<p> This study examined the effect of clinical supervision on job satisfaction and burnout among school psychologists in large urban school districts in Florida. The theory of work adjustment, Maslach and Jackson&rsquo;s three-dimensional model of burnout, and Atkinson and Woods&rsquo;s triadic model of supervision were the theoretical foundations and/or conceptual frameworks used in this study. The two research questions that guided this study addressed the effect of the receipt of clinical supervision on job satisfaction and burnout among school psychologists in large urban school districts. The study was conducted with a convenient sample of 75 school psychologists from a target population of 330 who were primarily working as practitioners within the school districts. An online survey was created with demographic questions, the short-form Minnesota Satisfaction Questionnaire (MSQ-sf), and the Maslach Burnout Inventory&ndash;Educators Survey (MBI-ES). The MSQ-sf has an overall scale of job satisfaction that was computed. The MBI-ES is comprised of three subscales: emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment. The subscale total scores were calculated for each MBI-ES dimension. The Mann-Whitney <i>U</i> test revealed no statistically significant difference in job satisfaction between the two groups (<i>U</i> = 736, <i>z</i> = 1.783, <i> p</i> = .075). The MANOVA did not reflect a significant difference in burnout between the two groups, <i>F</i>(3,71) = .657, <i> p</i> = .581; Pillai&rsquo;s Trace = .027; partial &eta;² = .027. </p><p>

<p> Technology has been integrated into the modern era and continues to influence society, culture, and the individual. The digital influence has left a split in its wake that affects intergenerational relationships, value constructs, self-development, and the aesthetics of attachment. The paradigm that dominates the majority of psychological theory and practice is functioning from metanarrative models that are being rejected by younger generations. Using a hermeneutic method, this thesis explores the inception and continuing radical emergence of the technological self. Winnicott&rsquo;s theory of transitional objects and potential space, along with Kaufman&rsquo;s quantum physics theory of radical emergence, are utilized to reveal how the Internet and digital devices function to fulfill the needs of Millennials and Generation Zers. Psychoanalysis is facing the demand to attend to the shifts and gaps between traditional, dominant therapy models and the millennial self that has become technologically embodied.</p><p>

<p> This thesis explores effective and unintrusive interventions for treating noncompliant teens. Using hermeneutic and heuristic research methodologies, the use of coercion in adolescent mental health care is examined, with specific focus on the practice of transporting, or escorting, adolescents to treatment to determine its potential for trauma. Previous scanty research into the subjective experience of teenagers who have experienced being escorted to treatment indicated that treatment outcomes were not affected by the initial transportation. The research into trauma, adolescent psychology, and the effects of coercion as presented in this thesis, however, shows that being escorted has a high probability of traumatizing an adolescent. The author concludes that teaching noncompliant adolescents reflexivity and autonomy is more effective than prohibition and coercion. A re-visioning of adolescent defenses and symptomology suggests embracing all aspects of an adolescent's experience as evolutionary developmental adaptations in need of gentle guidance rather than inhibition. </p><p>

<p> Childbirth trauma for mothers in hospital settings is an escalating reality in American healthcare. References on childbirth-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) show gaps in detection and care. Using hermeneutic and heuristic methodologies, this thesis explores cultural and individual factors that lead to the traumatization of women and the medical failure to restore them to holistic well-being. Literature reviewed contrasts contemporary childbirth paradigms&mdash;technocratic, holistic, and humanistic&mdash;and their implications on systemic protocols and birth outcomes. Somatic and psychospiritual modalities to treat trauma are introduced. The author&rsquo;s birth narrative and analysis illustrates the inner experience of trauma, while providing psychological insights using the Heroine&rsquo;s Journey as a framework for liberating women from patriarchal victimization and facilitating individuation&mdash;the Jungian model of psychological development. Clinical applications are offered that aim to be protective for would-be mothers and restorative for women suffering from childbirth trauma&mdash;providing healing on mental, emotional, and spiritual levels.</p><p>

