Education Commons^™

Major Depression : Diagnosis And Intervention, Lindsay Linck

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will be an analysis of the psychological disorder of major depression. First, the classification of this disorder using the DSM-IV-TR will be reviewed. The areas of etiology, differential diagnosis, and treatment will then be considered. Following, a theory-specific approach to the disease including theoretical framework, diagnosis and treatment, and outcomes of using this approach, will be examined. Finally a personal reflection on the subject of major depression, and lessons learned from this project, will be discussed.

Applying Forgiveness Therapy To Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Tiffany L. Clark

Graduate Research Papers

Twenty-five percent of women in the United States will report some form of intimate partner violence (IPV) within their lifetimes (Mac, Ferron, & Crosby, 2009). At these rates, IPV has become an epidemic, touching the lives of most people. The effects of lPV on victim's physical and psychological health may be severe and chronic (Weaver & Clum, 1995). Finding potent therapy approaches with this population is essential. The author of this paper proposes forgiveness therapy as an approach worthy of further investigation. This paper focuses on explaining what forgiveness is and is not, describes common sequelae of lPV, reviews Enright's …

Think Like A Mountain : The Need For Nature For Increased Mental Health, Erin M. Mclaughlin

Graduate Research Papers

Nature has been an integral part of the human life for thousands of years. Only in the most recent hundred years, societies have begun to view nature as a foreign concept outside of the normal realm of daily life. Along with this disconnect from nature, mental illness has increased in our societal populations. This paper identifies the correlation of the need for nature, the lack of connection to nature, and the significant increase in depression, ADHD, anxiety, and autism diagnoses, among others. It also identifies therapeutic techniques that incorporate and connect with nature, as well as provides a comprehensive reference …

Exercise : Nature's Defense Against Depression And Anxiety, Holly A. Dorenkamp

Graduate Research Papers

Exercise and mental health is a relatively new area of study within health care and mental health disciplines. Whereas many mental health professionals focus on the mental status of clients, research suggests that physical health, exercise in particular, has a positive impact on mental health and well-being. Currently, typical treatment approaches lean toward psychotropic medication, psychotherapy, or a combination of both. However, mental health issues such as depression and anxiety are becoming so widespread that other effective and affordable treatment approaches and options are greatly needed and vital to the overall mental health of society. Utilizing exercise in the treatment …

Understanding The Mind-Body Connection For Optimal Health And Healing, Molly M. Cretsinger

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of the research paper is to understand how a person's attitudes and beliefs shape their life and influence their health and healing. It is fundamental for someone in the helping profession to gain insight into the role of love, faith, hope, and forgiveness in overall health and healing. The key to health and healing is to understand, accept, and believe in the notion of control over one's thinking and the ability to be who one chooses to be. Every day and every thought is a choice. It is crucial for health and overall wellness that individuals take responsibility …

Children Of Alcoholics : A Struggle Through Childhood And Adulthood, Christina M. Mcgreevey

Graduate Research Papers

Children of alcoholics are those directly affected by familial alcoholism. Characteristics that are common in children of alcoholics in youth and in adulthood are isolation, approval seeking, fear of angry people, and addiction (Seixas & Youcha, 1985). Treatment for children of alcoholics is available through several forms of therapy including self-help groups and family therapy. The purpose of this paper is to address common characteristics of children of alcoholics, codependency, as well as treatment procedures for this population.

Optimal Characteristics For Happy And Satisfying Marriages, Britni J. Anderson

Graduate Research Papers

For many people, having a happy satisfying marriage is the ultimate goal in a marital relationship. However, what constitutes a happy marriage is not always clear. Many people go into marriage with high ideals and expectations, but without the reality that marriage is an entity in its own right that needs to be maintained daily. Communication, including conflict resolution, is a large part of a successful marriage. Other characteristics include sharing positive feelings, having more positive than negative interactions, having a solid friendship, maintaining a strong commitment, and staying focused on the positive aspects of the marriage. Marriage is difficult, …

Nebbe's Nature Nest : A Summary Of An Animal Assisted Therapy Camp, Trisha L. Ames

