<p> The occurrence of resiliency in the human experience has been the focus of extensive research in the last decade. Using hermeneutic methodology, this theoretical study explores text-based data of three resiliency traits, attachment theory, and a comparison of avoidant attachment behaviors. Patterns of abilities form and protective factors arise as the resilient person overcomes traumatic situations. Three specific factors&mdash;cognitive abilities, emotional regulation, and spirituality&mdash;are explored as they correlate with resiliency. A depth psychological approach values the meaning held beneath resiliency traits, which are viewed symbolically through the myth of Eros and Psyche, in particular with regard to the ways in which Psyche&rsquo;s resilient traits help her overcome adversity and how they may no longer serve her after the trials have passed. The development of self-reliance as a result of trauma may contribute to loneliness and traits of avoidant attachment.</p>

<p> This study examined the reliability and validity of the Global Relational Attitudes Conflict Exam (GRACE) Scale. Individuals were studied using an online survey to determine if the GRACE scale had reliable and interpretable components, and if the scale produced statistically significant levels of internal reliability. The study also evaluated for both convergent and discriminant validity through comparison of the scale with several selected assessments. A total of 333 participants participated in the survey. An exploratory factor analysis of the data produced from survey results revealed that the GRACE scale had reliable and interpretable components. Descriptive statistics and correlation coefficient comparisons of the data demonstrated that the scale was internally reliable and valid. The hypotheses were confirmed. </p><p> <i>Keywords</i>: grace, gratitude, appreciation, thankfulness, revenge, vengeance, relational conflict</p>

<p> Many school-aged children fear certain animals. Fear tends to make children worry and exhibit anxious behaviors, and this can negatively affect many aspects of their lives. Rachman (1977) speculated that some children might acquire fear through receiving negative verbal information. Few studies have examined whether positive verbal information can influence children's fear beliefs about bats. Based on Rachman's Theory on the Acquisition of Fear Behaviors this experimental research study examined whether positive verbal information might relate to decreasing fears about bats. One hundred and seventy-two participants in Grades 2 through 4 completed the Fear Beliefs Questionnaire (FBQ) and the Bat Attitude Questionnaire (BAQ) and then were randomized to either a positive verbal information treatment group or a control group. Both fear and bat attitude measures were administered to 2 groups of children across 3 time intervals. During Time 1, both groups filled out the FBQ and BAQ. Group 1 then received positive verbal information while Group 2 completed a maze. During Time 2, both groups again completed the FBQ and BAQ. One day later, Group 2 received the positive verbal information, and during Time 3, both groups again completed the FBQ and BAQ. MANCOVA results revealed a difference between FBQ and BAQ scores for both groups across all times. Group 1 showed no significant difference in FBQ and BAQ scores following positive information, and Group 2 only showed a significant difference in BAQ scores. The results of this study may have implications for social change in clinical practice with children experiencing fear of animals. This experimental study suggests that psychoeducational programs and psychotherapy addressing fears in children could be enhanced with the use of positive verbal information.</p>

<p> This study proposes that the paintings of the Surrealist artist, Remedios Varo, reveal the process of individuation over the course of time. Since the Surrealistic approach to art was founded on the principle of representing the unconscious in artistic form, a basic assumption of this study is that transformational symbols of the individuation process should be revealed in the body of work compiled by a Surrealist artist. This dissertation will demonstrate that Varo's paintings, like dreams, follow a pattern comprised of classical symbols, images, and alchemical motifs that are universal and consistent, that are arise repeatedly in her work, and that are reflective of her individuation process. The goal is achieved through an exploration of twelve of Varo's paintings done in the last decade of her life, 1953 to 1963. This is a theoretical dissertation, utilizing both hermeneutic and heuristic approaches. The study views Varo's paintings as "texts," with interpretation through three "lenses"&mdash;the cultural-historical, the personal-historical, and the Depth-archetypal, as well as interpretation by direct, personal encounter with her works of art. </p><p> The cultural-historical perspective emphasizes the Surrealistic movement, the movement's attitude toward the feminine, and Varo's work within this context. Varo's personal life experiences, which shaped her view of the world and choice of subject matter, form the basis for the personal-historical lens. The Depth-archetypal perspective draws its focus from the central issues in Depth psychology, including the individuation process and active imagination. Additionally, the paintings will be examined for their collective content, particularly as it can be understood to reveal unconscious themes. </p><p> This study suggests that an intense examination of Varo's paintings can serve as a microcosm of the individuation process and provide a guide for the therapeutic enhancement of that process in the therapy room by its replicative capacity. This study also suggests that the images in this study can be utilized as "snapshots" of moments of transformation and psychic forms of expression to guide patients as they embark on their respective journeys of individuation. </p>

