Marriage and Family Therapy and Counseling Commons^™

Learning To Be An Autistic Therapist: Personal Steps Towards An Autism-Affirming Psychotherapy, Sasha D. Strong

Ought: The Journal of Autistic Culture

How can Autistic therapists understand and support themselves, and how can this help them support their clients? In this paper, I recount my personal journey of healing and growth as an Autistic psychotherapist, 16 months after self-identification. Here is an overview of conceptual frameworks from #actuallyautistic authors, critical theory, queer theory, and social justice that I have found helpful. I also share some of the therapeutic and wellness approaches that have been important to me, including mindfulness and bodyfulness. Organic knowing has been pivotal for me in discerning between masking and aliveness, and regaining a choice around masking behaviors. This …

"Does Anyone Believe Me"?: The Traumatization Of Domestic Violence Survivors In The Criminal Justice System, Olivia Depalma

Master of Arts in Human Services

Survivors of domestic violence are often subject to chronic trauma as well as a heightened risk of injuries and mental health problems and disorders. The intention of the author is to focus on how trauma impacts a survivor’s ability to maneuver and interact with the criminal justice system (CJS). Prior studies have shown how survivor’s behaviors, usually the result of trauma, can lead to misconceived notions and beliefs in court officials and those involved in the CJS. Survivors will often face judgment, doubt, and criticism in the CJS, and this can impact their willingness to come forward, report the abuse, …

The Attachment Repair Hexagon: A Model For Recovery From Infidelity In Evangelical Marriages, Theresa C. Allen, John C. Thomas

Journal of Faith Integration Counseling (JFIC)

Many studies have examined risk factors for infidelity; however, few have investigated how couples recovered from the attachment injury of infidelity. Thus, a grounded theory pilot study was conducted by the lead author to explore the question, “What helps evangelical marriages recover after sexual infidelity by the husband?” Three evangelical couples who were a minimum of two years post-disclosure of infidelity shared their personal accounts of marital recovery. Six major findings emerged from the analysis of the data collected from their semi-structured interviews: 1) developing healthy communication; 2) obtaining support and accountability; 3) maintaining physical separation from the other woman; …

Neurodivergent Adults: Cultivating Intimate Partner Relationships Through Diverse Dating Platforms To Improve Well-Being And Life Satisfaction, Victoria R. Wolf, Mary Jan Greer

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This capstone project focuses on program development to increase the social participation of neurodivergent adults in establishing intimate partner relationships (AOTA, 2020). Creating an opportunity for neurodivergent individuals to meet each other with the intent of forming intimate partner relationships can increase their social participation and overall life satisfaction (Mitran, 2022). According to AOTA (2020), intimate partner relationships are essential to many individuals' lives. Altering the modern-day approach and building online and in-person platforms that support the individuality of the neurodivergent population will enable them to form connections without prejudice or judgment (Mitran, 2022).

The Effects Of First Responder Stress & Trauma On Spouses And Romantic Partners, Eden Thiess

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

First responder jobs pose unique difficulties due to the sheer number of traumatic events that they witness and personally experience. Research has demonstrated some effects of stress and trauma on family relationships, but the literature lacks an understanding of the ways that first responder trauma and stress affects their marriages and romantic relationships. The current study’s purpose was to investigate the experiences of first responder spouses and partners within the Las Vegas area in regards to stress, trauma, and relationship dynamics as influenced by the first responder role. In this study, 11 participants who were in a marriage or romantic …

Alternatives To Screen Time Given In Parenting Advice, Emma Romeo

Undergraduate Research Symposium Lightning Talks

Screen time within the last decade is an area of rising interest, especially in a "Post-Covid" world. Despite a diversity of opinions being written and research being done on screen time, what is being presented as an alternative is lesser known. In this research, the aim is to identify types of activities that are presented to parents as alternatives' to screen time in parenting websites and blogs. This study uses qualitative content analysis of over 240 articles from 2019-2023 mentioning media use or screen time from two regularly consumed and popular parenting websites, Sheknows.com and Parents.com. The data so far …

Driving Healthy Behaviors Through Social Support: The Role Of Co-Responsibility In Weight Loss And Maintenance, Melanie Knufinke-Meyfroyt, Carlo Lancia, Yentl Lodewijks, Simon Nienhuijs, Eva Deckers