Graduate Research Papers

Two graduate students conducted a small animal assisted therapy camp. The main goal for this camp was to enhance and promote the campers' socialization skills and self-esteem through the use of animal assisted therapy. Two pre and post measurement scales were used to evaluate the children's loneliness and self-concept. The campers participated in a one-week camp lasting approximately three hours a day. To meet desired lesson goals, the campers engaged in direct animal contact and specific animal assisted activities. The following is a complete description and reaction to the animal assisted therapy camp led by Trisha (Hobbiebrunken) Ames, Nicole Whisler, …

An Introduction To Adventure Based Counseling Connected To Couples And Families, Amanda L. Schara

Graduate Research Papers

This paper demonstrates the value of Adventure Based Counseling (ABC) combined with couples and family counseling. The growth of ABC has gone through powerful changes from starting out with patients in a hospital to now being utilized in individual, group, couples, and family therapy. Looking at some main theoretical methods in the counseling field the totality of ABC is identified and combined with couple and family therapeutic goals. The importance of couple and family interaction has been diminished in our culture and the evolvement of ABC within those structures leads to a more productive family system.

Providing Effective Counseling To Substance Abusers Through The Use Of Biopsychosocialspiritual Strategies, Rachel Phillips

Graduate Research Papers

The field of substance abuse has had a history of relapse. Both In-Patient and Out-Patient Treatment facilities have experienced the "revolving door" effect (Walton, Blow, and Booth, 2001). D.R. Laws found in research he conducted that 80% of the patients treated, relapsed 12 months after treatment and two-thirds of the relapses were within 90 days of treatment (Laws, 1999). The federal government has begun questioning the validity of these programs in light of skyrocketing costs for substance abuse treatment (Craig, 2004). Clinicians have begun to examine the cost effectiveness of their current treatment modalities. This paper will provide an overview …

The Effects Of Divorce On Children And Adolescents, Rachelle A. Haker

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper focuses on the effects of divorce on children and adolescents. Based on a review of literature, there are many short-term and long-term effects including emotional, behavioral, and physical issues. Children and adolescents vary in adjustment to divorce depending on multiple factors such as communication, conflict, and parental adjustment. The stages that children and adolescents of divorce go through depend on one's developmental stage and gender. Counselors can greatly influence how children and adolescents adjust to divorce.

Women Alcoholics And Addicts : An Examination Of The Role Of Gender-Specific Treatment Programs In Substance Abuse Counseling, Adarienne L. Burrow

Graduate Research Papers

Traditionally, substance abuse treatment programs have been developed based on data collected on male substance abusers. Women entering into these traditional treatment programs often are not successful at recovery. Male-based treatment programs are not designed to meet the complex set of needs of women substance abusers and addicts. The purpose of this research is two-fold. First, to identify the specific needs of women substance abusers and addicts. And secondly, determine how to address these identified needs in a substance abuse treatment program in order to provide a holistic approach to substance abusing and addicted women.

The Discovery Of Extramarital Affairs : Clients In Crisis And Implications For Counseling, Alyssa A. Drury

Graduate Research Papers

Extramarital affairs are one of the most common issues presented to counselors and other professionals in clinical settings. This issue has also been said to be one of the most difficult to treat among clinicians. In this paper, a review of the literature is presented regarding the nature of extramarital affairs and different types of affairs. Following this brief literature review, interventions are discussed for professionals when working with this population. Crisis intervention is specifically addressed in addition to practical, clinical interventions that may be used following resolution of crises.

Coping With Divorce, Amanda Sue Lawless Anderson

Graduate Research Papers

This research paper targets children who are experiencing divorce in their families. The purpose of this paper is to assist counselors in knowing how divorce affects children and how to work effectively with children and families experiencing divorce. A look at the various developmental stages, the grief process of divorce, practical interventions to be used with children experiencing divorce, and providing resources for educators and parents will assist counselors and parents in helping children to cope with their experience.

