An Examination of Disclosure,Mental Health Treatment use,and Posttraumatic Growth Among College Women Who Experienced Sexual Victimization

Few investigations have sought to identify factors associated with posttraumatic growth among survivors of sexual victimization. The present study examined the relationship between posttraumatic growth, disclosure, and mental health treatment use following sexual assault. Undergraduate female psychology students (N = 85), who reported a prior history of sexual victimization, completed measures assessing trauma exposure, posttraumatic growth, disclosure, and mental health treatment use. Results revealed that degree of disclosure of the assault to support sources and mental health treatment use following sexual assault was related to increased posttraumatic growth. Findings have valuable implications for treatment interventions for survivors of sexual trauma.     

Teen Dating Abuse: A Paradigm for Mental Health Counselors

Teen dating abuse (TDA) is a serious public health problem affecting almost half of all adolescents in the United States. Because of the developmental characteristics of adolescence such as identity confusion and rejection of adult authority figures, counseling adolescents who are experiencing TDA can be particularly challenging. This article describes the types of abuse, the early warning signs of abuse, and effective strategies that mental health counselors can use to counsel and educate teen victims of TDA and others.     

从两种咨询模式看我国心理咨询师的培养

本文分析厂我国大陆目前开展的两种类型的心理咨询,即心理健康咨询和医学心理咨询,心理健康咨询遵循发展和教育模式。主要服务对象是有生活适应问题的来访者,其根本目的是促进他们健康成长和增强适应应对能力。医学心理咨询遵循生物-心理-社会医学模式,其主要服务对象是患有各种非精神病性精神障碍的病人,其主要目的是将病人治愈。作者从两种咨询模式出发,就目前我国心理咨询师和心理治疗师的培养和资格认证提出了一些问题和粗浅的看法。     

The Strengths and Limitations of Case Record Reviews in Examining Family Preservation Outcome Formulation and Treatment Planning

Much debate has centered on what are reasonable outcomes of the short-term intensive family preservation services (IFPS). However, little attention has been given to how therapists actually formulate outcomes in their practices. The files of 98 families who used IFPS were reviewed to determine how therapists formulated outcomes and whether formulated outcomes varied by service sector (child welfare or mental health) and child age. It was found that formulated outcomes in mental health were more likely than those in child welfare to have a child focus and an interpersonal locus. Variation in outcome formulation in child welfare by child age was found, with outcomes of younger children more likely to be parent-focused than were outcomes of older children. The issues pointed out by these findings are discussed. Since case records are a potential data source for researchers, the paper concludes with a discussion of the strengths and limitations of case record reviews for research purposes.     

Utility of the REDFLAGS Model for Supporting Community College Students’ Mental Health: Implications for Counselors

The counseling literature is lacking in research on supporting the mental health needs of the growing community college student population. A number of past investigators have demonstrated the utility of mental health literacy for supporting college students’ mental health on 4‐year universities. The present researchers examined the validity of the REDFLAGS model (a theoretical model for promoting mental health literacy) with a national stratified random sample (N = 640, stratified by age, gender, and ethnicity) of community college students. Collectively, the results of the confirmatory factor analysis, hierarchical logistic regression, and factorial analysis of variance supported the use of the model with community college students. Implications for enhancing counseling practice as well as directions for future research are provided.     

Beyond the Tremors: What Counselors Should Know About the Mental Health Needs of Clients Diagnosed With Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the 2nd most common neurodegenerative disorder, affecting 1% to 4% of people by age 80 (Black, 2011 ). However, co‐occurring psychological disorders, such as depression, anxiety, and apathy, are significantly underdiagnosed. Professional counselors are uniquely qualified to assist clients with these mental health complications of PD.     

Equine Facilitated Therapy for Children and Adolescents: A Qualitative Pilot Study

Despite recent growth in the use of equine facilitated therapy (EFT), and its potential to be an effective alternative to traditional therapeutic interventions, the literature has not yet provided a convincing explanatory account of the practices implemented within EFT. In this study, the author investigates consistency of clinical practices within the Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association (EAGALA) model of EFT. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with mental health professionals and equine specialists (N = 10) from six Australian EFT clinics. Thematic analysis of data revealed: an absence of an underpinning theoretical model; variations between clinical practices; lack of parental involvement in therapy for children/adolescents; and inadequate research into perceived mechanisms of change driving EFT. This article concludes with a set of recommendations directed at EFT practitioners in order to increase the rigor of practice and maximize the potential of this intervention.     

