Counseling Commons^™

Neuroscience-Informed Technology: Implications For Professional Counselors And Counselor Education, Deborah L. Duenyas, Zach Budesa, Chad Luke, Lauren A. Fry

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

The ACA Code of Ethics (2014) state that counselors who use technology must also develop the knowledge and skills necessary to safely engage with clients. To date, no studies were found that identified prevalence or preferences among counselors' use of technology with clients. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate licensed professional counselors’ self-assessment of competency to use Neuroscience-Informed Technology (NIT). A national sample of licensed professional counselors were surveyed (N = 69). Results indicate that licensed professional counselors feel competent to use NIT as an intervention in their clinical work (94%). Participants reported feeling most competent in …

Students’ Experiences Conducting Telehealth Counseling During A Pandemic, Laura L. Gallo, Regina Moro, Molly Moran

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

In this article, the results of an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis qualitative research study are presented. This study explored the experiences of counselors-in-training learning how to conduct telehealth counseling during their practicum experience. Telehealth counseling was implemented for training due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Results highlighted the five superordinate themes of participants: (1) importance of relationships, (2) emotional awareness; (3) counselor development; (4) belief in counseling; and (5) skill acquisition. Participant quotes are included to convey the essence of their experiences. Following the presentation of results, a discussion with implications and the need for future research is presented.

A Tide Of Technical Trends: Technology Competence Among Licensed Counselors, Brittany G. Suggs, Mary Sanderfer Stull, Spencer R. Baker, Kathie T. Erwin, David M. Savinsky

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

The inclusion of technology in mental health care can revolutionize the accessibility, affordability, and effectiveness of counseling services, while furnishing practical solutions to reduce mental health disparities and meet widening care demands. Steered by the Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS) telebehavioral health (TBH) competencies, this study employed a descriptive survey design to investigate licensed counselors’ (LCs’) perceived technology competence in mental health care. The following research question steered the study’s exploration: What is the nature of perceived technology competence among LCs? The overarching hypothesis speculated that LCs’ exposure, familiarity, and current utilization of various mental health technologies would …

Supporting Post-Secondary Implementation Of Recovery-Oriented Practice In A Stepped Care Model, Janis Campbell

The Dissertation-in-Practice at Western University

Student mental health has been a growing concern for higher education communities for many years. Campuses have been struggling to keep up with the increasing demand for services which has been complicated further by the COVID-19 pandemic. A Stepped Care model (SCM) developed at a Canadian university has been offering new ways of organizing mental health resources based on open access, student choice, and recovery principles. There are diverse definitions of recovery in the literature and are usually based on values such as empowerment, respect, and self-determination. SCMs have been shown to increase access to resources and reduce or eliminate …

A Phenomenological Examination Of Probation Officers' Perception On Black Female Ex-Offenders Transition And Successful Reentry Into Society, Anita Michelle Bryant

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of probation officers who provided supervision in a reintegration program for post-release Black female offenders concerning their efforts to reduce recidivism. The feminist theory guided this research study, as it shed light on the barriers encountered by female offenders in the United States and expounded how they were specifically unique from the barriers faced by male offenders. The research questions were: what are probation officers’ perceptions of how reentry programs contribute to Black female ex-offenders’ successful transition back into the community, what are the probation officers’ perceptions of how …

A Phenomenological Study And Investigation Of Moral Injury With Veterans, Corey V. Douglas

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Moral injury is not a new concept but there are present concerns surrounding the shortage of noted experiences of Veterans having dealt with moral injury. In addition, challenges in agreeing to a general definition and diagnostic criteria for moral injury are acknowledged. The lack of consensus on what is moral injury, diagnosis requirements, and treatment options are likely to complicate matters further in the future. The inability of the mental health industry and providers to determine a concrete foundation encompassing moral injury led to challenges to the delivery of care to individuals dealing with a moral injury such as Veterans …

Spouses’ Scriptural Beliefs, The Faithfulness Of Relationship With God, And Marital Satisfaction, Cristina Sanda Emrich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A substantial body of research attests to religion's prominent influence on marital relationship quality. Aspects of religiosity that appear to enhance the quality of marital relationships include couples’ religious homogamy, prayer, religious involvement, spouses’ virtues, and sanctification of marriage. The couples reported studying the Scriptures to be beneficial in coping with life challenges and playing an important role in spouses’ conflict resolution. This study examines the association between marital satisfaction and biblical principles related to constructs such as forgiveness and commitment. It is assumed that relational virtues become relevant for marital quality as scriptural beliefs required by God. Spouses forgive …

