Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Understanding The Employment Barriers And Support Needs Of People Living With Psychosis, Margaret Hampson, Richard Hicks, Bruce Watt

Bruce Watt

This study investigated the employment barriers and support needs of people living with psychosis. A purposive community sample of 137 volunteers drawn from six key stakeholder groups were invited to participate in focus groups and semi-structured individual interviews to elicit their perceptions on the employment barriers and support needs of people living with psychosis. The stakeholder groups included in this study were people with lived experience of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, carers, health professionals, employers, employment service providers, and community members. Data obtained from 14 focus groups and 31 semi-structured individual interviews were transcribed, imported into NVivo 10, and coded …

“So I Feel Like I’M Getting It And Then Sometimes I Think Ok, No I’M Not”: Couple And Family Therapists Learning An Evidence-Based Practice, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar, Virginia Eatough

Robert Allan

This research concerns itself with the experiences of couple and family therapists (CFTs) learning about and using an evidence-based practice (EBP). The engagement with EBP is growing across many aspects of the mental health and health care systems. The EBP model is now being applied in a broad range of health and human service systems, including mental and behavioural health care, social work, education, and criminal justice (Hunsley, 2007). The dialogue about the role of evidence-based approaches in the practice of CFT and research literature is also evolving (Sexton et al., 2011; Sprenkle 2012). Interestingly, while the research delves …

Health Care Risk Factors Among Women And Personal Behaviours Among Men Explain The High Prevalence Of Hepatitis C Virus Infection In Karachi, Pakistan, N. Z. Janjua, H. B. Hamza, M. Islam, S. F. A. Tirmizi, A. Siddiqui, W. Jafri, Saeed Hamid

Anwar Ali Siddiqui

To estimate the prevalence and identify factors associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection among men and women in Karachi, Pakistan. We conducted a cross-sectional study of adult men and women in a peri-urban community of Karachi (Jam Kandah). Households were selected through systematic sampling from within all villages in the study area. All available adults within each household were interviewed about potential HCV risk factors. A blood specimen was collected to test for anti-HCV antibodies by enzyme immunoassay. We used generalized estimating equations while accounting for correlation of responses within villages to identify the factors associated with HCV infection. …

Gender-Specific Research On Mental Illness In The Emergency Department: Current Knowledge And Future Directions., Megan L Ranney, Natalie Locci, Erica J Adams, Marian Betz, David B. Burmeister Do, Facep, Ted Corbin, Preeti Dalawari, Jeanne L. Jacoby Md, Judith Linden, Jonathan Purtle, Carol North, Debra E Houry

David Burmeister, DO, FACEP, CPE

Mental illness is a growing, and largely unaddressed, problem for the population and for emergency department (ED) patients in particular. Extensive literature outlines sex and gender differences in mental illness' epidemiology and risk and protective factors. Few studies, however, examined sex and gender differences in screening, diagnosis, and management of mental illness in the ED setting. Our consensus group used the nominal group technique to outline major gaps in knowledge and research priorities for these areas, including the influence of violence and other risk factors on the course of mental illness for ED patients. Our consensus group urges the pursuit …

Student Reflections Of Psychiatric/Mental Health: Using Journals And Creative Expressions

Melinda Hermanns

Therapists' Perspectives On Working With Interracial Couples [Book Chapter], Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

About the book:

Go beyond cookie-cutter therapy and interventions to provide culturally relevant therapy that works for your clients in interracial relationships! With this book, you'll explore an array of relational issues faced by various configurations of interracial couples. Then you'll learn specific intervention strategies for treating these couples in therapy. The first section presents research and theoretical chapters on issues faced by interracial couples who are heterosexual; the second focuses on issues facing racially mixed gay and lesbian couples; and the third provides you with specific interventions to use with couples in interracial relationships. Clinical Issues with Interracial Couples: …

