Counseling Commons^™

The Impact Of Trauma On The Brain And Body: Alternative Approaches To Treatment, Ashley L. Ahlers

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This project will explore the impact of trauma on the body and mind of an individual, as well as offer alternative approaches to treatment that mental health professionals can integrate into their work with clients. The experience of one or multiple traumatic events can lead to devastating psychological and physiological impairment in a person, and the complexity of trauma can make the symptoms difficult to treat. Many clinicians have found that using traditional approaches as their sole method of treatment may not be enough to create long-lasting, sustainable change. Integrating treatment approaches that address mind, body, and spirit has proven …

Navigating "Technoference" In The Family System, Kathlynn Sergent

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

This integrative literature review explores the increase of technology use in families, with a focus on how technology is disrupting in-person social interactions within the family system. Many studies have been conducted on how technology impacts a couple’s romantic relationship, and only a few have examined the relationship between the parent and child. This review is one of the first to examine how technology may affect the entire family unit from before children to raising adolescents. Each section of the family unit is examined, beginning with before children, followed by the early bonding and attachment associated with infant/childhood, and then …

The Space Between Black & White: Examining The Lived Experiences Of African American Supervisees In Cross-Racial Supervisory Relationships, Brittany A. Williams

Dissertations, 2020-current

There is a growing trend in the counseling research that addresses the importance of multicultural counseling and specifically the need for effective work with African American clients (Chang, Hays, & Shoffner, 2004). More specifically, attention should be given to African American supervisees in cross-racial supervisory relationships who experience complex forms of discrimination due to the differing cultural identities within the supervisory relationship. While also meeting the needs of the African American clients, increased representation in the field could also be beneficial for the counseling profession and support the growth and development of same race clinicians. This influx of African American …

Undue Police Violence Towards African Americans: A Quantitative Analysis Of Professional Counselors, Darius Green

Dissertations, 2020-current

The purpose of this study was to investigate the extent to which counseling professionals identify and address undue police violence (UPV) in their professional roles. This study investigated circumstances associated with experiencing types of force that counselors identify as undue, the extent of advocacy efforts made by counselors related to UPV, and training received related to UPV. Lastly, this study investigated the relationships between counselors’ attitudes towards officer legitimacy, perceived racism, and beliefs related to UPV and addressing it. An exploratory research design that used descriptive analysis, simple linear regression, and thematic analysis was used to analyze data collected for …

Reducing Stress In Creative Spaces: Art Therapy With Adults Living With Physical Disabilities, A Literature Review, Kelly Brennan

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Historically and currently, adults living with physical disabilities encounter life dilemmas, triggering high levels of stress. Despite the seriousness of these situations, the support and recognition of the struggle such obstacles cause tend to go ignored by society. Since persons living without disabilities do not personally feel or even perceive the gravity of the stress, accessibility demands remain overlooked. Monumental changes in political and societal constitutions take time, however, current methods that are often used with individuals coping with stress are cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based therapy. These treatments reduce stress among varied populations, specifically when treating individuals living …

Place-Based Intercultural Liminality And The Potential Of Art Therapy In Cultural Identity Negotitations, Adee Benartzy

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This research, in the form of a literature review, offers a broad discussion of the factors of identity formation related to the complex negotiations of place-bound intercultural liminality, a phenomenon resultant of developmentally early experiences of multiple relocations and exposure to a multiplicity of competing cultural frames of reference without the establishment of a secure cultural home. Moreover, it serves to propose art therapy as a fitting therapeutic technique for intervention for this population due to the inherent qualities of this form of psychotherapy. This would ideally be as a proactive approach to realizing the benefits of a highly cross-cultural …

Triad Of Anxiety: A Qualitative Analysis For Anxiety In Nursing Student Collegiate-Athletes, Morgan Vanderschaaf, Sharon Webb, Abby Garlock

Journal of Counseling and Psychology

Anxiety and resulting implications are prevalent for collegiate athletes who are also in nursing studies. These authors conducted a qualitative research study to analyze perceptions of nursing student-athlete’s anxiety and feelings of perfectionism. Three main research questions were investigated: What impact does anxiety have on a nursing student-athletes? How does perfectionism affect a nursing-student athlete's anxiety? How can coaches and professors aid in the reduction of the nursing student-athlete's anxiety? Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then coded. Resulting phenomena led to the concept of the Triad of Anxiety. Results indicated that nursing student-athletes experienced perceived threats, negative internal experiences, and …

Ethical Standards Of Human Services Professionals In Trauma Informed Care Across Diverse Settings, Emily Burroughs

Undergraduate Honors Theses

Ethics are important in every aspect of our professional lives. Actions have consequences and in the Human Services field, decisions that we make will potentially directly impact our clients. A human services professional’s responsibility is to care for their clients and provide them with the appropriate resources needed to succeed in their daily lives. When a professional begins working with a trauma victim, they must be sure to assess their ethical behaviors and provide proper resources to the victim. This work is often referred to as trauma informed care which goes beyond the typical helping process of professionals. It is …

The Effectiveness Of Implementing A Collaborative Mental Health Approach On Quality Of Life For Individuals Of Low Socioeconomic Status, Tyler Z. Tooley

Graduate Theses/Dissertations

The ultimate purpose of this study is to provide insight and education to mental health clinicians, politicians and the general public of the numerous effects poverty has on mental health, in addition to the most beneficial ways to combat those insidious effects. The specific barriers met by individuals of low socioeconomic status severely affect psychological and physical health, as well as social and environmental relationships, which therefore diminish overall quality of life. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of implementing a collaborative mental health approach for low income individuals on length of engagement in services and …

Ce 620 Syllabus: Tests And Measurements, Dawnette Cigrand

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides an overview of the fundamentals of measurement as applied to psychological testing. Knowledge of and practical experience in the use of standardized psychological tests in counseling for personality assessment, evaluation, and career and life decisions will be provided.

