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Letter From The Editor, Kristin L. Hansen

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Humanistic Psychology, Same-Sex Attraction, And Safe Spaces, Edwin E. Gantt, Jeffrey L. Thayne

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

In this paper, we explore the concept of a genuinely “safe space,” what it might mean, and how such a concept is usually understood in both the discipline of psychology and the larger culture. Further, we explore some of the potential pitfalls that must be avoided in seeking to establish a “safe space” for members of the LDS Church who experience same-sex attraction (SSA) that is in harmony with the restored gospel. We will argue that one of the most serious potential threats to any effort to create a genuinely safe space for Church members who experience SSA is to …

"The Way Of Man Is Not In Himself": Reflections On Humanistic Psychology, Same-Sex Attraction, And Safe Spaces, Richard N. Williams

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

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Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Mixed-Method Study Of Perfectionism And Religiosity Among Mormons: Implications For Cultural Competence And Clinical Practice, Samuel O. Peer, James S. Mcgraw

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

Extending prior research on perfectionism and religiosity, the current study investigated their relation among Latter-day Saints (LDS)–also known as Mormons–through a sequential mixed-methods design. An online community sample of 194 LDS completed the Religiousness Measure-Revised and the Hewitt Multidimensional Perfectionism Scale. Subsequently, six of these participants were interviewed to further explore how perfectionism manifests among Mormons in a qualitative pilot study. Quantitative results demonstrated significant positive correlations between religiosity and perfectionism, but only for self- and other-oriented perfectionism. Qualitative content analysis indicated further how adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism manifest in an LDS context. Implications for culturally competent practice and future …

Life's Lessons: Reflections On A Disciple Scholar, Colleagues And Students Of Dr. Robert L. Gleave

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

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Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Table Of Contents

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

A Few Reasons I Choose Christ: A Beginning Expression Of Thankfulness For What Jesus Does For Me, Robert L. Gleave

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Full Issue

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Thanks For Nothin,' Timothy Leary: Reflections On Gantt And Thayne's, Lane Fischer

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

All Things Denote There Is A God: A Response To Gantt And Thayne, Michael J. Richardson

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

Gantt and Thayne’s (pp. 3–21) cautions about Rogerian psychotherapy are warranted. Certainly, the theory has been interpreted in ways that lead to the very dangers they highlight. However, there may be more to the theory than first meets the eye, and the very dangers invoked by the theory might also represent opportunities. Neglecting some of the truths in the theory might alienate its proponents rather than persuade them of a better way. In this response, possible compatibilities between the theory and the gospel are explored, along with ways in which these might provide inroads for LDS psychologists to influence a …

Grace As Psychotherapy: Suggestions For Therapists With Latter-Day Saint Clients, Matthew R. Draper, James S. Mcgraw, Daniel Sturtevant, Richard D. Draper

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

There is a growing body of literature that shows how perfectionism has tremendous effects on a person’s well-being. Specifically, maladaptive perfectionism continues to have an alarming influence on many individuals’ experiences with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, and suicidal ideations. Interestingly, for religious or spiritual individuals, perfectionism is often colored by profound religious themes that further complicate treatment. This paper seeks to explore this issue by introducing the case of Sister Vivi, a Mormon woman who suffered a great deal of depression and anxiety, and eventually a suicide attempt due to perfectionism entwined within her religious beliefs. In cooperation with her …

No Safety In Solipsism, Aaron P. Jackson

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

No abstract provided.

Flint’S Children: Narratives On Hope, Christin L. Carotta, Amy E. Bonomi, Karleigh Knox, Morgan C. Blain, Brianna F. Dines, Jaquan Cotton

The Qualitative Report

Hope plays an important role in resiliency, well-being, and buffering against adversity. To explore children’s experiences with hope while developing in low-income communities, we conducted interviews with twenty-one children residing in Flint, Michigan, ages 9-12 years. Research questions focused on the specific hopes children have, the importance they ascribe to different hopes, and their experiences of feeling hopeful or less hopeful about desired outcomes. Children expressed interrelated hopes across multiple social-ecological domains, including hopes for themselves, hopes for their interpersonal relationships, and hopes for the community. Children placed particular importance on their hopes of helping others, which included providing for …

The Experience Of Parents Of Early-Returned Missionaries, Kristine J. Doty-Yells, Harmony Packer, Malisa M. Drake-Brooks, Russell T. Warne, Cameron R. John

Issues in Religion and Psychotherapy

This paper shares the results of a mixed methods study designed to understand the lived experiences of parents of early-returned LDS missionaries. Researchers conducted two focus groups of parents (n = 7) and developed and administered a survey (n = 199). The study considered the phenomenon through the theoretical lenses of Kübler-Ross’s model of grief and Boss’s model of ambiguous loss. The results suggested that parents struggle with the early-return process, the lack of communication with mission presidents, a perceived lack of support from some church leaders and ward members, and personal adjustment to their child’s early return. Clinical implications …

