Counselor Education Commons^™

Reaching College Readiness: Barriers And Effective Interventions For Parents And Students Of Low Socioeconomic Status, Kailee Johnson

Counselor Education Capstones

Navigating the college application process can be a stressful time for students and their parents. The college application process can become an even more difficult time for students and parents from low-socioeconomic status (SES), as many colleges and universities often reflect the norms of middle to high incomes. This literature reviews research study findings that many parents and students from low SES experience in regard to their child’s future college education. Common barriers that are experienced by families from low SES regarding college are negative parental attitudes, a student’s lack of knowledge about the college process, and the financial burden …

Investigating Effective Treatments Of Ocd And Related Disorders In Women, Madeline L. Mccarthy

Counselor Education Capstones

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an under-researched mental health disorder, and many studies predominantly include male participants. Therefore, many existing treatments are based on the symptoms and results of male participants. Of the studies targeting women with OCD, much of the reliable research regards pregnancy, hormones, or phases of the menstrual cycle. While these studies have shown connections between OCD symptoms and hormones, particularly regarding pregnancy and the menstrual cycle, there is a lack of general research on effective OCD treatments for women. Additionally, many of the treatment options and medications included in these studies are those discovered through studies with …

Exploring The Complexities Of Suicide Loss: Evaluating Bereavement Experiences, Survivor Needs, And Implications For Counselors, Kristen O. Piringer, Kristen O. Piringer

Counselor Education Capstones

Suicide exposure is common and affects a plethora of people including family members, friends, and coworkers. Suicide bereavement is intricate and involves a variety of symptoms that are not common with all types of grief including: shame, guilt, isolation, rejection, trauma, and suicidal ideation. The complexities of suicide bereavement may lead to the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The grieving period is often extended for years. Suicide bereavement is frequently complicated by stigma and changes in relationships due to insensitivity or avoidance. Suicide survivors express the need for recognition …

Trauma-Informed Care Within Neurodivergent Populations, Adrianna Black

Counselor Education Capstones

The recognition and understanding of what is commonly viewed as neurodivergent diagnoses have broadened significantly in recent years. However, the process of diagnosing individuals who may be considered both neurodivergent and have experienced a traumatic event has presented issues for people in the neurodivergent community. Applying trauma-informed care approaches in counseling will highlight the importance of considering how traumas influence clients’ past and current behaviors and their impact on access to services and meeting milestones within developmental stages. This paper will explore the minimal research on and the need for more research to be done on trauma-informed interventions used with …

Horticulture Interventions Impact On Eating Disorder Symptoms, Taylor Kline

Counselor Education Capstones

Nature-based counseling offers a wide variety of options that counselors could incorporate into their session as a complementary form of counseling paired with another theory. Specifically, horticulture interventions have been found to increase clients’ self-efficacy and self-esteem, as well as reduce anxiety, which are all common symptoms of eating disorders. With the lack of research on horticulture interventions and the idea of utilizing them within the treatment of eating disorders, the contents of this paper aim to point out the variety of benefits of said interventions on common symptoms that are often related to eating disorders. Future research should focus …

Adolescent Dieting And Eating Disorders: Considerations For Counselors, Josephine Sticha

Counselor Education Capstones

A crucial time for an individual’s development is during adolescence. During this developmental stage, the media, social influences, and cultural pressures contribute to a teenager’s body dissatisfaction and disordered eating habits. Nearly 22% of adolescents engage in unhealthy weight-loss behaviors such as skipping meals, fad diets, excessive exercise, and dangerous purging practices due to experiencing weight and body dissatisfaction (Whyte & Findlay, 2004). Other factors such as low self-esteem, peer pressure, and the desire for increased social status have been known to exacerbate these behaviors. Dieting practices intensify these risks and increase the likelihood of developing nutritional deficiencies and eating …

Supporting Lgbtq+ Students In Rural Schools: Strategies For School Counselors To Enhance Protective Factors, Madison J. Nelson

Counselor Education Capstones

This capstone project explores the research-supported protective measures for LGBTQ+ students in schools, such as Gay-Straight Alliances (GSAs), LGBTQ+-specific anti-bullying policies, and proactive teacher intervention. It also addresses the unique challenges LGBTQ+ students face in rural schools, where social stigma, discrimination, and resistance to LGBTQ+ initiatives are more prevalent (Dahl et al., 2015). The project examines how these rural environments can reduce the effectiveness of protective factors commonly used in other settings. It further presents strategies specifically for school counselors to enhance the implementation and success of these protective factors in rural schools. Through a focus on counselor advocacy, policy …

Barriers To Help-Seeking Behaviors And Interventions For Adolescents With Co-Occurring Disorders, Hannah A. Fisher

