Counseling Commons^™

I Am Because We Are, Jennifer Baker

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Youth of today are given a bad name when relating to behavior and understanding of those behaviors. Many of those who are giving those bad reps do not spend "relatable" time with youth. Relatable time is when time spent with youth is not demanding but getting to know the youth as a person. During my time with youth, the best rapport I developed was when I had conversations that were accepting and understanding. So I started performing youth groups to see if the dynamics of the youth would change. IT did!

Unveiling The Mask:Sexual Trauma's Impact On Academic Achievement, Behavior, And Self-Identity, Teshaunda Hannor-Walker, Sarah Kitchens, Lacey Ricks

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Sexual trauma is an unfortunate but a common and often masked experience for many students in America. While sexual trauma in itself is not a mental health disorder, it can become a risk factor for many academic and mental health problems. Trauma-informed schools can play an important role in helping students deal with the aftercare of a traumatic experience.

Student Wellbeing Matters! Use Positive Psychology Interventions To Help Your Students Achieve And Succeed., Andrea A. Francis

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

Positive Psychology Interventions (PPI), grounded in the psychological theory of Wellbeing (Seligman, 2002) are pathways to a life of purpose and meaning. Each intervention is proved to not only reduce anxiety and increase optimism, but to create protective factors needed to cope with stress, anxiety and trauma.

Who Is A Gifted Or Talented Student?, Kevin Kusy

Staff Publications & Research

Identifying our high functioning, talented students. Discuss some of the current challenges these students face. Identify ways for counselors to provide multicultural competency when working with these students and for teachers to learn how to better encourage social/emotional development in the classroom.

Military Deployment In A Family: Children’S Literature As A Basis For Counseling Support, Aimee Tubbs, Ellie L. Young, Melissa A. Heath, Tina M. Taylor

Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts

The authors summarize 30 children’s books that tell stories of a family member’s military deployment in order to identify books that could be used in bibliotherapy for children impacted by deployment. In this sample of books, the main characters are most commonly portrayed as feeling sad about a family member’s deployment. The most prevalent coping strategies are finding ways to stay connected to the deployed person and talking with an adult. An unexpected finding was a coping strategy of expressing pride in the family member’s military service.

Fostering Hope: The Christian Healthcare Chaplain In A Caring Relationship, Felix O. Otuorimuo

Masters Theses

In 2017, the data from suicide prevention resource center (National Survey on Drug Use and Health) showed an increasing rate of 10.6 million persons between the ages 18-65 that have had suicidal thoughts, a precipitating factor from hopelessness that triggers the goal of killing themselves. Given this challenge, the study seeks to understand how the Christian healthcare chaplain in a caring relationship, fosters biblical hope as spiritual care intervention to persons with suicidal thoughts to promote recovery, repair and restoration. The research was designed to use purposeful sampling to collect responses by anonymous online survey from 35 Christian healthcare chaplains …

Internal Family Systems Informed Supervision: A Grounded Theory Inquiry, Daniel A. Reed

Dissertations

Internal family systems (IFS) is a meta-model of psychotherapy growing in popularity in the United States and internationally. In this process-oriented model, the psychotherapist supports clients in getting into relationship with parts of their experience to offer relief for aspects of themselves that have been stuck in tiring protective roles and provide corrective experiences for vulnerable aspects of themselves that have been stuck with limting beliefs and overwhelming feelings.

Coinciding with the IFS model's increased popularity, the evidence base for the efficacy of psychotherapists using IFS with clients continues to increase. In 2015, the United States Department of Health and …

A Systematic Review Of Interventions For Implementation Fidelity For Academic Interventions, Emily Morgan Beecher

Theses and Dissertations

To address students’ academic and behavioral needs, schools are held accountable for implementing effective evidence–based interventions. An important relationship exists between implementation fidelity and the effectiveness of interventions. The purpose of this systematic review was to identify and evaluate the evidence of interventions to improve the implementation fidelity of academic interventions and to evaluate the quality of the existing research with a focus on the quality of the research on the most successful interventions. A total of 13 studies met the inclusion criteria. Each study was coded based on a quality of evidence coding protocol and the findings were then …