Patient Experience Journal

Objective: The effectiveness of out of hospital lifestyle interventions in healthcare is likely co-dependent on social support from involved one's. We sought to investigate the interrelationships between patient-partner Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, and Self-efficacy and the mechanisms through which they contribute to health behaviors and outcomes relevant to weight loss and maintenance. Methods: Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, self-efficacy, health outcomes and health behaviors like total weight loss, physical activity, OBESI-Q, and health satisfaction were assessed through a questionnaire among 868 individuals attempting to lose weight. Full and semi-partial correlations were used to understand the association between Co-responsibility, Spousal Support, Self-efficacy …

Inaugural Message From The Editorial Board Of The Journal Of Faith Integration In Counseling, Lynn Bohecker, Vasti Holstun, Robyn Trippany Simmons, Ann Shillingford, Yulanda Tyre, Robin Switzer, Nivischi N. Edwards, Teshaunda L. Hannor-Walker, Kevin Boyd Hull, Lacey A. Ricks, Amy C. Rice

Journal of Faith Integration Counseling (JFIC)

The inaugural issue of the Journal of Faith Integration in Counseling introduces a platform dedicated to integrating faith, religion, and spirituality into mental health practices. Highlighted articles include the ACPE Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) Training Program, a Buddhist approach to self-concept obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a model for recovery from infidelity in evangelical marriages. These contributions emphasize the importance of spiritual dimensions in counseling to improve client outcomes. The editorial board is committed to mentoring authors and fostering scholarly excellence, addressing a critical gap in existing publication options by offering practical approaches for faith integration in counseling.

Negara Hukum Kesejahteraan Di Batas Pantai: Paradoks Perlindungan Negara Terhadap Masyarakat Pesisir Di Tengah Perubahan Iklim, Aji Baskoro

Jurnal Ilmu Kesejahteraan Sosial

Climate change poses significant challenges to vulnerable coastal communities in Indonesia. As a welfare state, the Indonesian government is expected to safeguard these vulnerable groups through policies that promote their welfare and sustainable livelihoods. However, current policies create a paradox. This article explores this paradox: on the one hand, Indonesia adheres to the welfare state principle, which demands that all government actions be grounded in law, ensuring public safety and welfare. On the other hand, the policies focus on exploiting natural resources, exacerbating the vulnerabilities of coastal communities, particularly in the face of climate change. The article employs a normative …

Reclaiming Healing Spaces: A Phenomenological Study On The Transformative Power Of Outdoor Therapy From The Lived Experiences Of Black Clinicians Working With Black Clients, Lynn Murphy

Dissertations

This phenomenological study involved assessing the experiences of Black therapists who engaged Black clients in outdoor therapeutic contexts. The study was founded on the existing literature that shows the quality of the therapeutic relationship is pivotal for client retention and the Western standards that have historically favored treatment within indoor environments. To contextualize this research, a comprehensive literature review was commenced, covering topics such as the decolonization of therapy, the historical and present-day relationship between Blacks and the outdoors in the United States, sedentary lifestyles, the psychological benefits of time spent in nature, various types of outdoor therapy, and the …

The Intersection Of Consensual Non-Monogamy, Black Identity, And Power Dynamics: A Review And Proposal For Therapeutic Models, Casey Nelson

Graduate School of Professional Psychology: Doctoral Papers and Masters Projects

Consensual non-monogamy (CNM) and polyamory are types of relationship structures that differ in many ways from monogamy. CNM is becoming more prevalent (Moors, 2023; Scoats & Campbell, 2022). In the United States and Canada, 1 in 5 people have engaged in some form of CNM (Moors, 2023). As more individuals engage in CNM relationships and potentially seek out couples therapy, therapists will be tasked with assisting individuals navigating relationship distress occurring within these unique relationship structures. There is limited research, or empirically validated, treatment models for working with couples with intersecting identities. To date, there has yet to be an …

A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Of The Psi-4-Sf In Parents Of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Paige Weir

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The factor structure of the Parenting Stress Index - Short Form (PSI-4-SF) was evaluated among parents of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Two hypotheses were tested: (1) the original PSI-4-SF model would yield an unsatisfactory fit, and (2) a three-factor alternative model would improve fit compared to the original and other models. A sample of 205 parent-child dyads was analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) with the lavaan package in R Studio. Preliminary analyses included descriptive statistics, normality checks, and assessments of skewness and kurtosis. Results supported the first hypothesis, showing poor fit indices for the original PSI-4-SF model. …

