Jane A. Cox

Is Counseling Going to the Dogs? An Exploratory Study Related to the Inclusion of an Animal in Group Counseling with Adolescents

Abstract Research has demonstrated that the use of animals in counseling provides beneficial effects to clients. This article presents literature on Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT), and details an exploratory study that applied AAT in an adolescent anger management group. Consistent with other research, beneficial effects noted in this study included a calming effect on the adolescents, humor relief during sessions, increased feelings of safety in the group, experiencing empathy, and motivation to attend sessions. Implications of the research and practical applications are provided, including considerations for using AAT in the counseling process.

Sexual violence counselors’ reflections on supervision: Using stories to mitigate vicarious traumatization

The use of stories as a therapeutic tool is well established in the mental health field. Several theoretical approaches to counseling, for example, psychoanalytic or narrative, use stories in creative ways to help individuals explore personal experience and make meaning. The authors investigate how trauma counselors can use stories in supervision to help diminish the effects of vicarious traumatization. This study is a basic interpretive analysis of semi-structured interviews conducted with nine sexual violence counselors. The investigation focused on elements of stories identified by the participants as well as interpretive applications arrived at by the researcher. The authors conclude with suggestions for using stories in supervision including a discussion of a fairy tale that highlights the participants’ experiences.

The Use of Phototherapy in Couples and Family Counseling

ABSTRACT Couples and family counselors have a long history of using creative techniques with their clients. Counselors can use creative arts to help clients express deep emotions, gain self-awareness, and move toward individual and family goals. There are numerous ways in which counselors can incorporate creative strategies in their work with couples and families. This article provides an overview of the creative technique of phototherapy, which uses family photos and home movies to explore family dynamics. An illustrative example is provided.

Offenders Who Are Mothers with and without Experience in Prostitution: Differences in Historical Trauma, Current Stressors, and Physical and Mental Health Differences

BACKGROUND Women offenders are a growing population in the criminal justice system; most are mothers. A subset of these women have a history of prostitution. Despite more recent research identifying the needs of women offenders who are mothers, those with and without experience in prostitution are still generally represented in the literature as a homogenous group. METHODS This study examined the differences between mothers who indicated that they had engaged in prostitution with those who had not. The data were from a survey of offending mothers in a Midwestern city and was based on 889 respondents. Approximately 20% of the women indicated that they had engaged in prostitution at some point in their lives. FINDINGS Mothers with histories of prostitution reported more exposure to violence, witnessing crime, living in areas with high drug activity, and having a higher rate of physical and mental health problems. CONCLUSIONS Health care professionals who interact with mothers in the criminal justice system who have histories of prostitution should be careful to assess for a history of trauma and its psychological consequences. Along with increased health care needs, interventions are needed to help these women obtain basic needs such as stable housing outside of high crime and high drug-use areas and to receive targeted psychological services that respond to the unique trauma suffered by this subpopulation of offenders.

The Career Counseling Needs of Mothers in the Criminal Justice System.

The past 2 decades have produced a rapid increase in the numbers of incarcerated mothers. This study investigated both career development and the career counseling needs of mothers in the criminal justice system. A mixed-methods design was employed using both qualitative interviews (n = 1,161) and quantitative survey methods (n = 1,170). Identified needs included counseling regarding continuing education and vocational training, access to health care, and counseling to recover from work in the sex trade.

Harlene Anderson: A Conversation on Language Systems in Therapy and Training

In this article, the use of language systems in psychotherapyis discussed. Harlene Anderson was interviewed with regard to her knowledge and use of language systems inpsychotherapy.

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling Needs of Mothers in the Criminal Justice System

This study investigated the mental health needs of mothers in the criminal justice system using qualitative methods. Identified needs included counseling to help mothers recover from trauma, to define sense of self, and to link them with external support systems.