Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

A Sociopolitical View Of Mental Health: An Exploration Of The Lived Experiences Of Policymakers Regarding Their Perspectives Surrounding Mental Health Policy Construction, Katie C. Fetzer

University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

A substantial gap exists between those who are considered experts on mental health (e.g., academics, mental health professionals) and those in charge of constructing mental health policies (e.g., legislators, Senators). This gap is in areas of both knowledge and professional relations. Mental health professionals are not adequately trained to engage in policy advocacy and reform efforts and have little to no policy advocacy training (Smith, Reynolds, & Rovnak, 2009). Policymakers lack necessary knowledge related to mental health for effective mental health policy construction (Corrigan, Druss, & Perlick, 2014; Lee, Smith, & Henry, 2013). As a result of this gap, mental …

A Multicase Study Exploring Women’S Narratives Of Infertility: Implications For Counselors, Staci L. Born, Christin L. Carotta, Kristine Ramsay-Seaner

The Qualitative Report

Infertility affects 6.7 million women in the United States (Chandra, Copen, & Stephen, 2013). Women’s experiences with infertility are not only influenced by biological health factors, but also by social, cultural, and personal variables. Given the prevalence and complexity of infertility, additional research is needed to further examine the nuances of women’s experiences. The purpose of this multicase study, as informed by four individual cases, was to explore how women construct their infertility narratives. Review of reflective journals found five common elements: (1) Emotional Rollercoaster, (2) Mind-Body (Dis)Connection, (3) Secret Identity, (4) Supportive vs. Constrained Communication Patterns, and (5) Fatalistic- …

Health And Wellness Factors Affecting The Wholistic Lifestyle Of National And International Christian Missionaries, Angela C. Williams

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis will focus on the health and wellness of missionaries and will develop a wholistic framework for healthier living. This framework will be used as a guide to help sustain missionaries living in various cultural contexts by connecting and integrating the mind, body, and spirit in harmony for wholistic lifestyle. God intended for His people to live a healthy lifestyle and to take care of their temples. Missionaries are the backbone of cross-cultural evangelism, but they often find themselves living unhealthy lifestyles. These unhealthy lifestyles can have a negative impact on missionaries’ overall health, wellness, and fruitfulness in serving …

Language & Online Learning: Inform, Inspire And Engage Virtual Learning Communities, Linda Foster, Anita Neuer Colburn, Cynthia Briggs

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Standards for technology-assisted teaching/learning have existed for nearly 20 years (ACES, 1999), and trends show that counselor education programs increasingly integrate technology into the delivery of instruction for students either through hybrid classes, fully online classes, or fully online programs. While many researchers have investigated various aspects of student engagement in online formats, counselor educators still lack consensus for best practices in the online classroom. Maximizing the effectiveness of online pedagogy will help improve overall learning, retention of students, and growth of online programs. We suggest the intentional use of appropriate, warm, inviting and supportive language to inform, inspire and …

Research Mentoring: A Study Of Doctoral Student Experiences And Research Productivity, Alyse M. Anekstein, Linwood G. Vereen

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This article explored the research mentoring experiences of doctoral students’ (N = 131) in counselor education. Descriptive statistics and a factorial Multivariate Analysis of Variance (MANOVA) were utilized to ascertain the mentor roles utilized and the classification of productivity of doctoral students. Recommendations and limitations and implications for the counseling profession are offered to further the development of research regarding the research mentoring experiences of doctoral students.

Why Should We Care? Psychodynamic Theory And Practice In Counselor Preparation, Elyssa Smith

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Abstract

This constructivist grounded theory investigation explored the experiences and perceptions of seven counselors-in-training regarding psychodynamic theory and practice. Two categories, five themes including three subthemes, and a tentative theory which spoke to the experiences, perceptions, and attitudes of students regarding contemporary psychodynamic psychotherapy emerged. Implications for counselor education and the training of counselors are discussed.

Keywords: counselor preparation, psychodynamic, reflective practice

Cognitive Complexity In Counseling And Counselor Education: A Systematic And Critical Review, Jaime H. Castillo

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Cognitive complexity has found a small yet established niche in the counseling and counselor education literature over the last 40 years. This body of research has highlighted how individuals with high cognitive complexity have greater consistency in empathy, show more varied responses to clients, demonstrate greater toleration of ambiguity, and show higher frequencies of unbiased clinical judgements towards clients. This article provides a systematic and critical review of the cognitive complexity literature and discusses future implications of cultivating cognitive complexity in emerging and professional counselors and supervisors.

