Counseling Commons^™

Crisis Text Line: "An Empathic World Where Nobody Feels Alone", Amy Stoermer

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

Through this internship, I’ve learned so much about how to be an empathetic and non-judgmental listener. I’ve also learned about how to respond to individuals that are in crisis situations. Thanks to the help of the Platform Supervisors, I’ve also gained valuable knowledge about how to collaborate with team members so I can best assist clients in need. The safety plan training I’ve received has been so helpful, too.

School Counseling At Cedar Falls High School, Chloe Thostenson

INSPIRE Student Research and Engagement Conference

This semester, I had the opportunity to intern with a school counselor at Cedar Falls High to gain insight into how mental health programs function and how they are applied by the team. I have learned therapy techniques, created yearly mental health reports to foresee trends, and have helped support the students’ emotional and academic needs. This poster exemplifies how sleep is strongly linked with depression and attendance in school, the various programs and plans that Cedar Falls High School offers, and how this experience has aided in creating additional future career goals for me.

Student-Athletes And Mental Health - A Case Study On How Uni Can Meet The Unique Needs Within Athletics [Poster], Samantha Bennett

Research in the Capitol

My research concerns the mental health of collegiate level student-athletes, whomst [sic] national data suggests experience greater stress and mental strain than non-athletes. My work sets out to confirm whether UNI’s student-athletes are also in line with this trend of higher stress levels by surveying this population, and subsequently to propose solutions for addressing the discrepancy in mental distress levels. I have been studying solutions employed by other universities, both public and private institutions and of varying enrollment size, to meet the mental health needs of their athletics population. I am using this research to consider the different forms a …

Forward Together Update [Message From From The Director Of Uni's Counseling Center], September 23, 2020, University Of Northern Iowa

UNI Response to COVID-19

Covers the ways people can cope with the pandemic and the need for human connection with advice from the director of UNI's Counseling Center, Jennifer Schneiderman

The Impact Of Severe Mental Health On Peers In Supporting Roles: A Look At Secondary Trauma And College Students, Courtney Tripp-Stuck

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Evidence indicates directors of college counseling centers and those in student affairs roles have observed a steep increase in the number of severe mental health crises on their campuses, thereby also impacting student leaders and those in helping roles as counseling centers try to adapt to the influx of need (Kitzrow, 2003; CAS, 1999). Additionally, there is evidence to support students are more likely to turn to peers first when experiencing mental health crises than they are to seek out professional help (Drum, Brownson, Burton-Denmark, Smith, & Roberts, 2009; Gallagher, 2013). The goal of this study is to examine whether …

Depression In Children And Adolescents: The Role Of School Professionals, Emily Dawn Hoerman

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

Depression in children and adolescents is a significant issue for schools. Research has indicated that most students who see mental health professionals do so within the school setting, indicating a need for effective school-based programs to address mental health issues in the schools. The symptoms of depression and short and long term effects are reviewed. The need for, and necessary components of, a comprehensive mental health system in the school setting is discussed.

A Review Of A School Psychologist's Roles In The Implementation Of An Rti System, Leigh Ann Thul

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

As schools continue to move into this era of accountability, they must consider system level changes that will address the needs of students as a whole. Using the problem solving model through a system of Response to Intervention (Rtl), schools can use data to monitor discrepancies between expectations of learning and actual student outcomes. Not only can individual student data be used to problem solve about students but also, aggregated data as a whole can help inform system level decision making to reach accountability goals.

Moving to a system of Rtl takes many system level changes that can be daunting …

Making A Change: Motivational Interviewing In A College Group Setting, Hannah Jo Culbertson

Honors Program Theses

Motivational interviewing is a client-centered counseling style that aims to help reduce ambivalence and create a behavior change. It is typically done in a one-on-one setting. The purpose of this research was to test a group educational session based on motivational interviewing strategies, for its effectiveness in evoking an individualized behavior changes in a group of college students. The session utilized several techniques specifically chosen to be most effective in reducing ambivalence and helping students discover their own individual solution to a problem in order to more successfully make a health related change in their lives.