Counselor Education Capstones

Adolescent mental health problems have become an extremely prevalent topic for discussion since the coronavirus pandemic. Adolescents experience five major barriers to obtaining mental health professional services including stigma, access to services, mental health professional mistrust, adolescent lack of mental health knowledge, and lack of support. These barriers create obstacles for adolescents seeking proper, affordable, high-quality, and culturally specific mental health care for their mental health needs. There are many different approaches to take to combat the identified barriers. Four different types of approaches are important to consider including what youth can do, what the family of the youth can …

The Use Of Art Therapy On Children With Life-Limiting Conditions, Karissa K. Schillinger

Counselor Education Capstones

Art therapy is a growing therapeutic technique that is noninvasive. The present literature review sets out to determine what effect art therapy has on children with life-limiting conditions. This author completed a literature review that involved analyzing ten research studies on a variety of youth populations. Studies were found about children with cancer, a child with cerebral palsy and a child with a severe neurological disorder. Zero incidences of harm were found when using art therapy. However, the literature was complicated by the type of art therapy provided, small sample sizes, varying duration of treatment, lack of control groups, lack …

Early Support And Home-Based Interventions For Children Affected By Bipolar Disorder In Parents, Maria Mylonaki

Counselor Education Capstones

This capstone project explores the qualitative differences in the transmissibility of

parental mental illness, specifically bipolar disorder, and the effects the introduction of early support and interventions in their residencies may have. Bipolar disorder (formerly known as manic depression) is a mental health disorder characterized by unusual shifts in mood, activity, energy levels, and concentration that affect the individual’s ability to perform daily tasks (National Institute of Mental Health, 2023). Children of parents with bipolar disorder have a 2.7 times higher risk for developing any psychiatric disorder and a 4 times higher risk for developing a mood disorder in comparison …

The Long-Term Effects Of The Negative Stereotypes On Black Women, Ashley L. Mock

Counselor Education Capstones

Black women have historically faced unique experiences in the United States since the era of slavery. The capstone paper is focused on understanding the long-term effects of negative stereotypes when it comes to Black women. The research explores the complex elements surrounding the experiences of Black women, mainly focusing on historical contexts, prevalent stereotypes such as the strong Black woman schema, and the intersecting challenges of gendered racial discrimination. The research delves into the influence of family dynamics in shaping these stereotypes and examines how intersectionality influences Black women’s identity. Furthermore, the research investigates the complicated relationship between negative stereotypes …

Religion, Spirituality, And Sexual Minority Identity Development, Jake C. Kirschner

Counselor Education Capstones

The LGBTQIA+ relationship with religion is diverse and complex. Historically, many religions have marginalized LGBTQIA+ people. The historic marginalization of queer people has created a complex relationship with religion for many queer people, this can lead to difficulty integrating both religious and sexual affective identities into an integrated identity. It is important to note that not all religions have historically marginalized queer people and many queer individuals do not experience difficulty integrating their religious and sexual identities. Individuals who are able to integrate their varying religious and sexual affective identities experience better mental health outcomes than those who are unable …

The Efficacy Of Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Literature Review, Erica Thiem

Counselor Education Capstones

Equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) is a growing form of psychotherapy that has yet to establish a solid research base. The present literature review sought to determine for which adult population(s), if any, this method is the most recommended. This author completed a literature review that involved reading twenty-one studies on a variety of adult populations. Studies were found about veterans and/or people diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder, patients with substance use disorders, survivors of interpersonal violence, psychiatric patients, college students, older adults, women with eating disorders and more. Zero incidences of harm were found by using EAP. However, the literature was …

Barriers, Motivation, And Interventions For Women With Substance Use Disorders During Pregnancy, Sarah Novinska

Counselor Education Capstones

Pregnant women with a substance use disorder have many barriers to treatment, including stigma, fear of disclosing use, the potential for having their children taken away, gender and race disparities, mental health, public policy, and the lengthy process to get into treatment. Ways to overcome these barriers, including gender-specific treatment, decreasing stigma associated with substance use disorders, increasing trauma informed care, providers assessing their own biases, and changing public policy are discussed. In addition, the importance of learning how to overcome barriers to protect the health of mothers, babies, their families, and communities, along with several interventions including screening and …

Dementia Diagnosis And Personality Change, Molly Pavek

Counselor Education Capstones

The diagnosis of dementia is typically overlooked when thinking about mental health. It has been around for over a century, yet there have been minimal breakthroughs in research. This diagnosis is quite complicated, given the unexpected and sometimes abrupt nature of symptoms. There is still no cure and there are no medications that stop, slow down, or reverse the diagnosis. Several cognitive and behavioral symptoms accompany a dementia diagnosis; a change in personality being one of the most apparent. Researching personality changes over time, allows researchers discover patterns among the diagnosed and medical professionals, the diagnosed, and caregivers of the …

