Clergy Perceptions of Mental Illness and Confronting Stigma in Congregations

Mental illness and stigma are key concerns in congregations and represent a key threat to community health. Clergies are considered influential in how congregants think about and respond to mental health issues, especially in African American congregations. In-depth interviews with 32 African American and White clergies were conducted to understand their unique perspectives on mental health and how they interact with their congregations based on those perspectives. Findings include six themes related to mental health stigma, namely, holistic definitions of health; African Americans and different conceptions of mental health (only reported by African American clergies); code words and language; depression as a special case; perceptions of mental health counseling and treatment; and clergy strategies for addressing mental health stigma. The clergies in this study recognized their influence on ideas related to mental health in their congregations, and most expressed active efforts toward discussing mental health and reducing stigma.

Mastering the Competency of Case Conceptualization

This chapter provides tools for increasing mastery of case conceptualization with three evidence-based interventions: standardized case conceptualization training, deliberate practice, and mindfulness. It is based on experience in teaching and supervising this approach with master’s students in clinical mental health counseling programs. It also includes experience in conducting research on case conceptualization with trainees and experienced clinicians. The chapter begins with a brief discussion of mastery and then proceeds to describe the three interventions. It describes the experience of achieving a moderate level of mastery in a training program. Finally, an appendix provides a scaffolded format for intentionally integrating this model in various graduate courses.

Pattern-Focused Case Conceptualization

Achieving some level of mastery in case conceptualization is essential to be effective in clinical practice. This chapter will be useful to both trainees and practicing clinicians who need to increase their level of mastery in the pattern-focused approach to case conceptualization. First, the chapter describes the development of the pattern-focused approach to case conceptualization training. Next, it provides a plan for increasing one’s level of mastery of case conceptualization using three evidence-based interventions: standardized case conceptualization training, deliberate practice, and mindfulness. It is based on implementing this approach with master’s students in clinical mental health counseling programs in teaching and supervisory contexts, as well as conducting research studies with trainees as well as experienced clinicians.

Pathological internet use in adolescents

Internet addiction, which is one of the handicaps seen as a result of modern lifestyle and technological development, can be defined as the inability to prevent the desire to use the internet excessively and the need for more and more time spent on the internet. Rather than banning the internet entirely, controlling its use is a more appropriate option. As in all addictions, when the problem cannot be solved, it is important to benefit from medical and cognitive therapies and, when appropriate, child and adolescent mental health counseling.