Calidad de Vida: An Exploratory Investigation of Latino Breast Cancer Survivors and Intimate Partners

Advances in addressing psychosocial issues related to cancer treatment and prevention are not reaching all survivors equally. Latina breast cancer survivors and intimate partners are underrepresented in psychosocial interventions, and there is a scarcity of research on the influence of cancer on Latino couples’ quality of life. The purpose of this manuscript is to present findings from a trans-linguistic, dyadic qualitative research study aimed at exploring the influence of cancer on quality of life for Latina breast cancer survivors and their intimate partners. Results highlight several areas that are helpful and hindering to supporting survivorship

International Immersion in Counselor Education: A Consensual Qualitative Research Investigation

This study used consensual qualitative research methodology to examine the phenomenon of international immersion on counselor education students\u27 (N = 10) development and growth. Seven domains emerged from the data (cultural knowledge, empathy, personal and professional impact, process/reflection, relationships, personal characteristics, and structure). Implications for multicultural education and future research are discussed

The influence of film and experiential pedagogy on multicultural counseling self-efficacy and multicultural counseling competence

Scholarly discourse has emphasized the need for culturally competent practices.  Additionally, multicultural self-efficacy has been found to be critical in working with clients from diverse backgrounds, however, there is a relative paucity of literature on how to teach counselor trainees to be culturally competent and self-efficacious (Kim & Lyons, 2003). The use of experiential education is one pedagogical tool that has been supported in effectively connecting multicultural theory to practice (Arthur & Achenbach, 2002; Coleman, 2006).  In this study, researchers investigated the influence of experiential pedagogical strategies with an emphasis on film on multicultural counseling competence (MCC) and multicultural counseling self-efficacy (MCSE). Results indicated that both MCC and MCSE increased as a result of one semester in a multicultural counseling class.  Additional findings and limitations are discussed

Self-Compassion: A Mentorship Framework For Counselor Educator Mothers

Counselor educators experience high levels of stress. Mothers in academia face an additional set of emotional stressors. The authors offer a self-compassion framework for mentors to increase emotional resilience of mothers in counselor education

A Narrative Approach To Supporting Clients Living With Hiv

The number of individuals living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) continues to grow, increasing the responsibility of mental health counselors to effectively intervene and better understand the unique struggles facing survivors of HIV. Narrative therapy, a postmodern approach to counseling, is presented for use with clients living with HIV. Basic tenets of narrative therapy (externalizing the problem, identifying socially constructed messages, focusing on strengths, and reauthoring client stories) and application with HIV-positive clients are discussed, highlighting the influence of narrative therapy on both physical and mental health issues. A case application is provided

Existential Counseling As A Vehicle To Support Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

Latinas in the United States experience high incidences of breast cancer diagnosis (American Cancer Society,). Researchers (e.g., Abraído-Lanza, Chao, & Gammon,; Ashing-Giwa, Padilla, Bohorquez, Tejero, & Garcia,) indicated that Latinas report heightened levels of psychological distress (i.e., depression, anxiety, existential concerns) when compared with other cancer survivors. The purpose of this article is to (a) provide an overview of the mental health concerns of Latina breast cancer survivors and their families, (b) discuss the use of existential counseling to decrease psychological distress, and (c) integrate cultural variables to support cancer recovery from a culturally sensitive perspective. © 2014 by the American Counseling Association. All rights reserved

Critical Factors In Cultural Immersion: A Synthesis Of Relevant Literature

This synthesis of the literature on cross-cultural immersion experiences gives emphasis to the need for effective pedagogy for enhancing multicultural counseling competency, with cultural immersion being a potentially valuable training tool. The authors examine the empirical literature towards identifying both helpful and hindering structural and process factors in immersion experiences. Consideration is given to enhancing training experiences and suggestions for future research are provided. © 2013 Springer Science+Business Media New York

An Investigation Of Multicultural Counseling Competence And Multicultural Counseling Self-Efficacy For Counselors-In-Training

Counseling necessitates clinicians to be culturally competent and self-efficacious in order to ethically and effectively work with diverse client populations. This study investigated the relationship between counselor education students’ (N = 118) levels of self-reported multicultural counseling competence (MCC), multicultural counseling self-efficacy (MCSE), and demographic data (gender, ethnicity, level of education). Contrary to prior research, results indicated that student gender and ethnicity did not affect MCSE or self-reported MCC. However, students who had been in graduate education longer had higher self-reported MCC and higher levels of multicultural knowledge. Discussion and implications of findings are provided

International Cultural Immersion: Assessing The Influence Of A Group Intervention On Intercultural Sensitivity For Counselor Trainees

Scholars (e.g., Bemak & Chung, 2004) underscore the need for group workers to be culturally sensitive. One group training strategy, cultural immersion, is often employed to develop cultural sensitivity. However, no studies have utilized quasi-experimental methodologies to assess differences in cultural sensitivity between trainees that immerse compared to those that do not immerse. To this end, this article provides an overview of the Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity, description of an international cultural immersion experience and quasi-experimental research design, analysis of data, discussion of results, implications for group facilitators and counselor educators, and suggestions for future research

Qualitative Outcomes Of A Homestay Immersion With Critical Reflection

The authors explore the impact of a 3-week homestay cultural immersion on 10 counselor trainees by analyzing their 210 structured journals using consensual qualitative research. Findings suggest that establishing meaningful relationships and engaging in critical reflection are central to increasing multicultural awareness. Implications for multicultural counseling training and research are provided