Department of Counselor Education

The present study applies Driver and Gottman’s (2004a) Turning System to
observations of the therapeutic relationship in a quasi-experimental between and within
groups design. A sample of 63 full counseling sessions (21 first sessions with clients who
return for four sessions, 21 first sessions for clients who terminate therapy prior to four
sessions, and 21 fourth sessions) were collected from a university counseling center in
South Florida. Clients and clinicians also completed self report evaluations of the
therapeutic relationship that were also included in this study (Working Alliance Inventory
– Short Form, and the Real Relationship Inventory). A series of multivariate analysis of
the variance (MANOVA) tests were performed to assess for significant differences in
Turning System behavior between return and dropout groups in the first sessions of
therapy, as well as for significant differences between return groups’ first and fourth sessions. Correlation analyses were run for client and therapist self report data and
Turning System codes.
Overall, the Turning System codes did not predict attrition from therapy;
however, significant effects were found for specific behaviors in the return versus
dropout comparisons, including client’s uses of negative bids, high level questions, and
preoccupied away responses. The Turning System also did not predict clear differences
between behaviors in ongoing therapy, though significant effects were again found for
individual behaviors enacted by both clients and therapists. Significant negative
correlations were also found for return group clients between specific behaviors and
ratings of the therapeutic alliance, such as high level questions and preoccupied away
responses. Individual behaviors in the therapist return group, such as high level questions,
negative bids, and interruptions, correlated negatively with ratings of the therapeutic
alliance. The results of this study are presented in an effort to synthesize the data into a
narrative for developing effective therapeutic relationships and guidance for future
research.

The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental study was to examine the
effects of a standardized case conceptualization training workshop on 104 psychotherapy
practitioners recruited from the community. A secondary purpose was to examine the
relationship between participants’ attitudes about evidence-based practice and the effects
of the training. Participants attended two 3-hour training workshops, which taught the
integrative case conceptualization model developed by Sperry (2010b). Pre- and postintervention
case conceptualization skills were assessed using the Case Conceptualization
Evaluation Form (CCEF) 2.0, an updated version of the instrument used in previous
studies. Additionally, participants’ views about case conceptualization were assessed
before and after training using the Views about Case Conceptualization (VACC)
instrument. Participants’ attitudes about evidence-based practice were also examined as a
possible mediating variable between training and effect. These attitudes were assessed
using the Evidence-Based Practice Attitudes Scale (EBPAS). Workshops were separated by four weeks in order to assess whether initial training effects persisted
over time.
Change in case conceptualization skill was analyzed using repeated measures
ANOVA. Participants’ mean CCEF 2.0 scores significantly increased (p < .001) from
pre-test (M = 11.9; SD = 7.74) to post-test (M = 36.7; SD = 7.80) following the first
workshop. The second workshop took place four weeks later with 74 of the original 104
participants. It built on the content of the first workshop and introduced advanced
concepts such as client culture, strengths and protective factors, and predictive ability.
Participants’ mean CCEF 2.0 scores also significantly increased (p < .001) from pre-test
(M = 35.1; SD = 8.11) to post-test (M = 66.3; SD = 10.95) following the second
workshop. There was a small but statistically significant (p < .005) decrease of 1.5 points
in mean scores from the end of Workshop I to Workshop II, indicating that the effects of
the training deteriorate slowly over time. Participants’ attitudes about evidence based
practice and some demographic variables were significantly related to training effects.
Stepwise hierarchical regression analysis determined that these individual variables
account for various portions of the variance in CCEF 2.0 scores. This study’s theoretical,
practice, and research implications are discussed in detail.