Pet Bereavement Support Groups: A Guide for Mental Health Professionals

Companion animals are becoming increasingly important in society. Pets have been recognized for their vast contributions to human lives, including emotional support, social support, health benefits, and connection. However, society does not recognize the significant loss associated with losing a pet, which can contribute to bereaved pet owners feeling isolation and shame as they cope with the loss of their beloved companion. Mental health professionals must be aware of this disenfranchised grief and creatively expand their services to provide support and advocacy for bereaved pet owners. This article includes a framework for clinicians to establish a pet loss support group in their community.     

Confidentiality of Adolescent Risk-Taking Behaviors: A Survey of Turkish School Counselors

The present study investigated school counselors’ ratings of the importance of factors in deciding to report adolescent risk-taking behaviors to parents. Turkish school counselors (N = 346) were surveyed. Differences based on gender, years of experience, level of education, attendance of a counseling ethics course, and geographic region were investigated. Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used in data analysis. Protecting the student was the highest rated factor. Women and those who took an ethics course rated protecting the student higher than others. Implications for counseling ethics training are discussed, and recommendations for future research are outlined.     

A Qualitative Investigation of Student and Supervisor Perceptions of Live Supervision in Genetic Counseling

Live supervision of genetic counseling students is critical for ensuring quality client care and student clinical skill development. However, no research has investigated students' and supervisors' experience of this primary supervision method. In this study, separate focus groups of students and supervisors discussed their perceptions of the nature and impact of live supervision. A modified Consensual Qualitative Research method (Hill et al. (1997) Couns Psychol 25:517–572) was used to analyze the data. Results suggest that live supervision is an essential and effective method that promotes student skill development and professional development for both students and supervisors. There is a lack of formal training regarding supervision; most learning is trial and error. Students worry about being evaluated, and supervisors wonder if they are providing supervision effectively. Both samples emphasized that client care should not be compromised. Participant recommendations for improving live supervision are described, and suggestions are made for future research.     

Stewardship Models of Pastoral Care,Counselling and Supervision: The Commonians Meet Ricoeur at Worship

The common factors debate in psychology and, more recently, marriage and family therapy is slow to erupt in pastoral care and counselling. This article introduces the common factors debate into pastoral science by proposing the Stewardship Models of Pastoral Ministry and Supervision. The model integrates common factors research and pastoral practice using Ricoeur’s “economy of the gift” ethic. The model’s focus is pastoral care, counselling and supervision in congregations, a unique community context in search of an adequate pastoral praxis.     

Counseling Women Who Have Experienced Pregnancy Loss: A Review of the Literature

The authors review pregnancy loss scholarly literature and discuss themes of silence, grief, psychological distress, role of social support, satisfaction with health care, and coping strategies from a counseling standpoint. Counseling needs of women who have experienced pregnancy loss are delineated, and recommendations for future research in this area are made.     

Treatment of Deaf Clients: Ethical Considerations for Professionals in Psychology

Providing therapy to deaf clients raises important ethical considerations for psychologists related to competence; multiple relationships and boundary issues; confidentiality; assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation; and communication and using interpreters. In evaluating and addressing these, psychologists must consider the American Psychological Association’s Ethics Code and other relevant issues (e.g., Americans with Disabilities Act) necessary to provide ethical treatment. The current article provides background, ethical considerations, principles and standards relevant to the treatment of deaf clients, and recommendations to support psychologists, training programs, and the field. Psychologists have the responsibility to guarantee that the benefits of mental health treatment are fairly and justly provided to this traditionally underserved population.     

Challenges of Urban Mental Health Disaster Planning

Summary

Establishing disaster preparedness is an urgent matter, particularly with regard to mental health. This article examines the challenges of mental health disaster planning in the context of an urban setting, which may differ from those pertaining to rural areas. The need to better integrate public health disaster planning and mental health disaster planning is critical. This document particularly focuses on the challenges involved in leading, coordinating, and convening an urban mental health disaster response. With time, dedication, resources, and creation of effective policy, successful mental health response capability will evolve and endure.     

