Practitioner Perspectives on Animal-Assisted Counseling

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 43-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Kjellstrand Hartwig ◽  
Quinn Koelfgen Smelser
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Survey Instrument ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Clinical Issues ◽  
Training And Supervision ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Education Training ◽  
And Training

The field of animal-assisted counseling (AAC) is burgeoning. However, there is a paucity of research on the perspectives of mental health practitioners regarding its practice and the experience and training needed to effectively utilize AAC with clients. The purpose of this study was to explore how practitioners perceive AAC and its role in clinical settings. Perceptions of 300 mental health practitioners were assessed using a researcher-developed survey instrument. Findings indicated that a majority of practitioners (91.7%) view AAC as a legitimate counseling modality. Practitioners identified client age ranges and the top five clinical issues that would benefit from AAC. While only 12.0% of respondents had received training in AAC, 57.0% of respondents reported interest in receiving AAC training. Respondents identified types of AAC education, training, and supervision that would be sufficient for clinicians to utilize AAC. The findings from this study contribute to the emerging literature on AAC.

scholarly journals Forensic Mental Health Practitioners’ Use of Structured Risk Assessment Instruments, Views About Bias in Risk Evaluations, and Strategies to Counteract It

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer Kamorowski ◽  
Corine de Ruiter ◽  
Maartje Schreuder ◽  
Karl Ask ◽  
Marko Jelicic
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Blind Spot ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
Forensic Mental Health ◽  
Effective Strategies ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Bias Blind Spot ◽  
And Training

The use of structured risk assessment instruments (SRAIs) has increased significantly over the past decades, with research documenting variation between countries. The use of SRAIs, their perceived utility and potential for mitigating bias in forensic risk evaluations (FREs) was investigated in a survey of Dutch forensic mental health practitioners (N = 110) We found generally positive views regarding SRAI utility. Bias in FREs was of concern to respondents. We found no evidence of a bias blind spot (the belief that oneself is less prone to bias than peers/colleagues). SRAIs were rated as the most effective debiasing strategy, but respondents also endorsed introspection. There were few differences in beliefs about sources of bias or debiasing strategies between respondents who had bias training and those who had not, suggesting the need for development of effective strategies to mitigate bias and training related to bias in FREs.

Assessing the Confidence of Australian Mental Health Practitioners in Delivering Therapy to People With Intellectual Disability

2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (3) ◽  
pp. 202-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anastasia Hronis ◽  
Lynette Roberts ◽  
Ian Kneebone
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Treatment Protocols ◽  
Psychological Treatments ◽  
Moderate Intellectual Disability ◽  
Psychological Therapies ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Mental Health Difficulties ◽  
And Training

Abstract Research supports the use of psychological therapies among people with mild to moderate intellectual disability (ID). One barrier to people with ID accessing psychological treatments is the confidence of mental health practitioners. This article explores the confidence of Australian clinicians in providing therapy to people with ID. One hundred and fifty-two psychologists and counselors in Australia completed a survey exploring self-reported confidence when working with clients who have ID and mental health difficulties. Clinicians were most confident with generic counseling skills, but less confident with elements of assessments and interventions. The use of treatment protocols was endorsed as helpful particularly among those with low confidence. This highlights the need for dissemination of treatment guides and training to help increase clinician confidence.

The Stigma of Pedophilia

2018 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-153 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Jahnke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Child Sexual Abuse ◽  
Indirect Effects ◽  
Sexual Offending ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Medical Practitioners ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Social Level

Abstract. There is an emerging consensus among researchers that having pedophilic interests is not synonymous with child sexual abuse or other amoral behavior. Nevertheless, misconceptions about pedophilia are highly prevalent among the general public and mental health practitioners. This article provides an overview of recent findings on the stigma of pedophilia and derives guidelines for mental health practitioners based on these results. We argue that stigmatization of people with pedophilic sexual interests has undesired indirect effects on risk factors for child sexual abuse, particularly on an emotional and social level. Also, fear of being rejected or treated unethically may prevent pedophilic individuals at risk for sexual offending from confiding in medical practitioners or psychotherapists. Psychologists working with pedophilic individuals in forensic or clinical settings should be aware that stigmatizing people with pedophilia may increase their risk of sexual offending, and provide help to deal with potential stigma-related repercussions.

There Is No Need to Have a Budget or Business Plan

2019 ◽  
pp. 76-80
Author(s):  
Jeffrey E. Barnett ◽  
Jeffrey Zimmerman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Private Practice ◽  
Business Plan ◽  
Essential Elements ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Mental Health Clinicians ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
The Many ◽  
And Training

The business of mental health practice may be quite complex and for those without education and training in the business of practice, it may seem quite daunting. Failure to approach the private practice of mental health from a business perspective may doom one’s practice to failure. This chapter addresses the role of a business plan, explains how it is used, and describes the essential elements that guide practitioners in making decisions relevant to the structuring and running of their practice. The importance of preparation and a detailed business plan, as well as an accompanying budget, is explained. The ways in which such tools can assist mental health clinicians to appropriately plan for and address the many structural, financial, and other challenges that commonly arise in the course of running a business are discussed. Practical strategies and concrete suggestions are offered to help mental health practitioners develop and maintain a financially viable private practice.

