Getting to the Heart of It (Book Review)

Reviews the book, Assessment of Client Core Issues by Richard W. Halstead (see record 2006-21518-000). According to Kays, this book offers a conceptualization of clinical cases synthesizing elements from narrative, schema, and cognitive therapy traditions. The author\u27s stated goal is to present a model that might help counselors think past a symptom-based formulation for diagnosis and incorporate a structured process for analyzing the vast amount of information clients reveal about their struggles in life . Depending heavily on schema therapy concepts originally developed by J. E. Young, Halstead develops an assessment approach that addresses both the unremarkable and problematic client situations. His purpose in writing is to provide therapists with a tool for conceptualizing cases beyond psychiatric symptoms. Halstead demonstrates that focusing on client core issues, in addition to the DSM-IV diagnostic process, provides four advantages: (a) working with presenting clientconcerns, (b) identifying core themes or issues as a treatment focal point, (c) improving systematic monitoring of client progress, and (d) reducing relapse probability by addressing foundational issues. The advantages of this approach make available practical applications for both students and veteran clinicians. Kays notes specific book strengths, as well as a disadvantage

Cutting Through the Confusion (Review)

Reviews the video, Self-Injury (with) Wendy Lader (2006). Self-injury behavior (SIB) includes, among other behaviors, intentional carving or cutting of the skin and subdermal tissue, scratching, burning, ripping or pulling skin or hair, swallowing toxic substances, bruising, and breaking bones (Cornell Research Program, 2006). Over the last two decades self-injury reports have risen noticeably because of increased SIB in adolescents, more clients seeking help, and increased reliability in diagnosis among professionals. The alarming numbers indicate a desperate need to understand how to diagnose and treat SIB clients effectively. In response to this escalating need, guest expert Wendy Lader is featured in this video segment of the American Psychological Association Video Series, Specific Treatments for Specific Populations. The video intends to present Lader\u27s brief analytic approach to working with SIB clients. Lader has refined this approach as codirector of the program S.A.F.E. Alternatives (Self-Abuse Finally Ends), founded over 20 years ago by the program\u27s administrative director, Karen Conterio. This video sets out to demonstrate Lader\u27s clinical approach of the S.A.F.E. Alternatives program with Rachel, an adolescent identified as a self-injurious client

The Substance of Quality Treatment with Coexisting Problems (Book Review)

Reviews the book, Clinical handbook of co-existing mental health and drug and alcohol problems by Amanda Baker and Richard Velleman (see record 2007-01081-000). The text editors, Baker and Velleman, propose to present practical descriptions of assessments and interventions for coexisting problems, with a view to enhancing motivation, confidence and competence to do so . Not only do the chapters succinctly address expert views on assessment, but they also thoughtfully explain intervention approaches with coexisting issues, specific populations, and further training and supervision needs in the treatment of coexisting disorders. The editors use European spelling and an approach that is a symptom-focused and largely psychological view of treatment issues (e.g., using terms such as co-existing as opposed to comorbid or dual diagnosis, and drug misuse as opposed to drug abuse). This 400+-page handbook is a collection of writings from 40 leading clinicians from England, Australia, and the United States. This handbook will be a well-used primer for conscientious seasoned therapists and clinical training programs, and it is a valuable investment for those just beginning to work in the field of drug and alcohol misuse

Technology and Religion: Remaining Human in a Co-Created World (Book Review)

Reviews the book, Technology and religion: Remaining human in a co-created world by Noreen Herzfeld (see record 2009-04118-000). In this book, the author urges laypersons and professionals to consider the complexities of moral decision making about technology. Herzfeld explores how Christian, Jewish, and Islamic thinkers evaluate three categories of new technologies: “technologies of the human body, technologies of the human mind, and technologies of the external environment” (p. viii). This text is part of the Templeton Science and Religion series, which addresses the intersection between science and religion. While all books in this series are authored by specialists in the sciences, the material is intended for a general audience. This text could be a valuable tool for academics equipping a new generation to grapple with technology and for those in the helping fields responding to challenging questions from their clients. The reviewer would strongly recommend this book to those in psychology who need a brief introduction to religious issues in health care

Do Funerals Matter? The Purposes and Practices of Death Rituals in Global Perspective (Book Review)