Cognitive Behavioral Treatment for Insomnia in Veterans with Long-Standing Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Pilot Study

This uncontrolled pilot study assessed the effects of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia in veterans with long-standing posttraumatic stress disorder. Male veterans with current chronic insomnia and PTSD (n?=?8; M age = 58.6, SD?=?3.0; 87.5% African American, 12.5% European American; 87.5% Vietnam Veterans, 12.5% 1st Gulf War Veterans) reported a trauma related to their military service. Participants appeared for five weekly individual sessions of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and completed one-week assessments of objective sleep (actigraphy) and subjective sleep (sleep diaries), the Insomnia Severity Index, and measures of functioning, posttraumatic stress disorder, and psychological distress both before and after treatment. Paired t tests revealed significant posttreatment improvements for various subjective assessments of sleep patterns but actigraphy-defined sleep was unchanged. Measures of functioning, nightmares, and posttraumatic stress disorder severity were also unchanged at posttreatment. Preliminary results were encouraging in improving subjective perceptions of sleep in individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder, warranting further study with more rigorous methodology.     

Facilitating Mental Health Support for LGBT Forced Migrants: A Qualitative Inquiry

Evidence suggests that lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who flee their countries of origin may arrive in host countries with persecution‐related mental health problems. This qualitative study explored facilitators and barriers to mental health care in Canada for forced migrants who are LGBT through the perspectives of 22 service providers and 7 migrants. Using thematic analysis, the authors identified 4 themes: recognizing stigma and shame, accessing competent mental health providers, managing distress/manifesting resilience, and healing through community connections. The authors discuss implications for counseling.     

The Meaning vs. The Medical Model in the Empirically Supported Treatment Program: A Consideration of The Empirical Evidence

A review of the debate on the Empirically Supported Treatment Program is presented. It is argued that underlying the specifics of the debate are fundamentally incompatible paradigms: a meaning vs. a medical model. The findings from two gold standard multi-site studies are reviewed to conclude that the control condition meets requirements for an empirically supported treatment. The empirical finding of the failure of clinical training to improve treatment outcomes is explained by the focus on rational factors in training. It is recommended that training of therapists focus on enhancing experiential capacity rather than mastery of manualized treatment approaches.     

Integrated Behavioral Health in Rural Settings: A Course Design

ABSTRACT

Rurality is a vital component of cultural diversity, making it essential to train future counselors on comprehensive mental health counseling practice with rural populations. In this article, we describe the development of a master’s level course that reflects an integrated approach to providing mental health counseling services in rural communities. First, the pedagogical foundation for the course design and positionality are discussed. Second, the course objectives are outlined, and corresponding teaching methods and creative learning assignments are provided. Last, we discuss the strengths and challenges of the course design and implementation.     

Stressors Experienced During Deployment Among Canadian Armed Forces Personnel: Factor Structure of Two Combat Exposure Scales

Combat exposure is linked to increased mental health problems among military personnel. Reliable, precise, and efficient measurement of combat experiences can facilitate understanding of the effects of combat on mental health. This study examined the psychometric properties of 2 scales used to assess deployment experiences in Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) personnel in 2 different settings: during a Third Location Decompression (TLD) program after deployment, and during routine postdeployment screening. Principal components analyses yielded similar results for the 2 measures. The components containing items relevant to Exposure to the Dead and Injured, Dangerous Environment, and Active Combat were common across both surveys. The TLD results revealed a fourth component, Personal Suffering, while the postdeployment screening data revealed a fourth component, Perceived Responsibility. This study found categories of deployment stressors that can be used for further analysis, and underscores the importance of assessing a broad range of exposures in the combat environment.     

Applying a Theory of Change Approach to Interagency Planning in Child Mental Health

This paper describes the use of a theory of change approach to community-based cross-agency service planning for children with serious emotional disturbance and their families. Public agency planners in Contra Costa County, California used the theory of change approach to organize service planning for a population of youth who had been arrested and involved with juvenile probation. The theory of change process described in this paper links community outcomes with planned activities with the assumptions or principles that underlie the community planning efforts. When complete, a theory of change logic model can serve as a guide for implementation, ensuring that community plans for service delivery remain true to their intent. The theory of change development process includes twelve stages and is based on a step-by-step approach. Theory of change logic models establish a context for articulating a community's shared beliefs and prompt local stakeholders to establish logical connections between the population to be served, expected results, and strategies intended to achieve those results.