Counselor Education Commons^™

Using Expressive Arts Therapy To Develop Coping Mechanisms To Manage Substance Use, Zayna Mcdonald

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper examines past and current usages of expressive arts therapy in developing coping mechanisms for substance use recovery and explores possibilities for further integration in the adolescent and young adult population around the world. Abundant information is available on the effects of drugs and other substances on mental health, but more research is needed on how the integration of expressive arts therapy can enhance substance abuse programs for these populations. According to the CDC, elevated adverse effects on mental health occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in the US with young adults reporting increased substance use (Czeisler et al., 2020). …

Affirmative And Integrative Counseling For Lgbtqia+ Individuals, Allison De Blois

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Counselors are ethically obligated to serve LGBTQIA+ clientele and therefore should strive to integrate an affirmative approach to counseling. A counselor may say that they are providing affirming care, however it is important to reflect on what affirming counseling is in application. To better serve LGBTQIA+ clientele, counselors may grow their affirmative counseling approach by being knowledgeable of historical considerations, evidenced-based approaches to implement, clinical recommendations for a counselor to implement, and considerations on advocacy practices and resources.

Interpreter-Mediated Psychotherapy With Refugees, Shadin Atiyeh, Mina Attia, Julie Beckmann

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

This article is a content analysis of peer-reviewed journal publications exploring interpreter-mediated counseling over the last ten years. The intention of the analysis was to identify trends in publication regarding this topic and gaps for future research. After an exhaustive search, 70 articles were identified and seven were specifically focused on refugees and asylum seekers. Themes of the publishing trends were identified and recommendations for the counseling field are presented.

An Analysis Of School Counselors Time Spent On Asca Aligned Activities, Jacob Olsen, Sejal Parikh Foxx, Claudia Flowers, Kaeleigh Hayakawa

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Multivariate regression analysis was used to examine variables that predict how school counselors spend their time on American School Counselor Association (ASCA) National Model aligned activities were examined using multivariate regression analysis. A sample of 4,598 school counselors participated in an online survey. The number of years licensed/certified, caseload size, school size, socioeconomic status of students, diversity of school, and secondary school level status significantly predicted how school counselors spend their time. Results provide an updated account of how school counselors spend their time and can inform professional development and strategies focused on improving time spent on ASCA aligned activities.

Examining Telemental Health In Mississippi: Brief Report, Mario Sobrino, Monica L. Coleman, Janita Springfield, Sheerah Neal, Amanda Winburn

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

The term telemental health has become a staple of the modern counselor’s lexicon since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and has led to a surge of new research and practical information for counselors to engage in effective, socially distanced mental health services. Telemental health (TMH) is identified as the use of telecommunication, videoconferencing, and internet-based technologies to provide mental health services (Holland et al., 2018). Although TMH is regarded as an efficient treatment modality for a myriad of mental health issues, the cardinal purpose of its origination was to reduce or eliminate geographic barriers to receiving mental health treatment …

Emotional Abuse: Strategies For Identifying And Reporting, Jill Bryant

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Abstract

This article discusses various definitions of emotional abuse, statute difficulties that do little to support an effective report, clinical identifiers and possible long-term outcomes of emotional abuse in children and adolescents. The article closes with suggestions for advocacy efforts to improve the current challenges to better serve youth and adolescents who have been affected by this type of child maltreatment. Readers will find suggested methods for better exploring the topic of emotional abuse in sessions with child and teen clients and proposed approaches to support a stronger report when living in a state with weak or ambiguous statutes.