Resilience In Black Mental Health Counselors, Ericka Cables

Dissertations

Though resilience is a commonly studied variable in different disciplines, there is relatively little research on occupational settings. Researchers take various perspectives in defining resilience as a trait, process, and an outcome. Regardless of how it is defined, it is a vital protective factor for Black mental health counselors who may be significantly impacted by similar experiences, such as racism and racial discrimination, as the Black clients they serve. This dissertation study consisted of two studies utilizing the same data set. In the first study, psychometric properties of a new quantitative instrument, the Race-Based Resilience Scale (RBRS), was constructed to …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Implementing Depression Screenings With Uninsured African American Adults, Pamela Talley

Dissertations

Problem: Uninsured African Americans are underdiagnosed and often untreated for depression. Individuals usually do not present to their primary care provider with a complaint of depressed mood, however, may report symptoms such as decreased energy, general body aches, digestive concerns, somatic complaints, or older adults' memory or cognitive problems. The purpose of this quality improvement pilot project was to examine the results of the implementation of a depression screening (PHQ-9) in a primary care setting for uninsured adults for detection, diagnosis, and treatment of depression in African American clients.

Results: The PHQ-9 screening questionnaire was given to 100% (N …

‘Mapping’ Moral Engagement In The Solution-Focused Approach Through Macintyre’S Model Of Practice, Brian K. Jennings

Journal of Solution Focused Practices

I attempt to answer Trish Walsh’s two questions about the ‘maps’ that might exist for moral engagement in the ‘helping’ professions and how these might relate to the Solution-Focused Approach (Walsh, 2010). I seek to do this by exploring the narrative of the emergence of the Solution Focused Approach from the perspective of Alasdair MacIntyre’s concept of a ‘practice’ (MacIntyre, 1985) with the aim of providing the basis for ‘map’ for moral engagement by Solution-Focused Practitioners. To this end I attempt to interpret the Solution Focused Approach as a MacIntyreian ‘practice’ in which virtues (as ‘human qualities’) emerge out of …

Examining The Effects Of A Well-Being Therapy Protocol On Sexual Minority Individuals’ Psychological Well-Being, Thomas M. Toomey

Theses and Dissertations

Sexual minority individuals are at higher risk of mental health concerns than heterosexual individuals due to the impacts of minority stress. Previous counseling interventions for sexual minority individuals have focused on pathology and reducing negative symptoms. However, there is a need for more empirical counseling interventions that address these disparities from a positive psychology perspective. Utilizing a multiple baseline single case research design, the current study examined the impact of a wellbeing therapy protocol for improving the psychological well-being and decreasing depressive symptoms for three sexual minority individuals. There was no functional relationship observed for the Well-Being Therapy protocol on …

Opening A Crack To Let The Light In: An Exploration Of An Online Group Adolescent Compassion Focussed Therapy Intervention, Euan Pb Fraser Tait

Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository

The current study’s goal is to expand the adolescent compassion focused therapy (CFT) literature by exploring participant experiences of a novel CFT protocol which was delivered in an online group therapy format. This study is a mixed methods approach using surveys, open-ended questionnaires, and interviews to explore participants’ experience and expression of feelings of inadequacy (FOI) and self-compassion. Thematic analysis findings revealed that participants struggled primarily with FOI relating to evaluative contexts such as school and sports and that these FOI also carried with them implications of self-worth and perfectionism. Through participating in the program, participants were able to de-shame …

Exploring The Impact Of A Brief Counseling Intervention For Improving Mental Health Factors And Learning Strategies Among College Students At An Hsi, James Ikonomopoulos, Kristopher Garza, Javier Cavazos Vela

Journal of Academic Underperformance

Abstract

This study evaluated a counseling intervention called the University Turn Around Program (U-Turn) for college students experiencing mental health issues and low academic performance. Social Anxiety, Hostility, and Alcohol Use were measured on the CCAPS-34, and Attitude, Information Processing, Selecting Main Ideas, Test Strategies, and Using Academic Resources were measured on the LASSI-3. Paired samples t-tests revealed improvement for each measure (d = 0.45 to 1.09) supporting the U-Turn program’s inclusion in university counseling centers.

