Counseling Commons^™

Deriving Meaning: A Conceptual Analysis, Lea Powell M.A

Counseling and Family Therapy Scholarship Review

This article serves as a conceptual analysis to explore and interrogate the definition of meaning through the framework of collective trauma and uncertainty. The author uses the COVID19 pandemic as a reference point to illustrate models of behavior sustained by the onset of collective trauma. Unpredictability and adversity are amongst the factors identified as key underpinnings preluding the search for meaning, while the implication of resilience, identification of self, and group dynamics are examined. Previous research is integrated to understand the foundational constructs of meaning, while semantic interpretations challenge the objectivity of identified constructs. The relationship between self-satisfaction and meaning …

Fashion Psychology: The Relationship Between Clothing And Self, Georgia Maxey

Counseling and Family Therapy Scholarship Review

This exploratory article discusses the systemic influence of the law, culture, society, and Self on the relationship between a person and their clothing. The point of this article is to discuss how the influence of Self can be proportionally balanced with the law, culture, and society. This article aims to address the influence of Self on dressing choices in a system where culture and society hold most of the influence. The author aims to explore if the systemic balance of Self in the influence on dressing could aid Fashion Psychology in a humanitarian effort towards a formal study of the …

For Love Of The Father: An Archetypal Exploration, Elizabeth Hall

Counseling and Family Therapy Scholarship Review

Great stories articulate the movement of the individual and collective psyche and withstand the tests of time, location, cultural and gender distinctions. Through the study of myth, we recognize our shared humanity and the particularities that inform a life. As a depth psychotherapist, I come to archetypal stories with expectancy, hoping to re-cognize myself and my clients within the action of the other. The Biblical story of Jacob and Esau (Genesis 25-35) offers the scholar boundless opportunity for theological, ethical and historical analysis. However, this story of familial relationships requires of me a different kind of telling. This essay is …

Effect Of Computer-Assisted Cognitive Behavior Therapy Vs Usual Care On Depression Among Adults In Primary Care: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Jesse H. Wright, Jesse J. Owen, Tracy D. Eells, Becky F. Antle, Laura B. Bishop, Renee Girdler, Lesley M. Harris, R. Brent Wright, Michael J. Wells, Rangaraj Gopalraj, Michael E. Pendleton, Shehzad Ali

Counseling Psychology: Faculty Scholarship

Importance Depression is a common disorder that may go untreated or receive suboptimal care in primary care settings. Computer-assisted cognitive behavior therapy (CCBT) has been proposed as a method for improving access to effective psychotherapy, reducing cost, and increasing the convenience and efficiency of treatment for depression.

Objectives To evaluate whether clinician-supported CCBT is more effective than treatment as usual (TAU) in primary care patients with depression and to examine the feasibility and implementation of CCBT in a primary care population with substantial numbers of patients with low income, limited internet access, and low levels of educational attainment.

Design, Setting, …

Rural Pregnant Women’S Experiences With Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Cami Weber

Dissertations

Rural pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD) are an understudied vulnerable population that often experiences poor pregnancy outcomes (Higgins et al., 2019; Jumah, 2016; Kramlich et al., 2018; Shaw et al., 2015). Despite the high prevalence and high burden associated with SUD, rural women are less likely than non-pregnant women to seek addiction treatment and complete an outpatient treatment program during pregnancy (Shaw et al., 2015). This study aimed to give voice to rural Missouri women with SUD. The research questions explored the life experiences and motivations for seeking treatment using a qualitative, descriptive research design with grounded theory …

Posttraumatic Growth In Women With A Long-Standing Experience Of Involuntary Childlessness In The Czech Republic, Gabriela Ďurašková, Brennan Peterson

Marriage and Family Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

This qualitative research study aimed to examine aspects of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in women with a long-standing experience of involuntary childlessness. In-depth semi-structured interviews, lasting an average of 53 min, were conducted in the Czech Republic. Twenty-four women, averaging 38.8 years old with an average of 6.2 years of infertility experience, participated. They were asked how involuntary childlessness affected/changed their partnerships, sexual life, job, future plans, attitude to children/values/faith, and leisure time. Participants shared both positive and negative aspects of the infertility experience. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five main themes of PTG were identified: strengthening of partnership, greater …

