Student Counseling and Personnel Services Commons^™

Assessment Of Professional Counseling Dispositions: A Content Validity Analysis, Patrick R. Mullen, Jacob Joseph, Kaitlin Jones Hinchey, Morgan Walker, Jennifer Niles

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Counselor educators evaluate the professional counseling dispositions of trainees throughout their development within training programs. There have been few consistent articulations of professional dispositions as many programs and measures define them differently. In our study, we developed the Assessment of Professional Counseling Dispositions (APCD) and performed a content validity study of the measure. Our findings provide evidence for the content validity of the APCD. We discuss these findings, their implications, and future research using the measure.

From Exploration Of Classism To Anticlassist Counseling: Implications For Counselors And Counselor Educators, Lucy Parker-Barnes, Suzanne Degges-White, David A. Walker, Scott Wickman, Bellamy Linneman, Courtney Rowley, Robert Giansante, Noel Mckillip

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Classism is a recently studied, but historically present, form of oppression. Despite much attention to inclusion of underrepresented clients in counseling literature, there has been little focus on the presence of classism in academic settings. In an effort to close this gap, a study of 202 individuals, aged 18 to 38, was conducted to explore the relationships among perceived classism, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status. Only 4.5% of the participants had never experienced any incidents of classism. African American individuals were more likely to experience interpersonal classism and working class/poor individuals were more likely to experience interpersonal and systemic classism. Recommendations …

Our Vision Through The Trauma Lens, Lindsay Thompson, Ryan Maher, Cassie Crowder, Sherida Mcfarland, Beth Hazelwood

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

It is our goal to change the perceptions of alternative schools as a placement for “bad kids”, to a place where students gain the support needed to become successful in their home schools by looking through the lens of the effects of trauma and its impact on students.

Conduct Professionals' Experiences With Student Misconduct And Mental Health, Robyn Bauer

Masters Theses

Over the years, mental health concerns have continued to rise in college students and is compounded by the natural stressors associated with navigating unfamiliar territory, increased social and academic pressures, as well as added responsibilities and obligations (Pedrelli et al., 2015). Mental illnesses have been linked to misconduct, disruptive behavior, or violent behavior among students (Center for Parent Information and Resources, 2017; Johnson et al., 2018; Semenza & Grosholz, 2019; Taylor & Smith, 2019). There is limited research focused on the intersection of mental health and misconduct. This qualitative study utilized semi-structured questions to explore how conduct professionals manage mental …

The Lived Experiences Of Higher Education Academic Advisors With Counseling Degrees In Addressing Their Role In Student Success, Shajuana Isom-Payne

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this research study was to examine the lived experiences of academic advisors with a counseling degree in addressing their role in student success. If student retention rates are not addressed, higher education institutions are at risk of losing students, which is costly to the institution and the student (Himes, 2014). Most college students are in a state of change and need academic advising support to achieve success during a college transition (Tinto, 2012). Academic advisors can assist students in finding the right career for students’ specific strengths. Academic advisors with counseling degrees address advising through the lens …

Intragroup Marginalization Among Latinx Migrant Farmworker College Students, Annette Calvario Perales

Dissertations

The Latinx population is the fastest-growing racial minority group in the United States (U.S.) (Passel et al., 2014). There are nearly 2 million migrant families in the U.S. (Tippett, 2020). Most migrant families live below the poverty level, and children often provide significant supplemental income to that of their parents’ (Zalaquett et al., 2007). Many migrant families are faced with various challenges, such as secluded living conditions, financial instability, physical and mental health barriers, and educational barriers (Dreby, 2015; Thompson et al., 2002; BPHC, 1995). In addition, migrant students frequently find themselves in a dilemma between providing financial assistance to …

Interview Of Kate Ward-Gaus Avp Of Student Wellness, Kate Ward-Gaus, Wendy Stanley

All Oral Histories

Kate Ward-Gaus was the Assistant Vice President of Student Wellness at La Salle University. She retired in January 2021. Prior to retiring, Kate worked in substance abuse counseling and wellness for more than forty years. She joined La Salle in 2006 and became the Director of the Alcohol and Other Drug Education Center prior to becoming Assistant VP in 2017. Kate was part of the leadership team that prepared for the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak in February 2020.

Parental Perceived Need For Counseling For Adolescents’ Anxiety And Depression Symptoms: A Cross-Sectional Study, Isak Kim, Nayoung Kim

Counseling Faculty Publications

Objective

This study examined the association between parental perceived need for counseling or mental health care services and adolescents’ subgroups of anxiety and depression symptoms (Anxiety-only, Depression-only, Anxiety-Depression, and None).

