scholarly journals Neuroeducation: Integrating Brain-Based Psychoeducation into Clinical Practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 103-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raissa Miller
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Counselor Competence ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Learning Principles

Understanding and integrating neuroscience research into clinical practice represents a rapidly growing area in mental health. An expanding body of neuroscience literature increasingly informs clinical practice by validating theory, guiding clinical assessment and conceptualization, directing effective interventions, and facilitating cross-disciplinary communication. Little attention, however, has been given to the use of neuroeducation with clients. In this article, the author provides mental health counselors with a definition of neuroeducation and a rationale for incorporating neuroeducation into clinical practice. The author identifies common neuroeducation topics and offers activity suggestions to illustrate their use in counseling. Finally, the author offers best practices for implementing neuroeducation, including attention to counselor competence, client readiness, and neuroscience of learning principles. Implications for research are also discussed.

Integrating Non-Technological and Technological Peripheral Biofeedback in Counseling

2017 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-179 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamie E. Crockett ◽  
Diane L. Gill ◽  
Tammy H. Cashwell ◽  
Jane E. Myers
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Self Regulation ◽  
Empirical Support ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Client Outcomes ◽  
Promising Direction ◽  
Response System ◽  
Stress Response System

Neurocounseling, the integration of neurobiology into the practice of counseling, is gaining attention and empirical support within the counseling field. Clients and clinical mental health counselors appear eager for effective mind–body tools that are accessible during, between, and beyond sessions. Peripheral biofeedback encompasses a host of such interventions, including technological (e.g., heart rate variability feedback) and non-technological (e.g., observation) approaches. Non-technological approaches are cost-effective tools that can enhance the efficacy of other counseling approaches and may serve to improve client outcomes. Integrating non-technological and technological peripheral biofeedback is a promising direction for clinical practice. In this article, the authors provide an overview of the key components of the stress-response system, the neurobiology of breath and self-regulation, and the related elements of peripheral biofeedback. The authors describe a case example, identify gaps in the knowledge base, and explore the implications for clinical practice and research.

scholarly journals Blurred Boundaries – A Qualitative Study of How Acts of Self-Harm and Attempted Suicide Are Defined by Mental Health Practitioners

Crisis ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (4) ◽  
pp. 247-254 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen James ◽  
Duncan Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Attempted Suicide ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Semistructured Interviews ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Practice Method ◽  
Self Harm ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Common Understanding

Abstract. Background: There is no commonly accepted definition of the term self-harm, and there is an ongoing debate about whether or not it should include acts of attempted suicide. The use of this language in clinical practice has not previously been explored. Aims: To investigate if, and how, practitioners distinguish between acts of self-harm and attempted suicide, and present any implications for practice. Method: We conducted semistructured interviews with a random sample of 18 frontline practitioners from 10 mental health wards and completed a thematic analysis of interview data. Results: Most participants described self-harm and attempted suicide as distinct behaviors. Characteristics of the act, disclosures of intent, and the level of distress observed were commonly used to differentiate between self-harm and attempted suicide. Very few participants believed that people who self-harm may also feel suicidal. Practitioners confidently described two different behaviors, yet self-harm and attempted suicide were often conflated, revealing the challenges and complexities associated with the separation of these acts in clinical practice. Limitations: Clinicians working in other settings or disciplines may have different views. Participants' accounts may not be an accurate representation of what happens in practice. Conclusion: This study adds to a body of evidence which argues against the dichotomous separation of these behaviors into acts of suicidal and nonsuicidal self-harm.Our findings suggest there is no common understanding of the boundaries between self-harm and attempted suicide among frontline clinicians. The language currently used, and consequent practice, particularly with regard to risk assessment, is problematic. Efforts should be made to operationalize terms around suicidal behavior and to incorporate these into training for clinical staff.

Ultrasound definition of enthesitis in spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis: arrival or starting point?