An Ecological Perspective Of Intergenerational Trauma: Clinical Implications, Charmayne R. Adams, Ramona I. Grad, Matthew L. Nice

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

In this paper, the authors present information about both intergenerational trauma and an ecological case conceptualization model to assist counselors as they develop treatment plans and determine appropriate interventions. Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological model is introduced as a way to help professional counselors in a variety of settings explore a more holistic understanding of presenting problems. The authors use a case illustration to highlight how to implement an ecological framework with a client with Colombian heritage to better understand and address intergenerational trauma as an important aspect of treatment planning. The paper includes clinical examples, clinical resources, and implications for professional counselors, …

An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis: School Counselor Trainees' Experience In Peer Group Supervision, Jill Minor, Neil Duchac

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

An Interpretive phenomenological analysis was used to explore school counselor trainees’ lived experiences in peer group supervision while in a field practicum course. Utilizing seven participants, four superordinate themes were discovered including organization of the learning environment, understanding, believing, and skill development. Additionally, several sub-themes were found from their experiences. The findings shed light on how peer group supervision is beneficial to school counselors. Authors make recommendations and suggestions for training and practice of counselor educators.

Dual Enrollment, Peer Relationships, And Internalized Variables: A Comparative Analysis Among Adolescents, Mary Bess W. Pannel, Christine D. Lewis Pugh, Valarie Morgan

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

While the importance of dual enrollment programs has been demonstrated, the potential impact of completing college level courses during high school has on the emotional and mental well-being of adolescents has not been explored. This study used a nonexperimental, comparative, research design to explore the impact of completing college level courses during high school and the relationship to emotional and behavioral well-being of adolescents. Findings indicated self-esteem levels were statistically significant, specifically, dual enrolled students reported lower levels of self-esteem. School counselors are in a unique position to foster a successful, academic environment that also enhances emotional and mental wellness.

Transitions To The Journal Of Counseling Research And Practice, Gloria Dansby-Giles, Jeton Mcclinton

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

This article introduces the 2022 the Journal of Counseling Research and Practice
(JCRP) fall issue. The transition process of JCRP and the editors are explained
through Schlossberg’s Theory of Transition. This theory has been applied to several
types of transitions in the lives of adults such as a person’s situation, self, support
and strategies also known as the 4 S’s. Examples provided by Schlossberg were
starting and finishing college, college graduation, starting to work, becoming a
caregiver, military transitions and retirement. Transition theory has been applied
to lives of adults who took on major life roles.

A Girl Named Sue: A Child's Journey From Complex Trauma To Hope, Healing & Recovery, Jamie S. Like Ms.

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

Audience would include any school staff, counselors, social workers, parents and community members. Many children who experience complex trauma struggle emotionally, physically, and behaviorally. In this session, participants will earn to never underestimate the impact they can make on the life of a child, that damage from childhood trauma can be mitigated and that relationships, relationships, relationships are the key to everything!

Abstinence-Only Sex Education In Public Schools: A Special Commentary, Julianna Williams

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Abstinence Only Until Marriage (AOUM) programs, also known as Sexual Risk Avoidance (SRA) programs, are non-comprehensive, religion and values-based programs that are still widely used, and supported by government funding, in schools around the United States of America. Content of these programs include messages of misogyny, heteronormativity, and racism, among others. Existing research has indicated that sex education programs lack efficacy in prevention or reduction in teen pregnancy and STI infection. However, little research has investigated the potentially harmful impact of biased messaging to long term sexual and mental health and well-being. In this commentary, I highlight some of the …

Integrating Sexuality Issues In Career Counseling: A Special Commentary, Megan Speciale, Dominique Oster

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

The integration of sexual health and wellness competencies within the career counseling specialization is a crucial aspect of providing comprehensive support to clients. This integration holds significance in three key areas: clinical practice, research, and training. In clinical practice, addressing sexual health concerns that may impact career decisions can enhance the comprehensive support provided to clients. In research, exploring the relationship between sexual health and career development and satisfaction is crucial. Furthermore, incorporating sexual health and wellness competencies into training programs for career counselors is necessary to ensure practitioners have the knowledge and skills required to effectively support clients in …

Lgbtq+ Substance Use And Sexual Health And Wellbeing: A Special Commentary, Michael P. Chaney, Nicole Urhahn-Schmitt

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Although there has been some increased visibility in professional counseling literature pertaining to LGBTQ+ issues, gaps still exist. One such omission is how LGBTQ+ sexual wellbeing is negatively influenced by substance use. This commentary briefly reviews ways LGBTQ+ sexual wellbeing is negatively impacted by substance use. We provide commentary on how counselors may bolster sexual wellbeing when working with LGBTQ+ substance users and highlight gaps in counseling research. Lastly, recommendations for integrating this content into counselor training are provided.