Method

Adolescent sample (N = 20,486, M = 14.69  years old, SD = 1.69) was drawn from the National Survey of Children’s Health 2017–2018 (NSCH 2017–2018). A chi-square test was used to analyze the association between two categorical variables.

Results

The Chi-square test was statistically significant, Χ2(6) = 7,914.33, p < .01, V = .44. Adolescents from the Anxiety-Depression group received counseling or mental health care the most (80.94%), while 69.03% of those in the depression-only group and 44.86% in the Anxiety-only group received mental health services.

Conclusions

Caregivers of adolescents with Anxiety-only tended to perceive the least need for counseling or mental health care, …

Mental Health And Discipline In California Community Schools, Damien Phillips

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed method study was to determine if there is a difference in achievement, absenteeism, graduation rates and suspension for students enrolled in community schools that do and don’t have access to school-based mental health services. In addition, it was the purpose to identify and describe the practices most effective in improving attendance, reduction of suspension, achievement and graduation as perceived by community school employees.

Methodology: This mixed-method dissertation attempted to determine the difference between California county community schools for expelled students who have had access to school-based mental health and those who do not as …

The Adult Public’S Perception Of The Utility Of Play Therapy, Margaret L. Hindman

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Children communicate through symbolism and play as toys are children's words and play is their language (Landreth, 2012; Oaklander, 1988; Piaget, 1951; Ray, 2016). Play therapists facilitate developmentally appropriate support for children (Landreth, 2012). Often parents are unaware of the importance of play in children’s counseling (Brumfield & Christensen, 2011; Landreth, Bratton, Kellam, & Blackard, 2006).

Since adults often make decisions for children, it is important to know adults’ perceptions of play therapy utility. There is little research on parents’ knowledge of mental health services especially research specific to play therapy (Gallo, Comer, & Barlow, 2013; O’Connor & Langer, 2018). …

Art Therapy In Public Education, Sophie Edelman

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This literature review explores the history of art therapy in education. By understanding the history it is clear that art therapy has always been a positive force for students. By learning from the successes and challenges in our history we are better able to plan for future programing and expansion of art therapy programs. Because art therapy was developed in part by educators, the history of art therapy itself is linked with the history of art therapy in schools. In today’s application of art therapy in education there are three models most typically used. The research discusses the strengths and …

Understanding And Supporting The Transition Of Marginalized Students Entering College, Taylor Sweet, Barb Dos Santos, Meagan Seago, Derrick Paladino

National Cross-Cultural Counseling and Education Conference for Research, Action, and Change

Although all new college students experience adjustments and transitions, marginalized students entering a majority populated campus may encounter additional obstacles. This presentation will explore the collegiate ecological system’s impact on this transition and the potential mental health issues that arise. Exploring both domestic-minority and international students, presenters will discuss struggles, strengths, and offer insight into counseling approaches and campus supports.

"No One Can Make That Choice For You": Exploring Power In The Sexual Narratives Of Black Collegians, Candice Hargons, Della V. Mosley, Carolyn Meiller, Jardin Dogan, Jennifer Stuck, Chesmore Montique, Natalie Malone, Joseph Oluokun, Carrie Bohmer, Queen-Ayanna Sullivan, Anyoliny Sanchez, Danelle Stevens-Watkins

Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology Faculty Publications

Power is enacted to oppress others, pursue wellness, or resist oppression. For Black people, societal and relational oppression influences racialized and gendered expressions of power within sexual encounters. The current study analyzed power dynamics within Black university students' first and most recent sexual encounters. Using narrative inquiry within a critical paradigm, five narrative strategies were identified within participants' interviews: 1) Offering a Peek into Powerlessness, 2) Detailing Disempowerment, 3) Privileging Stereotypical Power, 4) Reclaiming Power, and 5) Emphasizing Empowered Sex. Racialized, gendered sexual socialization among Black students is discussed. Counseling considerations to increase sexual wellness for Black people are explored.

Cognitive Behavioral Intervention For Trauma In Schools (Cbits): A School Social Work Perspective, Karla B. Horton Phd, Lmsw

International Journal of School Social Work

This article reviews research about the effects of traumatic events on the functioning of children and adolescents in a school setting. Interventions with traumatic stressors have been shown to work best when they incorporate multiple elements such as policy change, teacher and administration buy-in, and parent meetings. One intervention, Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), has been successfully developed and implemented by school social workers, teachers, and parents to address a range of traumatic stressors. This article will review CBITS training and examine how it could be used to address traumatic stressors in children and adolescents to lower …

Promoting Queer Competency Through An Experiential Framework, Thomas Killian, Reka Farago, Harvey C. Peters