Open Relationships: A Culturally And Clinically Sensitive Approach, Deanna M. Fierman, Shruti Singh Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Romantic and sexual relationships that challenge the notion of monogamy are more common and visible in American society than earlier years, yet there is very little literature focusing on therapy with clients in open relationships. Concepts from the literature on open relationships that could be used in couple and family therapy are discussed in addition to specific ethical considerations for therapists who work with this population. A case description that illustrates a clinical approach that draws upon constructionist and narrative elements is provided. A discussion of how therapists can assist with the negotiation of non-monogamy, and suggestions for ways to …

Utilizing Photographs With The Genogram: A Technique For Enhancing Couple Therapy, Jennifer M. Cook, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

The authors propose the use of photographs in conjunction with genograms in the couple therapy process in order to create a dynamic, information rich, and experiential therapeutic environment. The authors explore family-of-origin work with genograms and clients' personal photographs, showcasing the potential usefulness of combining these therapeutic practices to enhance couple therapy. The authors present a case description illustrating how this approach can develop a richer narrative about family-of-origin patterns in the couple system and function as a stimulus for change in the couple relationship.

Patient-Centered Communication And Prognosis Discussions With Cancer Patients, Cleveland G. Shields, Casey J. Coker, Shruti S. Poulsen, Jennifer M. Doyle, Kevin Fiscella, Ronald M. Epstein, Jennifer J. Griggs

Shruti Poulsen

To examine physician communication associated with prognosis discussion with cancer patients.

Therapists' Perspectives On Working With Interracial Couples, Shruti S. Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

This paper is based on interviews with seven marriage and family therapists (AAMFT Clinical Members) on their experiences of providing therapy to interracial couples in the course of their private practices. The interviews were conducted by the author as part of a masters thesis project. Interracial couples may frequently present for therapy with a variety of generic couples' issues and concerns. However, therapists often find that underlying these more generic concerns are issues related to the ethnic, racial, and cultural differences that the partners bring to the relationship. This paper focuses on the historical context of intermarriage, specific concerns and …

Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy With Couples Facing Terminal Illness, Sarah Tie, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Research on effective therapeutic interventions for couples dealing with terminal illness is scant. Changes in daily routine, added responsibilities, role changes, and the grief process are all contributors to the enormous stress and emotional strain felt by these couples. Couples where one partner is terminally ill may experience anger, depression, guilt, and anxiety. The authors propose that emotionally focused couple therapy (EFT), originally developed by Greenberg and Johnson (Emotionally focused therapy for couples, Guilford Press, New York, NY, 1988) may be effective in addressing this distress and in facilitating the grieving and support process in couples dealing with terminal …

Awareness Of Culture: Clinical Implications For Couple Therapy [Book Chapter], Shruti Poulsen, Volker Thomas

Shruti Poulsen

This is a chapter in the book Handbook of Clinical Issues in Couple Therapy.

About the book:
Handbook of Clinical Issues in Couple Therapy provides a comprehensive overview of emerging issues that impact couple therapy. Unlike other guides that concentrate more on theoretical approaches, this invaluable resource contains the latest research and perspectives that every clinician needs when dealing with the challenging issues often found in practice. Carefully referenced, it explores a range of issues that include intimate partner violence, posttraumatic stress disorder and its effect on couple relationships, divorce therapy, remarriage and cohabitation issues, cultural issues, and couple therapist …

Open Relationships: A Culturally & Clinically Sensitive Approach [Book Chapter[, D. Fierman, Shruti S. Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

About the book:

This Brief from the American Family Therapy Academy (AFTA) is a collection of chapters from the AFTA Monograph Series. The chapters specifically address responses to a wide range of contextual phenomena from a relational family therapy perspective. Chapters are grounded in family systems concepts and informed by postmodern perspectives including social justice. The collection provides cutting edge thinking and practices for a variety of experiences that strongly impact individuals and families. Authors address the treatment of couples and families oppressed by socio-contextual phenomena such as war and poverty, and of those marginalized by the insidious impact of …