<p> This study investigated the variability in empathy amongst clinicians toward males and females who were the victims of child sexual abuse. Empathy has been clearly established as a crucial component of the direction and outcome of the psychotherapeutic care of a patient. Research shows that typically males who were the victims of sexual abuse during childhood often receive less empathy from their support system than females do. Empathy is pivotal to the treatment of males who were sexually abused because it is one of the main key-components addressing the psychopathology and perpetration risk-level of the patient. This study gathered clinicians' reports of empathic feelings utilizing the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI). The research design was correlational. The findings showed that the group of therapists who read the male vignette demonstrated less empathy overall than the group of therapists who read the female vignette. This study highlights the importance of empathy within the treatment of sexually abused males and the goal of reducing the risk of perpetration.</p>

<p> Despite some indications that treatment experiences have been improving (Liddle, 1999), LGB clients still receive discriminatory treatment (Bieschke, Paul, &amp; Blasko, 2007). Even clinicians who wish to offer affirmative therapy hold unconscious negative biases due to growing up within a heterosexist culture (Bieschke et al., 2007). Utilizing Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (Smith, Flowers &amp; Larkin, 2009), this qualitative study explored the therapeutic experiences of seven LGB individuals in order to inform competent treatment with this population. Participants provided accounts through semi-structured interviews, which were validated using participant review. Specifically, the research focused on cross-orientation dyads, although experiences in therapy with shared-orientation dyads were also examined.</p><p> The results of this study are presented within five domains. Self-Categorization contextualizes participant accounts by discussing chosen identity terminology, variations of visibility, and the impact of categorical conceptions of identity. Identifying Others, Identifying Allies notes ways in which participants identified the cultural competence of practitioners. Navigating Heterosexism discusses the pervasive influence of heterosexism on individual's expectations of therapeutic experiences. Additionally, participants reviewed situations wherein clinicians expressed judgment or lack of knowledge, which highlight how therapists can more effectively respond to cultural ruptures. Preferring Therapist Identities explores participants' therapeutic preferences and discusses benefits and challenges embedded within shared-orientation and cross-orientation therapeutic dyads. Finally, Understanding Therapeutic Practices identifies practices that support affirmative therapeutic work regardless of the clinician's sexual orientation. Underlying principles of competent cross-cultural therapy with LGB clients were proposed, which emphasize the importance of clinician self-reflection in order to provide nonjudgmental acceptance, discuss sexuality with ease, value different ways of approaching relationship, and decrease therapist defensiveness. </p><p> While this study found that several participants preferred sexual minority therapists, the results also suggest that there are significant benefits to working with culturally competent heterosexual clinicians. Participants described benefiting from the experience of acceptance from a member of the dominant culture, which provided a corrective experience to internalized heterosexism. These accounts indicate that, with training and self-reflection, heterosexual clinicians can provide uniquely supportive therapeutic experiences to LGB individuals. Recommendations are provided concerning cultural competent practice and ways to approach cultural misunderstanding.</p>

<p>The purpose of this study was to explore the health affects caregiver stress has on caregivers in the Latino community of patients with Alzheimer&rsquo;s and dementia. The purpose of this project was to identify a potential funding source and write a grant to fund a Latino caregiver psycho-educational support group in the city of Maywood, California. </p><p> Researchers and clinical practitioners have grown concerned with the underutilization of support programs in the Latino community. The Latino community has unique needs and responds to culturally sensitive support groups. The Alzheimer&rsquo;s Association identified caregiver intervention programs as an important area of study. Funded by the Archstone Foundation, this project examines research of the unique needs this large aging community has. VISTA Adult Day Health Care Center serves a large Latino community. This program is presented as a structured psycho-educational support group. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant was not a requirement for the successful completion of this project. </p>

