The Sexual Orientation Matrix for Supervision

SUMMARY

The Sexual Orientation Matrix for Supervision (SOMS) was created in order to assist supervisors and trainers in preparing supervisees to work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. The SOMS was developed around two core concepts: (1) degree of heterosexual bias, and (2) degree of acceptance of LGB orientations and behavior. Supervisors can employ the matrix to explore both their own and their supervisee's levels of comfort, knowledge, and experience in working with LGB clients including same-sex couples. This article describes the development of the matrix, an exploration of the concepts underlying this tool, and an explanation of how to use the matrix, including suggested tasks for supervision of therapists working with same-sex couples.     

From Theory to Practice

Abstract

Beginning counselors are often eager to incorporate expressive techniques in their counseling sessions. However, there is still some disconnect between student counselors studying an experiential technique in coursework and supervision, and then executing these activities while conducting a counseling session. The following article provides a rationale for teaching expressive techniques and explores a previously developed model for teaching supervisees. An experiential activity is presented, as well as a case study illustrating the use of the teaching model.     

Evidence of Improved Shooting Precision in Biathlon After 10 Weeks of Combined Relaxation and Specific Shooting Training

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that a combined relaxation (applied tension release, ATR) and specific shooting training regimen may enhance shooting ability of biathlon athletes. Seven biathletes of high national level were randomized into an experimental group (age 20 ± 5 years; Vo _2max 60 ± 8 mL kg^? 1 min^? 1) and were asked to add this special training intervention to their regular training for 10 weeks, while five other biathletes served as controls (age 19 ± 2 years; Vo _2max 57 ± 10 mL kg^? 1 min^? 1). The shooting ability of the subjects was assessed before and after the intervention at rest and after roller skiing on a treadmill in a laboratory-based competition simulating assessment. After the intervention period, the experimental group demonstrated a significantly enhanced shooting performance compared to the control group. No changes in Vo _2max or in heart rate and Vo ₂ responses were observed before and after the intervention in either group and there were no differences between the groups in these parameters. Thus, the preliminary conclusion is that a combination of ATR and specific shooting training seems to be instrumental in enhancing the shooting performance in biathlon.     

A community led approach to delivery of the Parents Plus Children's Programme for the parents of children aged 6–11

Childhood internalising and externalising disorders tend to persist when left untreated and place affected individuals at higher risk of compromised outcomes. The social costs include school dropout, unemployment, family breakdown and substance abuse. Effective preventive interventions require a public health approach. The aim of this experimental study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Parents Plus Children's Programme (PPCP) delivered in community and school contexts by frontline professionals from diverse backgrounds. Participating parents with children aged 6 to 11 were randomly assigned to a Treatment Group (n = 44) or a no treatment Control Group (n = 31). The efficacy of training was assessed using self-report questionnaires completed by participants in both Treatment and Control groups. Significant post treatment improvements were recorded on measures of parenting-related stress, child problem behaviour and parent satisfaction with medium to large effect sizes. Treatment group results were maintained at six-month follow-up. These results support the efficacy of the PPCP as a community led intervention with potential to prevent and interrupt child behaviour problems through supported parenting practice, before problems become critical and entrenched.     

STOP4–7, an early intervention for children with behavioural disorders: Client characteristics and preliminary findings

STOP4–7 is a multimodal early intervention programme for children (4–7 years) with behavioural problems. The programme is based on the research of the Oregon Social Learning Center. The present pilot study evaluates its feasibility in a European sample.

Method: 201 children were involved and 90% of the participants completed the treatment.

Results: On all outcome measures children and parents show a significant progress. The effect sizes range from small to moderate.     

注意偏向训练对社交焦虑的干预：方法、效果与机制

社交焦虑障碍是最普遍且难于治疗的精神障碍之一。大量研究发现, 注意偏向训练可以有效缓解社交焦虑。研究者从自我报告、结构化评估、生理记录等方面考察发现, 接受了注意偏向训练的社交焦虑个体其注意偏向、生理唤醒和脑神经活动发生变化并且社交焦虑症状有所缓解。注意偏向训练对社交焦虑的干预机制可能是因为训练提升了个体对威胁性刺激的注意解除能力。今后的研究可以进一步明确注意偏向训练干预社交焦虑的效果与机制, 拓宽评估注意偏向训练效果的手段, 并探索其对社交焦虑干预的长期效果和对其它心理疾病的作用。     

多重样例变异性与先前知识对样例学习效果的影响述评

样例学习研究表明多重样例的学习效果好于单个样例。然而研究者关于如何有效设计多重样例得出了不同的发现。通过综述已有关于多重样例学习的实证研究,总结出两个尚未得到解决的问题：（1）多重样例之间的相似或相异程度应该如何;（2）学生的先前知识在多重样例学习中的作用如何。针对已有研究的局限性,本文指出,具有不同先前知识的学生学习时感受到不同的关键属性,多重样例应该基于学生学习时的关键属性设计特定的变易范式以帮助学生学习。     

工作记忆训练的研究述评*

以往研究表明,工作记忆是一个资源有限的系统,但近年来大量研究发现工作记忆成绩可以通过训练提高。工作记忆训练是指针对低容量的个体进行针对存储系统或者中央执行系统各成分的训练,以提升个体工作记忆绩效及影响任务相关脑区的活动。来自认知神经科学的证据在评估工作记忆训练的效果上起到了重要作用。虽然目前该领域的研究已经取得一定的成绩,但是利用工作记忆训练来改善个体的工作记忆在具体的方法、训练成效等问题上还存在一定的争议。     

Computerized tabletop games as a form of a video game training for old-old

This research aimed at investigating the utility of a computerized version of a cognitively stimulating activity as a video game intervention for elderly. The study focused on the effect of a 6-week extensive practice intervention on aspects of cognitive functioning (vigilance, working memory (WM), inhibition, reasoning) of old-old participants (N = 29), randomly assigned to trained or active control group. The difference between groups was in the content of the extended video game practice – cognitively complex card game for trained and computerized version of a simple dice-game of chance for control participants. A pretest, posttest and a 4-month follow-up measurement was conducted. Results revealed improvements in both groups, except for improved reasoning found only in trained participants. These results suggest that: (1) improvements are dependent on the complexity of the program, (2) cognitively stimulating activity are a valid training procedure for old-old, (3) novelty of computer use is an important factor in determining training efficacy.     

Perceptual training to increase drivers’ ability to spot motorcycles at T-junctions

Motorcyclists too often collide with other road users who pull out of side roads in front of them. These other road users typically report making all the necessary visual checks, despite failing to see the approaching motorcycle. These Look But Fail To See errors appear to be attenuated in road users who themselves have motorcycling experience, suggesting that motorcycle exposure may lower thresholds for spotting these vulnerable road users through natural perceptual learning. This raises the possibility that perceptual training could improve car drivers’ abilities to spot motorcycles. Two experiments are reported. The first experiment demonstrated that a T-junction task, requiring participants to detect an approaching vehicle in briefly displayed images, was sensitive to participants’ motorcycle experience, with dual drivers (who both ride motorcycles and drive cars) performing better than average car drivers. Following this, a second experiment split the car drivers into 2 groups. One group undertook a Pelmanism task requiring participants to match pairs of motorcycles, while the control group had to match pairs of fruit. When the two groups were re-tested on the T-junction task, the group who had undergone perceptual training for motorcycles via the Pelmanism task, were better able to identify approaching motorcycles, but not approaching cars. The results suggest that gamification of perceptual training for motorcycle detection provides a novel opportunity to improve driver safety.