Cultural Issues In Couple Therapy, Shruti S. Poulsen, Volker Thomas

Shruti Poulsen

There is scant literature in couples and family therapy about the impact of culture in couple therapy. This paper reviews current literature in counseling, multicultural counseling, family therapy, and gender and cultural studies to provide an overview of the significant and pertinent issues related to culture and the couple therapy setting. The paper reviews several aspects of culture including race and ethnicity, gender, social class, and sexual orientation. While by no means a complete review of these issues as they relate to couple therapy, this paper attempts to provide an opening to future dialogue and discourse in this area of …

Interracial Relationships In Hawaii, Paula M. Usita, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Given the increase in rates of intermarriages, it is vital that we understand the issues and benefits of interracial relationships and the ways in which therapists might assist interracial couples. Our focus in this article is on interracial relationships in Hawaii. Because of its history of promoting interracial ties and its plural character, Hawaii is, in many ways, a unique setting for interracial relationships. At the same time, there are relational issues, benefits, and needs faced by both mainstream U.S. interracial couples and interracial couples in Hawaii. There are a variety of therapeutic interventions that could be used to help …

Narrative Therapy For Adoption Issues In Families, Couples, And Individuals: Rationale And Approach, Lauren D. Stokes, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

This article explores the application of narrative therapy to clinical work with clients’ adoption-related issues. The importance of therapist competency in addressing adoption-related issues is the primary focus for exploring the application of narrative therapy with individual, couple, and family clients experiencing adoption issues. The narrative method can be effective in exploring and understanding the diversity of experience and meanings adoption triad members report in regard to their adoption experiences (Baden & Wiley, 2007; Daniluk & Hurtig-Mitchell, 2003). Multiple realities and meanings emerge as a theme in the adoption literature and as core concepts in the narrative framework.

Couple Therapy And Reiki: A Holistic Therapeutic Integration, Stephanie Stockham-Ronollo, Shruti Poulsen

Shruti Poulsen

Traditional psychotherapy currently tends to advocate for the exclusion of physical touch in the therapeutic context, as an attempt to address the issue of physical and emotional safety for the client and mitigate ethical and legal concerns. However, throughout human history touch has been an important factor in physical, psychological, and emotional healing processes. The authors of this article examine the current implementation of couple therapy modalities and discuss the benefits that Reiki, a biofield touch therapy, could offer in conjunction with traditional couple therapy.

Couple And Family Therapy Within The Current Pan-Canadian Context, Alan Mcluckie, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

Canadians take numerous approaches to couple and family therapy due in part to Canada’s diversity of people and geography, as well as the influence of the health care context, a central facet of our national identity. Tracing back to Nathan Epstein, the founder of family therapy in Canada, there continues to be a strong tradition of couple and family therapy within Canada which has international reach. Formal training in family therapy, as well as couple/marital therapy occurs largely outside of the scope of degree granting programs and university settings. The American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy has a strong …

Clinical Supervision Of Psychotherapists: Title For A Campbell Systematic Review, Robert Allan, Alan Mcluckie, Lillian Hoffecker

Robert Allan

No abstract provided.

Developing A Measure Of Fidelity For An Ecological Approach To Family Therapy, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

This article reviews of the role of fidelity in family therapy research and how to develop a measure based on a program of research to evaluate the effectiveness of Ungar’s (2011, 2012) social ecological approach to clinical practice. The social ecological approach is a model of intentional practice that helps individuals and families with complex needs, changes problem behaviors, and sustains those changes by increasing their capacity to navigate and negotiate for resources meaningful to them. As a means to illustrate the process of developing a fidelity measure, the rationale and development of the social ecological approach-fidelity measure is presented …

Couple And Family Therapy With Five Physical Rehabilitation Populations: A Scoping Review, Robert Allan, Michael Ungar

Robert Allan

This article provides a scoping review with a focus on the substantive and methodological issues of the research pertaining to couple and family therapy (CFT) with five physical medical rehabilitation populations. We searched for literature concerned with five populations: spinal cord injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury and amputations. A detailed review of CINAHL, PubMed, and PsycINFO databases identified 14 publications that researched couple/family therapy interventions with these populations. We synthesised the data by outlining and charting the substantive and methodological issues with this research. Findings suggest that individuals who have sustained an injury or are diagnosed with an …