<p> The goal of this study was to examine how educational expectation, academic self-efficacy of Math and English, parental expectation, and parental involvement affect ELL students' educational attainment. Given the large and growing percentage of the ELL population in U.S. schools, the status of ELL students' educational attainment is cause for concern. Research on educational attainment for this specific population is scarce; let alone the investigation of predictors of ELL students' educational attainment. </p><p> This study used a nationally representative sample from Educational Longitudinal Study: 2002/2006. Path analysis and structural equation modeling were used to test four models depicting the relation between educational expectation, academic self-efficacy of Math and English, parental expectation, parental involvement and ELL students' high school completion and postsecondary institution enrollment. The results showed that all four models fit the data very well. Statistically significant direct effects were found from students' educational expectation at time 2 to high school graduation and also postsecondary institution enrollment. Statistically significant indirect effects were found from students' educational expectation at time 1 to high school graduation and also postsecondary institution enrollment. Both the measurement and structural models of Model 3 and Model 4 fit the data well. Statistically significant direct effects were found from parental expectation and parental involvement at time 1 to high school graduation and postsecondary institution enrollment. Comparison analysis was conducted between Asian-language speakers and Spanish speakers. Model 1&amp; 2 fit Asian-language speakers well but not for Spanish speakers. Model 3 and 4 fit both Spanish speakers and Asian-language speakers, but the models explained more variances in the outcome variables for Spanish speakers. The findings of this study had implications for educational policies targeting ELL students. Limitations and future research recommendations were discussed. </p>

<p> This study investigated the effects of the Trauma, Recovery, and Empowerment Model (TREM) on the female offender population in a community setting. The TREM intervention is a 33-topic model that focuses on trauma specific to women through psycho-education and cognitive-behavioral methods. This quasi-experimental study with an intervention and treatment-as-usual (TAU) group used the Brief Symptom Inventory-18, Modified Posttraumatic Symptom Scale, Addiction Severity Index, the Daily Living/Role Functioning and Relation to Self and Others Subscales (BASIS 32), and Trauma, Recovery and Empowerment Profile (TREP) to determine whether the group receiving the TREM intervention had reduced PTSD symptoms, general mental health symptoms, substance use, increased social role functioning and increased relation to self and others, as well as increased trauma-related coping skills. T-tests, correlations, and effect sizes were used to assess outcomes from baseline to post-intervention or 3-month follow up within the intervention group, and between the intervention and TAU group. Results of the t-tests ns between variables of interest failed to reach statistical significance, however significant correlations and non-significant medium to large effect sizes were found on the BASIS-32 Subscales and Modified Posttraumatic Symptom Scale, small to medium effects were found on the Global Severity Index (BSI-18), with small to no effect for the Trauma, Recovery and Empowerment Profile, and the Addiction Severity Index Drug and Alcohol Composite scores. Qualitative analysis also revealed support for the model by participants. These results somewhat support the current research in showing effectiveness for the TREM intervention with females, however more research and investigation into the TREM intervention is warranted.</p>

<p> Lost roles are an important part of the equation for any healthy individual. Often drama therapists focus on role expansion as well as flexibility and spontaneity within the role repertoire. However investigating lost roles and the implications of lost roles paves the way for therapeutic progress and discovery. In this manner cycles of loss and gain work in tandem to produce wholeness. In seeking such wholeness as a drama therapist my quest led me back into one of the traumatic losses of my youth: losing the supporting lead of Captain Hook in my first-grade school play. Exploring how and why I was denied this part in the school play led me further into facets of my personality that predominated as a youngster, as well as the suppressed characteristics that resulted from Hook being taken away. Engaging the arts-based methodology of self-revelatory performance I experience this loss from the inside - inside the roles, characters, and interactions of my youth through adulthood. Along the way I discover that in fact I am in search of the role I was most ashamed to lose: the Actor. Reclaiming and coming to terms with the Actor proves a crucial step on my journey to becoming a drama therapist. Working in the field of drama therapy - where performance may be used either for ego confirmation or self-discovery - we learn the responsibility of the drama therapist to clarify his intentions when engaging his inner Actor.</p>