Examining The Impact Of Internal Family Systems (Ifs) Theory Versus Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (Efit) On Depression For College Students: A Comparative Study, Laura Anne Bowlin, Hillary Bucher-Brown

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

In light of the prevalence of depression in modern society, researchers persist in the quest for effective treatment approaches. This research proposal aims to examine the impact of Internal Family Systems (IFS) Theory and Emotionally Focused Individual Therapy (EFIT) on depression among college students. The study will involve 20 college students recruited from local universities experiencing depression, as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Each participant will undergo ten psychotherapy sessions, randomly assigned to a certified IFS or EFIT therapist. Subsequently, participants will complete a post-test using the BDI. Comparative analysis of the outcomes between the two groups will …

Effect Of Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy On Couples' Reported Satisfaction And Intimacy: A Comparison Between Participants With And Without Simultaneous Individual Therapy, Aishleen O'Brien

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

While there is ample Emotionally Focused Therapy based research, exploration of simultaneous individual therapy’s importance is limited. This study aims to establish the significance of participating in individual therapy while also joining a partner in emotionally focused couples’ therapy. Individual therapy, in tandem with couples therapy, provides an opportunity to explore one’s own attachment style, as it is interwoven into a romantic relationship. Ultimately, by discerning the nuanced interplay between individual and couples therapy, clinicians can offer tailored, efficacious recommendations that enhance the likelihood of successful outcomes and promote enduring relationship satisfaction.

Is Emotionally Focused Family Therapy Effective In Alleviating Symptoms Of Bulimia Nervosa In Adolescents?, Susan Leonardson

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This study will investigate the effectiveness of Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT) in alleviating symptoms of bulimia nervosa (BN) in adolescents. Participants will consist of twenty adolescents enrolled in the Emily Program, with a DSM diagnosis of moderate to severe BN, and at least one of their caregivers. The subjects will attend twelve family therapy sessions with a therapist trained in EFFT, and complete the Eating Disorder Examination (EDE) questionnaire. This study aims to determine if EFFT can effectively improve family dynamics to reduce symptoms of BN in adolescents.

Internal Family Systems And Codependency: Finding Self In Relationship With Another Person’S Addiction, Jillian Ostlund, Mandah Gombosuren

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Codependency is a concept that is currently not considered a disorder in the DSM-V, yet people have been identifying with the traits of codependency since the 1940's (Bacon et al., 2018). In IFS the concept of blending means Parts are not able to differentiate from one another, making it difficult to sense Self Leadership (Schwartz & Sweezy, 2020). The researchers for this proposal were not able to find literature on the treatment of codependency using IFS. It is believed that IFS can help a codependent person to gain access to Self and be able to recover from the effects of …

Therapist Secret Policies And Client Retention, Alexandria Packard, Allison Hanigan

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

No-secrets policies are commonly used by many couple therapists to ensure transparency between each individual and the therapist. The current literature is divided on whether the existence of a no-secrets policy creates barriers to treatment. The present study aims to assess the impact of a no-secrets policy on couple retention rates in therapy. We propose to study this by assigning a group of couples to a therapist without a no-secrets policy, and another group of couples to a therapist with a no-secrets policy. Therapy retention will be measured and analyzed as influenced by the independent variable: the no-secrets policy.

What Is The Comparative Effectiveness Of Specific Therapy Modalities In Improving Mental Health Outcomes For Black And Indigenous Clients?, Hailey Clum

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Black and Indigenous clients are frequently underrepresented in therapeutic research and treatment, despite the increase of individuals from these communities seeking therapy services. This qualitative study has been initiated to highlight the lack of supporting evidence for best treatment practices for Black and Indigenous-identifying clients. The goal of this study is to provide evidence-based treatment for master's and doctoral-level clinicians who work with Black and Indigenous patients. The study will analyze various treatment groups, including Black and Indigenous adult participants; and will utilize treatments and interventions from Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy and Art Therapy.