Invisible Outsiders: Developing A Working Alliance With Appalachian Clients, Jake Protivnak, Cassandra Pusateri, Matthew Paylo, Kyoung Choi

Faculty Publications

Appalachian clients are often ‘invisible’ within the majority culture and possess characteristics unique to the region that must be considered within the counseling relationship (Tang & Russ, 2007).  Individuals in Appalachia have higher incidences of certain mental health disorders and substance use as compared to the national average (Appalachian Regional Commission [ARC], 2008).  Although the need for mental health services is evident, limited research exists to inform mental health professionals how to deliver culturally competent interventions to build a working alliance with Appalachian clients.  The authors will discuss a framework for mental health professionals to develop a strong working alliance …

"I Need Help" Recommendations For A Trauma Informed Care Training For Resource Parents, Jaspreet Kaur Bola

Master's Projects and Capstones

This report discusses the need for extensive trauma informed care training for resource parents (formerly known as foster care parents). A review of the literature and collection and analysis of data during group interviews with case managers and one-on-one interviews with resource parents was conducted. The review and data analysis found that resource parents are experiencing several challenging behaviors as a result of trauma from the foster child(ren) in their care and resource parents want more specific and detailed trauma informed care training that will help foster parents better address behavioral issues of the foster children in their care. Resource …

Risky Sexual Behavior And Knowledge Of Hiv/Aids Transmission In A Community Sample: Sexual Orientation, Race, And Gender, Dustin K. Shepler, Kevin P. Johnson, Alicia A. Width

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

New cases of HIV/AIDS are disproportionately diagnosed among men who identify as lesbian, gay, and bisexual and Black. Reasons for this disparity may be related to differences in knowledge of how HIV/AIDS is transmitted and differences in willingness to engage in risky sexual behaviors. In this study, we examined whether differences in knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission and engagement in risky sexual behaviors differed among men and women; lesbian, gay, and bisexual and heterosexual people; and White and Black people. Findings indicate knowledge of HIV/AIDS transmission was not related to sexual orientation or gender; however, White participants had higher scores on …

Latino Doctoral Students In Counseling Programs : Navigating Professional Identity Within A Predominantly White American Profession, Anna Flores Locke

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Using a basic qualitative research design, this author interviewed eight Latino doctoral students in counseling programs about their professional identity development experiences. The author analyzed the data from a Latino Critical Race theoretical perspective to explore the ways in which power and privilege played a role in the participants’ professional identity development as Latino doctoral students in a predominantly White American profession. The results supported that ethnicity played a central role in the participants’ experiences navigating professional identity within a predominantly White American profession. The three themes that emerged were: (1) being one of the few, (2) navigating professional identity …

Importance Of Auxiliary Theories In Research On University-Community Partnerships: The Example Of Psychological Sense Of Community, N. Andrew Peterson, Paul W. Speer, Christina Hamme Peterson, Kristen Gilmore Powell, Peter Treitler, Yuqi Wang

Collaborations: A Journal of Community-Based Research and Practice

Psychological sense of community (PSOC) has long been recognized as a key element of successful collaborative initiatives, particularly university-community partnerships. A critical challenge involves the development of auxiliary theories that guide the specification of measurement models in studies of PSOC and other theoretical constructs. Auxiliary theories can be especially useful in clarifying the differences between scales and indexes, and how each is uniquely specified and validated. Scales are based on reflective measurement in which classical test theory can be applied (e.g., reliability estimation, confirmatory factor analysis) to evaluate scores that are hypothesized to be highly correlated and as representing manifestations …

Randomized Controlled Trial Of Imago Relationship Therapy: Exploring Statistical And Clinical Significance, Nathan C. Gehlert

2017 Faculty Bibliography

For decades, couples around the world have used Imago relationship therapy (IRT) to improve their relationships. While anecdotal success stories abound, no randomized controlled trial of IRT’s impact has been accomplished until now. The authors review the results of a randomized controlled trial of distressed, treatment-seeking couples who completed 12 sessions of IRT and the impact their involvement had on their marital satisfaction. Results showed that (a) individuals in the treatment condition experienced statistically significant increases in marital satisfaction, while couples in the control group did not; (b) levels of marital satisfaction did decrease significantly from posttreatment to follow-up but …

Towards A New Profession: Counselor Professional Identity In Italy. A Delphi Study, Davide Mariotti

