The problem as presented in this study constituted a proposed "preventive program" using a group play therapy approach which could be implemented by an educational system.

The goal of the current study was to develop and test a rigorous measure of therapist adherence to a cognitive-behavioral, manual-based treatment for childhood and adolescent depression. This project employed data from the recently completed UCLAYouth Anxiety and Depression Treatment study. This study aimed to advance the literature by devoting the full focus of the project to the development of a manual-based measure that would demonstrate interrater reliability across multiple raters. This study reported on the psychometric development of the PASCET Manual Adherence Scale (PMAS) (e.g. scoring strategy, item development, reliability), a unique measure of therapist adherence that represents the content of the treatment manual for the "Primary and Secondary Control Enhancement Training" program (PASCET; Weisz et al., 1999). In sum, the P-MAS showed strong interrater reliability for most items of the scale. The items with poorer ICCs may have been influenced by instrumentation problems, small sample size, and range restriction. Some session content showed evidence that more meetings may be required to sufficiently cover the material, particularly for those that involve heavy in-vivo content, require the use of technology, or involve cognitive interventions which may be challenging for children and young teenagers. The results indicated that therapists adhered to slightly more than half of the prescribed manual content overall. The variability in adherence appeared greater for session-specific content than for standard session items, reflecting the variability within that content and the myriad of factors which may have influenced adherence to diverse material. Adherence for session-specific content demonstrated a slightly downward trend over time, with a significant drop off between the first and second phases of treatment and a leveling off between second and third phases. For all but two relevant sessions, therapist adherence to didactic content was significantly higher than adherence to in-vivo content, highlighting the challenges of engaging depressed youth in active learning. As this active involvement is theorized to be an essential component in addressing depressive symptoms, the challenges in implementation of this content may represent the most significant barrier to therapist adherence with this manual.

Although music therapy work with families has been documented for many years, the focus has remained on techniques and client outcomes rather than therapeutic process. The purpose of this study was to gain understanding and knowledge of the lived experience of music therapists who practice family-based music therapy. This research was conducted within the interpretative phenomenological framework. Three subjects who provided family-based music therapy participated in semi-structured interviews about their experiences. Three main interpretative themes emerged from the analysis of the data relative to the therapists’ expressed experience of their work with families: perseverance, resilience, and faith in the process. Discussion of the results, strengths and limitations of the study, and implications for training and further research are presented. / February 2016

There is a dearth of research available on child services in the community mental health setting in the fields of psychology and counseling. The purpose of this study was to conduct an experimental evaluation of university-based play therapy clinical services with children aged 3 to 10 years old and to explore dimensions of the effectiveness of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) with children. This study examined real-life clinical services to the largest number of child participants in decades of mental health research, especially in the field of play therapy. Archival data from cases of 364 children served through a university-based play therapy clinic in the southwestern United States was examined. The effectiveness of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) was measures by a decrease in a child's behavioral problems perceived by a parent/guardian measured by scores of the Internalizing Problems, Externalizing Problems and Total Problems on the Child Behavioral Checklist (CBCL) and a reduction of parent-child relationship stress manifested in the Child Domain, Parent Domain and Total Stress Score on the Parenting Stress Index (PSI). Data from pretest and posttest was gathered for use in the analysis. Independent samples t-test, repeated measures analysis of variance, and ordinary least squares regression, including effect sizes, were utilized to detect the differences between groups and the treatment effects. After receiving individual CCPT, results of this study demonstrated statistically significant differences on overall CBCL and PSI measures, with the exception on Parent Domain. Additionally, findings highlighted the effectiveness of individual CCPT through demonstrated moderate to large effects over time (partial η2 = .097 to .201). Individual CCPT also revealed very large effects (η2 = .26 to .37) when specifically examined with participants who completed play therapy treatment. Further, statistically significant predictions were found on CBCL and PSI measures, with the exception on Total Problems. Termination and family relationship concern variables were found as strong contributors on predicting greater improvement. Based on the statistical, practical, and clinical significances, the primary contribution of this study is the fully exploration of child characteristics and effectiveness of play therapy for children who seek mental health services.