The Gender Freedom Model: A Framework For Helping Transgender, Non-Binary, And Gender Questioning Clients Transition With More Ease, Rae Mcdaniel, Laurel Meng

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Transgender/non-binary experiences and identities are often represented in academic literature through narratives of distress and are often pathologized through a medical lens. This holds implications for the field of psychotherapy, as interventions aimed to support transgender/nonbinary individuals often focus solely on risk mitigation. This article presents a therapeutic framework that rests on three pillars—Play, Pleasure, and Possibility—as the focal points for reimagining work with transgender/non-binary clients. This model aims to help this population explore gender transition with more ease through building practical skills, cultivating personal and collective pride, and centering pleasure equity.

Analysis Of Zero Balancing Case Studies Through An Occupational Therapy Lens, Deanna Waggy Otr, Msa, Czb, Csla

Journal of Transformative Touch

Does Zero Balancing positively impact occupational performance? This is a question many Occupational Therapists (OTs) ask when discerning if Zero Balancing (ZB) is an evidence-based treatment modality. Case studies from the book Experiencing the Power of Zero Balancing: Case Studies of Journeys to Health and Wholeness (Quarry & King, 2016) were reviewed and compared to the Occupational Therapy domain of practice to show clear evidence that each case study had a positive impact on occupational performance. A comparison chart shows a direct link between the occupational categories and documented evidence of improved occupational performance through practitioner observation and client feedback …

Mitigating The Mental Health Impact Of Marginalization And Discrimination, Debra A. Hope

Trans Collaborations Academic Papers

In honor of the life and work of Aaron T. Beck, this paper describes the application of cognitive therapy to management of marginalization stress among minoritized communities. Collaborative empiricism, cognitive restructuring, and behavioral interventions are highlighted as being particularly useful in a contemporary multicultural approach for the anxiety, depression, stress, and other sequelae of marginalization due to a stigmatized identity. Although primarily illustrated through recent work with transgender and gender diverse adults, the discussion extends to other groups including racial, ethnic, and sexual minorities and immigrants. This work illustrates the power of Dr. Beck’s approach to address the presenting concerns …

Test–Retest Reliability And Sensitivity Of A Brief Clinical Monitoring Measure For Transgender And Gender Diverse Adults: The Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (Tc3), T. Zachary Huit, Natalie R. Holt, Alexander Farquhar-Leicester, Rebecca L. Brock, Richard Mocarski, Nathan Woodruff, Debra Hope

Trans Collaborations Academic Papers

The current study aimed to examine the test–retest reliability and sensitivity of the Trans Collaborations Clinical Check-In (TC³) in a 3-month period with four assessment points at baseline, 1, 2, and 3 months to examine its utility as a clinical progress monitoring measure. This study builds on the initial validation study conducted by Holt et al. (2019). The sample of 32 transgender and gender diverse (TGD) participants were chosen who met screening for at least modest depression and anxiety, and did not have other significant risk factors (e.g., mania, self-harm). Participants completed a battery of measures that assessed …

Bridging The Gap Between Practice Guidelines And The Therapy Room: Community-Derived Practice Adaptations For Psychological Services With Transgender And Gender Diverse Adults In The Central United States, Debra A. Hope, Natalie Holt, Nathan Woodruff, Richard Mocarski, Heather M. Meyer, Jae A. Puckett, Joshua Eyer, Shelley Craig, Jamie Feldman, Jay A. Irwin, John Pachankis, K. J. Rawson, Jae Sevelius, Sim Butler

Trans Collaborations Academic Papers

Individuals who identify as transgender and gender diverse (TGD) are presenting at mental health clinicians’ offices with increasing frequency. Many TGD clients are seeking care related to affirming their gender identity but also may present with anxiety, depression, trauma, substance abuse, or other problems forwhich a clinician may commonly provide services. Some clinicians may hesitate to accept TGD clients into their practice if they have little specialized training to work with this population in an affirming manner, especially in more underserved areas where a generalist practice is the norm. Numerous professional associations and experts have developed guidelines for affirmative behavioral …

Educational Preparedness To Care For Transgender And Gender Diverse Adults: Perspectives Of Mental Health Professionals, Sharon N. Obasi, Robyn E. King, Natalie R. Holt, Richard Mocarski, Debra A. Hope, Nathan Woodruff