Navigating Transnational Ties And Belonging: An Intergenerational Family Therapy Approach With South Asian Immigrant Families, Shreya Rangwani

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

The diversity of transnational experiences of families and the challenges to their sense of belonging have important implications for the broader sociocultural mental health system. This study aims to examine intergenerational family therapy to support South Asian immigrant families as they deal with the challenges of maintaining cross-cultural relationships. Family therapy for South Asian immigrants have focused on cultural stress and intergenerational conflicts, rather than family-level methods and systemic elements that form the reports of those transnational families. Through this research, the study targets to provide vital insights and realistic techniques for MFT therapists working with South Asian immigrant populations. …

Impact Of Sibling Support On Mitigating The Effects Of Parental Divorce On Children's Attachment Security, Alana Harris

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

The study aims to explore the potential mitigating effects of supportive sibling relationships on the attachment security of children from divorced families. Utilizing the Child Attachment Interview (CAI) and Sibling Relationship Questionnaire (SRQ), attachment security and sibling relationship quality will be assessed. We anticipate that supportive sibling relationships will alleviate the adverse impacts of parental divorce on children's attachment security. This study will involve a sample of 80 siblings (40 sibling pairs) aged 7-17 years from divorced families. Findings may inform interventions enhancing attachment and resilience in children during family transitions, emphasizing sibling relationships as a valuable resource for well-being.

Exploring Intergenerational Attachment Transmission: How Are Children's Attachment Styles Affected By Changes In Their Caregiver’S Attachment?, Aisa Gibbons, Anahi Tapia

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Past studies have researched various connections between attachment styles of children and parents. However, no studies have explored how changing parents’ attachment style could impact change in children’s attachment style. This research proposal aims to investigate the relationship between caregiver attachment and child attachment change. We hope to recruit 100 parent-child pairings from schools and therapy clinics. Subjects will complete attachment measuring scales pre- and post parent-treatment. Parents will have 10-15 sessions of EFT to increase secure attachment. Attachment change differences will be analyzed through one-way ANOVA methods. We hypothesize that as parents’ secure attachment increases, their children’s will too.

Exploring The Impact Of The Blamer-Softening Change Event In Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy On Partners' Self-Esteem: A Longitudinal Intervention Study, Grace Lee

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

It is no question that positive romantic relationships are connected to deep feelings of belonging, life satisfaction and positive self-esteem in individuals. However, throughout the course of the relationship, individuals can experience depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms and negative affect. A significant marker of progress for couples in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy is the presence of the blamer-softening change event. This event can help alleviate some of the negative symptoms partners experience. Given the well-accepted and understood importance of self-esteem on one’s overall mental health, this study seeks to understand the impact of the blamer-softening change event on each partner’s self-esteem.

Parenting Styles Of American And Filipino Mothers: Internal Family System’S Influence On Self-Leadership, Parent-Adolescent Communication, Conflict, Self-Esteem, And Depression, Maria-Sofia Paco, Gracie Cannon

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

This abstract investigates the levels of Self-leadership among Filipino, European-American, and African-American mothers, and explores its implications for mother-daughter communication, conflict, depression, and overall self-esteem . Research has demonstrated that Filipino mothers have significantly higher mother-daughter communication and conflict compared to European-American and African-American mothers (Paco, 2007), positing a potential correlation between Filipino mothers (in the Philippines) and their Self-led nature compared to their European-American and African-American counterparts. Furthermore, this study proposes implementing Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy as a means to enhance Self-leadership and improve mother-daughter communication and self-esteem across these three racial groups, potentially mitigating conflicts and depression. …

Group Narrative Therapy For Adolescents With Eating Disorders, Ramsey Ramsey

School of Psychology, Family, and Community Research Conference

Eating Disorders tend to be treatment-resistant, moreover, adolescents with eating disorders tend to disengage from standard treatments, such as (CBT-E) the standard intervention in treating eating disorders. Research shows that children and adults have greater positive outcomes with the addition of narrative approaches to treatment. Studies show that children and adults have positive outcomes with the addition of narrative approaches to treatment, in addition, group narrative therapy with adults is effective at treating eating disorders beyond behavioral change. This proposal is to explore the efficacy and client engagement of a group narrative therapy curriculum alongside standard CBT-E group treatments.