<p> Scholarly research is needed to investigate the horse human interaction and increase protective measures and beneficial outcomes for both horse and human when using an interspecies form of psychotherapy. This research offers practitioners of equine assisted activities and therapies (EAAT) a different theoretical orientation to approach an understanding of the psychodynamics present in this form of therapy, and support contemporary therapeutic treatment models that focus on building emotional resilience grounded in the neurobiology of nurturing relationships. </p><p> The purpose of this study was to identify what psychodynamic experiences were present in the feminine-equine relationship dyad, and how these experiences influenced the process of individuation. Prior research (Seward, 2013; Held, 2006; Koch, 2008) has investigated this relationship phenomenon to bring validity to a powerful experience that is often described as intangible, or immeasurable. The researcher, through personal experience and professional training since 1999, has observed the evolving industry of equine assisted activities and therapies as largely populated by women seeking answers, women dedicated to the helping professions, and women longing for an experience that is nurturing and enlarging in a way that Western culture fails to meet that need for women. </p><p> Analytical psychology, according to Carl Jung, provided a theoretical structure to explore the horse as a symbol of the archetype and the psychodynamics present in the feminine-equine relationship dyad. The researcher examined how this interspecies relationship phenomenon facilitates psychodynamic experiences that contribute to personality development for women who have chosen horses as companions. Recent developments in neuroscience helped to reimagine Jung&rsquo;s psychodynamic theory for contemporary relevance. The researcher asked what experiences present in the feminine-equine relationship dyad have the capacity to influence the <i>individuation</i> process for women. </p><p> A hermeneutic phenomenological research method and narrative research techniques guided this qualitative research study. Hermeneutics guided the review of literature and provided an iterative process to reveal significant parts of the experience-centered narratives within the whole of the phenomenon in question. Five women shared their personal and professional stories of companionship with horses. The research findings revealed the neurobiology of novel experiences and attuned relationships contributes to transformative experiences and an improved sense of well-being. Phenomenology provided an intuitive approach to understanding the interspecies relationship phenomenon investigated. The research participants&rsquo; narratives confirmed companionship with horses influences personal growth, strengthens emotional resilience, influences professional and social development, and provides a sense of community. These findings suggest a woman&rsquo;s relationship with a horse encourages individuation.</p><p>

<p> The present study examined the impact of self-esteem, the desire for lighter skin, and gender on levels of depression, anxiety, and stress among university students in Thailand. The study included 761 students from two universities in a northeastern province of Thailand who participated voluntarily. Results indicated that although the desire for lighter skin is prevalent among Thai university students, this desire alone does not significantly impact levels of depression, anxiety, or stress. Self-esteem was a significant predictor of depression, anxiety, and stress. School year showed a significant positive correlation with depression, anxiety, and stress. Academic performance as measured by GPA showed a significant positive correlation with self-esteem and a significant negative correlation with depression. Mental health professionals are advised to explore ways to improve Thai university students&rsquo; self-esteem and to examine the influence of academic and graduation-related pressures in order to positively impact students&rsquo; overall mental health. Additional implications, limitations, and recommendations for future research are discussed. </p><p>

<p> Disabled students graduate from post-secondary education at a lower rate than non-disabled students. It is unknown if disabled and non-disabled students experience equal access to mental health services. This mixed methods study compared participants' reported psychological distress and willingness to utilize mental health services among disabled and non-disabled university students (N=96) and analyzed qualitative data regarding barriers and supports to utilizing mental health services. Disabled students reported more psychological distress and higher willingness to utilize mental health services than non-disabled students. These findings support the importance of promoting mental health care for disabled postsecondary students.</p><p>