Reviews the book, Do Funerals Matter? The Purposes and Practices of DeathRituals in Global Perspective by William G. Hoy (see record 2013-10676-000). The purpose of this book, “is to assist in acknowledging the need for those [funeral] rites and understanding them” (p. 3). In the 10 chapters in this 208-page text, Hoy examines such topics as funeral practice history, common symbols, value of community, rituals and heritage, inclusion of the physical body in ceremonies, trends in funeral practices and businesses, and clinical values of funeral practices. Hoy’s book offers a brief history of funeral rituals and traditions, with greatest emphasis on the last 100 years. This survey of history and practice is clearly not comprehensive, yet it provides enough breadth of the various funeral expressions to effectively illustrate the book’s stated requirement for practitioners to be aware of diverse practices and needs of those dealing with death. This book is a valuable introduction for students going into the helping fields, for educators in helping fields, and for clinicians working with those dealing with death and funeral issues. The benefits will be especially valuable for clinical counselors and psychologists, hospice workers, chaplains, and spiritual counselors. Do funerals matter? Yes, and providers of all kinds will be better equipped to help their populations with this relevant resource from Hoy

Steps for Prioritizing Academic Advising: A Small-School Case Study

This paper presents a case study of the steps taken to prioritize academic advising at a small, four-year, liberal arts university. Assessment data from several sources and an advising task force shaped the plan for changing the importance and culture of academic advising within the institution

Finishing Therapy Well (Book Review)

Reviews the book, Good Goodbyes: Knowing How to End in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis by Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick (see record 2006-05376-000). Deciding when to end clinical therapy and how to end it well can be a mystifying process. In Good Goodbyes: Knowing How to End in Psychotherapy and Psychoanalysis , Jack Novick and Kerry Kelly Novick share insights from their vast combined experience to diminish the mystery of therapeutic closure. The book, which is firmly based in psychoanalytic theory, uses a question format to explore the many hows, whys, whats, and whens of termination. The authors outline treatment stages along the path to the therapeutic conclusion, all the while fine-tuning a constructive approach for supplying the good in goodbye. Although it is comprehensively psychoanalytic, Good Goodbyes presents a solid contribution to understanding the process of properly ending psychotherapy. Applying the lessons set forth in this text will enhance the long-term positive changes that are possible through effective psychotherapy

Verification of the Number of Factors in the MMPI -A with Adolescent Females

The Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-Adolescent (MMPI-A) was factor analyzed using the adolescent female normative sample. A Maximum Likelihood (ML) factor analysis with an oblimin rotation produced both a 4-factor solution and a possible 8-factor solution. However, anaylsis of the eigenvalues and the Scree test plot indicated a 4-factor solution obtained the best data fit. Factor 1 identified a general sense of maladjustment characterized by anxiety, depression, and physical complaints. Factor 2 distinguished features of social introversion, obsessive thoughts, and depression . Factor 3 described features of unusual behavior, thought disorders, and social deviance. Factor 4 reflected the need for control in terms of internal and external resources.The four factors are consistent with those previously identified by Butcher et al. (1992). Erikson \u27s developmental theory provides a framework for the discussion of the factors identified by the MMPI-A

Dancing around the Fire (Book Review)

Reviews the book, What Therapists Don\u27t Talk About and Why: Understanding Taboos That Hurt Us and Our Clients by Kenneth Pope, Janet Sonne, and Beverly Greene (see record 2006-03273-000). What truly hauntstherapists in private practice are not the basic countertransference issues discussed in most graduate training programs but the unspoken secrets of their inner world. Too often, therapists are preoccupied by sexual responses to clients, hostile thoughts, and desire for professional approval, but training and peer discussions rarely focus on these forbidden topics. What TherapistsDon\u27t Talk About and Why: Understanding Taboos That Hurt Us and Our Clients is an updated and newly titled edition of the 1993 book Sexual Feelings in Psychotherapy: Explorations for Therapists and Therapists-in-Training (Pope, Sonne, & Holroyd, 1993). At less than 200 pages, the book is brief but engaging. The structure is similar to the first edition; the book begins with a discussion on taboos and ends with a summary of suggestions for how to overcome practice dilemmas. Most chapters are broken into short sections, some only a few sentences long, covering topics such as safety and openness. The authors also provide a model for approaching taboo topics and include a discussion of the applicable legal and ethical frameworks. Unfortunately, this edition fails to deliver on its promise to cover a much wider range of topics than the original, which devoted itself openly and exclusively to sexual issues

Does Survey Format Influence Self-Disclosure on Sensitive Question Items?

Although there are advantages for use of internet based survey research over other formats, there remains in question whether survey mode influences the data measurement equivalency. While most research exploring survey format finds little or no difference in measurement equivalency, the interaction of sensitive topics and survey modality is not fully understood. Additionally, research suggests gender differences in item response on sensitive topics. The present study examined archival data from a college health survey using both online and paper–pencil survey formats. The interaction was evaluated between gender, survey format, and item sensitivity level. Results indicate that question topic sensitivity has a large effect on missing data, and survey format has a moderate effect. These findings have necessary implications for survey design and outcome interpretations