A Practitioner's Guide to Breathwork in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
pp. 78-94
Author(s):  
Babatunde Aideyan ◽  
Gina C. Martin ◽  
Eric T. Beeson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Yogic Breathing ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Breathwork techniques and therapies offer a set of practical interventions for clinical mental health counselors (CMHCs) and are viable methods for integrating physiological sensitivities in treatment by way of the relaxation response. We discuss an organizing framework of breathwork practices and identify three broad categories of breathwork within the field: deep relaxation breathing, mindfulness breathwork, and yogic breathing. Each style is distinct in how it is applied and in the specific respiratory patterns that users are instructed to use. We also aim to elaborate the physiological effects, clinical research outcomes, and applicability of breathwork for treating mental illness. Overall, research findings indicate that breathwork may be efficacious for treating anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder. Despite preliminary evidence for breathwork's efficacy for treating common psychological distress, more research is needed to evaluate its utility for treating a wider range of mental illness. CMHCs are encouraged to incorporate breathwork techniques in their clinical treatment programs but must appraise the value of each technique individually.

scholarly journals A Corpus Linguistic Analysis of Public Tumblr Blog Posts on Non-Suicidal Self-Injury

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy M. Greaves ◽  
Cass Dykeman
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Current Treatment ◽  
Treatment Programs ◽  
Emotional Pain ◽  
Corpus Linguistic ◽  
Self Compassion ◽  
Self Injury ◽  
Compassion Focused Therapy ◽  
Blog Posts

Rates of Non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has have steadily been on the risen among in adolescents and young adults. This study collected pro-NSSI public blog posts from Tumblr on pro-NSSI and analyzed the content linguistically using LIWC software. , examining the The NSSI -specific words, the linguistics properties and the psychological linguistic properties were examined. The results align with similar studies conducted on understanding the language markers of mental health. For NSSI specific word categories, the methods of engaging in NSSI was the most frequently used in the Tumblr blogs. This aligns with literature about the need for people to express their emotional pain to others who may understand. The linguistic properties demonstrated some unique results that can be best explained by the numbing feeling that is found in individuals who utilize NSSI and their tendency to avoid expressing painful experiences in a manner that would increase their vulnerability. The psychological properties of these public Tumblr posts were revealed through the dominantly in a negative emotional tone of the writing, which is also indicative of anyone struggling with severe mental illness. These findings suggest that treatment which specializes in shame and increasing self-compassion, such as Compassion Focused Therapy, would be more beneficial to these individuals who struggle with pain, shame and emotional distress than current treatment programs.

Ethical Standards for a Post-COVID-19 World

2022 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-96
Author(s):  
Anabel Mifsud ◽  
Barbara Herlihy
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Culturally Responsive ◽  
Ethical Decision Making ◽  
Ethical Reasoning ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
Family Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Case Scenario ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Inclusive Approach

The cataclysmic events of 2020 created an urgent need for mental health counseling to help individuals, families, and communities deal with grief, loss, and trauma. The sheer magnitude of the challenges has highlighted the necessity for collective interventions, as the need for help far surpasses what can be met through traditional individual or family counseling. Clinical mental health counselors must be prepared to respond to the new challenges in creative, culturally responsive, and ethical ways. The authors discuss the limitations of the prevailing codes of ethics, which are grounded in principle ethics, and propose that virtue ethics and relational ethics perspectives can be incorporated into ethical reasoning to make the process more responsive to collective interventions. A case scenario is presented and analyzed to illustrate this broader and more inclusive approach to ethical decision-making in a situation that calls for a collective intervention.

A systematic review of technology-based interventions for co-occurring substance use and trauma symptoms

2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 701-709 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda K Gilmore ◽  
Sarah M Wilson ◽  
Nancy A Skopp ◽  
Janyce E Osenbach ◽  
Greg Reger
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Systematic Review ◽  
Substance Use ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Preliminary Evidence ◽  
Trauma Symptoms ◽  
Current Systematic Review ◽  
Recent Developments ◽  
Mental Health Interventions ◽  
Single Intervention

Introduction Technology-based mental health interventions are becoming increasingly common, and several have begun to target multiple outcomes in a single intervention. Recent developments in the treatment of co-occurring posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder has led to the development and testing of technology-based interventions for these disorders. The current systematic review examined technology-based interventions designed to improve mental health outcomes among patients with co-occurring trauma symptoms and substance use. Methods Of 601 articles reviewed, 14 included a technology-based intervention for patients with these co-occurring problems. Results Seven of these studies provided preliminary evidence that technology-based interventions are likely to be efficacious in reducing either trauma symptoms or substance use. The seven remaining studies demonstrated that technology-based interventions for co-occurring trauma symptoms and substance use are feasible. Discussion This review suggests that technology-based interventions for co-occurring trauma symptoms and substance use are feasible, but more work is needed to assess efficacy using scientifically rigorous studies.

The Relation Between Mindfulness and Posttraumatic Growth: A Study of First Responders to Trauma-Inducing Incidents

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 363-376 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian Chopko ◽  
Robert Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Growth ◽  
Police Officers ◽  
Spiritual Growth ◽  
Negative Symptoms ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
First Responders ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
Posttraumatic Growth Inventory

Research on the reactions of first responders (e.g., police officers, fire fighters) to traumatic incidents has largely focused on negative symptoms (e.g., posttraumatic stress disorder) rather than aspects promoting mental health. Consistent with the counseling profession's focus on growth and development, this study investigated the relation between mindfulness (using the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills) and posttraumatic growth (using the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory) among 183 police officers. Results of multiple regression analyses showed that effort toward spiritual growth was positively correlated, and accepting events without judgment was negatively correlated, with posttraumatic growth. Implications for mental health counseling are discussed.