Trans Collaborations Academic Papers

Ensuring that mental health professionals are appropriately trained to provide affirming and sensitive care to transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adults is one mechanism that may reduce the marginalization sometimes experienced by TGD adults in mental health contexts. In this study, mental health professionals (n = 142) completed an online survey documenting the sources and types of training received to provide TGD-sensitive care; and, shared a self-assessment of their comfort, competence, and ability to provide TGD-sensitive care. Findings revealed that the majority of the mental health professionals in the study (approximately 81%) received specific training to work with TGD …

A Marginal Identity Model For Those In The "In-Between", Francine S. Singson, Sonia Meyer, Christine A. Reid

Graduate Research Posters

Background: In existing models exploring the formation cultural identity, there is emphasis on development from the perspective of race or country of origin. While these models have made significant contributions to the study of identity development in the fields of counseling and psychology, research on the identity development of people who exist within the spectrum between traditionally acknowledged identities (Deaf/Hearing, LGBTQIA+, first/second generation) is lacking.

Methods: To explore the merit of establishing a distinct theory exploring development of individuals whose identities exist between the existing binaries of identity, a systematic review and analysis of current literature was performed. …

Autonomous Self-Care: A Means To Mitigate Secondary Traumatic Stress Among Clinical Social Workers, Jessica Byrd

DSW Capstone Projects

Secondary traumatic stress (STS) negatively impacts the health of clinical social workers, thus, impairing their ability to provide quality services. The symptoms and consequences of STS have been discussed for decades and the conversation continues because STS is a prevalent and pervasive problem that effects social workers, clients, and organizations. For as long as STS has been recognized as a problem, self-care has been identified as a solution. Yet, clinical social workers underutilize self-care strategies to safeguard their mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

A systematic review of the literature review was conducted to explore, why self-care is underutilized among clinical …

Transforming Hurt Boys Into Restored Men: The Lack Of Mental Health Treatment For Black Male Trauma Survivors, Shericka Danielle Smith

DSW Capstone Projects

Trauma affects individuals differently, but the prevalence of trauma and its impact on Black males is detrimental. Black males are at higher risk for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, substance abuse, and violent crimes when trauma is left untreated by a mental health professional. As the number of traumatic events experienced by Black males continues to rise, the number of these males who seek mental health treatment remains stagnant and painfully low. Many factors play into these behaviors, yet very little data exists on what is being done to change them.

Product one is a systematic literature review in which …

Help-Seeking And Services Utilization Among African American Emerging Adults: A Qualitative Study, Brittany G. Suggs, Lauren B. Robins, Rachel Kerrigan, Megan Cannedy, Melissa S. Buquo, David M. Savinsky

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the mental health services utilization experiences of African American emerging adults and investigated the barriers and encumbrances interviewees experienced while seeking mental health support. An inductive thematic analysis revealed six themes: (a) hesitancy-acceptance conflict, (b) positive encounters with mental health services utilization, (c) intersectional barriers to seeking mental health services, (d) resource awareness and navigation, (e) help-seeking motivators, and (f) pastoral guidance and counseling. Interviewees emphasized financial factors, services affordability, and resource knowledgeability as prominent barriers to mental health services utilization, denoting familial, peer, and culturally driven faith influences as double-edged motivators and hindrances to …

Midrash Therapy: A Hermeneutical Inquiry, Robert T. Jury

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

This dissertation examines descriptions of Midrash Therapy as practiced in a continuing care group for Jewish people in recovery. Specifically, it analyzes interviews with participants who experienced Midrash Therapy, therapeutic documents from a continuing care group using Midrash Therapy, fieldnotes, and an action-reflection journal kept by the practitioner-researcher. Interviews were conducted with six individuals and the collective data was analyzed under applied hermeneutical practices. At the onset of the study, the author Midrash Therapy as an integration of narrative practices and rabbinic approaches to counseling. This examination found that Midrash Therapy is a Jewish integrated therapy with five distinctive aspects: …

Dancing Between Two Worlds: Training Experiences Of Dual Credentialed Counselors, Lisa Rudduck