Child Custody Evaluations

2017 ◽  
pp. 635-640
Author(s):  
Allison B. Hill
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Child Custody ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Custody Evaluations ◽  
Child Custody Evaluations ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Niche Area ◽  
And Training

Families going through a divorce involving children and custody issues often cannot reach agreement on custody and visitation issues on their own. When they seek resolution through the legal system, courts frequently order comprehensive child custody evaluations by mental health professionals who are competent in this niche area of practice. This chapter reviews the education and training needed to competently perform child custody evaluations. It explains the business aspects of this practice and reviews the joys and challenges of this type of practice. Resources are provided for mental health practitioners interested in developing this niche area of practice.

Roles and competencies of the Support Facilitator in Australia’s recovery-oriented mental health initiative: a qualitative study from Gippsland, Victoria

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (1) ◽  
pp. 91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith Sutton ◽  
Anton N. Isaacs ◽  
Kim Dalziel ◽  
Darryl Maybery
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Care Coordination ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Case Managers ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Development Education ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Service Policy ◽  
Partners In Recovery ◽  
And Training

Objective This study explored the roles and competencies of Support Facilitators (SFs) engaged in the implementation of the Partners in Recovery initiative in a rural region of Victoria. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 32 stakeholders involved in the initiative, of which 15 were SFs. Results Two main themes and 10 subthemes emerged from the data: (1) SF competencies (which included an understanding of local services as well as administrative and social skills); and (2) the SF role (which included them being a single point of contact, providing care coordination, assisting the client to become self-reliant, achieving good outcomes for clients with confronting behaviours, judiciously using flexible funding, clearly outlining their role with clients and maintaining boundaries and performing a different role from that of the mental health case manager). Conclusions The roles and competencies of the SF in the Partners in Recovery initiative in Gippsland were congruent with the defined characteristics of a care coordination approach. The results highlight how the SF role differs from that of traditional clinical case managers. These findings are important for future mental health service policy development, education and training of mental health practitioners and recruitment of personnel to care coordination roles. What is known about the topic? There is a growing body of literature highlighting the importance of care coordination in delivery of positive outcomes for people with chronic and complex health problems. However, little is documented about the care coordination role of SFs as part of the Partners in Recovery initiative in Australia. What does this paper add? This paper identifies the roles and competencies of SFs in the Partners in Recovery initiative in a rural region of Victoria. The paper highlights that the emergent competencies and role functions are congruent with the defined characteristics of a care coordination approach but differ from that of mental health case managers. What are the implications for practitioners? These findings are important for future mental health service policy development, education and training of mental health practitioners and recruitment of personnel to care coordination roles.

Qualitative Clinical Mental Health Program Evaluation: Models and Implications for Counseling Practitioners and Educators

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas M. Murphy ◽  
Catherine Y. Chang ◽  
Franco Dispenza
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Program Evaluation ◽  
Mental Health Program ◽  
Qualitative Inquiry ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Master's Programs ◽  
Logic Models ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Evaluation Models

Qualitative program evaluation is an effective tool allowing agencies and clinicians to provide holistic validation of innovation in clinical settings. Counselor educators can introduce models of qualitative program evaluation in both agency settings and counseling master's programs to enhance the development of clinical evaluation in the community and to integrate clinical and evaluative identities in clinical mental health practitioners and students. This article defines qualitative program evaluation and logic models and introduces methodologies that may be effective in clinical settings. Developing a logic model provides a structure that guides qualitative inquiry, and general categories of logic models are defined. Specific qualitative program evaluation models appropriate to clinical settings are also identified and defined. Recommendations for incorporating qualitative program evaluation into clinical practice and counselor education programs are discussed.

Better Understanding Psychosis: Psychospiritual Considerations in Clinical Settings

2020 ◽  
pp. 002216782090462
Author(s):  
Brian Spittles
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Professionals ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Mental Health Practitioners ◽  
Common Source ◽  
Clinical Settings ◽  
Mental Health Profession ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
Clinical Dilemma ◽  
Diagnosis Approach

Throughout history, mental health professionals have generally endorsed an understanding of psychosis that occludes the consideration of possible psychospiritual determinants. However, in light of the similarities between psychotic and benign psychotic-like psychospiritual experiences, this article argues for the inclusion of psychospiritual matters in psychosis research and therapeutic practices. First, the relevance of psychospiritual considerations to mental health professionals is substantiated by examining literature whereby commentators seek to discern psychosis from nonpsychopathological psychotic-like experiences that often occur within psychospiritual contexts. Next, I step beyond this binary differential diagnosis approach to examine the possibility that psychotic and psychospiritual experiences share a common source and are intrinsically connected and indiscernible. Finally, I propose that this clinical dilemma may be redressed via the study and application of technologies of consciousness. Accordingly, I argue that the incorporation of psychospiritual research into better understanding psychosis calls for radical epistemological, diagnostic, and therapeutic changes within the mental health profession. Indeed, it appears that clinical efficacy may be advanced through mental health practitioners attaining expertise in technologies of consciousness, especially in seeking to understand psychosis in light of psychospiritual contingencies.

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