Implications for Wellness‐Based Supervision and Professional Quality of Life

This study evaluated the efficacy of the wellness model of supervision (WELMS; Lenz & Smith, 2010) for promoting changes across the perceptions of counselors‐in‐training (CITs) regarding professional quality of life. Three female participants (1 Caucasian, 2 Hispanic) were enrolled in a program accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Results of a single‐case research design with multiple baselines indicated that the WELMS was efficacious across client–CIT interactions on professional quality of life

Effectiveness of Seeking Safety for Co-Occurring Posttraumatic Stress Disorder and Substance Use

The authors evaluated the Seeking Safety program\u27s effectiveness for treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and substance use symptoms across 12 between‐groups studies (N = 1,997 participants). Separate meta‐analytic procedures for studies implementing wait list/no treatment (n = 1,042) or alternative treatments (n = 1,801) yielded medium effect sizes for Seeking Safety for decreasing symptoms of PTSD and modest effects for decreasing symptoms of substance use. Limitations of the findings and implications for counselors are discussed

A Narrative Approach to Helping Families and Their Children Who Identify as Transgender or Gender Nonconforming

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

Emotional Regulation and Interpersonal Effectiveness as Mechanisms of Change for Treatment Outcomes Within a DBT Program for Adolescents

Predictive modeling was used to identify the degree that hypothesized moderators of dialectical behavioral therapy for adolescents (DBT-A) treatment outcomes predicted anxiety and depression symptoms over time. Participants were 66 adolescents (41 girls; 25 boys) with a mean age of 15.38 years (SD = 1.51) who completed a 7-week DBT-A intervention. Analyses revealed convergent models, wherein emotion regulation and interpersonal effectiveness were substantial predictors of change in the symptoms of anxiety, F(4, 65) = 23.21, p \u3c .01, R2 = .60, and depression, F(4, 65) = 29.76, p \u3c .01, R2 = .66

Single Case Evaluation of a Mindfulness-Based Mobile Application with a Substance Abuse Counselor

We implemented an exploratory A-B single case research design with a phenomenological lens to analyze journal entries to assess the effectiveness of a 12-week mindfulness-based mobile intervention to reduce burnout and increase mindfulness and self-compassion. Our participant was one 55-year-old White woman employed as a substance abuse counselor at a medium sized treatment facility in a midwestern state. We collected three weeks of baseline data followed by a 12-week intervention using the Calm © app and collected self-reported scores on the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory, Freiburg Mindfulness Inventory, and the Self-Compassion Scale across baseline and intervention phases. Data analyses using the Percentage of Data Exceeding the Median provide preliminary evidence that using the Calm © app across 12 weeks may decrease levels of burnout and increase levels of mindfulness but provided no evidence for increased self-compassion. We provide suggestions for substance abuse counselors and discuss the limitations and future research recommendations

Implications for professional quality of life and wellness-based supervision

A dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR of PHILOSOPHY in COUNSELOR EDUCATION from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi in Corpus Christi, Texas.Supervision of counselors-in-training (CITs) is the signature pedagogy within counselor preparation programs that moderates and regulates personal and professional development. There are few empirical studies demonstrating causal relationships between wellness-based supervision and the effects on CITs professional quality of life. This dissertation evaluated the efficacy of the Wellness Model of Supervision (WELMS; Lenz & Smith, 2010) for promoting desired change across CITs perception of their professional quality of life across three variables: secondary traumatic stress, compassion satisfaction, and burnout. A small series A-B single-case research design (SCRD) with multiple baselines was implemented to evaluate the degree of efficacy for the WELMS to promote professional quality of life characteristics among CITs over time. This design was selected based on practicality for estimating functional relationships associated with an intervention and target outcomes. Three women who identified as Caucasian (n = 1) and Hispanic (n = 2) and were enrolled in Internship at a Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program participated in the study. Results indicated that the WELMS may be efficacious across client-CIT interactions, and CITs who receive the WELMS are likely to show improvement in the secondary traumatic stress and burnout subscales of the ProQOL. These results are consistent with previous studies utilizing the WELMS with CITs and provided several recommendations for future researchers regarding implementing the WELMS while considering unique student characteristics. Wellness-based approaches within supervisory relationships can inspire CITs to improve their personal wellness and professional quality of life while enhancing skill development and career sustaining behaviors.Counseling & Educational PsychologyCollege of Education and Human Developmen

Genito-Pelvic Pain/Penetration Disorder

Pain during sexual intercourse can be distressing for women and impact significant relationships in their lives. Sexual pain is considered to be a significant women’s health concern, with a lifetime prevalence of 12% to 15% of women experiencing pain during intercourse. Relationship dissatisfaction is recognized as having a significant role in maintenance and exacerbation of sexual dysfunctions. Treatment of genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder includes psycho-education, goal setting, reducing anxiety, and improving relational dynamics. This entry introduces genito-pelvic pain/penetration disorder, particularly as it relates to couples and family therapy, explaining the diagnostic criteria, etiology, comorbidity, and the impact on relationships. Assessment and treatment recommendations are also discussed

Homework Assignments in Therapy

Couples and families seek therapy in order to address issues affecting their relationship with each other. With the help of the therapist, they come up with ways to effectively cope with stressors and learn new behaviors. One of the important factors in enhancing this change process is the integration of homework assignments, which are completed between sessions and discussed in therapy sessions with the therapist. Homework assignments involve completing behavioral and cognitive tasks prescribed by the therapist to cooperative couples and families. These tasks should be closely connected with the session content, connect to therapeutic goals, and be created in collaboration with the client. Therapists should be familiar with different assignments and determine appropriateness for clients. Assignments, which act as a guide in the therapeutic ..

Confrontation

Confrontation refers to challenging an individual’s, couple’s, or group’s behaviors or thoughts. In therapy, confrontation often includes the therapist asking clients to identify self-defeating patterns of thoughts or behaviors that may negatively impact interpersonal relationships or personal safety. Confrontation also includes feedback to the clients about their impact on the therapist. It is important for therapists to be able to confront clients at times in order to help clients and therapy progress. This entry describes confrontation as it relates to the interaction between client and therapist, ways to confront, and the impact on relationships