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Several challenges exist in the implementation of integrated care given that SUD/Addiction treatment has historically been segregated from the broader health care system (Office of the Surgeon General, 2016). One expression of the gap that persists is that for counselors who want to administer SUD/Addiction and mental health counseling, or co-occurring services, in Washington State they are required to satisfy state requirements for two separate credentials. The purpose of this study was to conduct an in-depth exploration into the training experiences of Dual Credentialed Counselors (DCCs) in Washington State where two separate credentials are required to administer co-occurring counseling. In …

The Impact Of Creative Arts On Meaning Reconstruction And Loss Adaptation In Widowed Adults, Dani Baker-Cole

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In counseling, helping grieving clients find meaning after significant loss is a unique, multidimensional, and lengthy process. This is particularly true in Western societies, where antithetical linear grief models, supported by hegemonic expectations to move on after loss, add exhausting pressure to speed up an individual’s natural grieving process. For that reason, this study examined how creative arts interventions such as using traditional art media and expressive writing, combined with postmodern, nonlinear, culturally sensitive bereavement models, help individuals explore their loss narrative to make meaning and adapt to loss. Specifically, this study examined the impact of a switch from traditional …

Social And Cultural Considerations In Accessing Mental Health Treatment In The Gambia, West Africa, Safiya Njai

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the social and cultural considerations in accessing mental health treatment in The Gambia, West Africa. Participants were recruited from The Gambia for a qualitative study that included semistructured interviews (N = 17). A team of analysts identified five themes. The results highlighted social and cultural conceptualizations of mental health and mental illness, sociocultural determinants of health, interventions, barriers to care, and the legal framework to support mental health change. These findings are important for counselors to understand different perceptions of mental health and mental illness and the associated stigma. Furthermore, several opportunities for advocacy in The Gambia …

Exploration On High School Students’ Grit: Its Effects On The Students’ Potential Development, Ahmad Yudiar, Eka Sakti Yudha, Sartono Sartono

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The education process in Indonesia has been implemented using a variety of modern tools, but it should be understood that the quality of learning activities in the classroom is also influenced by the interactions that occur in the classroom. Teachers must understand that to create interaction in the classroom, they must first understand the grit level that can help make learning fun. The purpose of this study was to determine the grit level of high school students in Bangka Belitung Province, Indonesia. This research is survey research conducted in Bangka Belitung Province and involves 770 respondents. The results showed that …

College Students’ Academic Procrastination During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Focusing On Academic Achievement, Abd Basith, Md Shahinoor Rahman, Usina Robert Moseki

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This research aims to describe the level of college students’ academic procrastination, analyze differences in academic procrastination among the college students, and analyze the relationship between academic procrastination and academic achievement. This research uses a quantitative method with a survey and correlational design. The research population is 620 Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Singkawang (STKIP) Singkawang college students. The sample is taken using a simple random sampling technique as many as 352 college students (76 male and 276 female). The instrument used in data collection is the academic procrastination scale and great point academic. The data are analyzed using …

The Effectiveness Of Solution-Focused Brief Therapy To Reduce Generation Z Anxiety In The Age Of Disruption, Rizqi Lestari, Budi Astuti

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Generation Z’s use of technology inevitably allows them to get a lot of information from all over the world. Excessive information that has not been verified can cause anxiety. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of the solution-focused brief therapy approach to reducing anxiety experienced by Generation Z in the era of disruption. This research is an experimental research type of single-subject research. The research subjects were three counselees who were selected using purposive sampling with the initials NI, TS, and WD. The data collection technique in this study was obtained based on the self-assessment sheet that was conducted …

Developing Specialization Model Applications For High School Students, Agus Triyanto, Septinda Rima Dewanti, Widya Juwita Sari

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

This study aims to produce a model application of specialization for the majors of high school students. The research method used is the Borg and Gall development research method. The research procedure was carried out by conducting a literature review and preliminary study, planning, developing, validating, revising, testing on research subjects, revising, and finalizing and socializing the application specialization model. The research instrument used is a rating scale. Data analysis was carried out by averaging expert judgments on applying the specialization model that had been developed. In addition, data were also obtained from the results of student interest. The expert …

