Heather C. Trepal

A Grounded Theory of Relational Competencies and Creativity in Counseling: Beginning the Dialogue

Counselors and counselor educators are ethically bound to lifelong development of knowledge and skills that promote personal growth and relational development. The Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) was established on the principles of relational-cultural theory (RCT), which addresses the role of relational competency in growth-fostering relationships. One of the associations principal goals is to identify and define specific relational competencies that support creative, innovative, inclusive, and relational practice. This article describes the initial research findings of a grounded theory study designed to explore the views and experiences of active ACC members concerning creativity and growth-fostering relational experiences, connections, and disconnections. The role of power is also discussed.

Self-Injury and Postvention: Responding to the Family in Crisis:

Postvention actions are commonly employed after completed suicides and suicide attempts but can be adapted to assist affected family members in dealing with other types of crisis. The authors adapt a postvention model to be applied to systemically working with families who have a member engaging in self-injurious behavior. Recommendations for counselors who work with youth who self-injure and their families are provided.

Interactive E-Journaling in Group Work: Perspectives from Counselor Trainees.

This qualitative study explores the dynamics of exchanging e-journals among counseling trainees who participated in an interpersonal growth group. Interviews were conducted with participants who discussed the influence of e-journals on their group experience. E-journaling extended the group both spatially and temporally, and participants reported how exchanging e-journals differed from and complemented face-to-face group interaction. Recommendations and directions for using e-journals as an adjunct in group work for counselor trainees are provided.

Nonsuicidal Self-Injury: Exploring the Connection Among Race, Ethnic Identity, and Ethnic Belonging

This study examined race and ethnic identity in relation to nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). Participants included freshmen at 2 universities, who were predominantly female. Final inferential statistics examined differences across Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Asian American, and Multiracial students, finding African Americans and Asian Americans having significantly lower NSSI engagement than all other racial groups, and no other significant differences across groups. After controlling for depression and anxiety, a sense of ethnic belonging was significantly related to NSSI engagement. Cultural implications exist for working with college students who self-injure.

The confluence of technology and narrative approaches in group work: Techniques and suggestions for using interactive e-journals

Abstract This article illustrates procedures for using e-journals as a creative and adjunctive approach in group work. Incorporating e-mail based journaling as an ancillary form of group interaction allows members to communicate via written channels, and creates new ways for clients to relate in the group. This article outlines how leaders can use narrative theory to construct e-mail based writing exercises in group settings. Borrowing from established narrative techniques, specific interventions are provided for using interactive e-mails in each group stage. Finally, detailed instructions for establishing encrypted and confidential e-mail communications are provided, and implications and limitations for establishing e-mail based communication systems are overviewed.

Miscarriage: A Dream Interrupted.

Abstract Pregnancy is a developmental task that requires women to become accustomed to inherent and sometimes profound biological, somatic, and psychological changes. When pregnancy is interrupted by miscarriage, it may become a pivotal crisis point in the development of a womans maternal identity as well as an issue in family development. This manuscript will discuss the growing body of literature that addresses the emotional and psychological impact of miscarriage, as well as concomitant attachment issues and present therapeutic and treatment implications for counselors working with women and their partners. Pregnancy is a developmental task that requires women to become accustomed to inherent and sometimes profound biological, somatic, and psychological changes. When pregnancy is interrupted by miscarriage, it may become a pivotal crisis point in the development of a womans maternal identity as well as an issue in family development. This manuscript will discuss the growing body of literature that addresses the emotional and psychological impact of miscarriage, as well as concomitant attachment issues and present therapeutic and treatment implications for counselors working with women and their partners.

Wellness of Counselor Educators: Do We Practice What We Preach?

ABSTRACT Wellness of counselor educators has remained relatively unexamined in the literature. Eleven counselor educators were interviewed to investigate the meaning of wellness to those in the profession as well as factors that affect counselor educator wellness. Phenomenological analysis of the interviews resulted in three themes (time, congruence, and professional supports). Implications for counselor educators and future research are discussed.

Factors Linked With Increases in Nonsuicidal Self-Injury A Case Study

This case study explored eight clients in outpatient mental health counseling who reported engaging in nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI) within the 90 days prior to intake. Information on client self-injury, psychological symptoms, and coping behaviors were collected from clients at intake and termination. At program termination, counselors’ treatment methods, number of sessions, and credentials were collected. To explore changes in NSSI during counseling, descriptive statistics and frequencies were used. Most clients decreased or extinguished self-injury behaviors by termination, while two clients increased. Problem-focused and avoidant coping strategies appeared to differentiate clients who decreased from clients who increased self-injurious behaviors by termination.