<p>Research over many decades has considered how physical activity affects mental health and how physical activity is perceived and utilized by mental health professionals in the treatment of clients. Findings suggest that physical activity is useful for decreasing symptoms of some disorders, improving mood, and improving cognitive functioning. Further, mental health professionals generally endorse the topic of physical activity as relevant and useful in the mental health context. However, mental health professionals do not generally address client physical activity. Among other concerns, mental health professionals believe that addressing physical activity with clients could have a negative impact on the client?s perception of the counseling process. This study investigated whether addressing client physical activity with college students participating in an intake counseling session influenced client ratings of the session or client ratings of the counseling relationship. There were no significant differences found in client ratings of the counseling session or counseling relationship when physical activity was addressed. The results of this study can be used in making decisions about addressing the topic of physical activity in the mental health context.

<p> This is a study concerning the perception of consultation among school counselors, teachers, and mental health professional counselors (MHPCs) working collaboratively in the public school setting for the benefit of the academic and behavioral success of students. Although there are many consultation models and theoretical views (Brigman, Mullis, Webb, &amp; White, 2005; Caplan, Caplan, &amp; Erchul, 1995; Erchul &amp; Conoley, 1991; Erford, 2011; Kampwirth, 2006), this study utilized the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) framework for consultation in schools. </p><p> Although MHPCs are not considered school counselors by definition, and they are not compensated by school districts, they still serve as consultants with school counselors and teachers for the purpose of student success. This study explored the perception held by school counselors, teachers, and MHPCs regarding consultation conducted in the public schools. It also examined the perception of how the consultation process between these three professional groups affects students&rsquo; behavioral and academic success. This study utilized a qualitative design which used grounded theory methods of data analysis, collecting and analyzing data from interviews of school counselors, teachers, and MHPCs as they collaborate in the public schools. The participants included the MHPCs from one Midwestern agency and school counselors and teachers with whom the selected MHPCs had opportunity to interact in consultation in elementary and secondary schools.</p>

<p> The concept of multiculturalism has traditionally referred to visible racial and ethnic cultural differences among people, and has expanded to include other marginalized and oppressed populations in the United States in the past 25 years. However, in the context of counselor education, there appears to be an incomplete understanding of what constitutes multicultural competence, the characteristics a competent counselor embodies, and how counselor education programs are evaluated for their efficacy in cultivating multicultural competence. The hypothesis guiding the current study was that there are shared characteristics between a mindful counselor and a multiculturally competent counselor such as cultural humility, increased awareness, genuineness, cultural empathy, and a non-judgmental disposition. To explore this further, the researcher used a mixed method research methodology to explore the phenomena of multicultural counseling competence and mindfulness. The qualitative aspect of this study involved the use of a hermeneutic phenomenological approach to correlate the attributes that are shared between these two phenomena, while the quantitative aspect involved using the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale and Everyday Multicultural Competencies / Revised Scale of Ethnocultural Empathy to statistically measure the magnitude of the correlation between mindfulness and multicultural competence. A grounded theory for the cultivation of multicultural counseling competence is presented in the final chapter as a synthetic outcome of this study.</p>

<p> Resilience is the ability to be adaptable in times of adversity. In the past fifty years, individuals who identify as being lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender have experienced the broadest spectrum from being seen as immoral degenerates to gaining equality in the eyes of the law. Limited research on LGBT resilience has placed emphasis on circumstantial, episodic contentions rather than the dynamics of resiliency experiences of sexual minorities or gender identity. Existing research is even split between quantitative and qualitative methods but does not consider lifelong resiliency dynamic experiences. Qualitatively exploring the resiliency experiences of LGBT Baby Boomers can offer valuable information for the design of sensitivity training of health professionals and amend LGBT resiliency research literature with a broader range of life experiences. Prior research established precedents of resilient self-analysis of expansive situational issues particularly in regard to aging, health, and community. Accordingly, this qualitative research study strived to gain a better understanding of LGBT Baby Boomer resilience as a concept, personal qualities to overcome adverse situations or be resilient, those resilient qualities in regard to sexual orientation or gender identity, and qualities unique not only to their sexual orientation or gender identity, but as Baby Boomers. Five themes were identified that describe resiliency experiences of LGBT Baby Boomers.</p>

<p> This pilot study examined the impact of Christian meditation and biofeedback on levels of stress, anxiety, and depression of seminary students in Southern California. Participants were randomly assigned to practice Christian meditation or biofeedback for 4 weeks, three times per day, and to keep a log of their practice times.The study included 20 seminary students all of whom were theology students and who were recruited from two seminary campuses in Southern California. The participants were of various ethnic backgrounds with the majority being European Americans. The average age was 31. The results from a paired samples <i> t</i>-tests indicated that both biofeedback and Christian meditation significantly reduced the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by the participants. ANCOVA indicated that neither intervention was more effective than the other. The implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research are discussed.</p>