Divorce And Family Therapy: The Negative Effects Of High Conflict Divorce And The Most Effective Interventions For Counselors, Gregory S. Ferriss

Counselor Education Capstones

Research concerning high conflict divorce shows significant detrimental effects on the couple divorcing and the children of the marriage. Significant research has focused on the effects of high conflict divorce to the children of the divorcing couple while other research has documented negative effects on the couple including an inhibition of the ability to adjust to life after the separation. While the effects of high conflict divorce have been thoroughly documented, studies on interventions that counselors can use to help with high conflict divorce are much less complete. While some interventions have been discussed, few have been empirically studied as …

Exploring Perinatal Mental Health: Navigating Challenges And Support For Women Of Color, Chloey R. Pestorious

Counselor Education Capstones

This Capstone Project focuses on peripartum depression, particularly its implications for women of color during the perinatal period, which includes pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. Peripartum depression is a mental health condition that effects women, their families, and society as a whole (World Health Organization, 2008). The literature review takes a comprehensive approach, starting with an exploration of peripartum depression, including its prevalence, manifestations, and associated risk factors. Notably, women of color face a higher prevalence of peripartum depression, with disparities arising from multifaceted factors, including racial and ethnic healthcare disparities, socioeconomic challenges, and cultural nuances (Kozhimannil et al., …

Demystifying Music Therapy: Applications Over The Lifespan, Barry C. Nelson

Counselor Education Capstones

This study seeks to evaluate the curative factors of music therapy and discuss the benefits of the practice over the course of the human lifespan. Additionally, a case will be made for prospective and current counselors to add music therapy techniques to their repertoire in order to provide more diverse methods of care. To accomplish this aim, research will be presented conveying how music therapy has been evaluated for effectiveness in treating various mental health concerns during childhood, adulthood, and older adulthood. The results of this evaluation suggest that music therapy is effective at treating a diverse range of disorders …

Barriers To Help-Seeking Behavior For Individuals With Suicidal Ideations & Previous Suicide Attempts, Rachael M. Vlasak

Counselor Education Capstones

Suicide is a mental health crisis around the world with many individuals struggling with suicidal ideations and a history of previous attempts. Sometimes these individuals struggle with seeking help for their suicidal ideations and previous attempts in the form of seeking out support from family and friends or seeking out outpatient or inpatient mental health treatment. Research has uncovered that some of the major barriers that can impact help-seeking behavior among these individuals were internal personal stigma, external public stigma, socioeconomic factors, lack of resources, cultural factors, negative attitudes, and suicide literacy. These barriers have greatly impacted whether individuals have …

Efficacy Of Mental Health Interventions For Physicians: A Literature Review, Rebecca Rudolph

Counselor Education Capstones

Medical physicians at all points of their careers, including as medical students, interns, residents, and independent physicians, are more likely than their non-physician peers to experience depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, substance abuse, and other mental health issues. A variety of occupation-specific factors could contribute to these issues with no root cause known, and the efficacy of mental health care interventions for this group also remains ambiguous. There seem to be two approaches to the problem - implementing interventions at organizational levels and making individual interventions available. There is not one conclusive answer to systematically improve physician mental health, and different …

An Investigation Into The Factors Influencing Adolescent E-Cigarette Initiation, Dariyan R. Adams

Counselor Education Capstones

The escalating prevalence of e-cigarette use among adolescents has sparked concerns regarding potential health implications, necessitating a comprehensive exploration of the underlying influences. The primary objective is to identify key determinants that prompt high school students to begin using e-cigarettes. The pressing issues are the range of negative health outcomes linked to e-cigarette use in this demographic, including addiction, respiratory issues, cognitive impairments, depression, and thoughts of self-harm. Consequently, comprehending why adolescents are drawn to e-cigarettes is pivotal for designing effective prevention and intervention strategies. By delving into the motivations behind e-cigarette initiation among high school students, this research intends …

Lack Of Multicultural Representation In Children’S Literature And Societal Attitudes On Youths’ Self-Perception, Ellen Knutson

Counselor Education Capstones

This Capstone Project addresses the use of multicultural representation in children’s literature, with particular relevance to educational resources and curriculum. Likewise, there is consideration of the impact of societal attitudes towards multicultural education and acts of inclusivity on the implementation of such ideas. Societal attitudes mentioned include state legislature and literature censorship. The implementation of multicultural education would inherently represent larger numbers of underrepresented communities and individuals, which would then be included in the classroom. This Capstone looks to understand the potential impact of thorough implementation of multicultural education and inclusive, representative literature for youth.

