Daniel Gutierrez

Perspectiva Masculina An Exploration of Intimate Partners of Latina Breast Cancer Survivors

After receiving a cancer diagnosis, couples commonly face significant difficulties such as adjusting to new family roles, diminishing cohesion and communication, and increases in marital conflict. Latina breast cancer survivors report feeling less emotional support from their partners and an intimate partners’ level of distress can have a deleterious influence on the cancer survivor. The current study explores the influence of breast cancer on Latino male partners. Analysis of the data resulted in nine domains that provide significant insight into participant experiences. Results of this study also suggest several implications for counselors.

Centering prayer’s effects on psycho-spiritual outcomes: a pilot outcome study

ABSTRACT Centering prayer is a spiritual and religious form of meditation grounded in the history of Christian contemplative prayer. Despite its popularity, empirical research investigating centering prayer’s effects on psycho-spiritual outcomes is relative sparse. This pilot outcome study explored the effect of a centering prayer workshop on participants’ (N = 9) depression, anxiety, stress, spiritual transcendence, religious crisis, faith development, and mindfulness. Several significant changes were noted over the course of the six-week study, including decreased anxiety and stress, and increased faith development and mindfulness. Interestingly, we noted that participants likely also experienced a spiritual or religious struggle that follows the established spiritual development paradigm called the Dark Night of the Soul. The study did not include a control group, and so did not account for effects related to history, maturation, or regression to the mean. Nevertheless, the initial results prove promising to develop more sophisticated research programmes that replicate the study’s findings.

Mejorando Matrimonios Relationship Education as a Vehicle to Overcome Barriers for Hispanic Couples

Researchers have indicated that Hispanic couples and families experience high rates of mental health issues; however, they tend to underutilize mental health services due to cultural and structural barriers. One potential vehicle to overcoming barriers to mental health treatment for Hispanic couples is through engaging in marriage and relationship education (MRE). MRE, an empirically supported educational intervention, has been found to be effective for Hispanic couples. However, proper application of MRE warrants cultural sensitivity. To this extent, the purpose of this article is to provide an overview of barriers to mental health treatment and suggest several cultural considerations when facilitating MRE for Hispanic couples.

Gay and Lesbian Parents: An Exploration of Wellness, Sexual Orientation Identity, and Level of Outness

Wellness, outness, and sexual orientation identity were examined across multiple demographic categories in a large sample of gay and lesbian parents. No significant differences were found in terms of wellness. However, gay male parents reported higher need for protection, acceptance, internalized homophobia, and more difficult process of identity formation. Older parents reported a more difficult coming out process. Parents of color were less out to their faith communities, had higher identity confusion, but lower need for privacy.

Sexual Opinion Survey: An Exploratory Factor Analysis with Helping Professionals

Counselors and marriage and family therapists work with individuals, couples, and families on issues related to sexuality. However, clinicians may be underserving their clients by not having adequate training and preparation to work with clients with these presenting issues. One mitigating factor in the treatment of sexual problems is therapists’ comfort with discussing issues of sexuality. Therefore, researchers performed an exploratory factor analysis on the Sexual Opinion Survey with a sample of registered and licensed counselors and marriage and family therapists in the state of Florida (N = 813). The data analyses resulted in a five-factor, 21-item assessment that explained 58.71% of the variance. The researchers present how the SOS can be used as a tool in sexual education.

Evaluating Treatment Outcomes Using the Integrative Model of Brief Couples Counseling

Utilizing a community sample of 58 couples (116 individuals), we tested a brief couples counseling approach, the Integrative Model of Brief Couples Counseling (IMBCC). Participants received 4–6 sessions of couples counseling conducted by graduate students during their supervised field experience. We assessed participants’ marital adjustment and psychological distress at pretest and posttest. Results indicated significant decreases in psychological distress and improved marital adjustment following couples counseling utilizing the IMBCC. Further research utilizing randomized controls is suggested.

The Nature and Function of Meditation and Prayer in Childhood and Adolescence

This article explores the nature and function of meditation and prayer in childhood and adolescence. Research has consistently demonstrated that not only can meditation and prayer be practiced in these age ranges but that it is likely that youth already practice them or at least have had some exposure to them. We make the case that this is a critical area to understand to effectively apply the standards of competent clinical practice set forth by the Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC, 2009) in its Spiritual Competencies, while discussing the benefits, limitations, and implications of meditation and prayer in childhood and adolescence.

Healing Together Family Therapy Resource and Strategies for Increasing Attachment Security in Individuals Engaging in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury

Nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) has become increasingly common among teens and emerging adults. An individual may engage in NSSI for a variety of reasons from coping with emotional pain or as a distraction from difficult thoughts and painful memories. Although NSSI is a common presenting concern, those in supportive roles of clients struggle to understand the motivations to self-injure as well as how to include appropriate supportive family members in the counseling process for long-term healing. The purpose of this article is to (a) review attachment styles in conceptualizing NSSI, (b) discuss the value of including supportive caregivers/family members in treatment, and (c) provide an evidence-based summative list of suggestions for counselors to provide to caregivers. A case illustration is provided.

An Analysis of the Factor Structure and Validity of the Attitudes Toward Erotica Questionnaire With a Sample of Counseling Professionals

Researchers performed an exploratory factor analysis on the Attitudes Toward Erotica Questionnaire (ATEQ) and examined the construct and concurrent validity of the ATEQ data with a sample of practicing counselors and marriage and family therapists in the state of Florida (N = 373). The data analyses resulted in a two-factor, 10-item assessment (72.93% of the variance explained). The two factors of the ATEQ measured attitudes supporting the restriction of pornography and beliefs that pornography is exploitive.