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counseling is a young profession compared to other mental health professions in Italy. The lack of agreement about counselor professional identity appears to have a negative impact on counselors. This situation has also led potential clients to confuse counselors with other mental health professionals. Because of this, the future development of counseling in Italy appears closely linked to a stronger counselor professional identity. The purpose of this Delphi study is to establish a consensus list among expert counselors of the distinctive elements that characterize counselor professional identity in Italy

Teaching Online Group Counseling Skills In An On-Campus Group Counseling Course, Kelly Anne Kozlowski, Courtney M. Holmes

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselors are increasingly incorporating digital modalities into their practices. As such, counseling students must be trained to provide such types of counseling within their degree programs. This article outlines an example curriculum for an on-campus group counseling class wherein students receive training and participate in an online, videoconferencing process group.

A Survey Of Students’ Knowledge About Child Sexual Abuse And Perceived Readiness To Provide Counseling Services, Jennifer Marie Foster

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Master's level students in counselor education and counseling psychology (N = 304) were surveyed to explore their knowledge about child sexual abuse (CSA) and perceived readiness to provide related counseling services. While students demonstrated general knowledge about sexual abuse, preparedness to counsel was rated much lower with 69% of students indicating low levels of competency. Data was analyzed to explore demographic characteristics that led to increased readiness scores. Indicators of statistically significant higher readiness scores included: prior work or volunteer experience with victims of sexual abuse, participation in CSA trainings, and supervised field experience. Implications for student training and recommendations …

Gatekeeping Practices Of Counselor Educators In Master's Level Counseling Programs, Vanessa B. Teixeira

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counseling students often present with problems of professional competence (PPC) in counselor education programs. The purpose of this study is to determine differences in the gatekeeping practices of counselor educators with students identified with PPC in CACREP-accredited and non-CACREP accredited counselor education programs in the United States. A survey instrument with scenarios related to students presenting with PPC was given to counselor educators. Results found no significant differences in gatekeeping practices between CACREP-accredited and non-CACREP accredited programs.

Nurturing Self: Psychotherapeutic Implications Of Women's Reflections On The Meaning Of Their Cherished Possessions, Stephanie L. Martin

The Qualitative Report

Experiencing the importance of one’s personal treasures is ubiquitous to the human experience, but what is the depth and meaning of this lived phenomenon? An interpretive phenomenological method was used to explore the meaning and significance of women’s experience of their cherished personal possessions. Nine women participated in three individual semi-structured phenomenological interviews each. Interpretive analysis revealed that women’s experience of their cherished personal possessions is one of nurturing self. Through their cherished personal possessions, women nurture their sense of self by connecting with others, affirming personal experience, supporting self through change, and cultivating a sense of self. Implications for …

Identity Doesn't Form In A Vacuum: Deconstructing The Role Of Hegemony In The Identity Formation Of Religiously Diverse People, Randa Elbih

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

In a post-9/11 world, Muslims and Muslim-looking individuals are perceived as a homogenous group characterized as violent, oppressive, and barbaric. Conflating Islam with negative traits both corroborates and instigates the dominant hegemonic forces, which serve as the filter through which and the context within which identities are formed. In order to destabilize these hegemonic beliefs, this paper builds upon James Paul Gee’s (2001) identity theory, specifically what he terms “new capitalism.” This review finds Gee’s identity theory particularly salient in the current political moment in which Muslims and Muslim-looking individuals feel rejected and Othered in the United States. However, some …

Letter To The President: Longitudinal Critical Discourse Analysis Of Academic And Hip Hop Genres In A Rap Narrative Program, Debangshu Roygardner

Dissertations, Theses, and Capstone Projects

The objective of this study was to examine an in-school rap narrative workshop through critical discourse theory (Bamberg, 2012; Daiute, 2014). Twelve youth from a public school serving youth in urban Houston, TX were recruited from an in-school and after-school Hip hop/Rap narrative program to participate in a two-year cohort research study. The primary research question guiding the study was “How do young people participating in a school-based Hip hop/Rap program use a wide range of narrative genres for literacy and psycho-social development over two years in the program?”

The data-intensive study involved assessments of literacy and psycho-social development via …

Living On Borrowed Time: A Longitudinal Examination Of A Time-Limited Housing Voucher Program, Lauren D. Foster

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

There are a number of families currently living in poverty across the United States (Census, 2010). These families are often stressed and spread thin in their daily lives. Different governmental supports are used to bolster individuals and families during their experiences of poverty. One such entity is the United States Department of Housing and Urban Affairs (HUD). This agency provides housing to countless residents each year (HUD, 2016). Much is known about the different program that HUD offers but information is limited what strengths families can bring in that can aid in their experiences while living in poverty. Using Hierarchical …