The purpose of this study was to examine non-identifying archival data from the
2012-2013 school year to assess the effect participation in the Student Success
Skills (SSS) school counselor-led classroom guidance program (Brigman & Webb,
2010) had on the behavioral and cognitive engagement of grade 5 Exceptional
Student Education (ESE) students serviced within the general education classroom
setting. Data for this study was collected at three different intervals. School
attendance data was collected on students during the 2012, 2013, and 2014 school
years when students were enrolled in grades 4, 5, and 6 respectively. Pre-test selfreport
data was collected within two weeks prior to implementation of the SSS
program. Posttest self-report data was collected within two weeks immediately
following completion of the intervention and post-posttest self-report data was
collected 30 weeks post-intervention. School counselors and classroom teachers
were trained in the SSS program. Students received five 45 minute classroom lessons delivered one week apart followed by three booster sessions delivered one
month apart. Lessons were designed to teach cognitive, social, self-management,
and test-taking skills. This study followed a randomized controlled trial (RCT)
design. For the purposes of this study behavioral engagement was measured by
school attendance data. Cognitive engagement was measured by the Test Anxiety
and Metacognitive Activity scales of the Motivated Strategies for Learning
Questionnaire (MSLQ) (Pintrich & DeGroot, 1990) and the Self-Regulation of
Arousal scale of the Student Engagement in School Success Skills (SESSS) survey
(Carey, Webb, Brigman, & Harrington, 2010). A series of multivariate analysis of
covariance (MANCOVA) tests were conducted to determine whether or not there
were statistically significant differences between the treatment and control groups.
While no statistically significant differences were evident on the Metacognitive
Activity scale, results indicated a statistically significant decrease in absences and
test anxiety for students in the treatment group. Additionally, a statistically
significant increase was evident on the Self-Regulation of Arousal scale for
students in the treatment group. This study suggests that research-based school
counseling programs delivered in small or large groups using inclusionary practices
may be beneficial in supporting the academic achievement and social-emotional
adjustment of ESE students.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of the Student Success Skills
(SSS) classroom intervention on grade 5 African American students’ self-regulation, test
anxiety and school attendance. This study analyzed pre-existing, non-identifiable student
data collected by school counselors at 30 elementary schools in South Florida. A
multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA) was used to determine differences in
self-regulation, test anxiety, and school attendance between the students who participated
in the SSS classroom intervention compared to those students who did not participate.
Statistically significant differences were found between groups in all three factors and
support the use of SSS classroom school counseling intervention with grade 5 African
American students. Effect size estimates were reported for each of the measures.

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in pro-social behaviors and reading skills between a treatment group of first grade students who received the Ready to Learn (Brigman, Lane, & Lane, 2008) intervention, delivered by a certified professional school counselor, and a comparison group of first grade students who did not receive this intervention. Counselors in the treatment group were trained in the proper implementation of the manualized Ready to Learn program during a professional development session. They were also trained in other study-related procedures, such as the online check-in tool and the regular site visits by the researcher. The study followed a quasi-experimental design. The Child Behavior Scale (CBS; Ladd, Herald-Brown & Andrews, 2009) was used to measure pro-social behaviors, and Rigby Running Records (Rigby, 2010) was used to assess reading skills. A series of analyses of variance (ANOVAs) were performed to deter mine whether or not there were statistically significant differences between the treatment and comparison group. An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using a pretest score as the covariate was performed to test significance in the difference of reading scores. Results indicate a statistically significant increase in pro-social with peers behaviors, as well as statistically significant decreases in hyperactive and distractible behaviors as well as excluded by peers indicators for the treatment group.