A Path Towards Intersectionality-Informed Counseling Sexology: A Special Commentary, Bianca R. Augustine

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

It is the goal of professionals within the field of counseling sexology and sexual wellness to provide clients with clinical mental health counseling through a sex-positive and affirming framework. To do so, clinicians must pay special attention to best practices in the field, especially as it relates to historically oppressed and minoritized clients. To do so, appropriate training is required to inform care. Furthermore, clinical practice is also informed by research, making it imperative that research is conducted related to various aspects of sexual wellness and treatment. This commentary will identify and discuss sexual health and wellness priorities within the …

Human Sexuality Education For Counseling Students, An Ethical Imperative: A Special Commentary, Meagan S. Mcbride

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Human sexuality is a profound and multifaceted component of the human condition that is universally experienced. As such, it is an inevitability that issues related to human sexuality will come up in counseling settings; however, there is a lack of medically accurate sex education in K-12 schools. Additionally, there is no requirement, except for in three states, for students in mental health counseling programs to complete a course on human sexuality. While human sexuality is not a specific competency outlined by CACREP or ACA, it is universally experienced by all clients and counselors. This special commentary highlights the ethical need …

The Impact Of A Canine-Assisted Reading Program On Readers Needing Extra Practice, Amanda N. Coffman, Elana Bernstein, Susan C. Davies, Ann F. Justice

Counselor Education and Human Services Faculty Publications

Canines can provide emotional support, create a nonjudgmental environment, facilitate positive social interactions, and shape student behavior. This study investigated the impact of a canine-assisted reading program on four second-grade students' reading fluency and attitudes toward reading. Oral reading fluency (ORF) was measured using ORF probes, and students' attitudes toward reading were measured with the Elementary Reading Attitude Survey. Although ORF skills did not improve significantly following the program, students' attitudes toward reading did. Implications regarding innovative strategies for reading fluency programs, including canine-assisted methods, are discussed, with emphasis on the importance of maintaining reading enjoyment among readers needing extra …

A Grounded Theory Of Counselors’ Post-Graduation Development Of Disability Counseling Effectiveness, Michele Rivas, Nicole R. Hill

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Many persons with disabilities engage in counseling services in a variety of settings. However, the development trajectories of counselors who seek to compensate for the lack of training and advance their post-graduation skillset to work effectively with clients with disabilities has not been explored. This grounded theory study illuminated several dimensions involved in twenty-one Licensed Professional Counselors’ post-graduation development of disability counseling effectiveness. In this study, counseling effectiveness refers to self-perceived improved skillset rather than a benchmark (i.e., competence). The core category, Evolving Commitments, was common to all participants’ trajectories when developing disability counseling effectiveness. The other categories (causal conditions, …

Recommendations For Counselor Education And Supervision Programs To Improve Gatekeeping Processes Developed From Doctoral Student Experiences, Evan C. Smarinsky, Cian L. Brown, Erin Popejoy

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of eleven doctoral students at three CACREP accredited programs to address issues in counselor education and supervision programs and faculty face regarding gatekeeping. The information was used to develop and provide recommendations for gatekeeping procedures that can be implemented at the departmental and classroom levels. Ways programs can improve the training of doctoral students for gatekeeping roles and responsibilities, steps faculty can take to create an environment which supports gatekeeping at their institution, as well as support doctoral students as they grow into future gatekeepers of the profession are …

An Exploration Of Authors’ Circle: A Scholarly Writing Peer Feedback Process, Jacqueline M. Swank

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Doctoral students need to develop scholarly writing skills if they plan to work in academia. This study focused on the lived experiences of five counselor education doctoral students engaging in a peer feedback activity throughout a course designed to help them develop writing skills. The researcher identified five main themes from the data: (a) hesitancy and normalizing the experience; (b) development as a writer; (c) learning about, developing relationships with, and collaborating with peers; (d) self-confidence; and (e) areas to consider. The author discusses implications for teaching and research.