Counseling Commons^™

Cultivating Multicultural Competency In Supervision Using An Identity Style Framework, Erin K. Popejoy, Kendra Shoge, Cameron Houin

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Multicultural competency is a necessary component of counselor supervision. However, when ingrained and unquestioned biases tied to personal identity arise, it may feel impossible to have important conversations in a professional and safe way. The authors propose a conceptual framework that provides a navigational toolkit for these difficult conversations. A brief case example highlights a possible scenario and path to resolution.

Counselor Education Graduate Students’ Experiences With Multiple Roles And Relationships, Kristen N. Dickens, Richard E. Cleveland, Lauren Amason

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Counselor Education graduate students participate in multiple roles and relationships during their programs (Dickens, Ebrahim, & Herilhy, 2016). The purpose of this quantitative investigation was to explore counselor education graduate students’ awareness of and experiences with multiple roles and relationships through the development of a self-report scale. Building on previous qualitative studies, the authors constructed a 41-item survey – the Multiple Roles, Relationships, and Responsibilities (M3R). Exploratory factor analysis was applied to data from a sampling of counseling students (n = 140) yielding an 8-factor solution accounting for approximately 63% of the variance. Implications for faculty are discussed and programmatic …

Full Issue, Mississippi Counseling Association

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Volume 4, Number 1 (2019)

Acknowledgements, Mississippi Counseling Association

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

No abstract provided.

Cookie Friendships: School Counselors Use Of Genograms As An Assessment Tool In The Digital Age, Jennifer Barrow, Susan Z. Wasik, Peggy P. Whiting

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Professional school counselors play a vital role in addressing the needs of diverse populations experiencing varying degrees of crises. This article suggests best practices for utilizing genograms in the digital age to identify cookie friendships and to address varying degrees of crisis experiences of school-aged children. The use of genograms in the school counseling setting can be an easily adoptable approach and technique for use with a wide variety of students that can be implemented in various situations.

A Pilot Survey Of The Integration Of Technology Into Counseling Practice, Courtney Holmes, Kelly A. Kozlowksi, Dorcille M. Jernigan

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

A random sample of 218 American Counseling Association members responded to a survey related to the integration of technology into the field of counseling pertaining to perceptions of possible barriers and benefits to providing online counseling. Results indicate that 11% of respondents currently provide some type of online counseling and that less than 20% of respondents would consider providing online counseling. Respondents identified both potential barriers and benefits of online counseling indicating that while counselors can recognize benefits to online counseling, they are still wary of potential challenges. Implications for the counseling field and future research directions are discussed.

The Perceived Stressors And Coping Skills Of Graduate Students: A Developmental And Validation Study, Alyse M. Anekstein, Pamela C. Wells, Richard E. Cleveland, Nicole R. Hill, Alexandria Kerwin, Holly H. Wagner

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

This article outlines the development and validation of two instruments evaluating common stressors and coping skills as perceived by graduate counseling students. The review of the literature illustrated a need for the development of measures to provide empirical support in regard to the stressors and coping skills of graduate students in counseling programs. Exploratory factor analyses were applied to the two respective scales to evaluate the constructs. Recommendations and limitations are offered to further the development of psychometric properties within the scales.

Predictors Of Supervisee Self-Disclosure Within The Supervisory Relationship, Chelsey Hess-Holden

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

The present study investigates how the supervisory working alliance, supervisor’s style, and the supervisee’s level of self-efficacy are able to predict the supervisee’s level of self-disclosure to the supervisor. Forty-two supervisees completed the Working Alliance Inventory – Trainee (Bahrick, 1990), Trainee Disclosure Scale (Walker, Ladany, & Pate-Carolan, 2007), Supervisory Style Inventory (Friedlander & Ward, 1984), and Counseling Activity Self-Efficacy Scales (Lent, Hill, & Hoffman, 2003). The supervisee’s level of self-disclosure was statistically significantly predicted by the supervisory working alliance, supervisor’s style, and the supervisee’s counseling self-efficacy. Counseling self-efficacy was found to be a statistically significant predictor of supervisee self-disclosure.

Counseling Theories Role Play As A Teaching Tool, Sarah Stewart-Spencer, Rob Eubanks, Jamison Law, Dale V. Wyman, Annette Pullen, Donna James

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Transitioning from knowledge and understanding to practical application can be a challenging step for counseling students (Authors, 2016). Although the professional field accepts integration as a working model, the ability to effectively integrate theories is a more advanced skill. Research strongly advocates the importance of graduate students connecting with a specific counseling model or theory as a foundation into the profession (Halbur & Halbur, 2015). Beginning counselors may see this as overwhelming as they do not fully understand each theory well enough to integrate. Firsthand experience, such as seeing a theory in action, not only provides a sense of connection …

Full Issue, Mississippi Counseling Association

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Volume 3, Number 1 (Fall and Spring 2018)

A Narrative Approach To Helping Families And Their Children Who Identify As Transgender Or Gender Nonconforming, Samantha Klassen-Bolding, Karisse A. Callender

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Counselors can help families of transgender or gender nonconforming youth adjust after a child or adolescent expresses differences in gender identity. We propose a community based narrative group therapy which may increase family cohesion and acceptance within the changing family dynamic. The program is psychoeducational and experiential, lasting eight sessions, and begins with psychoeducation about transgender individuals and heteronormative societies. It culminates in re-authoring and witnessing the family’s story in a manner which honors the youth’s gender identity. We propose this program as a strategy for helping practitioners connect diverse LGBTQ+ families with other families experiencing similar transitions.