<p> Adolescence is marked by a period of stress with a portion of these individuals experiencing problems with anxiety. There are physical and psychological benefits of using animal-assisted therapy (AAT) for decreasing anxiety, however, the research on this is limited. The current study expands on the AAT literature by studying the additive effects of AAT along with the frontline treatment for anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). CBT only and CBT + AAT treatment groups followed a structured protocol focused on psychoeducation and practicing coping skills for anxiety using groups of 2 to 4 participants in the school setting. Single subject design and nonparametric statistics were used to analyze treatment data on measures of anxiety and therapeutic alliance from ten students ages 10 to 15 across two school districts. Although the data on measures and therapeutic alliance did not approach significance, observable trends show CBT and AAT may be beneficial in decreasing anxiety symptoms for some students. The nature of self-report data and the small number of participants were limitations of the study. Overall this study used comparison groups to show that therapy dogs are not a hindrance to therapy and may be beneficial for some students.</p><p>

<p> This qualitative study involved the creation and assessment of a seven-week heart-focused psycho-spiritual inquiry program, Map of the Heart. The program&rsquo;s curriculum was comprised of heart-based practices and theories designed to develop heart-centered awareness. The purpose of this investigation was to reveal and understand the personal experience and expression of heart intelligence and to define it and its personal meaning while illuminating the clinical relevance of Map of the Heart curriculum in the field of counseling psychology. </p><p> The curriculum was organized into six weekly themes based upon core heart feelings associated with the Four Immeasurable Truths, Buddhist virtues, and practices for cultivating the heart. Informed by East-West psychology, the curriculum highlighted perennial philosophy from both Eastern and Western religions and indigenous and psychological traditions, integrating spiritual discipline with Western neuroscience research and psychotherapy practices. </p><p> The research design used heuristic phenomenology and co-operative inquiry to explicate the individual and group experience of heart intelligence. Data analysis was primarily derived from a series of one-on-one semi-structured interviews and group dialogue sessions with nine state-registered psychotherapists. </p><p> Research findings indicated that Map of the Heart may support psycho-spiritual and clinical skills development and may encourage personal and interpersonal conflict resolution. Co-researchers reported increased experiential awareness of their own heart center and a defined ability to connect internally, reinforcing therapeutic intuition, perception, and sensitivity, subsequently strengthening the therapeutic alliance. Increases in therapeutic presence, empathic listening, attunement, and accurate mirroring were also reported. Co-researchers reported a greater ability to work more effectively with difficult clients and complex mental health issues. As a result, transformative changes in the client were observed. Co-researchers indicated that they were able to effectively use aspects of the curriculum for therapeutic intervention and clinical directives, where the heart became a focal point of the session. For example, the client focused on their own heart center by implementing heart breathing and other heart-related exercises to facilitate self-inquiry and emotional self-regulation. </p><p> Map of the Heart offers the beginnings of a theoretical template and experiential basis upon which psychotherapists, psychologists, and mental health care and other professionals can access and integrate the spiritual, psychological, and physiological terrain of the heart for therapeutic process and intervention. Further investigation is necessary to determine a more comprehensive psychology and theoretical orientation of the heart.</p><p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to assess how clinical supervisors' style of interaction, as described by SDT&rsquo;s concepts of perceived autonomy support versus perceived controlling style, predicts the counseling self-efficacy (CSE) of a mental health counseling intern placed in a field internship. An additional purpose of this study was to examine if this relationship between autonomy support and counseling self-efficacy was mediated by autonomous work motivation. Participants were approached during an internship class session to complete instruments related to their demographic characteristics, perceptions of supervisory interaction style &ndash; autonomy supportive versus controlled (<i>Perceived Autonomy Support Scale &ndash; Employee</i>), autonomous or controlled motivation (<i>Multidimensional Work Motivation Scale</i>) and counseling self-efficacy (<i>Counseling Self-Estimate Inventory</i>). In addition, a need for autonomy scale (<i>Autonomy and Homonomy Measure </i>) was also included in the questionnaire packet to perform an exploratory analysis on participants&rsquo; need for autonomy as it relates to perceived autonomy support. Participants consisted of master&rsquo;s level mental health counseling interns enrolled in their field internships. Regression analyses were conducted to assess the predictive relationship between perceived autonomy support from supervisor and participant&rsquo;s counseling self-efficacy. Path analyses were conducted to investigate if this relationship was mediated by autonomous work motivation.</p><p>