No description available.

Wiskunde as taal van die wetenskap en tegnologie is een van die weinige vakke wat spesifiek as voorvereiste vir die bestudering van sekere studierigtings gestel word. Leerlinge met Wiskunde-angs word verhoed om hul ware potensiaal in Wiskunde te verwesenlik en word sodoende gediskwalifiseer om hul regmatige plek in die beroepswereld in te neem. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of hipnoterapie aangewend kan word om Wiskunde-angs tot werkbare vlakke te beperk sodat leerlinge optimaal in Wiskunde kan presteer. Die aard, oorsake, aanvang, herkenning, verklaring, gevolge, voorkoms en meting van Wiskunde-angs, die verband daarvan met Wiskundeprestasie en die hulp wat onderwysers en hulpprogramme kan lewer, is nagegaan. Daarna is hipnose en hipnoterapie beskou om te bepaal of dit as terapeutiese hulpmiddel pedagogies verantwoordbaar is. 'n Hipnoterapieprogram is in werking gestel en daar is bevind dat die proefpersone almal tot 'n mindere of meerdere mate daarby gebaat het. / Mathematics as the language of science and technology is one of few subjects used as entrance requirement to certain fields of study. Mathematics anxiety prohibits certain pupils to reach their full potential in Mathematics and thus to obtain their rightful place in the world of work. The aim of this study was to determine whether hypnotherapy can be used to lower Mathematics anxiety levels to such an extend that pupils can optimally achieve in Mathematics. The nature, causes, extent, recognition, explanation, consequences, incidence and measurement of Mathematics anxiety, its relationship to achievement in Mathematics, as well as the help that can be rendered by teachers and treatment programmes were studied. Hypnotherapy was then examined to determine whether its use was pedagogically justifiable. A hypnotherapy treatment programme was introduced which was found to be to some extent beneficial to all the subjects used. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Wiskunde as taal van die wetenskap en tegnologie is een van die weinige vakke wat spesifiek as voorvereiste vir die bestudering van sekere studierigtings gestel word. Leerlinge met Wiskunde-angs word verhoed om hul ware potensiaal in Wiskunde te verwesenlik en word sodoende gediskwalifiseer om hul regmatige plek in die beroepswereld in te neem. Die doel van hierdie studie was om te bepaal of hipnoterapie aangewend kan word om Wiskunde-angs tot werkbare vlakke te beperk sodat leerlinge optimaal in Wiskunde kan presteer. Die aard, oorsake, aanvang, herkenning, verklaring, gevolge, voorkoms en meting van Wiskunde-angs, die verband daarvan met Wiskundeprestasie en die hulp wat onderwysers en hulpprogramme kan lewer, is nagegaan. Daarna is hipnose en hipnoterapie beskou om te bepaal of dit as terapeutiese hulpmiddel pedagogies verantwoordbaar is. 'n Hipnoterapieprogram is in werking gestel en daar is bevind dat die proefpersone almal tot 'n mindere of meerdere mate daarby gebaat het. / Mathematics as the language of science and technology is one of few subjects used as entrance requirement to certain fields of study. Mathematics anxiety prohibits certain pupils to reach their full potential in Mathematics and thus to obtain their rightful place in the world of work. The aim of this study was to determine whether hypnotherapy can be used to lower Mathematics anxiety levels to such an extend that pupils can optimally achieve in Mathematics. The nature, causes, extent, recognition, explanation, consequences, incidence and measurement of Mathematics anxiety, its relationship to achievement in Mathematics, as well as the help that can be rendered by teachers and treatment programmes were studied. Hypnotherapy was then examined to determine whether its use was pedagogically justifiable. A hypnotherapy treatment programme was introduced which was found to be to some extent beneficial to all the subjects used. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Voorligting)