Social Development Of Children With Allergies & Asthma, Nicholas Mohwinkle

Graduate Research Papers

Every child needs special attention in order to develop to their fullest potential. Children struggle with problems big and small as their minds and bodies develop, whether it's a fear of reading aloud, or serious health concerns. There can be serious consequences if a child's parents and peers are not aware of their needs, including something as seemingly small as allergies and asthma. Consequences range from having a rash, to experiencing a fatal reaction if not dealt with (Maisa, 1998). In this paper, I'm discussing the importance of awareness and the issues that children with allergies and asthma face every …

Borderline Personality Disorder And Suicidal Attempts: How To Calm An Uprising Dilemma, Ashley Anne Welter

Graduate Research Papers

Patients with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are more likely than patients with any other personality disorder to commit suicide. Many programs have been found successful in helping these patients control their thoughts. Using the Behavioral Activation Treatment for Depression (BATD) with a cathartic journal process in addition to the treatment, instead of hospitalization, it is hypothesized that BPD patients will reduce thoughts and attempts of suicide. This is a five year program that will be implemented to see how patients progress through the treatment. There will be a pretest-posttest control group design used in this research. With adding a journaling …

Gender Identity Disorder Controversies : Male To Female Transgender/Sexual Focuses, Tuyet Noriega

Graduate Research Papers

This literature review discusses Gender Identity disorder disputes and influences from research. Choosing a sex (male or female) is not something people consciously decide. However, there are individuals who do need to decide a sex that is not his or her chosen identity. When an individual chooses to dress as the opposite sex this creates discussion of nature versus nurture, and other dilemmas experienced by society and GID individuals. Most transgender individuals seek some form of medical or mental assistance; therefore, it is necessary for mental health counselors, doctors, and social workers to be aware of Gender Identity Disorder indicators. …

Divorce : Supporting Children And Adolescents, Shannon Griffiths

Graduate Research Papers

Divorce impacts millions of families each year. The experience of a divorce is a process rather than a single event. Children and adolescents experience the divorce process differently. Children often go through five grieving stages: denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. Divorce can be devastating to adolescents because they have a broader sense of reality and the world as it applies to their life. Older children are often seen as capable of handing the divorce process and asked to make difficult decisions regarding custody. All children and adolescents who experience their parent's divorce should try counseling. The children and adolescents …

Performance-Based Assessment Of School Psychology Interns : Analysis Of Problem-Solving Skills As Demonstrated In Comprehensive Case Examinations, Kimberly Suzanne Hansen

Dissertations and Theses @ UNI

School psychologists are integral partners in the facilitation of the problem solving process, especially when the process is embedded within a tiered service delivery system incorporating response to intervention philosophies. Therefore, it is important that new school psychologists entering the field be competent in the skill areas needed to produce positive student outcomes. It is important for school psychology training programs to assess these competencies to improve individual student competencies as well as to improve the training provided by the program in the future. Comprehensive case studies are performance-based assessments that can be utilized to evaluate individuals, as well as …

Cyberbullying : A Literature Review, Natalie Nesbitt

Graduate Research Papers

Technology is becoming more prevalent each day, with that a new form of bullying is happening. The new form is cyberbullying. It is form of bullying that takes place over cell phones, email, websites, and chat rooms. While cyberbullying is a form of bullying, there are differences between cyberbullying and normal bullying. Cyberbullying makes it hard for some students to escape from the bullying, because cyberbullying is through technology, so it allows the bullying to continue outside of the school walls. This literature review is going to give students, teachers, administrators, and parents some helpful tips as to how to …

Applications For Parent-Child Relationship Concerns, Christy A. F. Jenkins

Graduate Research Papers

The parent-child relationship is the foundation for formative life experiences and is a common diagnosable concern in the professional counseling and human service field. This work briefly addresses the DSM-IV-TR diagnosis V 61.20 Parent Child Relational Problem, providing prevalence rates, and related risks as well as two specific intervention strategics. Intervention strategies include the use of temperament traits and the communication of love between individuals. A handout follows the text of this work which may be used with clients.