Group Therapy For Bereaved Parents : Sudden Death Of A Child Or Adolescent, Jessica L. Heidecker

Graduate Research Papers

This article reviews parental bereavement through sudden loss of a child by · homicidal, suicidal, or accidental death. It advocates for the Dual Process Model of grieving, and explores group therapy treatment for bereaved parents. This paper contends that parental loss of a child is more intense and traumatic than any other type of loss. Evidence is also provided to state that traumatic grievers benefit from group therapy as opposed to other types of grievers. Meaning reconstruction is established as a key element in the grief process. Overall, the article allows counselors to understand the complications involved in working with …

Building Effective School-Based Substance Abuse Prevention Programs, Stephanie M. Juhl

Graduate Research Papers

Substance abuse among children and adolescents has become an epidemic in our society. Therefore, it is important to be cognizant of the reasons for child and adolescent substance abuse as well as to recognize risk factors for use. Many prevention programs have not been research-based and are not appropriate for all populations. Several programs and approaches are reviewed as to whether they will reduce the use of substances. School counselors can improve efforts by combining approaches to create comprehensive and multifaceted programs, which will improve the probability of prevention. Creating school counseling programs will be fundamental in preventing early substance …

The Impact Of Divorce And Healthy Adjustment Of Children, Stephanie A. Harken

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper was to examine the impact divorce has on children as: well as how parents can help their children adjust to divorce. The negative impacts that .divorce may have on children include emotional and behavioral problems. However, positive effects such as allowing the child to escape a hostile environment were also found. A review of the literature indicated that children's response to divorce differed according to type, stage, and age of the child at the time of divorce. The types of strategies that are being used to aid parents in helping their children cope include mediation, …

Personal Growth Groups For Therapists, Vicky A. Knapp

Graduate Research Papers

Since the birth of psychotherapy, the need for therapists to attend to their own personal healing and growth has been recognized. This tradition of personal therapy has been incorporated into many current programs that train therapists/helpers in this country. Freud and a large number of subsequent practitioners have also advocated periodic or ongoing personal therapy throughout the therapist's career span. Self-exploration groups can be an excellent means to keep helpers in touch with their humanness, to further their personal and professional growth, and to reduce toxic consequences of practicing therapy.

Issues Impacting The Quality Of Mental Health In Older Adults, Rachel I. Pettit

Graduate Research Papers

Older adults are confronted with a variety of developmental and unexpected issues that can impair or strengthen their mental health. Affective and anxiety disorders, substance abuse, and suicide are some of the mental health issues when older adults experience difficulty with the aging process. On the other hand, the quality of their physical and mental health, their support system, the resolution of grief and loss issues, and the strength of their spirituality assist older adults in recreating meaning. Thus, they are able to live their senior years with purpose. These issues will be addressed and recommendations will be described with …

Beer Before Liquor, Or Liquor Before Beer : A Research Review Of Binge Drinking Escalation In Greek-Letter Societies On College Campuses Today, Thomas M. O'Shea

Graduate Research Papers

In 1990 college presidents rated college student alcohol abuse as the problem that gave them the greatest concern (Boyer, 1990). However, one specific college campus population that seems to be more likely to binge drink is those students affiliated with the National Fraternities and Sororities.

The purpose of this paper is: • To focus on and define the concept of binge drinking • To establish specific data that show that binge drinking is a problem with fraternity and sorority members • To research and suggest possible solutions that college administrators may use to combat the binge drinking problem on their …

Divorce : A Guide For Counselors Assisting Children Of Divorce, Roxann R. Scheffert

Graduate Research Papers

Clinicians must be aware of the presenting problems of children of divorce and effective techniques and interventions when working with this targeted population. The purpose of this paper was to provide various interventions and practical guidelines when working with children of divorce.

Integrative Model For Couples Counseling, Annie Johnson

Graduate Research Papers

The ability to form strong interpersonal bonds with a romantic partner is one of the key qualities that defines humanity. With the awareness of the prevalence of marital difficulties and the emotional hardships that marital dissolution can cause, it is important to focus mental health attention on the positive effects of and necessity of an integrative model of couples therapy.