Social And Emotional Development Of Toddlers Post-Covid-19 Pandemic, Alice M. Bygd

Counselor Education Capstones

The COVID-19 pandemic created a significantly different world for infants and very young children to grow and develop their social and emotional skills. These infants are now today’s toddlers. They were born or spent the earliest months of their lives in a society that was lacking the naturally occurring social and emotional experiences that children have had in the past. Research on the social and emotional development of young children since the COVID-19 pandemic is lacking greatly. This is due to how close the lived experiences of a pandemic for society are to the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. The …

Success For Graduation And Beyond: College Counseling Advocacy Skills That Target The Needs Of First-Generation College Students, Meriel Laforce

Counselor Education Capstones

The writer explores how the role of a college counselor can support and advocate for first-generation students in a way that can lead to attainable success beyond merely graduating from an institution. Research has shown that college faculty have been proven to be a significant source of aspirational, intellectual, and emotional support in a student’s college success. The role of a college counselor could be an ideal mentor and advocate for those students who may be at a disadvantage, such as a first-generation student. The specific barriers that first-generation students experience that differ from continuing-generation students are discussed. Additionally, the …

Implications For Counseling High School Student Athletes In A School Setting, Tristan Schmidtknecht

Counselor Education Capstones

Career counseling is a vital part of the high school counselor’s job. There are unique considerations for every student that transitions from high school to college but the transition process for the prospective student-athlete is especially complicated. The role of the counselor is discussed to begin the literature review, followed by a review of the academic eligibility information that counselors need to be aware of. Academic implications for the student-athlete such as choosing a school and a major are then discussed before transitioning to issues student-athletes may face upon arriving at college. These issues include time management skills, mental health …

Lack Of Counseling Services Among Adults Aged 50 And Greater, Madalyn Olson

Counselor Education Capstones

The geriatric population is increasing every year which may indicate a rising need for retirement and mental health counseling. It is essential for individuals aging out of the workforce to prepare for a life after work and know how to create a new identity. Counselors need to be aware of the different scales and assessments that are available to help determine one’s attitude towards retirement and willingness to seek counseling to prepare for retirement. Additionally, it is important to be aware that although there are counseling services available for mental health disorders and substance use disorders, these services are limited …

Working With Students From Low Socioeconomic Families: What Can School Counselors Do?, Rachel S. Bluhm

Counselor Education Capstones

Poverty and low socioeconomic status (SES) in America negatively affect students in elementary, middle, and high school as they are still developing. It is crucial that school counselors and other helping professionals are aware of how to best support these students so they can achieve their highest as social support has been shown to be a protective factor for low SES in school. It is essential that school counselors and other staff in schools have effective training surrounding poverty and that they recognize how their social class affects their views and beliefs surrounding poverty and analyze those beliefs and practices. …

Therapeutic Potential Of Hypnotherapy To Treat Substance Use, Theresa Sanchez

Counselor Education Capstones

The use and abuse of substances has been a problem throughout the country for decades. Treatment programs attempt to mitigate the issue, but death rates from all drugs are rising each year, showing a need to implement alternate treatment options. This literature review analyzed multiple scholarly articles on the components of Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy. The visualization technique used in Hypnotherapy mirrors The Miracle Question that is used in Solution-Focused Therapy. Connecting this knowledge to what scientists and researchers are discovering in the field of Neuroscience allows us to see that it is possible to harness the power of the mind …

Sizeism--What Multicultural Education & Training Are Missing, Jen Rynes

Counselor Education Capstones

Training in multiculturalism is a major focus in most counselor education graduate programs. These programs seek to graduate competent counselors who aspire to serve all populations. The harsh reality is that many programs fail to acknowledge body diversity and sizeism in these multicultural courses and trainings. There are a multitude of reasons why body diversity needs to be a part of multicultural education and training. The literature reviewed in this paper has a purpose of discussing those reasons, dismantling the many myths associated with fatness, identifying how body size intersects with other diverse identities, and reviewing current multicultural guidelines and …

Review Of Conceptualizations, Peer Interventions, And Principles And Standards In Approaches To Intimate Partner Violence (Ipv), Sara Fister

Counselor Education Capstones

Intimate partner violence (IPV), a type of domestic violence, is a human rights issue that is considered a global health concern. The daunting statistics outline the immense need for principles and standards for approaches to IPV. The overarching goal of this review is to explore peer support and peer mentorship as a potential adjunct service to a comprehensive service program for IPV victim-survivors. Conceptualization, theory, and frameworks; social support and peer support; the self-identity of IPV victims; single versus integrative services; service enhancement; evaluation; and advocacy and interventions are investigated in relation to IPV services, in general, and peer support, …