Danica G. Hays

Best Practices in Clinical Supervision: Evolution of a Counseling Specialty

A number of developments have marked the evolution of clinical supervision as a separate specialty since publication of the Standards for Counseling Supervisors in 1990, including accreditation and counselor licensure standards, supervisor credentials, and research on supervision practice and supervisor training, nationally and internationally. Such developments culminated in the development of a statement of Supervision Best Practices Guidelines. The Guidelines are described, followed by suggestions for their implementation and further evolution through research.

From the Altar to the Internet: Married Men and their Online Sexual Behavior

The Internet has drastically changed the ways in which individuals interact sexually. Although research on online sexual behaviors has increased, there remains a lack of inquiry into the behaviors of married men. In this article, results from an online investigation with 508 heterosexually-married male participants are presented. In particular, sample sociodemographics are provided, types of online sexual behaviors are discussed, the relationship between marital satisfaction and number of extramarital sexual partners is explored, and patterns of self-disclosure to wife are reviewed. Suggestions for future research are provided.

Initial Development and Psychometric Data for the Privilege and Oppression Inventory.

Abstract The authors describe the development of the Privilege and Oppression Inventory, a measure that assesses counselors’ awareness of privilege and oppression along dimensions of race, sexual orientation, religion, and gender. Initial item development as well as psychometric information derived from factor analyses, reliability estimation, and validation procedures is presented.

South Asian Immigrant Women Who Have Survived Child Sexual Abuse: Resilience and Healing:

The current study is a phenomenological examination of the resilience strategies of South Asian immigrant women in the United States who survived child sexual abuse. Semistructured interviews (N = 5) and a focus group (N = 8) were analyzed to gain a deep structural understanding of participants’ experiences of child sexual abuse and resilience. Findings included four subthemes of South Asian context (strict gender socialization, maintenance of family image, influence of ethnic identity, acculturative stressors) and five subthemes of resilience strategies (use of silence, sense of hope, South Asian social support, social advocacy, intentional self-care). Research and practice implications are discussed.

Feminist Group Counseling with South Asian Women Who Have Survived Intimate Partner Violence

This article examines how to use a feminist approach in group counseling with South Asian women who have survived intimate partner violence (IPV). South Asian culture, including gender-role expectations and attitudes about family violence, is discussed. A case study detailing a feminist counseling group conducted with this population is presented. Strengths, limitations, and implications of utilizing feminist group work with this population are explored.

Addressing Social Justice Issues in Supervision: A Call for Client and Professional Advocacy

Given the increased awareness of the need for counselors to be social change agents to best meet the needs of the clients they serve, the counseling profession has adopted competencies and standards to guide advocacy efforts. Supervision offers a forum for facilitating the development of these necessary skills for effective advocacy. This article presents a three-tier model to assist supervisors in preparing future counselor advocates. Framed within a social constructivist epistemology, the model facilitates the examination of social justice issues relative to client advocacy and professional advocacy in relation to self-awareness, client services, and community collaboration. Supplemental activities follow.

A comprehensive model for optimizing empathy in person-centered care

OBJECTIVE This study examined perspectives regarding the use of empathy within medicine and developed a model to demonstrate the components of empathy in a medical setting. METHODS Grounded theory guided the methodology and final theory formation. Participants included 21 medical professionals representing multiple specialty areas and employed in a teaching hospital, private practice, or clinical setting in Eastern Virginia. Processes for transcription analysis and coding preserved participant perspectives and contributed to a final model. RESULTS Participant interviews revealed a seven-tier model that displays the facilitative conditions and potential barriers that may impact the full expression of empathy within the medical setting. Interviews also delineated between levels of empathy and described the benefits of providing empathic care, all of which are included in the final model. CONCLUSION This new model of empathy describes a complex and dynamic process and conceptualizes ideal conditions for empathic treatment. The model presents concepts that may be useful in medical education, and creates new directions for empathy research. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS Physicians can assess themselves along each level of the model and can use it to identify barriers as well as ensure optimal conditions for empathic treatment. This new conceptualization of empathy also has implications for medical training and directions for future research.

Self-Defined Empowerment for Gay and Lesbian Parents: A Qualitative Examination

In increasing numbers, lesbians and gay men are choosing to overcome societal barriers and fulfill their desire to become parents. The majority of empirical investigations with gay parents has focused on the adjustment of their children raised in non heterosexual homes. Less attention has been focused on the needs of the gay or lesbian parent. In this study, results from qualitative research investigating the empowerment needs of lesbian and gay parents are presented. Descriptors of empowerment are divided into external and internal factors.

Integrating Social Justice in Group Work: The Next Decade

Group work can be an effective outlet for facilitating client empowerment at individual and systemic levels. This article outlines strategies for increasing attention to social justice issues in group work over the next decade within education, training, supervision, practice, and research. Drawing from historical perspectives, current literature, and experience as social justice-minded scholars, educators, and practitioners, the authors describe numerous and unique opportunities as well as potential challenges for group workers engaging in social justice advocacy and practice. Topics explored include consciousness raising, group empowerment, community organizing, definitions of social justice, attribution theory, and sociopolitical identity development.

A Content Analysis of Intimate Partner Violence Assessments

With approximately 30% of individuals of various cultural identities experiencing intimate partner violence (IPV) in their lifetimes, it is imperative that professional counselors engage in effective assessment practices and be aware of the limitations of available IPV assessments. A content analysis of 38 IPV assessments was conducted, yielding seven themes and related limitations: relationship context, forms of abuse, immediate risk indicators, family dynamics, degree of support, assessment structure, and psychometric information. Additionally, global limitations of IPV assessments as well as implications for practice and research are outlined.