Recovery from alcoholism and substance abuse has had an ignominious history. There does not appear to be any statistics that stand up to any rigorous fact-checking which show how well treatment centers do at helping their clients to stay sober. Statistics that are used to show success rates are not considered credible and they are shockingly low. Despite these issues, substance abuse research has failed to link the historical knowledge of why people stay sober for long periods of time with what is being taught in treatment centers in hopes of creating a better, more accurate outcome. The qualitative, phenomenological research study was conducted to ascertain whether a treatment center was teaching the curriculum components that prior research studies had found allowed an addict or alcoholic to stay sober for 20 plus years. Twelve volunteer participants (i.e., nine clients and three counselors), at a treatment center located in Southeast Florida, were interviewe d regarding their perceptions of the curricula being taught in the treatment center. Patterns emerged with the clients regarding their perceptions of spirituality and 12-step programs, believing that spirituality and 12-step programs were significantly emphasized in treatment and that they were very important to their recovery when they left treatment. Counselors agreed with this finding, but felt stronger about the importance of family and social support than did the clients. Overall, the clients felt that what was emphasized in treatment was important to their recovery and intended to use their new knowledge in helping them stay sober. Implications for treatment centers and recommendations for future studies are discussed.

The purpose of the current outcome study was to determine the impact of Student Success Skills (SSS) classroom guidance lessons on the Academic Behaviors (motivation, social engagement, self-regulation) and Key Learning Skills and Techniques associated with college-career readiness (CCR) indicators for Grade 5 students (ACT, 2008a; Brigman & Webb, 2012; Conley, 2010; Robbins, Allen, Casillas, Peterson, & Le, 2006). School counselors in the treatment schools were trained in the implementation of the SSS classroom program and subsequently taught the material to Grade 5 students. Comparison school counselors conducted business as usual. The study applied a quasi-experimental pre/post1/post2 design utilizing student self-report instruments (Student Engagement in School Success Skills Survey [SESSS], Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire [MSLQ]), and a teacher survey instrument (Student Participation Questionnaire [SPQ]).

This study investigated the extent to which formal training in developing effective
case conceptualizations increased counselor competence among participants compared to
those who were not exposed to the training. A total of 145 counselor trainees were
recruited from three South Florida Universities. Participants in both the treatment group
and comparison group received a brief lecture on case conceptualization, while those in
the treatment group were trained to develop effective case conceptualizations using an
integrative model. The brief lecture effectively reduced myths about case
conceptualization for both the treatment and comparison group participants (p < 0.001).
Oneway ANOVA results showed the effectiveness of the specific training (p < 0.001).
The treatment group had a significantly higher mean score (M = 44.12; SD = 9.84) than
the comparison group (M = 24.23; SD = 8.29). There was no significant difference in
participants’ CCEF pre-test scores, therefore, they were treated as a non-treatment group
and compared to the CCEF post-test scores of the comparison group and treatment group.

This is the first study to investigate the relationship of perceived stress, religious coping styles, and mental health symptoms in university students within a single, faith- based institution. Students face a variety of stressors that may be directly, indirectly, or not related to the college experience. If these stressors are left unmanaged, there are multiple implications including reduced retention, declines in academic performance, physical health concerns, and mental health symptoms. University personnel are reporting increases in the number and severity of mental health symptoms presented by university students. This study investigated whether religious coping strategies provide a mediating effect on the relationship between stress and mental health symptoms. The sample was comprised of 209 undergraduate students, between the ages of 18-32, from a single faith-based university.

The purpose of the current outcome study was to investigate the difference in grade 9 completion rate and student engagement between grade 9 students in the treatment group who received the Student Success Sills (SSS) classroom program (Brigman & Webb, 2010) and grade 9 students in the comparison group who did not receive the SSS classroom program. The sample consisted of grade 9 students enrolled in Intensive Reading classes, a required course for all high school students in the state of Florida who are below reading proficiency. School A served as the treatment group (n=98) and School B served as the comparison group (n=99). Certified school counselors in the treatment group implemented five, 45 minute SSS lessons and three booster lessons after being trained in the manualized use of the program and other related study procedures. A quasi-experimental pretest posttest research design was employed to
examine the impact of the SSS classroom program on grade 9 completion rate and student engagement. The unit of analysis was individual grade 9 students. Grade 9 completion rate was measured by academic credits. Student engagement was measured by attendance rate and the Student Engagement in School Success Skills (SESSS) instrument.