Counseling in Developing Countries: Turkey and India as Examples

2005 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-160 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shonali Raney ◽  
Deniz Canel Çinarba s
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Mental Health Counseling ◽  
Financial Resources ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Research Projects ◽  
Cultural Characteristics ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Current State

Turkey and India are developing countries with unique cultural characteristics. The current state of mental health counseling in Turkey and India necessitates new laws, indigenous approaches, adaptations of culture-sensitive approaches, and research projects to validate such approaches. It is the job of mental health counselors to accomplish such complicated and trying tasks in the absence of social and financial resources.

Young Adults’ Attitudes About Corporal Punishment: Implications for Mental Health Counseling

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 251-264
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Smith ◽  
Michael T. Kalkbrenner
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Young Adults ◽  
Corporal Punishment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Physical Pain ◽  
Parenting Strategies ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Effective Parenting

Corporal punishment, defined as the application of physical pain (e.g., spanking, slapping, or grabbing) to decrease a child’s undesirable behavior, is associated with negative mental health outcomes. Clients may present to mental health counselors with concerns that stem from their experience of corporal punishment. Mental health counselors work to prevent deleterious consequences of corporal punishment through the provision of psychoeducation on effective parenting strategies. Given that young adults are the largest group of prospective parents in the United States, the present investigators examined attitudes about the utility of corporal punishment as a disciplinary strategy among young adults who do not have children. Results revealed differences in the rates of endorsement of corporal punishment as a disciplinary strategy by gender and ethnicity. Higher rates were found among young adults who identified as male and those who identified as White relative to those who identified as female and those who identified as Latinx, respectively. These findings have a number of implications for challenging stereotypes (e.g., that Latinx clients endorse corporal punishment at higher rates than clients who identify as White) and enhancing mental health counselors’ prevention efforts (e.g., targeting attitudes about corporal punishment among those likely to become parents).

Differences in Mental Health Counselors' Diagnoses Based on Client Race: An Investigation of Adjustment, Childhood, and Substance-Related Disorders

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 47-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Feisthamel ◽  
Robert Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Disruptive Behavior ◽  
Behavior Disorders ◽  
Health Professions ◽  
Mental Health Counseling ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Adjustment Disorders ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Substance Related Disorders

This study of mental health counselors' diagnoses of African-American and Euro-American clients (N=899) found that African-Americans were diagnosed disproportionately more often with disruptive behavior disorders whereas Euro-Americans were diagnosed more often with less severe adjustment disorders. These findings mirror those of researchers from other mental health professions considering different mental disorders. Implications for mental health counseling practice and future research are discussed, and pathways to account for the phenomenon are proposed.

Comprehensive Program Development in Mental Health Counseling: Design, Implementation, and Evaluation

2008 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 9-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy Calley
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Program Development ◽  
Program Design ◽  
Mental Health Counseling ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Due Diligence ◽  
Evidence Based Practices ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Clinical Program ◽  
Business Principles

With increasing emphasis on the use of evidence-based practices and efficient clinical operations, mental health counselors must be competent in comprehensive clinical program development that covers program design, implementation, and sustainability. To address this need, a practice model here presented integrates scientific knowledge and business principles by emphasizing research-based program design and due diligence in program development. The model consists of 12 sequential, interrelated phases to guide the professional in creating comprehensive mental health counseling programs.

Childhood Abuse as a Precursor to Homelessness for Homeless Women With Severe Mental Illness

1996 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 129-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sally Davies-Netzley ◽  
Michael S. Hurlburt ◽  
Richard L. Hough
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Sexual Abuse ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Severe Mental Illness ◽  
Childhood Abuse ◽  
Stress Disorder ◽  
Homeless Women ◽  
Physical And Sexual Abuse

Previous studies of childhood abuse levels among homeless women have typically focused either on single homeless women or female heads of families; almost none have focused specifically on homeless women with severe mental illness. This study explores rates of childhood physical and sexual abuse among 120 homeless women with severe mental illness. Correlates of experiencing childhood abuse are considered, including mental health outcomes and when women first become homeless. The prevalence of childhood abuse in this sample of women was substantially higher than among homeless women in general. The experience of childhood abuse was related to increased suicidality, and resulted in symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder for some women. Women who had suffered abuse were also much more likely to become homeless during childhood and it is suggested that this is an important precursor to homelessness for many homeless women with chronic and severe mental illness.

scholarly journals Mandatory physical exercise for the prevention of mental illness in medical students

2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert A. Bitonte ◽  
Donald Joseph II DeSanto
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Medical Students ◽  
Medical School ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Dropping Out ◽  
Training Experience ◽  
Health Counseling ◽  
Positive Effect

Medical students experience higher rates of mental illness than the general population. With competition rising for success in medical school, and residency, increasing incidence of distress are leading this population to experience higher rates of thoughts of dropping out of school, and even suicide. Since many stigmas deter medical students from receiving mental health counseling, such as the perceived inability to handle the stresses of medical school, and the potential lack of competitiveness for residencies if reported, prevention of mental illness may be a better course to take in reducing prevalence in this population. Regular exercise has demonstrated a positive effect on not only promoting physical health, but also mental health. Exercise encourages a healthy mood, positive self esteem, and better cognition, while decreasing the chances of depression, anxiety, and burnout. Implementing exercise time into medical school curriculums, just like the basic sciences, albeit for less time in the day, could provide a feasible way to ensure that all students are taking time to partake in this important activity for their well being. Though medical schools are rigid with attempts to make changes in their curriculum, thirty minutes a day, three to five times a week of exercise of the students’ choice not only is more cost effective than counseling, but it also reduces the chances that they will experience burnout, which if left untreated could transcend into a compromised training experience.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document