the emotional (Samson et al., 2014; Strang et al., 2012) and behavioral (Mayes et al, 2012; Hill et al, 2014; Jahromi, Meek, & Ober-Reynolds, 2012) functioning of children and adolescents diagnosed with the disorder. The difficulties with emotional and behavioral functioning in students with ASD can drastically decrease their academic achievement compared to neuro-typical peers (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010). Introducing students with ASD to mindfulness may help decrease the frequency of a challenging behavior in the classroom, increase mindfulness, and increase mood and positivity. How mindfulness interventions have …


An Initial Development Of A Hardiness Scale For Elementary School Students, Stephen Ferrara May 2019

An Initial Development Of A Hardiness Scale For Elementary School Students, Stephen Ferrara

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

There are limited studies that have investigated levels of hardiness in children. There is even less information on finding hardiness scales that have been normed on children in elementary school. The purpose of this study was to test the validity and reliability of the Hardiness Scale for Children (HSC), which assesses the three subscales of hardiness: Challenge, Control, and Commitment. 121 elementary school students (2nd-5th grade) were selected to complete the HSC. Their parents were also asked to complete a three-item scale to measure their child’s hardiness. The results indicated that older children tended to give themselves …


Parental Acceptance Project: Affirming Gender Variant Youth, Shelley Faulkner May 2019

Parental Acceptance Project: Affirming Gender Variant Youth, Shelley Faulkner

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The number of gender expansive and gender variant youth has risen dramatically, leading to a mental health and education service gap that must be addressed. The author reviews relevant literature supporting the importance of the parent-child relationship via the lens of attachment theory, affirming that parental support for gender variant children is critical to their well-being and overall positive life outcomes. A curriculum for parents of gender variant children is proposed, in an effort to educate and support parents of gender variant children, so that they may in turn develop affirmative and supportive practices toward their children. The ultimate goal …


Student Teachers Perceptions And Knowledge Of School Psychology, Ryan Harting May 2019

Student Teachers Perceptions And Knowledge Of School Psychology, Ryan Harting

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

In the years following the passage of Public Law 94-142, school psychologists’ main role was to facilitate the placement of children into different educational programs (Fagan & Wise, 2000). The role of the school psychologist has shifted since that time, and today school psychology training programs produce practitioners who are equipped to handle much more. A continuation in the departure from the assessment and eligibility determination role of the school psychologist allows for a more proactive approach to problematic childhood and adolescent behaviors. A barrier that stands in the way of this role transformation are teachers’ perceptions, knowledge, and reactions …


Current Practices And Opinions Of School Psychologists: Early Childhood Psychological Assessment, Sarah Stout May 2019

Current Practices And Opinions Of School Psychologists: Early Childhood Psychological Assessment, Sarah Stout

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The present study investigated the current practices and perceptions in the field of early childhood assessment. There appears to be a disconnect between what is required by law, what is recommended as best practice, and what school psychologists are doing in the field. The results of the present study revealed the most influential tool in determining special education eligibility was the child’s score on a standardized assessment. Participants also reported conventional assessments as the most frequently used technique. However, when asked their opinions on how valid assessments tools are in reflecting a child’s true ability, less than half reported they …


Traumatic Brain Injury And The Transition To College, Kaylor Duncan May 2019

Traumatic Brain Injury And The Transition To College, Kaylor Duncan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Eight college students who experienced a traumatic brain injury were interviewed regarding their college transition experience. Students identified either parents, teachers, or school counselors as beneficial with helping them transition to college. The interest of the study was to obtain information to help school psychologists help students who have experienced a traumatic brain injury transition to college. Participants acknowledged that college level course work required them to be significantly more independent and the content of the material was more demanding than high school. Concerning neurological symptoms, it was indicated that participants experienced difficulty sustaining attention, utilizing their short-term memory, and …


Educators' Perceptions Of The Process And Implementation Of A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss): A Case Study, Lyndsay Greene May 2019

Educators' Perceptions Of The Process And Implementation Of A Multi-Tiered System Of Supports (Mtss): A Case Study, Lyndsay Greene

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study serves as an investigation of the current perceptions held by educators within the North Carolina Public School System regarding Multi-tiered Systems of Support (MTSS). This paper explores the theories that guide MTSS and what factors differentiate it from other popular educational initiatives that have preceded MTSS. Additionally, this paper discusses the importance of educator buy in when implementing a new educational initiative (such as MTSS), psychological theories that guide systems change, North Carolina’s statewide MTSS initiative, and current practices at Shiloh Elementary in Union County, North Carolina. The current study is proposed as a means of gaining insight …