Natural Disasters: Implications For Counselors And Counselor Educators, Michael Bobbitt

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Natural disasters often strike with little to no warning and have devastating effects. The impact of natural disasters can include loss of property, loss of a job, or impairment of psychological functioning for survivors of natural disasters. Counselors are called to understand natural disasters, the impact of natural disasters, and interventions for working with natural disaster survivors. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of natural disasters on clients, counseling practices for working with survivors of natural disaster, and the impact of natural disasters on counselors. Additionally, implications for counselors and counselor education are discussed.

The Effect Of Child-Centered Play Therapy On Academic Achievement With Normal Functioning School Children, Pedro Blanco, Ryan Holliman, Janelle Farnam, Alexandria Pena

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

This examination of normal functioning second grade students investigated the effect of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on academic achievement. The treatment group was provided with biweekly play therapy sessions consisted of 30 minutes for a period of eight weeks. The results demonstrated the second graders who participated within the study (n=27) exhibited a statistically significant increase on the Woodcock Johnson III Total Brief Achievement Score (Mather & Woodcock, 2001) in comparison to the children within the waitlist control group (n=23). Findings advocate the usage of CCPT as an intervention for academic achievement.

Guiding The Socio-Emotional Learning Of African American Middle School Girls Through The Perspective Of School Counselors, Towana Hunter

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

This qualitative case study explored the perspective of school counselors and how they support African American middle school girls through their SEL challenges. School counselors play a key role in the development of socio-emotional learning (SEL) for all students. SEL supports academic achievement, behaviors, and positive relationship development. Despite success with SEL, socio-emotional gaps remain in the areas of age, gender, and race. In response to addressing these gaps, this study focused on SEL challenges that impact African American middle school girls and how school counselors support them through these challenges. Data for this study was collected through individual interviews …

The Journey: A Counseling Group For Adolescents With Bipolar Disorder, Carlee Gebeke

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This group manual has been created for adolescents experiencing Bipolar Disorder symptoms. Among the literature regarding this population there is a lack of focus on suicidal tendencies and family functioning. High rates of suicidal ideation and attempts are an area of concern among adolescents. Family functioning has also been identified as a concern, as it is a cause of stress among adolescents with bipolar disorder. A focus on prevention of suicidal tendencies and improving family functioning is imperative within this population. A group manual was developed that reflects the needs of this population. The group will serve adolescents ages 15 …

Daniel Gomez

Barrio Writers

No abstract provided.

Hoarding: Beyond The Mess, A Training For Mental Health Professionals, Kelsi Mcclaflin

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This literature review examines hoarding disorder with a close lens. This is a diagnosis that is new to licensed professionals across the helping professions. This training will allow participants to better understand what it means to be diagnosed with hoarding disorder, assessments that aid in detecting severity, best practices that are continually emerging, and the impact it can have on clients, their loved ones, and the community. This training takes a collaborative approach as an integrated way of treatment for all individuals involved in the process.

Keywords: hoarding, behaviors, treatment

From Isolation To Communication: Connecting Adults Who Have Hearing Loss With Their Communication Partners, Stephen D. Roberts, Nancy A. Delich

JADARA

As Baby Boomers enter the late adulthood stage of life, hearing loss continues to be one of the most prevalent, chronic, and isolating conditions facing older adults today. Research has focused on the negative consequences of hearing loss on the health and the person’s well-being, but it is equally important to recognize that hearing loss also leads to communication loss. The resulting social isolation and the collateral effects of hearing loss on the communication partner are the focus of this mixed-method study that explored the hearing loss-related quality of life for both parties. Five overarching themes emerged from the analysis, …

Intersex Experiences, Activists’ Perspectives, And Counseling Implications, Cynthia J. Mulit

Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Intersex people are born with sex development differences; for example, atypical genitals. The intersex community is the only sexual minority population subjected to medical treatments in infancy designed to make their bodies conform to cultural expectations for male and female bodies. Intersex activism to stop the medicalized treatments began in the late 1990s. No other qualitative study has focused on the experiences of intersex activists. Four leading activists were interviewed in depth regarding their personal, activist, and counseling experiences. Data were collected through semistructured interviews and analyzed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. A 3-stage intersex identity development model was formulated …

An Application Of The Interpersonal Psychological Theory Of Suicide In College-Age Survivors Of Sexual Assault, Ava Katherine Fergerson

Masters Theses & Specialist Projects

Sexual victimization is a pervasive public health concern that disproportionately affects college students and results in severe mental and physical health risks for survivors. Despite low prevalence rates in the general population, a national study found that 33% of survivors of rape reported suicidal ideation, and 13% actually made a suicide attempt (Kilpatrick et al., 1992). Although it is clear that survivors of sexual violence are at increased risk for suicide, knowledge is largely limited to epidemiological studies. Few studies have integrated theories of suicide to understand how and why this population is at such elevated risk for suicidal thoughts …