Investigating Facilitation Strategies And Engagement In Correctional Mindfulness Programs: A Grounded Theory

Mindfulness has received growing attention as an empowering approach for the treatment of addiction and mental health disorders in the criminal justice system. Using a constructivist grounded theory approach, this study explored the teaching practices of volunteers who currently facilitate mindfulness programs in correctional settings. A total of fifteen volunteer meditation teachers and three former group members were interviewed. The researcher utilized interview data to construct a grounded theory which conceptualizes the barriers volunteers face, helpful facilitation strategies, and factors which promote and threaten the engagement of group members. The results of this grounded theory illustrate culturally responsive facilitation strategies and empowering ways volunteers share mindfulness teachings with individuals who are incarcerated. Limitations and suggestions for future research are presented, along with implications for the counseling profession

Multicultural and Social Justice Training in Doctoral Counseling Programs: A Phenomenological Study

Multicultural and social justice are central values of the counseling profession. However, it is unclear how doctoral training advances counselor education students\u27 multicultural and social justice competence and what deficits might exist. The researchers addressed this gap by conducting a phenomenological study of multicultural and social justice training experiences with ten doctoral counselor education students. The researchers identified three themes: limited multicultural integration, methods of compensation, and experiencing growth. The researchers also identified subthemes that explained how doctoral students prepared themselves to be multicultural and social justice competent through self-study, collaborative learning, and role-taking experiences despite often perceiving gaps in their coursework. Finally, the researchers discuss implications and suggestions for future research