I Am Tired Of Teaching: Relationship Between Teachers’ Boredom And Their Psychological Disorders During Covid-19 Pandemic, Imam Ariffudin, Ajeng Intan Nur Rahmawati

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The continuous practice of online learning potentially carries boredom and negative effects on teachers’ psychology. This study investigates the effects of boredom on teachers’ psychological disorders during online learning. This correlational study used an explanatory design, involving 113 teachers from different educational levels (junior, senior, and vocational schools) in Malang, Indonesia. The participants were selected through cluster random sampling technique. The data collection process was carried out using two standardized instruments, the DASS 21 (Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale) and ABS-10 (Academic Boredom Scale). The obtained data were analyzed using correlation and linear regression analysis to examine the relationship and …

Indonesian Adaptation Of The Multicultural School Counseling Behavior Scale, Endang Rifani, Munik Yuni Artika, Indrajati Kunwijaya, Haris Yuftika Hani

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

School counselors should possess multicultural competence as an important aspect in the implementation of guidance and counseling services. Counseling services require school counselors to empower students who have different cultural backgrounds from theirs. The Multicultural School Counseling Behavior Scale (MSCBS) is a scale to measure the school counselors’ multicultural competence represented by their attitudes and behavior in implementing guidance and counseling services in schools. This study aims to adapt the MSCBS into Indonesian, considering the limited multicultural competency measuring tool for school counselors that includes the attitudes and behavior of school counselors in counseling. The research subjects were 257 junior …

Therapeutic Potential Of Psychedelic Drugs, Specifically Magic Mushrooms, Marijuana, And Mdma With Veterans Who Suffer From Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (Ptsd), Misty Schutterle

Counselor Education Capstones

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a stress-based condition that a person develops after being exposed to an overwhelmingly traumatic event. Military troops frequently experience stress and trauma, making them highly susceptible to psychopathology. This paper evaluates nine clinical trials that used either magic mushrooms, marijuana, or MDMA as an adjunct to traditional psychotherapy to treat veterans who suffer from anxiety, depression, PTSD, suicidality, and other psychopathologies. Multiple scholarly journals and articles were read and analyzed, which show support for the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs in treating veterans with PTSD. After receiving psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, the research showed participants experienced a …

Feedback-Informed Treatment (Fit) Data Demonstrates The Importance Of The First Session With A Client, Huma Bashir, Josephine F. Wilson, Greta H. Meyer

Human Services Faculty Publications

Feedback Informed Treatment (FIT) is a client-driven, outcome-based approach to enhance treatment outcomes. FIT data from 2,283 clients served by 80 counselors working at nine participating agencies were collected and analyzed to measure client response. These data included Outcome Rating Scale (ORS) scores obtained at the beginning of each session and Session Rating Scale (SRS) scores obtained at the end of each session. TotalORS and Total SRS scores at the first session for the individuals who failed to improve from first to last sessions were significantly lower than the Total ORS and Total SRS scores at the first session for …

The Impact Of A Crisis Intervention Team Program On Psychiatric Boarding, Kurtis Hooks

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Psychiatric boarding is the phenomenon of housing individuals in emergency departments while awaiting access to mental health services in the community. The expansion of psychiatric boarding is attributed to continued deinstitutionalization and under-resourcing of mental health services. Psychiatric boarding is also associated with deleterious outcomes for individuals in need of access to behavioral health services, facilities. There is limited research on programmatic efforts to reduce psychiatric boarding as it pertains to Crisis Intervention Team programs colocated in medical settings. Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) programs are community-based, multi-stakeholder partnerships that include dedicated assessment centers crisis response and referral. This study utilized …

The Value Of Adapting Counseling To Client’S Spirituality And Religion: Evidence-Based Relationship Factors, Amelia L. Evans, Jennifer Koenig Nelson

Graduate School Faculty Publications

There is a strong tradition of attention to relationship factors in the field of counseling. The research on the importance of the relationship and adapting to client factors continues to grow, supporting the importance of professional multicultural competence. The field of counseling, specifically within the United States context, has focused on Multicultural Counseling Competencies with more recent emphasis on social justice through the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies. Within these competencies, spirituality and religion are mentioned as multicultural components to consider as potentially salient to clients. Yet, there has been less emphasis on ways to adapt counseling to a …