2021 ◽  
pp. annrheumdis-2021-220478
Author(s):  
Emilio Filippucci ◽  
Gianluca Smerilli ◽  
Andrea Di Matteo ◽  
Walter Grassi
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Psoriatic Arthritis ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Clinical Assessment ◽  
Rheumatology Research ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
Diagnosis Classification

Enthesitis has a key role in the diagnosis, classification and management of patients with spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Clinical assessment of enthesitis is known to be inaccurate mainly due to its poor specificity. In this context, ultrasound has the potential to improve the evaluation of enthesitis and, therefore, the management of patients with spondyloarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. In this viewpoint, we review the Outcome Measures in Rheumatology (OMERACT) definitions for ultrasound enthesitis, highlighting their current limits and potential implications on rheumatology research and clinical practice.

An Exploratory Study of Prevalence and Predictors of Neuromyths Among Potential Mental Health Counselors

2019 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-187 ◽  
Author(s):  
So Rin Kim ◽  
Carlos Zalaquett
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Undergraduate Students ◽  
Rehabilitation Counseling ◽  
Hierarchical Regression ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Helping Professions ◽  
Or Education ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Neuroscience Research ◽  
The Mind

Current neuroscience research demonstrates that counseling changes the mind and the brain. Several clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) programs are infusing neuroscience information into their curriculum. Learning about potential students' knowledge and attitudes about neuroscience could help guide these efforts. This study investigated general neuroscience knowledge, attitudes toward neuroscience, presence of neuromyths, and intention to apply neuroscien-tific knowledge among undergraduate students in the helping professions. Participants included 125 undergraduates enrolled in rehabilitation counseling, psychology, or education programs. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analysis revealed the existence of neuromyths and high intention to apply correct and incorrect neuroscience knowledge. General knowledge was significantly associated with more neuromyths, but additional learning reduced neuromyths. Practical implications to improve the teaching of neuroscience to students in helping professions and to guide infusion of neuroscience in CMHC programs are discussed.

scholarly journals Capacity-based mental health legislation and its impact on clinical practice: 1) admission to hospital

2014 ◽  
pp. 9
Author(s):  
John Bellhouse ◽  
Anthony Holland ◽  
Isabel Clare ◽  
Michael Gunn ◽  
Peter Watson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Hospital Admission ◽  
Men And Women ◽  
England And Wales ◽  
Capacity To Consent ◽  
Mental Health Legislation ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
False Imprisonment ◽  
Health Legislation

<p>In this study, as capacity is ‘decision-specific’, we have assessed the capacity of men and women to make decisions about admission and treatment separately, using the Law Commission’s definition of incapacity. In this paper, we focus on a person’s capacity to consent to admission. Surprisingly, the courts in England and Wales have not directly explored the nature of the information relevant to a decision about admission to hospital. Admission without consent constitutes false imprisonment, which is both a civil tort, and a crime.</p>

Evidence-Based Relationship Practice: Enhancing Counselor Competence

2015 ◽  
Vol 37 (2) ◽  
pp. 95-108 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Sommers-Flanagan
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Progress Monitoring ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Counselor Competence ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Unconditional Positive Regard ◽  
Abstract Knowledge ◽  
Health Counselor ◽  
Relationship Factors

Defining mental health counselor competence is difficult. Unfortunately, professional definitions of competence often rely on abstract knowledge that is difficult for counselors to apply. This article highlights the history and terminology associated with the evidence-based movement in medicine, psychology, and counseling. Using this historical information as a foundation, a relationally-oriented, evidence-based practice model for achieving competence in mental health counseling is proposed. The model emphasizes such evidence-based relationship factors as (a) congruence and genuineness, (b) the working alliance, (c) unconditional positive regard or radical acceptance, (d) empathic understanding, (e) rupture and repair, (f) managing countertransference, (g) implementing in- and out-of-session (homework) procedures, and (h) progress monitoring. The purpose of the model is to articulate a distinctive and practical evidence-based approach that mental health counselors can wholeheartedly embrace.