Character Identification And Mindset: An Experimental Design Using Disney's Finding Nemo, Ashlee Kirby Lakin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Mindset is defined as an individual’s view of intelligence or ability. Mindset research began in the 1970s at Stanford with Carol S. Dweck, who coined the terms “fixed mindset” and “growth mindset.” A fixed mindset believes intelligence and abilities are limited and static. Each individual has a certain quantity, and no amount of risk-taking, effort, or perseverance will increase the amount of intelligence currently possessed. A growth mindset sees intelligence as something that can grow, transform, and change. Individuals with growth mindsets believe hard work pays off and are eager to learn new ideas, concepts, and theories to move forward …

A Therapeutic Pastoral Counseling Program Designed To Reveal And Treat Combat Events Of Homeless Veterans In Wake County, North Carolina, Earnest Lee Shannon Jr

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This thesis project researched homelessness among male veterans in Wake County, North Carolina to determine if they experienced a combat event that caused spiritual injury caused by moral injury and shame, which contributed to their homelessness. Joshua’s Conquest, the spiritual formation treatment program is used to treat the spiritual injury. The need for this program is explicated, along with the development of Joshua’s Conquest, and how it will treat this odious event, so the homeless male veteran will be able to obtain housing normalcy. Personally, this thesis project was fueled by experiences with homelessness and limited service in the military. …

Spiritually Focused Mindfulness Meditation: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Of The Effect Of Spiritually Focused Mindfulness Meditation On Depression With A Clinical Population, Grace Lynn Bellingham

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This interpretative phenomenological analysis explored the use of spiritually focused mindfulness meditation for clinical depression. Although antidepressant medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are the leading evidence-based treatments for clinical depression, major depressive disorder is recurrent, and progressive and relapse rates are increasing. Numerous studies examining the use of complementary and alternative medicine therapies, which include the use of meditation to treat depression, have emerged in the literature. In this study, three individuals who met diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder used spiritually focused mindfulness meditation for three weeks and participated in in-depth interviews to explore their experiences. Findings revealed significant …

Mental Health And Traumatic Brain Injury Survivors: The Relationship Between Self-Esteem, Shame, And Depression To Quality Of Life After Mild And Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury, Lisa Marie Ansell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Self-esteem, shame, and depression are three factors which can impact quality of life. Mental health counseling and perceived satisfaction of mental health services can also have an impact on quality of life. This study focused on the how mild and moderate traumatic brain injury survivors within a small sample population perceived how self-esteem, shame, and depression were predictors of quality of life. Through survey research, an online survey was utilized to solicit responses to questions related to self-esteem, shame, depression, quality of life, counseling services, and counseling service satisfaction among mild and moderate traumatic brain injury survivors who participate in …

Cancer, Sexual Quality Of Life, And The Dyad: A Qualitative Study, Gabriela E. Gutierrez

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses, Dissertations & Projects

As the rate of survivorship continues to increase within oncological care (White, 2007), more attention is being focused on the quality of life and long-term outcomes of cancer survivors (American Cancer Society, 2014). Sexual quality of life (SQOL), which includes both sex and intimacy, have been identified as primary sources of stress among patients and their partners across cancer types (Manne & Badr, 2008; 2010; Manne, Badr, & Kashy, 2012); however, reproductively related cancers, such as breast and gynecologic cancers have especially posed unique challenges to both patients and their partners (Jonsdottir, et al., 2016). It is widely known that …

What Is Required For Conservative Christians In The African American Community To Experience Mental Health As A Potential Resource For Emotional Healing? A Phenomenological Approach, Tawana Denise Helmich

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to examine what is required for conservative Christians in the African American community to experience mental health counseling as a potential resource for emotional healing. The theories guiding this study are person-centered and experiential with emphasis on the Gestalt approach. Person-Centered theory was created by Carl Rogers over 40 years ago to encourage clinicians to honor their clients’ lead in their treatment process while discovering their own solutions. Experiential therapy is a humanistic approach to therapy, which will also be implemented in this research. An experiential approach to counseling prioritizes the need for …

Suicide Prevention Through Spiritual Care: A Guide For United States Military Veterans, Reggie D. Richardson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The focus of this study is to highlight the growing concern with the suicide rate among United States military veterans. This study seeks to demonstrate how spiritual care can help many veterans that are suffering from thoughts of suicide, by providing various theories of integration between psychotherapy and theology. The methods chosen for integration are the integrationist perspective, cognitive behavioral therapy, and Christian cognitive therapy. The focus of the integration is to help prevent veterans who are at risk of suicide, by focusing on a treatment plan that helps the totality of a person. The theoretical orientation provided offers insight …

