An Exploration of Clinical Mental Health Counselors’ Attitudes Toward Professional Identity and Interprofessionalism

2022 ◽  
Vol 44 (1) ◽  
pp. 68-81
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Klein ◽  
Eric T. Beeson
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Professional Identity ◽  
Interprofessional Education ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Codes Of Ethics ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
The University ◽  
High Degree

Opportunities for clinical mental health counselors to practice in interprofessional settings are likely to increase as the larger health care system in the United States evolves. While aspects of interprofessionalism are embedded in the codes of ethics of the counseling profession, discussion of identity has primarily been focused on intraprofessional identity. To concurrently assess intraprofessional identity, interprofessionalism, and interprofessional identity, a study was conducted with clinical mental health counselors (CMHCs) using the Professional Identity Scale in Counseling–Short Form (PISC-S) and the University of West of England Interprofessional Questionnaire (UWE IPQ). Results indicated that CMHCs place importance on both intra- and interprofessional identity, although they have more confidence in their intraprofessional identity. A high degree of correlation was found between the PISC-S and UWE IPQ, indicating the interrelatedness of these aspects of identity. Results can be used to inform interprofessional education and identity development models for the CMHC profession.

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.

The Digital Revolution in Behavioral Health

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J Hasselberg
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Mental Health Care ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Digital Health ◽  
Behavioral Health Care ◽  
The United States ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Digital Revolution ◽  
The University

BACKGROUND: Technology is disrupting every modern industry, from supermarkets to car manufacturing, and is now entering the health care space. Technological innovations in psychiatry include the opportunity for conducting therapy via two-way video conferencing, providing electronic consultations, and telementoring and education of community health care providers. Use of mobile health applications is also an expanding area of interest and promise. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the evolution and pros and cons of technology-enabled health care since the digital movement in psychiatry began more than 50 years ago as well as describe the University of Rochester’s innovative digital behavioral health care model. METHODS: A review of the literature and recent reports on innovations in digital behavioral health care was conducted, along with a review of the University of Rochester’s model to describe the current state of digital behavioral health care. RESULTS: Given the lack of access to care and mental health professional shortages in many parts of the United States, particularly rural areas, digital behavioral health care will be an increasingly important strategy for managing mental health care needs. However, there are numerous hurdles to be overcome in adopting digital health care, including provider resistance and knowledge gaps, lack of reimbursement parity, restrictive credentialing and privileging, and overregulation at both the state and federal levels. CONCLUSIONS: Digital health innovations are transforming the delivery of mental health care services and psychiatric mental health nurses can be on the forefront of this important digital revolution.

Low-income African American Male Youth with ADHD Symptoms in the United States: Recommendations for Clinical Mental Health Counselors

2009 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 309-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catherine Tucker ◽  
Andrea Dixon
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
African American ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
African American Male ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Male Youth ◽  
African American Male Youth

African-American males living in poverty are among the least likely children and adolescents to receive mental health services in the United States, even though they are the most likely to be referred to mental health agencies for services. In this article the authors explore current problems facing impoverished African American male youth who exhibit symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), their need for mental health services, and the barriers to services that they face, and offer recommendations for mental health counselors.

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).

scholarly journals An mHealth Intervention to Improve Young Gay and Bisexual Men’s Sexual, Behavioral, and Mental Health in a Structurally Stigmatizing National Context (Preprint)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Corina Leluțiu-Weinberger ◽  
Monica Manu ◽  
Florentina Ionescu ◽  
Bogdan Dogaru ◽  
Tudor Kovacs ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Identity Development ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Hiv Risk ◽  
Behavioral Skills Training ◽  
Skills Training ◽  
The United States ◽  
Large Trial ◽  
Hiv Risk Reduction ◽  
And Bisexual