Marital and family conflict differs from one couple and.family to another. An integrative model for couples therapy draws on various theoretical positions, bringing together what works into a coherent system. Integrative therapy requires the therapist to enter the couple's world …

Relational Counseling, Janice E. Drury

Graduate Research Papers

The author of this paper explores the relational approach to counseling and its potential benefit to clients. The relational approach, in comparison to the more traditional approach to counseling, can give the counselor an alternative framework in which to explore and understand human development and apply counseling methods. Relational theory and its application to women is specifically addressed in this paper, as this approach to counseling may better assist women to speak and be heard in a pattern that makes sense to them. The author also identifies the need for research that expands current realms of thinking in mental health …

Examining Counseling Strategies For African American Adolescent Crack Abusers, Paula Reed Dorris

Graduate Research Papers

The author of this paper has addressed the significance of the development of treatment strategies to implement with African American adolescent crack addicts. An integral basis for tailoring culturally specific treatment approaches for African American adolescents relates to the unique circumstances, which may promote more extensive crack abuse by this group. Depression was the difficulty which the author chose to focus upon. Several different methods of helping these adolescents are discussed. The intervention strategies which show promise in helping African American adolescent crack addicts include: (a) Interpersonal Therapy; (b) psycho-educational programs; (c) involvement of family members in treatment; (d) use …

Existential Mental Health Implications For Kin-Caregivers Of Alzheimer's Victims, Brock K. Knoll

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to briefly outline assessment and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in afflicted individuals (i.e., care recipients [CRs]) and review relevant research concerning the effects of AD progression on caregivers (CGs) as they care for loved ones. With this background, consideration will be made of how these findings suggest relevant tenets of Existential therapy. The author will also identify implications that could be meaningful to mental health professionals in their efforts to assist CGs as they attempt to cope with the emotional impact this disease has on them during caregiving and after the eventual death …

Understanding And Building Resiliency In Students Living With Parental Alcoholism: Implications And Interventions For The School Counselor, Lori K. Riley

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to examine how the strengths and positive qualities of children of alcoholics can be enhanced by counselors to promote resiliency. The author will identify typical characteristics of children who are raised by alcoholic parents and describe the short-term and long-term effects of this abuse on school-aged children and adolescents. A family systems perspective will be examined, along with a discussion of the risk these youngsters face.

A second purpose of this paper is to focus on the role of the school counselor in working with children who are living in dysfunctional situations due to …

Secret Pain : Understanding And Treating Self-Injurious Behaviors In Women, Eva Schoen

Graduate Research Papers

This paper is an attempt to raise awareness of the presence of self-injury in Western societies. Causes, symptoms, related diagnoses, and treatment of self-injurious behaviors will be discussed. Most importantly, however, this paper is meant to challenge and, ultimately, decrease the stigma surrounding SD and increase empathy and compassion for the self-injuring person.

Due to constraints of this research paper, the author focuses on female self-injurers and excludes information on self-injury in mentally retarded individuals and prisoners.

The Use Of Art Therapy In Counseling Children, Laura Longo

Graduate Research Papers

Art is being used more and more by counselors working with children, particularly within the school setting because it allows for children to communicate nonverbally in a timely manner. "Art therapy in a school setting can offer children the opportunity to work through obstacles that are impeding their educational progress. It can facilitate appropriate social behaviors and promote healthy affective development" (Bush, 1997, p. 16).

The purpose of this paper is to explore how art is used in counseling children and examine specific techniques. Also, the author will focus on the stages of artistic development of children, the use of …

The Red Road Approach To Healing As Used In Native American Adolescent Addiction Treatment, Colleen M. Husak

Graduate Research Papers

Traditional treatment programs have not worked with Native Americans. Instead, programs designed to be culturally sensitive are needed (Burn, 1992). In this paper, the author will explore the specific theory of the Red Road approach as used in Native American adolescent substance abuse treatment facilities. The Red Road approach is practical in its psychological application at the same time that it incorporates and encourages the spiritual beliefs which are a major part of the philosophy of most Native Americans (Black Elk & Lyon, 1991). As Black Elk and Lyons (1991) noted, even Native Americans who no longer practice their ancestral …

Cognitive-Behavior Therapy With Children, Debra L. Irvin

Graduate Research Papers

This paper will look at the use of cognitive-behavior therapy with children. Specifically, it will focus on the areas of depression and anxiety. First, there will be a look at applying cognitive-behavior therapy to children. This includes strategies for working with children, and developmental considerations with children. Next, there will be a focus on using cognitive-behavior therapy for children with depression. This section includes an examination of depression in children, and three cognitive-behavioral treatment strategies. The strategies to be discussed include affective education, cognitive restructuring, and social skills training. Finally, there will be an exploration of the use of cognitive-behavior …