The Experience Of Meaning And Purpose In Life Among Adult Iraqi Refugees In Jordan: A Qualitative Study, Reem Issa Abbasi

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this research was to present a study that promotes understanding and exploration about how adult Iraqi refugees living in Jordan can still experience meaning making and hope in the face of suffering. The significance of this research lies in its unique findings that contribute to the body of literature concerning trauma recovery. A qualitative phenomenological in-depth interview methodology was used to explore the phenomenon of meaning in suffering among adult Iraqi refugees. The following research questions were used in this study to explore the phenomenon of meaning in suffering: Can life still be experienced as meaningful in …

Exploring The Experiences Of Supervisors And Supervisees Who Engaged In Bilingual Supervision, Anna Lopez, Ivelisse Torres-Fernandez

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This qualitative phenomenological study explored the experiences of clinical supervisors and supervisees who engaged in bilingual supervision. Five supervisors and five supervisees were recruited utilizing purposive and snowball sampling strategies and were interviewed using a semi-structured interview protocol. Findings of this study focused primarily on the challenges and benefits associated with engaging in bilingual supervision. Main findings included the lack of formal training in bilingual counseling and supervision. Implications for training programs highlighted the need for continuous support of bilingual training programs, in particular, the development of both multicultural and linguistic competencies.

Using Service-Learning To Promote Social Justice Advocacy And Cognitive Development During Internship, Kristi A. Lee, Charles R. Mcadams Iii

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Little empirical research has examined how to effectively prepare counseling students as social justice advocates. In a quasi-experimental design, a service-learning intervention was used in community counseling internship to promote students’ social justice advocacy competency as well as cognitive development, including moral and intellectual development. Findings demonstrated a significant increase in social justice advocacy competency in both the experimental and control groups at the end of one quarter of community counseling internship. In addition, the experimental group had significantly higher scores on the Public Information advocacy domain sub-scale of the Advocacy Competency Self-Assessment Survey. Teaching strategies such as service-learning may …

The Happy Professor: Optimizing Faculty Fit In Counselor Education, Susannah C. Coaston

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor education can be rewarding and challenging, and as such finding a complementary fit with a university is crucial to personal success and satisfaction. New faculty entering academia often experience reality shock when faced with the unexpected personal and professional demands of the job. This article is intended for those considering doctoral work in counselor education, as well as individuals pursuing academic positions following graduation from a counselor education doctoral program. The author reviews the faculty responsibilities within higher education and the importance of person-environment fit in the workplace, and offers suggestions for applicants seeking positions as counselor educators.

Counselor Professional Identity Development: Narratives From A Professional Event, Jenny L. Cureton, Hannah Davis, Victoria Giegerich

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The goal of a one-day professional event was to enhance counselor professional identity (CPI) development through a panel discussion on CPI, professional and career information in sessions and booths, and networking breaks to connect Master’s students, doctoral students, and counseling professionals. Narrative analysis of eight interviews with event attendees, event leaders, and event speakers (i.e., practicing counselors) revealed themes of commitment, community, defining my professional self, and ambiguity and affirmation. Implications for best practices in CPI development and future research are discussed.

Outcomes Of Incorporating Motivational Interviewing Into Basic Counselor Skills Training, Melanie M. Iarussi, Jesssica M. Tyler, Sherrionda H. Crawford, Claudia V. Crawford

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselor skill training involves learning to execute techniques and principles that facilitate client change. Incorporating motivational interviewing can provide a framework that emphasizes humanism in addition to preparing students to assist clients who are ambivalent about change or “resistant.” In this study, we investigated the degree of MI competency achieved by students when MI was integrated into a counseling skills course. We then examined how MI competency was maintained over time. Findings showed that students achieved competency in executing the MI spirit, and this was largely maintained following subsequent coursework and clinical experiences. Implications include the value of incorporating MI …

Suicide Response Preparedness In Counseling Students: A Study Of Knowledge, Attitudes, And Simulated Behavior, Breanna P. Banks, Joel F. Diambra