BACKGROUND Young gay and bisexual men (YGBM) in some Eastern European countries, such as Romania, face high stigma and discrimination, including in health care. Increasing HIV transmission is a concern given inadequate prevention, travel to high-prevalence countries, and popularity of sexual networking technologies. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to adapt and pilot test, in Romania, a preliminarily efficacious mobile health (mHealth) HIV-prevention intervention, created in the United States, to reduce HIV risk among YGBM. METHODS After an intervention formative phase, we enrolled 43 YGBM, mean age 23.2 (SD 3.6) years, who reported condomless sex with a male partner and at least 5 days of heavy drinking in the past 3 months. These YGBM completed up to eight 60-minute text-based counseling sessions grounded in motivational interviewing and cognitive behavioral skills training with trained counselors on a private study mobile platform. We conducted one-group pre-post intervention assessments of sexual (eg, HIV-risk behavior), behavioral (eg, alcohol use), and mental health (eg, depression) outcomes to evaluate the intervention impact. RESULTS From baseline to follow-up, participants reported significant (1) increases in HIV-related knowledge (mean 4.6 vs mean 4.8; P=.001) and recent HIV testing (mean 2.8 vs mean 3.3; P=.05); (2) reductions in the number of days of heavy alcohol consumption (mean 12.8 vs mean 6.9; P=.005), and (3) increases in the self-efficacy of condom use (mean 3.3 vs mean 4.0; P=.01). Participants reported significant reductions in anxiety (mean 1.4 vs mean 1.0; P=.02) and depression (mean 1.5 vs mean 1.0; P=.003). The intervention yielded high acceptability and feasibility: 86% (38/44) of participants who began the intervention completed the minimum dose of 5 sessions, with an average of 7.1 sessions completed; evaluation interviews indicated that participation was rewarding and an “eye-opener” about HIV risk reduction, healthy identity development, and partner communication. CONCLUSIONS This first mHealth HIV risk-reduction pilot intervention for YGBM in Eastern Europe indicates preliminary efficacy and strong acceptability and feasibility. This mobile prevention tool lends itself to broad dissemination across various similar settings pending future efficacy testing in a large trial, especially in contexts where stigma keeps YGBM out of reach of affirmative health interventions.

The Adaptation and Evaluation of a Pilot Mindfulness Intervention Promoting Mental Health in Student Athletes

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-21
Author(s):  
Audrey G. Evers ◽  
Jessica A Somogie ◽  
Ian L. Wong ◽  
Jennifer D. Allen ◽  
Adolfo G. Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Student Athletes ◽  
Short Form ◽  
University Of Southern California ◽  
Short Form Health Survey ◽  
Stress Scale ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The University ◽  
Short Form Health

The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of a pilot mindfulness program for student athletes by assessing mental health, mindfulness ability, and perceived stress before and after the intervention. The mindfulness program was adapted from a program developed at the University of Southern California. The four-session intervention taught the basics of mindfulness, self-care skills, and guided meditations. Participants completed surveys before and after the intervention. Mindfulness ability was assessed with the Cognitive and Affective Mindfulness Scale, mental health was assessed with a modified Short Form Health Survey, and stress was assessed with the Perceived Stress Scale. After the intervention, participants reported improvement in mindfulness ability, t(28) = −2.61, p =  .014, mental health, t(28)  =  −2.87, p =  .008, and a trending improvement in perceived stress, t(28)  =  1.86, p =  .073. A short mindfulness program may be effective for improving mental health and mindfulness ability in collegiate student athletes.

Things Get Rolling

2021 ◽  
pp. 43-58
Author(s):  
Edward Shorter
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
Mental Hospital ◽  
New York State ◽  
The United States ◽  
The State ◽  
York State ◽  
The World ◽  
The University

The take-off of psychopharmacology in the mental-hospital world began in the vast asylum system of New York State in the early 1950s. Henry Brill ordered the state system to introduce chlorpromazine in 1955, which led to the first decrease in the census of the state asylum system in peacetime. Sidney Merlis and Herman Denber implemented chlorpromazine in their hospitals and, with Brill, began a series of publications on the drugs and their efficacy. Pharmacologist and psychiatrist Joel Elkes established the first department of experimental psychiatry in the world in 1951 at the University of Birmingham in England. Finally, the chapter examiunes the historical heft of the National Institute of Mental Health, which in 1953 opened the “intramural” (in-house) research program where much of the research in psychopharmacology done in the United States has occurred.

What the Future America Will Look Like

2021 ◽  
pp. 99-117
Author(s):  
Hok Yung Mary Yeung
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Asian American ◽  
Racial Microaggressions ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mental Health Counselors ◽  
Interracial Couples ◽  
Interracial Dating ◽  
The Family ◽  
Historical Antecedents ◽  
Therapy Sessions

This chapter begins with the historical antecedents of interracial dating and marriages (IRM) within the United States and then the increasing rates of IRM in the 21st century. Several forms of discrimination against interracial couples such as racial microaggressions and the transmission of implicit racial attitudes within the family, are analyzed. The Marketplace Economy Theory is also examined. It attempts to explain the existence of IR couples. Theories behind the origins of racism against IRMs are explored. Asian American dating interracially is also discussed. The latter section examines the implications of IRMs for mental health counselors. It provides recommendations of techniques and special therapy styles that may be more effective for IR couples and IRMs during therapy sessions. These techniques (including goal-oriented sessions, based on strengths, psychodynamic approaches, and postmodern approaches) may be more efficacious due to the unique problems IR couples encounter. Suggestions are provided for why further research into biracial and multiracial children is needed.

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