scholarly journals Addressing physical health in mental illness: the urgent need to translate evidence-based interventions into routine clinical practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
B. O’Donoghue
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Physical Health ◽  
Mental Health Disorders ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Effective Interventions ◽  
Medication Side ◽  
Added Benefit ◽  
Health Disorders

AbstractPeople affected by severe mental health disorders have a greatly reduced life expectancy compared to their non-affected peers. Cardiovascular disease is the main contributor to this early mortality, caused by higher rates of smoking, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, sleep disturbance, excessive alcohol use or substance abuse and medication side effects. Therefore, we need to take a preventative approach and translate effective interventions for physical health into routine clinical practice. These interventions should be delivered across all stages of mental health disorders and could also have the added benefit of leading to improvements in mental health. Furthermore, we need to advocate to ensure that people affected by severe mental health disorders receive the appropriate medical assessments and treatments when indicated. This themed issue highlights that physical health is now an urgent priority for funding and development in mental health services. The widespread implementation of evidence-based interventions into routine clinical practice is an essential need for consideration by clinicians and policymakers.

Conducting Child Custody Evaluations: Best Practices for Mental Health Counselors who Are Court-Appointed as Child Custody Evaluators

2014 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 18-30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samir Patel ◽  
Laura Choate
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Best Practices ◽  
Expert Testimony ◽  
Child Custody ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Custody Evaluations ◽  
Family Courts ◽  
Child Custody Evaluations ◽  
High Conflict

As the number of high-conflict separation cases continues to rise, mental health counselors are increasingly called upon to assist courts with child custody evaluations. Counselors can provide family courts with invaluable services either as treating or as forensic experts. Because each of these roles is unique, however, it is imperative that counselors who provide services to family courts understand the differences. Ethical, legal, and malpractice risks also increase considerably for counselors who provide courts with expert testimony. The purpose of this paper is to (a) discuss the central differences between the roles of counselor and of child custody evaluator, and (b) describe best practices for conducting child custody evaluations.

Transgenerational Trauma and Resilience: Improving Mental Health Counseling for Survivors of Hurricane Katrina

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachael Goodman ◽  
Cirecie West-Olatunji
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Hurricane Katrina ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Contextual Knowledge ◽  
Clinical Experiences ◽  
Transgenerational Trauma ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Health Response ◽  
Disaster Survivors

As disasters increase worldwide, there is greater need for effective and expedient disaster mental health response. The purpose of this paper is to present the etiology of transgenerational trauma to advance mental health counselors' understanding of the complex issues associated with trauma and disaster. The authors have woven literature from the field of trauma counseling with their own clinical experiences during deployment in post-Katrina New Orleans. The authors assert that mental health counselors can enhance clinical practice by using transgenerational trauma assessment and interventions as well as historical and contextual knowledge. A case example and recommendations are provided to demonstrate how to incorporate transgenerational trauma and resilience into clinical practice when working with disaster survivors.

Forgiveness and Forgetting: Clinical Implications for Mental Health Counselors

2008 ◽  
Vol 30 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa Cosgrove ◽  
Varda Konstam
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Lived Experience ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Clinical Implications ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Meaning Systems ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The Relationship

Although mental health professionals have attempted to specify the meaning of forgiveness, lack of consensus exists. Despite the lack of consensus over the meaning of forgiveness, there is agreement that forgiving is not forgetting or pardoning. However, the relationship between forgiving and forgetting has been undertheorized, and as a result, this relationship has not been empirically investigated. In this paper, we suggest that it would be fruitful to assess the meaning systems individuals associate with the definition of forgiveness. Focusing on the lived experience of individuals may help researchers and counselors avoid unhelpful dichotomizations such as "authentic vs. inauthentic" forgiveness. Implications for both research and mental health counseling are discussed.

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