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Counselors-in-training are likely to encounter a suicidal client even before completing their education. Student counselors not trained in these practices are at risk for not identifying and adequately managing suicide risk. This study explores and describes counseling students’ knowledge about suicide, attitudes about suicide and suicide response, and simulated suicide response behavior; and to identify to what extent counseling students’ knowledge and attitudes about suicide and suicide response relate to and predict simulated suicide response behavior. Outcomes from this study suggest that these three constructs are related to one another; however, these relationships should be interpreted with caution. Only declarative …

Community Uprising: Counseling Interventions, Educational Strategies, And Advocacy Tools, Katherine M. Hermann-Turner, Karena J. Heyward, Carrie Lynn Bailey

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Ferguson riots, Baltimore uprising, marches on the White House… how can counselor educators incorporate crisis intervention training into curriculums, implement measures to prevent public unrest, and increase community resilience to avoid the violent repercussions of racial tensions? This article explores common precursors to racially charged unrest and provides a model for innovative counseling interventions, curriculum development, and advocacy based on the American Counseling Association (ACA) Disaster Impact and Recovery Model (2009). In addition, the authors provide specific course-based discussion questions to use as tools to foster perspective taking and increased understanding among student and practitioners.

Supervision Development And Working Alliance: A Survey Of Counseling Supervisors, Serey Bright, Amanda M. Evans

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study explored the relationship between supervisor development and supervisor working alliance. Participants included counseling supervisors from professional counseling organizations. Data analysis showed positive correlations between working alliance and supervisor development. Regression results supported a significant relationship between the working alliance subscale of Client Focus and increased supervisor development. Recommendations for counselor supervisors and researchers are provided.

Career-Decision Making: School Counselors In Counselor Education Doctoral Programs, Malti Tuttle, Lee E. Grimes, Caroline Lopez-Perry

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

School counselors enroll in counselor education doctoral programs based on various factors which impact their future career-decision making process. The researchers conducted a phenomenological research study to examine the career-decision making experiences of practicing school counselors in counselor education doctoral programs to understand this phenomenon. Ten practicing school counselors enrolled in counselor education doctoral programs participated in this research study. Three emerging themes highlighted the essence of these experiences: (a) intrinsic and extrinsic motivators, (b) developmental fit, and (c) lifestyle factors. Results and recommendations from this research study provide counselor educators insight into these experiences. This research study informs counselor …

A Process Addictions Course For Counselor Training Programs, Amanda L. Giordano, Audrey Malacara, Sarah Agarwal

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

We proposed the implementation of a course dedicated to the etiology and treatment of process addictions in counselor-training programs. We described the nature of the course and results of paired samples t-tests examining differences in 23 students’ preferences, competence, importance, and understanding at the beginning and end of the semester. Specifically, student preference for working with process addictions, competence, and understanding of process addictions significantly increased with large effect sizes at the completion of the course. We concluded with a description of implications for counselor educators and counselor-training programs.

Am I My Peers’ Keeper? Problems Of Professional Competency In Doctoral Students, Kathleen Brown-Rice, Susan Furr

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Addressing problems of professional competency (PPC) among doctoral students is essential given that doctoral students will become our future counselor educators. In this study, doctoral students (N = 345) in CACREP-accredited programs were surveyed about their knowledge of peers’ PPC. The findings of this study indicate doctoral students are aware of peers with PPC (68.1%), which include inadequate skills to deliver counseling services as well as problematic behaviors related to personal or psychological issues. Findings suggest respondents are affected negatively by being in a program with a peer they perceive has a PPC (47.9%) and are frustrated with educators for …

Quality Scholarship Informing Teaching, Supervision And Mentorship: The Aim Of Teaching And Supervision In Counseling, Kelly L. Wester

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

No abstract provided.

Battling Imposter Syndrome: You Persevered! Luck Has No Place Here, Julius Grayson, Lesley Mateo

First-Generation Symposium

The pressure to succeed and set yourself apart from the rest may seem overwhelming! If you identify as an underrepresented minority (URM) in higher education, the pressure intensifies when you are unable to see yourself, relate and/or identify with your college instructors or campus. Research suggests that identifying as an URM and not having visible representation of yourself in the classroom or on campus can lead to something known as Impostor Phenomenon (IP) also known as Impostor Syndrome. IP is the belief that achievement and success occur not because of performance or ability but rather because of luck. IP negatively …

2019-02-13 Pca Treasurer's Report, Pennsylvania Counseling Association

PCA Treasurer’s Reports

No abstract provided.