Ce 432 Syllabus: Stress Management, Anquinetta V. Calhoun

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course will provide an introduction to important concepts, issues, skills, and interventions related to the identification and management of personal stress.

Burnout Treatment And Prevention Using Multimodal Expressive Arts Therapy In Massachusetts Wellness Programs., Amanda Medas

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

This capstone thesis will explore the issue of burnout in the field of mental health and the argument for the promotion of using expressive arts as a therapeutic component to decrease and prevent symptoms of burnout. The writer of this thesis will be sharing her personal experiences with burnout while working in the field of mental health. The researcher will review a multimodal expressive arts self-study that she engaged in over the course of one month and will be using the Maslach Burnout Inventory to track symptoms of burnout. Burnout and its prevalence in the field of mental health …

Clinical Supervisor Self-Perceived Addiction Competencies In Response To The Opioid Epidemic, Elizabeth A. Conte

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

As the United States is facing an unprecedented national opioid epidemic it is essential that clinical supervisors who oversee the practice of Licensed Professional Counselors demonstrate understanding, knowledge, and application of addiction competencies. The purpose of this study was twofold: to identify the self-perceived addiction competencies of Approved Clinical Supervisors (ACS), and to examine the predictive value of addiction education (graduate and training courses), direct substance use counseling, and generalist counseling experience in relation to supervisors' self-perceived addiction competency. The results of multiple linear regression analyses indicated that substance use counseling experience had a significant relationship with self-perceived addiction competency. …

Outsiders In The Circle : Examining The Lived Experiences Of Gay Afro-Caribbean Male Immigrants Living In The United States, Alfonso L. Ferguson

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This dissertation presents the findings of a descriptive phenomenological study focused on the intersectional experiences of Afro-Caribbean male immigrants living in the United States who identify as gay, same gender loving, queer, and/or men who sleep with other men. This study also explored the unique experiences of participants’ challenges and resilience in the multiple communities to which they belong. Eleven participants who migrated from Anglophone colonized territories in the Caribbean participated in two semi-structured interviews. Data were collected and analyzed using descriptive phenomenology tenets. Findings of this study suggest implications for the counseling profession to better provide culturally responsive services …

Finding Their Way : The Journey From Foster Care To Emerging Adulthood, Venita Rawal

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

I conducted a qualitative study prompted from concerns of poor outcomes such as homelessness, lack of employment for youth who age out of foster care between the ages of 18 to 21 with limited to no material or emotional support. However, there are youth who age out of foster care and find themselves on a positive life-trajectory, but little is known about what helped them find their path in life and what helps them stay on this path.

I used a multiple case study design to learn from three participants who self-identified as being on a positive life-trajectory about what …

Exploring Ways That Women Veterans Describe Their Experience Of Transition Into The Civilian World Of Work, Meghan Reppert

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

This research was a qualitative study, grounded in feminist research methodology that explored the experiences of women veterans' transition into the civilian world of work. This study explored facets that participants found to be helpful, as well as inhibitive of growth in their transition into the civilian world of work.

Eight women veterans participated in two separate in-depth interviews focused on how they described their ongoing transition into the civilian world of work. They also offered recommendations for how to best support female veterans in their journey that begins when they exit the military. While each woman's story of transition …

Antisemitism Today And Its Relationship To Jewish Identity And Religious Denomination, Michaela Ambrosius

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The purpose of this research study was to answer the following three research questions: 1) What is the relationship between Jewish identity (religious and ethnic) and experiences of antisemitism? 2) What is the relationship between Jewish religious affiliation and experiences of antisemitism? 3) What, if any, type of antisemitism (e.g., ethnic or religiously based antisemitism or anti-Zionism) do Jewish individuals experience most often? Antisemitism continues to be a pervasive issue in the United States (U.S.) and can be based on ethnic prejudice, religious bias, or anti-Israel attitudes. The final sample for this study included 279 participants who self-identified as Jewish. …

Ce 534 Syllabus: Multiculturalism And Diversity, Anquinetta V. Calhoun

Counselor Education Syllabi

The purpose of this course is to: (1) promote student growth and development through the learning and practice of basic communication and helping skills; (2) study cultural diversity as it relates to human relations and communication; (3) examine gender and sexual orientation in terms of human relations and communication; and (4) address human relations and communication as they relate to special populations (persons with disabilities, older adults, economically disadvantaged individuals, children, etc.). This course will also cover substance abuse issues as relates to diverse cultures, specifically as addressed by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Treatment Improvement …

Ce 555 Syllabus: Psychopharmacology, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course introduces students to the pharmacology of substance abuse disorders and the dynamics of addiction, including medication-assisted therapy. Students will learn about the effects of licit and illicit drugs on the brain and body, basic drug classifications, and indications and contraindications of drugs to make appropriate referrals for medical intervention and medication evaluations and to provide basic client education. Grade only.

Ce 565 Syllabus: Theory And Practice, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides students with an overview of various theoretical orientations, models, and methods for delivering client education and treatment from both and individual and group perspectives. Students will be introduced to evidenced-based treatment approaches, including motivational interviewing/ enhancement therapy, cognitive-behavioral approaches, and 12-Step facilitation, and others. Working with clients in crisis and with co-occurring disorders will be emphasized.