<p> Integrative Behavioral Couple Therapy (IBCT), an empirically supported and evidence-based third-wave behavioral approach for treatment of couples, is examined in this multiple case study. Specifically, the qualitative experiences of therapists using IBCT in their work with intercultural couples are examined through each therapist&rsquo;s typed responses to open-ended questions. Each participating therapist in this study contributes by describing one case in which IBCT was used to help the couple navigate cultural differences as part of treatment. This study describes the various stressors faced by intercultural couples, therapists&rsquo; formulations of cultural differences, change processes and change mechanisms during treatment, and similarities and differences across therapists&rsquo; reports. The study concludes with participating therapists&rsquo; recommendations for treatment of intercultural couples in general, and recommendations for utilizing IBCT with intercultural couples. Lastly, implications for future research are provided.</p>

<p>This study explores the phenomena of birth and life in the womb and the possibility that much of the psychological suffering experienced throughout the lifespan is a result of deep wounds felt in the maternal womb. The findings of this thesis were honed from a heuristic process of investigation, and the analysis was informed by the theories and approaches of depth psychology. This thesis conceptualizes the human psyche by exploring Jung?s structure of psyche and his notion of the conscious and the unconscious in correlation with development of the fetus in utero. Using Jungian and object relations theory alongside the science of fetal development, it is found that trauma occurring before birth impacts psychological well-being of children later in life. This thesis sheds light on the importance of nurturing and caring for unborn children and brings awareness to this essential fact in the clinical world of psychology.

<p> Journey with the myth of Lethe, spring of oblivion and mother of anxiety, into the land of radical forgiveness and forgetfulness, healing the soul of the world. Forgetfulness is defined as proactive and positive, not reductionist or regressive. The research includes a comprehensive research survey of over 300 papers and 100 works of literature related to concepts of forgiveness and forgetfulness. Qualitative, alchemical hermeneutics, intuitive inquiry, and shamanic participatory epistemology methodologies are applied to investigating how life might be improved by a deeper level of healing of the soul provided by forgiveness and forgetfulness. The findings indicate that forgiveness and forgetfulness heal the individual, collective, and the planet as a whole. Recommendations are made for further psychological research, clinical implementation, and inclusion of forgiveness and forgetfulness in the areas of general psychotherapeutic theory and practice; wisdom psychology; posttraumatic embitterment disorder (PTED); and transgenerational transmission of trauma, suicide, and trauma. </p>

<p>Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), a systemic autoimmune disease, affects more than one million people within the United States and disproportionately impacts women of color particularly in their childbearing years, 15-44. Research on living with lupus post-diagnosis has expanded within the past decade. While research on SLE is increasing, little is known about the often-protracted journey women of color experience along the way toward diagnosis. The journey to accurate diagnosis is fraught with unexplained symptoms and uncertainty within the women?s spheres of life and influence. Therefore, the following research question arose: What are the lived experiences of women of color aged 22-44 who have experienced a protracted journey toward diagnosis with SLE? Utilizing a qualitative, phenomenological design, the researcher strove to document the lived experiences of 12 women of color who reported the experience of a protracted journey to SLE diagnosis of 6 months or more. The women were recruited from various methods of contact including message boards, lupus support groups, and social media. After recruitment and informed consent measures, interviews were conducted and transcribed. The coding and analysis of the interviews revealed the presence of various individual textural and structural themes involving aspects of the wait for answers: recurrent symptoms, significance of family, lack of answers from healthcare providers, work, uncertainty of life, desiring normalcy, and pain. Three themes overlapped throughout the interviews: Ambiguity while accessing the medical community, family matters and pushing through. The findings reveal the physical, psychological, and relational complexity surrounding the protracted journey to diagnosis and how the individual journey and collective experiences can aid healthcare professionals, lupus patients and their caregivers in timely, accurate, patient-centered care. Recommendations include further research on SLE and protracted diagnosis, the development of practical steps towards the empowerment of patients within the autoimmune community, and a call for more women in research and clinical trials that contribute toward the overall improvement of women?s healthcare.

<p>Psychological trauma causes distress to the mind and body. The human body is designed to move, and thus, the use of movement can be beneficial in many forms of therapy. This thesis utilizes a hermeneutic and heuristic methodology to investigate how dance movement therapy can be an effective modality for treating the impact of trauma. The literature review presents research on the effect of trauma on the body and the methods of dance movement therapy that may apply in treatment. Current research is discussed in examining the mind?body connection related to trauma. From a depth psychological perspective, the use of movement is explored as a therapeutic way of accessing and releasing repressed or unconscious emotions and memories associated with trauma. The author?s personal experience contributes to the findings of the research, which present clear evidence of the benefits that dance movement provides in the psychotherapeutic treatment of trauma.