Supervisory countertransferences and impingements in evaluating readiness for graduation: Always present,routinely under‐recognized

Utilizing detailed, in‐depth material from supervisory hours from around the world (explored in End of Training Evaluation groups), this paper shows that supervisors are subject to multiple, diverse and, at times, ongoing intense countertransferences and impingements on their ability to evaluate candidates’ progress. Multiple external and internal sources of these impingements are explored. It is suggested that supervisory countertransferences and their manifestation in parallel enactments remain under‐recognized, their impact underappreciated, and the information they contain underutilized. It is argued that the recognition, containment, and effective use of the parallel process phenomena and supervisory countertransferences are essential in order to evaluate candidates’ progression and readiness to graduate. Common signals of such entanglements in the supervisor's evaluative function are identified. Three remedies, each of which provides a ‘third,’ are offered to assist supervisors in making effective use of their countertransference: self‐supervision, consultation, and institutional correctives.     

Using Therapeutic Riding as an Intervention for Combat Veterans: An International Classification of Functioning,Disability, and Health (ICF) Approach

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of therapeutic horseback riding on posttraumatic stress symptoms, quality of life, and functioning of combat veterans using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF) as a framework. Fifty-one veterans and active duty service members participated in an 8-week therapeutic riding program. The study findings revealed clinically significant decrease in PTSD symptoms, improved social functioning, vitality, less interference of emotions on daily activities, and increased participation. Qualitative themes discovered included improved confidence, trust, acceptance of self and others, and gratitude. Qualitative and quantitative data linked to the ICF components.     

Researching Women's Groups: Findings,Limitations, and Recommendations

Although most counselors believe that women's groups are helpful and important, there is little empirical research in this area. The purpose of this article is to report the current state of published research on women's groups. An overview of previous reviews of the literature is discussed, and 26 articles that were located through PsycINFO and ERIC and are analyzed and discussed. Recommendations for future research are included.     

Teaching Effectively in Racially and Culturally Diverse Classrooms

Abstract. Issues of racial and cultural diversity and racism pose particular challenges for effective teaching and learning in diverse theological classrooms. In this essay the author outlines specific strategies to confront racism and engage racially and culturally diverse students. Through the use of a model for understanding multicultural dynamics of teaching and learning, the author helps readers consider four epistemological categories: knowing our students, knowing ourselves as instructors, knowing how we teach, and knowing what we teach.     

Divine Immanence: Nicholas of Cusa's Understanding of Theophany and the Retrieval of a 'New' Model of God

The global ecological crisis has spawned intensive reflectionabout views of the natural world. Western Christian thoughthas received special scrutiny as modern alienation from naturehas been traced to Christian theology. Undiscovered within themystical theology of Nicholas of Cusa lies an ecologically promisingvision of nature. The concept of divine immanence presentedby this medieval thinker provides a rich spirituality that isinclusive, rather than exclusive, of the natural world. It isalso far more intimate than contemporary stewardship theology.Cusanus interprets theophany as divine self-expression. A seriesof striking metaphors, including God's enfolding and unfolding,God as ‘Not-other’, and Christ as the contractedmaximum, reveals a holistic spirituality. Nicholas of Cusa'sconcept of divine immanence infuses the world with immeasurablevalue and gives rise to a Christian theology that can addressthe current ecological crisis.     

Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Older Adults: Practical Guidelines for Adapting Therapy Structure

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has been shown to be an effective approach for a wide range of problems affecting older adults. While a variety of empirical and clinical papers have examined modifications to the content and delivery of CBT to enhance its efficacy with older adults, changes to the structure of therapy with this population have not been as widely discussed. Issues around optimizing the structure of CBT with older adults are presented, along with suggestions for realizing these changes within a clinical context.     

Gender Type and Comfort with Cross-Dressers

The Bem Sex Role Inventory was used to classify university participants into the gender types: masculine, feminine, and androgynous. Two men who cross-dress were invited to attend and interact with the participants during regular classroom periods. Pre- and posttests were administered to measure the participants' comfort level with the phenomenon of cross-dressing. Feminine-gender-typed participants were initially the most comfortable with the concept of cross-dressing and experienced the least pre- and posttest mean change following the interaction. The masculine-gender-typed participants were the least comfortable, but experienced the greatest pre- and posttest mean change. Androgynous participants' differences for pre- and posttest scores were greater than the feminine-gender-typed participants' differences, but less than those of the masculine-gender-typed participants.     

Exploring Feminist Women's Body Consciousness

In a qualitative investigation of young feminists' experience of body consciousness, 25 feminist women each participated in one of 6 focus groups examining the ways they experienced body image and negotiated cultural messages about women's appearance. Participants described their experience with objectification and its impact on their body image, sense of self, and relationships with other women. Although feminism provided an alternative way to understand cultural messages and reframe negative thoughts, this understanding did not necessarily affect aesthetic reactions. Participants experienced conflict between their feminist beliefs and their feelings about beauty ideals and their own appearance. This conflict is interpreted in terms of a mere exposure effect and existing gender/power relations. Suggestions of ways feminist psychologists can support young women's strategies for resisting negative cultural messages are provided.