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Many counselors report feeling under prepared to effectively work with queer persons. Arguably, this can be mitigated through early intervention within training programs. However, many counseling programs do not adequately prepare their students to work with queer persons. To eliminate this gap in training, this article combines endorsed counseling competencies and experiential learning as an approach to enhance counselor queer training and preparation. This approach primarily framed through the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies, and further supported through the Competencies for Counseling with LGBQQIA Individuals, and the ALGBTIC Competencies for Counseling with Transgender Clients can create an encompassing curricula …

Promoting Awareness Of Self: Cultural Immersion And Service-Learning Experiences Of Counselors-In-Training, Rose Helen Merrell-James, Marcy J. Douglass, Matthew R. Shupp

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Promoting Awareness-of-Self: Cultural Immersion and Service-Learning experiences

Abstract

Counselor education is committed to exploring innovative pedagogy to provide opportunities for counselor trainees to increase multicultural competence. International cultural immersion and service –learning create an environment for counselors-in-training to explore their cultural competence through cultural interactions, relationships, and heightened self-awareness. This exploratory, qualitative, phenomenological study using focus group data collection investigated the lived experience of counselors-in-training through international cultural immersion and service-learning. Awareness-of-self emerged as the overarching theme which included themes of personal and national privilege, cultural encapsulation, sense of belonging, and racism. Subthemes include attitudes and beliefs, cultural norms, time, …

How To Make School-Based Mental Health Work, Jenny Wilhoite

National Youth Advocacy and Resilience Conference

This session is designed to give an overview of how to create a School-Based Mental Health program that benefits students on all tiers, providing universal prevention, early intervention, and intensive services for at-risk students. Meeting the unmet needs of students with mental health challenges impacts student attendance, behavioral and academic outcomes, and discipline in a positive way.

Students’ Perspectives Of Experiential Learning In An Addictions Course, Tammi F. Dice, Kristy Carlisle, Rebekah Byrd

ETSU Faculty Works

Substance use disorder practitioners may identify as individuals in recovery, while others may have never experienced the challenge of abstinence. Without this lived experience, it may be difficult to accurately empathize with clients in recovery. Experiential learning is a way for students to live through an exercise in abstinence. The value of utilizing experiential learning for skill development and application of theory is established. However, there is no empirical research examining the use of experiential learning with undergraduate substance use disorder practitioner trainees not in recovery from addiction as a means to increase their ability to empathize with clients’ experiences. …

Turning To Waheguru: Religious And Cultural Coping Mechanisms Of Bereaved Sikhs, Muninder Ahluwalia, Raman Kaur Mohabir

Department of Counseling Scholarship and Creative Works

Grief and loss are universal experiences for all individuals and communities. The experience of a loss due to death and the bereavement process to follow are influenced by an individual’s religious values and beliefs. In this article, we discuss the Sikh bereavement process in the United States. We provide brief personal narratives as exemplar case studies, highlight religious and cultural factors, and explain potential challenges of bereavement. Finally, we discuss implications for mental health clinicians and other providers of services that surround death and dying.

Experiences Of International Students In Practicum And Internship Courses: A Consensus Qualitative Research, Sangmin Park, Jee Hyang Lee, Susannah M. Wood

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This qualitative study explores the practicum and/or internship experiences of international students in counseling. Based on the foundation of phenomenological research, this study uses a consensual qualitative research method. Semi-structured interview questionnaires asked ten participants regarding their experiences of practica and/or internships (including their fears, challenges, and support from training programs). Results revealed that the fears and challenges that international students face during the practicum and/or internship training primarily stemmed from their language barrier and/or a lack of understanding of the American counseling system. Our findings indicated that providing practical information, such as sites, the American counseling system, insurance, and …

The Relationship Between Counseling Students’ Theoretical Orientation And Treatment Outcomes, Jessica Holm, Cynthia Bevly, Elizabeth Prosek

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

A MANCOVA was conducted to determine differences in client treatment outcomes based on counseling students’ theoretical orientations. Results indicated that at a training clinic, clients demonstrated statistically significant improvement and, students’ theoretical orientation did not significantly affect client outcomes. Pedagogical strategies are suggested for counselor educators and supervisors.

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.