A Phenomenology Of The Practice Of Music Therapy With Children, Shelby Tortorello

Senior Honors Theses

Music therapy has been demonstrated as an effective mode of therapeutic intervention for children in recent literature. There is extensive research suggesting benefits for various populations of children, namely: children in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), children who have experienced trauma, and children with disabilities. The current study served to address gaps found in the literature by conducting a phenomenology of professionally trained music therapists. Four board certified music therapists near major cities on the east coast were interviewed to comment on how they understand music therapy, and how they live out those understandings in their practice. It was …

The Use Of Test Anxiety Assessment And Anxiety Reduction Training To Predict And Improve Performance Of Collegiate Pilot Trainees, Teresa Ann Sloan, Michael Lundin, Dale Wilson, Randy Robinnette

All Faculty Scholarship for the College of Education and Professional Studies

Written, oral, and practical flight tests, along with challenging flying tasks, place pilot trainees in stressful situations. The initial goals of this research were to determine assessment tools for identifying pilot trainees who might perform poorly in stressful flight testing environments, and measure the efficacy of a test anxiety (TA) workshop on anxiety levels and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) knowledge assessments of pilot trainees. The researchers determined that: Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) scores marginally predict facilitating anxiety levels, and FAA knowledge tests, taken in authentic testing environments, correlate significantly with debilitating anxiety, facilitating anxiety, and FAA exam scores. The researchers …

A Place To Belong: A Support Group Curriculum For Hearing Adolescents Of Deaf Parents (Kodas), Meghan L. Fox

JADARA

Hearing children of deaf parents (C/Kodas) comprise a unique group that carries experiences as interpreters, protectors, and advocates. Kodas also have distinct experiences family dynamics and are bilingual and bicultural. Consequently, Kodas have complex identities and related identity development processes with few places to find support. There is a need for culturally sensitive and informed programs to create spaces for Kodas to process complexities and connect with others similar to them. This manuscript focuses on presenting an original research-informed support group program (Kids of Deaf Adults: A Place to Belong) for adolescent Kodas.

Ethical Dilemmas? Are You Appropriately Following The 2014 Aca Code Of Ethics?, Patti Hinkley

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This session will review the changes made in the 2014 Code of Ethics. The presentation will cover the background to the changes made in 2014 along with pointing out the specific changes made for both counselors as well as counselor educators. The presenter was trained at the 2018 ACA Conference to provide presentations or workshops on the Code of Ethics.

The Opioid Crisis: What Counselors Need To Know, David Jenkins, Jonna Byars

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The opioid epidemic has been declared a national emergency that resulted in nearly 50,000 opioid overdose deaths last year alone. Counselors can and should be meaningfully involved in response. This session will present current information about the opioid crisis and the addictive process generally, and then specifically focus on opioid addiction, treatment and recovery. The session will explore how counselors can effectively respond to clients who use opioids, including for pain management, and how education, prevention, and treatment are important ways counselors can respond to the opioid crisis.

Approaching Grief Counseling From A Perspective Of Diversity, Deborah A. Braboy

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Understanding how society, race, culture, age, and developmental levels impact grief is key to being able to process grief and loss in a healthy manner. Contemporary grief models give clinicians a roadmap to assist them as they walk with their clients through their grief journey

Addressing Crisis In K-12 Schools, Rita Cantrell Schellenberg, Richard Justin Silvey, Kerry Bowles

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The session will provide research-supported information needed to identify and respond appropriately to the needs of minors in crisis situations prevailing in our schools today such as self-harm (including eating disorders), suicide, and homicide ideation. Case studies will engage participants in interactive discussions that include ethical, legal, cultural, and professional aspects of decision making.

Using Hofstede’S Axes Of Cultural Values As A New Way Of Understanding Culturally Diverse Clients, Jerry Vuncannon, Angelia Dickens

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Today’s multicultural focus utilizes many prescriptive approaches based on cultural groups and client preferences. However, these approaches may not account for individual differences within these groups. This presentation will introduce Hofstede’s Axes of Cultural Values which empower therapists, supervisors, and educators to understand culturally diverse clients in a new way

Courageous Conversations: Cultural Humility - Being Comfortable With The Uncomfortable, Arleezah Marrah, Brandi Janee' Chamberlin

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This round table discussion will be a courageous conversation for counselors, counselor educators, site supervisors, and graduate students. How can we be comfortable having uncomfortable conversations? This round table will explore the topic of cultural humility in the counseling relationship.

Technology, Counseling, And The Autism Spectrum: Using Tech To Promote Growth And Healing With Autism Spectrum Clients, Kevin Boyd Hull

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Autism spectrum clients in counseling are challenging due to limitations in perspective taking as well as emotional/cognitive delays. Many autism spectrum clients use technology as a way to feel safe and relate to the world around them. Computer/tablet/video games have rich metaphors and themes that can help these young people understand themselves and the world around them and can be used to enhance self-representation and social, emotional, and cognitive growth.

Ethical And Legal Issues: Working With Minors With Trauma, Robin Switzer

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Review of the particular ethical and legal issues that can arise for counselors when working with minors with trauma. Includes scenarios experienced and strategies to avoid pitfalls of reporting, legal cases, techniques, documentation and expectations of treatment.