Diverse Students’ Perceptions Of The Proactive Circle Process In A Restorative Practice Intervention, Shana M. Little May 2018

Diverse Students’ Perceptions Of The Proactive Circle Process In A Restorative Practice Intervention, Shana M. Little

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Restorative practices have been introduced as a school wide intervention to reduce the cultural disparity in school discipline. The purpose of this intervention is to promote healthy student-teacher relationships. The research on restorative practices as an intervention for minority students has shown to be effective, through school discipline data and teacher report. The current study used individual interviews with high school students to explore their perception of restorative practices, specifically proactive circles, and its effectiveness. Results showed cultural differences in student’s understanding or perception of proactive circles. Additionally, participants believed proactive circles helped or improved their communication skills and social …


Mental Health Literacy: Investigating Adolescents’ Knowledge Of Depression And Professional Sources Of Help, Jessica A. Meeks May 2018

Mental Health Literacy: Investigating Adolescents’ Knowledge Of Depression And Professional Sources Of Help, Jessica A. Meeks

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Depression is one of the most common mental health disorders affecting adolescents, and there is evidence suggesting that there are adolescents suffering from depression who are not receiving treatment (Mojtabai, Offson, & Han, 2016). The increasing presence of mental health professionals and mental health services in public schools is one solution to the treatment gap. However, less is known about adolescents’ understanding of depression and treatment options. The current study utilized an online survey to examine the mental health literacy of 38 ninth grade students. Results indicated that adolescents have a moderate ability to recognize and label depression from brief …


Gratitude In Relationships: A Study On Gratitude, Attachment, And Relationship Satisfaction, Brittany D. Dioszeghy May 2018

Gratitude In Relationships: A Study On Gratitude, Attachment, And Relationship Satisfaction, Brittany D. Dioszeghy

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study utilized Pearson correlations to assess for relationships between dispositional gratitude, attachment type, and relationship satisfaction. The survey was completed by 599 participants (77.57% female; 21.64% male; 0.63% other; 0.16% decline to state). Three separate instruments were used to assess for dispositional gratitude, attachment type (anxious/avoidant), and relationship satisfaction, respectively. First, it was hypothesized that anxious attachment would be negatively correlated with dispositional gratitude. Second, it was hypothesized that avoidant attachment types would be negatively correlated with dispositional gratitude. Third, it was hypothesized that anxious attachment would be negatively correlated with relationship satisfaction. Fourth, it was hypothesized that avoidant …


The Power Of One: How Promoting Positive Student-Teacher Relationships In The Classroom Can Impact Teacher Wellness And Burnout, Alexis Morse May 2018

The Power Of One: How Promoting Positive Student-Teacher Relationships In The Classroom Can Impact Teacher Wellness And Burnout, Alexis Morse

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Previous research has offered understanding of resiliency factors in the classroom setting to create and enhance student-teacher relationships (STR). Additionally, numerous studies have examined public school teachers’ burnout across the three areas of emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and diminished personal accomplishment. Few studies, however, have combined these two research areas to better understand the relationship between them. This study uses intervention methods to provide 2nd-grade to 5th-grade teachers in one elementary school in Central Virginia applicable and efficient ways to build student-teacher relationships in the classroom and reduce their job-related stress. Pre- and post-intervention data was collected …


Hell On Earth: An Exploration Into What Drives Evil, Samuel Taylor Hogan May 2018

Hell On Earth: An Exploration Into What Drives Evil, Samuel Taylor Hogan

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Evil abounds. Even the most cursory glance at the news yields harsh headlines about bombings, school shootings, acid attacks, murder, rape, sex slavery, torture, and the occasional mass genocide. The 20th century alone featured roughly 135 million military and civilian deaths due to war and democide (White & Pinker, 2013). Recently, a cultural narrative has emerged proselytizing that evil is an aberrant, caustic mutation of the otherwise unsullied human soul. Philosophers and sociologists, among others, contend that “civilization needs to believe that it does not have an inhumane or barbaric side, leading members of the mainstream to constantly project unacceptable …


Evaluating The Benefits Of Art Therapy Interventions With Grieving Children, Meagan Dye May 2018

Evaluating The Benefits Of Art Therapy Interventions With Grieving Children, Meagan Dye