Exploring Attachment Through Clay-Based Therapy: A Parent-Child Community Engagement Project, Hilari Stahler

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This research project explores the therapeutic potential of clay, particularly as a creative, sensory-rich process that facilitates access to pre-verbal memories. Grounded in attachment theory and the innovative approach to trauma healing by Cornelia Elbrecht, known as Trauma Healing at the Clay Field®, the study investigates clay's regressive and healing qualities. It examines how its smooth, skin-like texture can activate our implicit memories through sensory experiences. Utilizing a community engagement format, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of parent-child clay field sessions in addressing intergenerational attachment trauma and unmet attachment needs. The research revealed that the unique properties of …

Casar Auc Community Only Lecture: Men, Women’S Body Autonomy & Gbv Crimes In Egypt, Us & Canada: Why Men Need To Step Up For The Education Of Women's Body Autonomy, The Prince Alwaleed Center For American Studies And Research Casar

Performances, Events, and Presentations

This was a hybrid CASAR AUC community only lecture titled: ‘Men, Women’s Body Autonomy & GBV crimes in Egypt, US & Canada’: Why men need to step up for the education of women’s body autonomy.

This lecture featured Tadwein from Egypt, Women’s Advocates from the US & London Abused Women's Counseling Center from Canada (via Zoom). This lecture was part of course AMST 1091 ‘Exploring Feminist Perspectives in Egypt & the US’ (core curriculum pathways two- American studies) taught by Yasmeen El-Ghazaly, CASAR Assistant to Director & Adjunct Faculty - Wednesday May 15th, 2024

The lecture pondered on the following …

Caregiver Engagement In Their Child's Mental Health Rehabilitation Services: Utilizing The Hoover-Dempsey And Sandler Model Of Parental Involvement (2005) In Mental Health Counseling, Andrew Q. Holmgren

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Mental Health Rehabilitation (MHR) is a widely utilized community mental health service in Louisiana for low-income families. However, treatment adherence, including caregiver engagement for minor clients, is often low. There is still limited understanding of the barriers to caregiver engagement and few tools to assess these barriers and engagement behaviors. Clinicians, caregivers, and clients currently engaged in MHR services completed a modified version of the Parent Involvement Project Questionnaire (PIPQ) to determine if this scale and its associated theory, the Hoover-Dempsey and Sandler Model of Parental Involvement (2005), can be used in a mental health counseling format to assess for …

Expectations And Marriageability In African Americans: A Qualitative Content Analysis, Ashley Miller

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study aimed to identify individual factors that work alongside structural factors limiting the marriage rate of educated African American men to educated African American women. Previous research identified structural factors related to systemic racism that contribute to the marriage gap between Black men and women in America. The researcher in this study conducted a focus group with three Black men and another focus group with three Black women in order to identify any individual expectations or characteristics that each group considers when evaluating a partner’s marriageability. Data was analyzed using conversation content analysis techniques on focus group responses. Findings …

A Sensory Room Protocol For Snf Staff To Improve Confidence With Emotional Regulation In Adults With Cognitive Challenges: Through An Occupational Therapy Perspective, Marisa Pagan

UNLV Theses, Dissertations, Professional Papers, and Capstones

Adult sensory rooms are an emerging area of practice for occupational therapy, as this holistic approach uses sensory tools for input to one or more of the five senses, which promotes emotional regulation in individuals seeking calming and alerting outcomes. This sensory protocol proposal was created to assist healthcare workers within a skilled nursing facility and provide a tool that could be utilized in various settings to increase awareness of adult sensory rooms.

Methodology This quality improvement protocol project was conducted at Henderson Health and Rehabilitation to determine the need for and develop a protocol for an adult sensory room …

Understanding University Support For Suicide Bereavement And Bereaved Experiences: A Phenomenological Study, Kristin May Anderson, Neishamia B. Kayizzi, Brittany M. Lee, Addalee K. Lyon

LMU Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, a multitude of literature have discussed the turbulent nature for young adults to navigate the difficulties of suicide bereavement with lack of support. This experience can be further cumbersome when the bereavement is co-occurring within an academic profession, such as attending university. This study explored three participants experience of suicide bereavement support at a university level, utilizing a phenomenological arts-based approach for inquiry. Data analysis revealed eight common themes that reflect the university students' lived experiences of the phenomenon discussed: Acknowledgment of the communicated loss by faculty, provision of academic support, lack/absence of practice, reluctance, emotional response, …