Master of Science / Department of Special Education, Counseling and Student Affairs / Fred Bradley / The purpose of this report is to review available literature that identifies various psychological issues collegiate student-athletes may face and how medical professionals, specifically certified athletic trainers (ATCs), are prepared to manage these psychological issues. Considering ATCs are in constant interaction with student-athletes in comparison to other medical professionals it is crucial that research is being completed to make sure athletic trainers are properly caring for student-athlete and acting quickly and appropriately to psychological issues. This report will review research on psychological aspects encountered by athletic trainers in contact with student-athletes, and; furthermore, the ATCs sense of comfort and competence in working with these issues. Questions may arise such as how well the ATC is able to assess the psychological issues and know when to assist or refer these matters, issues which may include training, competence, expectations, and ethical practice. Finally, the review of the research and literature in this area will lead to suggestions and implications for further research and continued understanding of the ATCs role in the psychological aspects of their work with student athletes.

Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Zululand, 2003 / Many myths and stigmas around HIV/AIDS continue to exist, despite various campaigns to educate South Africans about this terminal illness, and therefore an HIV positive diagnosis and the experience of living with it are usually kept secret. In order to facilitate a better understanding of HIV positive South Africans, it seems necessary to research their experiences. This study, using the phenomenological methodology, examined 6 HIV positive participants' written stones about their experiences of living with HIV. From these stories the following main themes emerged: disclosure, denial, stigma, physical symptoms, symbolic representations of HIV/AIDS, medication, depression, anger, and death, and from these themes strategies for survival materialized. The findings of this study show that HIV is often minimized by the infected so that they are able to manage the experience in more publicly acceptable ways, such as by focusing on common physical illnesses, and avoid facing the "emotional baggage" that accompanies this virus. The findings of this study reveal a need for further research in this experiential area as well as campaigns and education around issues such as stigma, medication, and emotional difficulties.

Modern psychological approaches currently being used with Muslim clients in therapy have consistently been criticised for being decontextualised, Eurocentric, individualistic, reductionist and for not taking Muslim clients’ cultural and religious values into account (Amri, & Bemak, 2013; Carter & Rashidi, 2004). Hence a need for making use of models, techniques and therapeutic interventions based on Muslim perspectives for Muslim clients has repeatedly been expressed (Haque, 2004a; Helms, 2015; Inayat, 2007; Keshavarzi & Haque, 2013; Utz, 2012; Weatherhead & Daiches, 2010). Despite recommendations for using therapeutic interventions from Muslim perspectives with Muslim clients in therapy (Abu Raiya & Pargament, 2010; Haque & Kamil, 2012; Qasqas & Jerry, 2014), empirical research on these interventions has lagged behind (Abu-Raiya & Pargament, 2011). The aim of the current study is to provide more insight into how interventions from Muslim perspectives can be administered by Muslim therapists with their Muslim clients in therapy in United Kingdom. This study explored the experiences of six Muslim therapists who were all using interventions from Muslim perspectives with Muslim clients in their therapeutic practice. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), and from this three main themes emerged (i) Psychotherapeutic approaches, (ii) Journey of becoming a Muslim therapist (iii) Obstacles faced by Muslim clients and therapists. The implications for further research and therapeutic practice have also been considered.