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Art therapy has numerous benefits when working with a variety of populations and many studies support the efficacy of art and art therapy interventions. This research paper aims to specifically assess the impact of a formal, semi-structured, individual art therapy intervention with grieving children. The researcher reviewed the records of thirteen clients who worked with three art therapists at a small palliative care agency in Central Virginia. Clients were between the ages of 5-18 years old and were assessed to gauge their positive and negative affect before the art therapy intervention and after the sixth session. Each therapist worked with …


Neuro-Cognitive Factors In Adolescent Psychotherapy, Jean F. Ndzana May 2018

Neuro-Cognitive Factors In Adolescent Psychotherapy, Jean F. Ndzana

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Cognitive and developmental differences between teenagers and adults must be overcome to ensure a level playing field in the process of counseling. Exploring the developmental factors involved, and discussing associated treatment interventions can help the counselor close this gap by improving client adherence to treatment and outcomes. This paper consists of a review of the current literature in neuropsychology, neuroscience, cognitive linguistics and counseling, as it relates to brain and cognitive developments in adolescence. These findings are referenced to show the many developmental changes that occur in adolescence, and how those changes can be a hindrance to successful participation in …


The School Psychologist’S Role In The Problem Solving Process: How Assessment Can Inform Intervention, Rachel Larkin May 2018

The School Psychologist’S Role In The Problem Solving Process: How Assessment Can Inform Intervention, Rachel Larkin

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This study serves as an investigation into the role of school psychologists within the problem solving process, intervention selection, and the role assessment in guiding intervention selection. School psychologists have many different roles that they can carry out and the roles of assessment and intervention tend to be the two largest. Assessments are designed for clinical decision-making and interventions are designed to target the specific needs of a student. As problem solvers and decision makers, it would make sense to use the tools that school psychologists have, including assessment and intervention, in combination in order to help students succeed. The …


The Kids Are (Going To Be) Alright: Authorship Of A Post-Divorce Narrative, Caroline Hamby May 2018

The Kids Are (Going To Be) Alright: Authorship Of A Post-Divorce Narrative, Caroline Hamby

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

This integrative literature review explores the suitability of narrative therapy for children ages 7-12 coping with divorce and family transition. Charting the history of research on post-divorce children, the review discusses common negative and positive post-divorce outcomes for children in academic, financial, and socio-emotional domains. It links the fundamental objectives of narrative therapy to the corresponding needs of post-divorce children and families, namely emotional security, internal control, and personal agency. It posits that narrative therapy is a modality uniquely situated to address these concerns and amplify the often-ignored voices of children otherwise lost in marital chaos. The developmental considerations of …


Developing College Transition Supports Using Student Perceptions: Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Arsenio Moss May 2018

Developing College Transition Supports Using Student Perceptions: Students With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, Arsenio Moss

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

In recent years, there has been an increase in students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) enrolled four-year institutions in the United States. Current but inconclusive estimates state that between 2% and 8% of college students report clinically significant levels of ADHD (DuPaul Weyandt, O'Dell, & Varejao, 2009). The nature of the disorder and demands of higher education put these students at risk for several academic and mental health issues while in college. The purpose of the current research was to obtain information from current college students with ADHD about their college transition and adjustment experiences and use their perspectives in …


Rapport During The Assessment Process: A Survey Of School Psychologists, Ebony Mason May 2018

Rapport During The Assessment Process: A Survey Of School Psychologists, Ebony Mason

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

In order to gain more information on the current assessment practices of school psychologists in the state of Virginia, a survey was constructed that examined how rapport is established, how the assessment process is explained to students, and how assessment results are explained to students. Responses from 113 school psychologists indicated that rapport is an important part of the assessment process. There were commonalities in responses related to how rapport is established and the assessment process is explained to students. Surveyed school psychologists indicated that following up with students and informing them of assessment results is not a common practice.