Estimating Wasi Iq Scores To Assist In Identifying Elementary School Gifted Students, Debra Garrett Pregler

Dissertations

Identifying gifted students early is important so they may receive adaptations in their learning environment including admittance into gifted programs (Subotnik, Olszweski-Kubilius, & Worrell, 2012). An effective method to increase the likelihood of identifying gifted students is needed (Pfeiffer, 2003). Admission at the elementary level primarily uses the individually-administered intelligence test; yet, the test is only administered to students nominated to the gifted program. The purpose of this study was to determine if individually-administered IQ test scores were related to specific information available to the elementary school counselor to aid in the determination of unidentified gifted elementary school students who …

Affirmative Client Care: Reconciling Evidence-Based Practices Within Humanistic Engagement, Harvey C. Peters, Michele Rivas

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Contemporary trends in mental health have furthered the counseling profession’s adherence to scientifically-based practices while grounded in core humanistic values. This has created philosophical and clinical tensions, especially for counselors adhering to a humanistic philosophy. Despite the documented pressures, there is a gap in the literature addressing how professional counselors can navigate the integration of evidence-based practices into humanism. This manuscript offers an affirmative stance on the navigation of these tensions through the use of a case discussion and actionable suggestions.

Military Culture In Counselor Education: Assessing Educators’ Perceptions Of Inclusion, Seth C.W. Hayden, Heather C. Robertson, Emily Kennelly

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor educators are tasked with preparing counselors to effectively engage a wide range of topics and populations within counseling practice. The cultural experience of clients is often a significant focus both in content and experiential learning opportunities. Given the attention within the profession of counseling on our ability to effectively serve military service members and veterans, this begs the question as to the degree the context of the military is viewed as a unique culture within the field of counselor education. This article describes a research study of counselor educators’ perceptions of the military as a unique culture. In addition, …

Using Fidelity Measures To Support The Training Of Graduate Students Working In School Settings, Nadia L. Ward, Lakeesha N. Woods, Patricia Simon, Jennifer Greif Green, Michael J. Strambler

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This paper presents a case example of a school-based social development program supported by counselors, yet implemented by graduate student facilitators in a mid-sized urban public school in New England. The authors describe a process for developing and validating fidelity instruments and the use of these assessments to train lay facilitators or graduate students enrolled in counseling or counselor education programs. Guidelines are presented for school counselors interested in using customized fidelity instruments to formatively assess training needs of graduate students.

Increasing The Buy-In And Effectiveness Of A Social And Emotional Learning Class Program In A Single Sex, Urban And Charter High School: Social And Emotional Learning Specialists And Student Perceptions Of Its Implementation., Kizawanda A. Olowe

Dissertations

Social-emotional learning has yet to be implemented in many schools in America. Without adequate social and emotional skills, students struggle to navigate their academic and social environments. Students attending a single-sex, urban charter school participated in focus groups and completed surveys about their perceptions of a social-emotional learning program that was implemented during the 2015–2016 school year. Social-emotional learning facilitators completed surveys and participated in focus groups to ascertain the strengths and weaknesses of the program. Graphs and themes based on the information gathered from the surveys, open-ended questions, and focus groups were used to analyze the data. Both students …

Increasing School Social Worker Supports For Schools In Illinois: Policy Recommendations For Supporting Student Learning And Growth., Kizawanda A. Olowe

Dissertations

Administrators and board members at the Illinois State Board of Education recommended that schools with certain demographics hire one social worker for every 350 students. The policy has yet to be implemented despite high rates of student poverty, lagging test scores, school bullying, suspensions, and an increased number of school shootings. The Illinois State Board of Education’s social and emotional learning standards guide educators and policy makers to interact and educate each student. School social workers equipped with the necessary skill set provide services, implement district-wide social and emotional learning programs, and work with various stakeholders to monitor progress. A …

Counseling Gifted Students: School-Based Considerations And Strategies, Kelly Kennedy, Jessica Farley

Education Faculty Articles and Research

Gifted students are a heterogeneous group, inclusive of those of all cultures, backgrounds, interests, and achievements. Gifted students may not display any more or worse psychological, social, or developmental challenges than their peers, but they also are not immune from these challenges. Moreover, the nature of their giftedness may impact both how they experience a challenge and how a counselor might best support them. This article provides information regarding some developmental, emotional, and social challenges faced by gifted youth, as well as some suggestions for appropriate school-based counseling strategies.

Empowering Students Through The Application Of Self-Efficacy Theory In School Social Work: An Intervention Model, Nancy A. Delich, Stephen D. Roberts

International Journal of School Social Work

Self-efficacy is a construct well suited for social workers in the educational setting. Among the various job functions that school social workers assume, a large portion of their time is directed toward providing counseling and clinical services. Perceptions of self-efficacy are based upon the extent students expect to successfully attain their goals. Self-efficacious students with strong beliefs in their abilities will choose activities and social situations where they believe that they will be successful. Thus, they will be motivated to devote more time and effort toward accomplishing related goals. Conversely, inefficacious students of similar intelligence and capabilities may choose to …