Cinematherapy And Bibliotherapy : Counseling Lgbt Clients In The Coming Out Process, Stephanie A. Germann

Graduate Research Papers

Research indicates lesbians and gay men report higher rates of therapy than heterosexuals, of which 20% sought counseling during the coming out process (Murphy et al., 2002). This implies the need for counselors to be aware of the challenges and concerns involved in the coming out process, as well as counselors being knowledgeable with appropriate counseling interventions for the LGBT population. Current literature purports the effectiveness of using cinematherapy and bibliotherapy for LGBT clients. This paper includes various movie and book recommendations and how to use them to promote personal growth in clients during the coming out process.

Stress And Coping Behavior : The Effects Of Poverty On Women And Children, Laura J. Sorensen Lyons

Graduate Research Papers

The following paper reviews research on poverty, its effects on women and their children, and how they cope with the increased level of stress. There are more single headed households now than ever, the majority headed by women. This adds an increased level of stress on both the women and the children they care for. Research also shows that a large number of these families are also coping with the special needs of their children. This stress leads many women and children to cope in some conventional and unconventional ways.

Schools are playing an increasingly larger role in the lives …

Self-Mutilation : A Growing Concern, Sarah M. Meiners

Graduate Research Papers

According to an article by Nock and Prinstein, "Self-mutilation behavior is a pervasive public health problem occurring at a rate of 40% in the general adult population and 21 % in adult clinical populations. Adolescence is a period of significantly increased risk for self-mutilation behavior, as evidenced by rates of 14%-39% in adolescent community samples" (Nock & Prinstein, 2005, p.140). Raising awareness about the behaviors and emotions involved with individuals who self-mutilate may help counselors and school administrators understand better methods of treatment for adolescents. The following is a review of current research and literature regarding the nature of adolescents …

Reactive Attachment Disorder : Implications For Counselors, Kim Rogers

Graduate Research Papers

The purpose of this paper is to provide background on reactive attachment disorder. Reactive attachment disorder (RAD) is growing in diagnosis and yet it is one of the least researched disorders. This paper will discuss attachment theory, problems with the RAD diagnosis, interventions for mental health professionals, and future research ideas.

Attachment And The Schools, Jennifer N. Allan

Graduate Research Papers

In order to be effective workers in the schools, school staff members must be able to form some sort of relationship with individual students. The ability of students to form relationships depends upon the attachments they have formed with their caretakers. The purpose of this literature review was to explore different types of attachment, interventions that can be used with students who have attachment issues, and how attachment can affect schools all of which are given from. the perspective of a school counselor. The literature review investigates and summarizes the impact both healthy and unhealthy attachment has on a student …

Bullying Prevention In Secondary Schools, John William Augustine

Graduate Research Papers

Many secondary students are negatively impacted from being bullied at school. Being bullied can impact a student's focus and cause psychological problems, along with many other negative consequences. Every school is impacted by bullying to some point and most schools have taken some type of intervention in order to prevent or address bullying. Teachers, administrators, counselors, parents, and students all have some impact on the school environment. Students impacted at school are the bullies, those bullied, and those that are bystanders. Some prevention strategies have tried to reduce bullying by focusing on a certain group. Bullying is a complex problem …

How Poverty Affects Social Development, Behavior, And Academics Of Children : How Can School Personnel Help?, Jessica Holm-Blackburn

Graduate Research Papers

This paper discusses how poverty affects the social development, behavior, and academics of children. It also provides information to professionals who work with children to explain how children in poverty may demonstrate increased behavioral and emotional problems. Additionally, it explores what school personnel can do to help improve outcomes for students in poverty. A case example of a partnership created in Georgia is utilized to help articulate these concepts. The sources cited are all from recent published literature.

Lgb Students And The School Environment, Molly C. Juhl

Graduate Research Papers

Lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) students often face negative school environments. This literature review examines the current school environments encountered by LGB students and the risk factors associated with these experiences. These risk factors include suicide, substance abuse, academic issues, and struggles with identity development. After examining these risk factors, recommendations for improving the school environment are explored. Further recommendations for school counselors working with LGB students are then discussed. This literature review examines the use of client-centered therapy, bibliotherapy, group counseling, and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy as approaches to working with LGB youth.