The Application Of The Specific Learning Disability Exclusionary Clause As Practiced By Virginia School Psychologists, Kaitlynn Carter May 2018

The Application Of The Specific Learning Disability Exclusionary Clause As Practiced By Virginia School Psychologists, Kaitlynn Carter

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

When special education eligibility is being determined under Specific Learning Disability, the exclusionary clause needs to be carefully considered. The current study was concerned with the exclusions of cultural factors, environmental or economic disadvantage, and limited English proficiency. The study used a semi-structured interview to explore when and how the exclusionary clause is considered by school psychologists in Virginia and what type of impact it has on eligibility decisions. Ten school psychologists were contacted via the email database of the Virginia Department of Education and completed a phone interview. Grounded theory was used to investigate the themes and ideas regarding …


Mentalization In Counseling Processes, Matthew J. Swartzentruber Dec 2017

Mentalization In Counseling Processes, Matthew J. Swartzentruber

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The purpose of this literature review is to demonstrate the profound influences and numerous applications the concept of mentalization has within counseling processes. The skill of mentalizing extends across theoretical orientations within existing counseling frameworks and has been suggested to be a core factor within the counseling process (Allen, Fonagy, & Bateman, 2008). Mentalizing capacities have been linked to positive therapeutic alliances (Markowitz & Milrod, 2011), positive client outcomes (Bernbach, 2002; Bouchard et al., 2008; Fonagy & Target, 1996; Karlsson & Kermott, 2006; Levy et. al., 2006; Meehan, Levy, Reynoso, Hill, & Clarkin, 2009), and counselor effectiveness (Cologon, 2013); and …


A Novel Approach: Fictional Prose As Imagined Contact For Counselors-In-Training Working With Cultural Others, Bryant Logan Satterlee May 2017

A Novel Approach: Fictional Prose As Imagined Contact For Counselors-In-Training Working With Cultural Others, Bryant Logan Satterlee

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Meeting with clients for the first time provokes anxiety in many counselors-in-training, which can be exacerbated when working with clients from differing cultural backgrounds. This heightened anxiety can limit the capacity of beginning counselors to empathize with cultural others, which decreases the chance of powerful, therapeutic relationships being established. In addition, many counseling programs offer limited multicultural experiences that might actually prompt intergroup anxiety. It is suggested within this article that fictional prose be used as an additional resource in the classroom that acts as an imagined contact experience to aid in the cultivation of cultural empathy while potentially assuaging …


Exploring Students' Perceptions Of Academic Strengths And Weaknesses, John S. Brookbank Iv May 2017

Exploring Students' Perceptions Of Academic Strengths And Weaknesses, John S. Brookbank Iv

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

As school progresses, the importance of self-advocacy becomes more evident. Before a student is able to become an effective self-advocate for their needs and services, it is essential for them to have an appropriate understanding of their academic strengths and weaknesses. Students with learning disabilities are often faced with the difficult task of understanding what it means to have a learning disability, and school psychologists do not have a clear set of guidelines as to how to inform these students in the most developmentally appropriate way. To provide school psychologists with more information regarding the formation students’ academic self-perceptions, to …


Views Toward Mental Health: An Adolescents' Perspective, Breonna L. Davis May 2017

Views Toward Mental Health: An Adolescents' Perspective, Breonna L. Davis

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The lack of mental health services received by adolescents is a continual concern. There has been less research on adolescents in regards to mental health in comparison to adults. There are many barriers that contribute to this lack of service, one main area being stigma. The current study used semi-structured individual interviews with ninth graders to explore adolescent’s views including their knowledge toward mental health, knowledge about mental disorders, their preferred helping sources, and their overall attitudes towards seeking mental health services. Additionally, a cultural perspective was examined. The adolescent’s responses reflected basic knowledge regarding mental health. The majority held …


The Effect Of A Font Intervention For 4th And 5th Graders With Dyslexia, Steven L. Powell May 2017

The Effect Of A Font Intervention For 4th And 5th Graders With Dyslexia, Steven L. Powell

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

Dyslexie is a font developed by Christian Boer specifically to enhance reading fluency in students with dyslexia. The present study examined its potential impact on the performance of 36 4th and 5th grade students with SLD on story reading. We found that Dyslexie, when compared to other common fonts that have been adjusted to control for Dyslexie’s large size and spacing, appears to have no effect on readers’ ability to read text correctly, comprehend text, or read faster.


The Effect Of Educational Modules On Attitudes Towards Disabilities, Hunter W. Greer May 2017

The Effect Of Educational Modules On Attitudes Towards Disabilities, Hunter W. Greer

Educational Specialist, 2009-2019

The researchers in this study were interested in the effect of educational modules on student’s ratings of appropriateness and fairness of 10 different accommodations offered at the college level. Researchers were also interested in investigating if these modules would affect individual’s scores on the Social Distance Scale to evaluate levels of stigma towards mental health. Researchers surveyed 150 college students at a large South Eastern University and found that individuals rated accommodations as higher than neutral in fairness and appropriateness overall, but did not find a difference in students who read the modules and students who did not. Researchers also …