Keywords: College Students, Quasi-Experimental, University Counseling Center

Females With Autism Traits: A Retrospective Look At Developmental Trajectories, Greer Caroline Willman Finster

Theses and Dissertations

It is becoming more apparent in recent years that many females with autism spectrum disorder (autism) have not been identified, sometimes until adulthood. Most of what is known about early signs of autism is based on predominantly male symptomatic presentations or data gathered from females with autism who are severely affected by autism and co-morbid conditions such as intellectual developmental disorder. One of the issues contributing to the under diagnosis of females is that the presentation of symptoms or traits and developmental histories of females with autism may not be the same as those of males. There is a gap …

Comparing The Effects Of Online And In-Person Social Skills Training For Adolescents With Autism Using Peers®, Benjamin Tze Ming Ooi

Theses and Dissertations

Autism Spectrum Disorder (autism) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social skills differences which can interfere with success in developing or maintaining relationships. Social skills training may promote more satisfying change in social interactions for individuals with autism, especially if they already have age-appropriate cognitive and language abilities. Social skills training is a typical approach for addressing social skills needs for many individuals with autism. In some instances, in-person social skills training or groups may not be readily available because of geographical, transportation, or other barriers. Delivering social skills training online is one way to increase access to intervention for …

Anxiety Of Struggling Readers And Excelling Readers During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Chelsey Taylor Lemmon

Theses and Dissertations

Anxiety is the most reported negative emotion in the academic setting. One of the specific forms of anxiety that children can experience is reading anxiety (RA). Children who experience RA are often at risk for reading failure; likewise, children who experience reading failure are likely to experience RA. Children who excel at reading can also experience anxiety, often in the form of harm avoidance. Bibliotherapy has been shown to help to mitigate the effects of specific types of anxiety in children. The purpose of this study was to understand the anxiety of children who excel at reading and children at …

Needs Assessment Of Services Provided In A Rural School District For Students With Autism, Danielle Anne Katterman

Theses and Dissertations

The number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (autism) has steadily increased dramatically over the past generation, and more students with autism than ever before are enrolled in the public education system. Educating students with autism presents unique challenges (e.g., shortage of staff, low incidence of autism, limited programming) to rural school districts. Rural districts must adhere to the same federal and state guidelines (e.g., Individuals with Disabilities Education Act & Free and Appropriate Public Education) as urban districts that have more readily available resources in providing appropriate programming. This study examined stakeholders' perceptions of the current services offered …

Exploring The Perceptions Of School Teams Implementing Multi-Tiered Systems Of Support, Saanya Rajesh Lulla

Theses and Dissertations

Many schools are transitioning towards a preventative approach to meet the needs of at-risk learners with academic and/or behavioral concerns through the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support (MTSS) framework. This qualitative study explored the perceptions of the impacting factors for MTSS and the needs of building leadership teams through semi-structured interviews using a video conferencing-based online platform. Participants included 15 building administrators from school districts in a mountain west state of the United States. Interviews were transcribed and analyzed through thematic analysis. A total of four themes or impacting factors were identified. First, participants reported that MTSS relies on the district's …

Belonging And Banding Together: Perspectives And Insights Of Newly Recruited Ell Musicians, Edward Francis Luckey, Edward Luckey, Edward Luckey

Education Doctorate Dissertations

The purpose of this research is to bring forward the lived experiences of English Language Learner (ELL) musicians who were new to the band program as of the Spring of 2021. This study was born out of previous coursework and reflection where it became apparent that more must be done to provide access to our band program for students who are in our ELL program. Therefore, the research question that guides this study is “What are the lived experiences of ELL band students?” The methodology is primarily a pursuit of the stories and lived experiences of the ELLs via a …

Adolescents’ Perceptions Of School Counselling In Ibadan, Nigeria, Tolulope Bella - Awusah, Glory Oyewole, Ajibola Falaye, Olayinka Omigbodun

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

This study explored adolescents’ perceptions and experiences with school counselling in Ibadan, Southwest Nigeria. A total of 48 students between the ages of 14 and 19 years from public and private secondary schools participated in eight focus groups. Using a phenomenological approach, data was analyzed using thematic analysis. Participants described the role of a school counsellor as an adult support system and accessed counselling services mostly for academic purposes. Negative beliefs and experiences with the counselling process and preference for significant others were some barriers to seeking school counselling services. Personal counsellor attributes which facilitate supportive interpersonal relationships were desired. …