Integrating Motivational Interviewing Into Counseling Techniques And The Helping Relationship, Karin Mcpeak Dumont

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This program will provide a demonstration of how to integrate Motivational Interviewing techniques into the use of the helping Skills of active listening, paraphrasing, reflection of feelings, reflection of meaning, and summarizing. Through the use of both didactic and experiential learning, attendees will apply these techniques effectively in the process of counseling

Successful College Transition: Supporting Students With Learning Differences, Laura Daniel

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The purpose of this presentation is to provide information on support strategies to ensure high school seniors with diagnosed learning differences have a successful transition to the college setting. Information will include helping students to secure academic and mental health support, and ways to advocate for students beyond high school.

To Publish Or Perish: What Faculty Need To Know About Scholarly Activity, Brandi Janee' Chamberlin, Jeffrey Boatner, David Brown, Nivischi Edwards, Kevin Boyd Hull, Robyn Simmons, Kevin Van Wynsberg

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This session will feature a panel presentation to include Counselor Education and Family Studies leadership, published faculty, and counseling journal editorial board members. The topic will be on the expectations for faculty and tips for successful (unsuccessful) manuscript submissions

Collaborative, Creative, And Diversity Celebrating Case Conceptualization: Working With Counselees To Map The Journey Ahead, Lisa S. Sosin

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Comprehensive assessment and treatment planning are the foundation of ethical and effective counseling (Sperry, 2012) and require sensitivity to counselee’s personal and cultural contexts (ACA Code of Ethics, 2014). In this presentation, attendees learn a creative way to conceptualize and plan the therapeutic journey that is collaborative and richly meaningful.

Collaborative Care: Coordinating Services With Community Partners To Promote Client Wellness, Holly Johnson, Jeffrey Boatner

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Research reveals that extra-therapeutic factors can contribute significantly to the wellness and stability of clients. Yet, many counselors have little experience or training in linking clients with supportive services in their community. This presentation provides attendees with information and strategies to promote a collaborative, multi-culturally sensitive approach to client wellness.

Online Social Relationships: Ethical Considerations For Counselors, David Brown

Faculty Publications and Presentations

With the increasing popularity of social media, it is imperative that counselors understand the outcomes of relying heavily on the Internet for social connectedness. This program will review online vs. in-person relationships, consider social media’s influence on well-being and relationships, and discuss the role of social media and therapy.

Clinical Supervision: Theory And Practice Of Counselor Supervision, Steve Johnson, Melvin Pride

Faculty Publications and Presentations

The session is designed to enlist, inform, and encourage clinical supervisors in their pursuit of ongoing competency development in supervising the next generation of professional counselors. This is particularly relevant for new site supervisors, faculty members who teach Practicum and Internship classes, and counselors who may be interested in becoming a site supervisor with Liberty University. Clinical Site Supervisors are expected to keep abreast with current topics related to ethics, legal and cultural issues, counseling related skills and professional development. This session offers resources for these topics along with some of the key supervision theoretical orientations that provide guidance in …

The Complexity Of Treating Eating Disorders, Andrea L. Barbian-Shimberg

Faculty Publications and Presentations

This session will examine eating disorders and their DSM diagnostic criteria, the etiology of eating disorders, various evidence based practices for treating eating disorders and their comorbidities, as well as understanding the importance of the therapeutic alliance in therapy.

Effective School Counseling Teams: Identifying Strengths, Stacey Lilley

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Despite much attention given to effective teams in the workplace, school counseling teams have been neglected in the research. Current literature will be reviewed as well as practical application to increase team effectiveness will be discussed. Effective individual counseling traits, and desired team characteristics will be explored.

Military Spouses: Heroes Who Also Serve, Nivischi Edwards, Markeitha Christian

Faculty Publications and Presentations

Military personnel deploy often and leave their spouses at home. These spouses often navigate multiple challenges. As a result, they too become American Heroes as they serve with the military personnel. Join us in this presentation as we discuss aspects of being a military spouse and here personal stories from those who have serve along with their spouse.

Wellness And Karate, Cristina Kumpf

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The promotion of wellness is an integral part of the counseling field and is considered to be a central focus to the counseling process (Barden, Conley, & Young, 2015; Myers, 1992). The counseling profession adopted the concept of wellness because it harmonizes with many of the founding principles of the ACA and is seen as a process of questing toward optimal health and well-being in body, mind, and spirit (Barden, Conley, & Young, 2015; Myers, 1992; Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2000). Additionally, ACA Code of Ethics (2014) state that counselors “engage in self-care activities to maintain and promote their own …

An Investigation Of Gender Bias In A Career Assessment For A Stem Field, Shelby Morgan Reyes

Doctoral Dissertations

This study examined whether career counselors differ in their recommendations for a STEM (i.e., science, technology, engineering, mathematics) career (specifically, computer scientist) based on the gender of the client. In a randomized two group experimental design with a qualitative component, a fictitious student bio was created in order to understand the possible conceptualization differences seen between career counselors in regards to gender bias in the STEM fields. The primary research questions looked at whether participants were less likely to recommend the female student, compared to the male, to a STEM related career and to pursue graduate school. A secondary research …