Children, growing up in this digital era incorporate technology into play, communication and learning. Therapists working with children endeavour to use mediums with which children are familiar and thus need to make a decision whether to include technology in or exclude technology from their therapeutic environments. This is no easy decision, in the midst of negative publicity regarding the role technology plays in children‘s lives. A deeper understanding of what encourages or discourages therapists from using technology as a therapeutic medium with children could guide practitioners in their decisions regarding the use of technology in therapy. The aim of this study was to explore and describe experiences of therapists using technology, as a therapeutic medium with children. A qualitative multiple case study design was used. Experiences were defined as the “active process" of reinterpreting the "physical, perceptual, affective and cognitive aspects" of being exposed to events to bring about a change in response options (McKnight & Sechrest, 2003:471). Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and visual data. Seven therapists participated in the research, selected by means of non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Collected data and reflective field notes were analysed thematically, using an inductive, interpretive approach, guided by a theoretical framework, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Findings indicated that all participants were aware that children find technology appealing, but participants who were older or psychodynamically orientated were less inclined to incorporate technology as a therapeutic medium. Participants who were experimental by nature used technology as a therapeutic medium with some caution. Experimentally inclined participants who had received training in using technology used technology not only as a therapeutic medium, but also more confidently as a play medium. Participants were deterred mainly by the uncertainty of the therapeutic value of technology, the lack of ethical guidelines regulating the use of technology in therapy and the concern that technology may interfere with the therapeutic process. Further research regarding parents’ and child-clients’ perspectives of using technology in therapy would perhaps reduce speculative perceptions. Research regarding therapists’ values and perceptions of technology as a therapeutic medium could guide stakeholders in their development of training programs and necessary ethical guidelines. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

Children, growing up in this digital era incorporate technology into play, communication and learning. Therapists working with children endeavour to use mediums with which children are familiar and thus need to make a decision whether to include technology in or exclude technology from their therapeutic environments. This is no easy decision, in the midst of negative publicity regarding the role technology plays in children‘s lives. A deeper understanding of what encourages or discourages therapists from using technology as a therapeutic medium with children could guide practitioners in their decisions regarding the use of technology in therapy. The aim of this study was to explore and describe experiences of therapists using technology, as a therapeutic medium with children. A qualitative multiple case study design was used. Experiences were defined as the “active process" of reinterpreting the "physical, perceptual, affective and cognitive aspects" of being exposed to events to bring about a change in response options (McKnight & Sechrest, 2003:471). Data were collected by means of semi-structured interviews and visual data. Seven therapists participated in the research, selected by means of non-probability purposive sampling and snowball sampling. Collected data and reflective field notes were analysed thematically, using an inductive, interpretive approach, guided by a theoretical framework, the Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA). Findings indicated that all participants were aware that children find technology appealing, but participants who were older or psychodynamically orientated were less inclined to incorporate technology as a therapeutic medium. Participants who were experimental by nature used technology as a therapeutic medium with some caution. Experimentally inclined participants who had received training in using technology used technology not only as a therapeutic medium, but also more confidently as a play medium. Participants were deterred mainly by the uncertainty of the therapeutic value of technology, the lack of ethical guidelines regulating the use of technology in therapy and the concern that technology may interfere with the therapeutic process. Further research regarding parents’ and child-clients’ perspectives of using technology in therapy would perhaps reduce speculative perceptions. Research regarding therapists’ values and perceptions of technology as a therapeutic medium could guide stakeholders in their development of training programs and necessary ethical guidelines. / MA (Psychology), North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2015

In the United States, there are advocacy groups that support sexual relationships between adults and children. These groups use justifications that make pedophile behaviors seem normal and appropriate. This thesis describes the physical, emotional, and psychological harms that result from child sexual abuse. The reader will understand how prominent child sexual abuse is and how it takes a lot of effort for abusers to take advantage of children. There are many psychological resources available to children and their families, but it does not make sexual abuse okay for society to ignore. The justifications used by pedophile advocates are irrational and should be fought against by society.