Self-Mutilating Behaviors, Patience Niemoth-Coleman

Graduate Research Papers

Treating self-mutilating behaviors (SMB) is complex. Since people are continuing to engage in the behaviors, counselors need to be informed of the various techniques that are used with SMB as well as to be informed about common myths around self-mutilating behaviors. This paper will explore the methods of SMB, the common myths surrounding SMB, and the theories that explain and inform treatment of.

The Psychosocial Effects Of Pediatric Cancer On Young Adult Cancer Survivors, Jacob D. Schaefer

Graduate Research Papers

Childhood cancer is a current problem in our society. Today survivor rates are increasing. There are increased numbers of childhood survivors dealing with the after affects of cancer as they move into adulthood. Research correlations between childhood problems and adulthood problems have emerged. Issues of psychological, social, and physical concerns have created difficulties for childhood cancer survivors. However, there have been mixed results as some researches show healthy adaptation while others indicate abnormal daily functioning of children and young adults. Future research areas should focus on individual coping methods, social function of young adult survivors, and the human developmental process …

Cyberbullying : A Preventative Method, Kristen A. Hoelscher

Graduate Research Papers

A new means of bullying has been created through the usage of cell phones, pagers, and the internet. Cyberbullying is an aggressive act intended to harm another and is repeated over a duration of time. It involves using digital communication devices to target victims. As a newer phenomenon, the research on cyberbullying is limited. However, the research that has been conducted suggests that cyberbullying is a great cause of concern among our youth today and is an issue that needs to be addressed. A four lesson guidance unit addressing cyberbullying was developed. This unit focuses on creating awareness and educating …

Grief And Loss : The Effects On Children And The School Counselor's Role, Hope Nicole Bleckwehl

Graduate Research Papers

School counselors may play a major role in the lives of grieving children. It is inevitable counselors will work with children having grieving issues. Children do grieve and their grieving process may look the same or different than adults. Children's experiences with death, developmental level, and individual differences all effect how a child will react to the loss of a loved one or a pet. The grieving process, developmental considerations, gender differences and common sources of loss are discussed in the following paper. Interventions a school counselor may use with children in classroom guidance, group counseling, and individual counseling are …

Counselor-Client Connection, Sarah Larsen-Kos

Graduate Research Papers

In counseling profession, numerous techniques exist to assist counselors in helping clients with challenges. Although several types of strategies can be implemented by counselors, few strategies exist that are useful for majority of clients. Discussed in this text is one possible strategy that can be used with numerous types of clients and circumstances. This tool is the development of a supportive counselor-client connection, specifically used in a school setting. Benefits of this strategy include clients' feelings of support and encouragement, easing of student transitions and difficulties, increased self-esteem and general well-being, and academic and social progress. Additional considerations also noted …

Online Counseling : Risks, Benefits, And Future Development, Lindsey J. Kenison-Severson

Graduate Research Papers

Online counseling started becoming popular in the mid-1990's and is a popular source of debate right now. There are a number of risks and benefits that need to be evaluated by both the counselor and client when determining the appropriateness of online counseling. There seems to be a lack of research regarding how effective online counseling is, but preliminary research seems positive in supporting the argument that relationships can be formed when using online counseling. Some individuals may be more appropriate for online counseling and some problems may be helped more effectively. Clients and counselors need to be educated about …

Understanding Gender Stereotypes And Their Impact On Clients, Stacey Hurt

Graduate Research Papers

Gender stereotyping has a complex and enduring history in our society, and it is an underlying factor in many issues – clients bring to counseling, including – among other things-women's and men's experience of depression (Nugent & Jones, 2005). A complicating aspect of gender stereotyping is that both males and females in our culture have been socially conditioned to fulfill many of the stereotypes imposed on them, and following stereotypical gender roles excessively can be harmful to their mental health, self-image, and interpersonal relationships (Nugent & Jones).

Counselors can use gender-role analysis and other interventions to help clients gain insight …