Joan L. Biever

The Effectiveness of Solution-Focused Therapy With Children in a School Setting

Objective: This study examined the effectiveness of solution-focused therapy with children in a school setting using AB single-case designs. Method: The research team provided 5 to 10 sessions of solution-focused therapy services to seven children who were referred with learning disabilities and classroom behavioral problems. Data from Conners Teacher Rating Scales were analyzed using visual analysis of the data in relationship to clinical change scores, effect sizes, and improved percentage scores. Results: Results indicate that solution-focused therapy was followed by positive changes on a range of behavioral problems. Conclusions: Solution-focused therapy shows promise for helping special education students with their academic difficulties and classroom behaviors.

Spanish-English Bilingual Psychotherapists: Personal and Professional Language Development and Use

The rapid rise of the Spanish-speaking population in the United States has resulted in an increased demand for Spanish language mental health services. Yet little is known about the training needs of practitioners who provide those services. This qualitative study used in-depth telephone interviews to examine the experiences of 13 Spanish-English bilingual therapists, both native Spanish speakers and heritage speakers of Spanish, in their personal and professional language development and use. The phenomenological analysis highlighted the complexities of living in 2 worlds and providing psychological services in 2 languages. Participants reported that they often felt isolated and disconnected as they struggled to learn and use the 2 languages in their personal and professional lives. While the participants took pride in having the skills of speaking 2 languages and serving a community that is in need, all were aware of their limitations when working bilingually, as they had not received training to do so. Translating their own thoughts during the session, using technical vocabulary, and understanding the variations of Spanish were particularly challenging for the participants who were heritage speakers.

The role of language in training psychologists to work with Hispanic clients.

The increasing number of Spanish and English bilingual and Spanish-dominant clients requesting psychological services creates challenges for practitioners and agencies. Literature regarding the importance of the Spanish language in providing service to Hispanic clients is reviewed. It is argued that services to Spanish-speaking clients are frequently inadequate because of the lack of training in the use of Spanish in professional settings. A model for training psychologists to provide psychological services in Spanish is presented along with recommendations for practitioners who are struggling with the dilemma of providing services in a language other than that of their professional training.

Therapy with intercultural couples: A postmodern approach

Abstract Intercultural couples may present many dilemmas for therapists. It is suggested that ideas from postmodern narrative therapy such as adopting a collaborative, curious stance, generating alternative understandings, encouraging a both/and stance, and searching for liberating traditions within each culture may be helpful with therapists working with intercultural couples

The social construction of gender: A comparison of feminist and postmodern approaches.

Abstract In recent years feminist theory has influenced the psychology of women and related conceptualizations concering counselling and psychotherapy. A related development has been the wide proliferation of postmodernism and social constructionism in psychotherapy practice. This paper discussed both feminist and social constructionist influences on counselling practice, emphasizing the conceptualizations of gender as defined by each of these perspectives. Similarities and differences between perspectives are highlighted. Applications to counselling and psychotherapy are illustrated through a case study.

Ofreciendo Terapia En El Idioma De Preferencia Del Cliente: El Modelo De Preparación Profesional Calificada En Dos Idiomas De Ollu

Providing therapy in a language other than the language in which therapists were trained is a complex and challenging task. Ethical dilemmas are created when therapists are asked to provide services in a second language and do not feel professionally competent to do so. If they do not work with the clients, services may be delayed or denied; however, if they do, they may be practicing outside of their area of competence. The Psychological Services for Spanish-Speaking Populations (PSSSP) program was developed to address this dilemma by increasing participants’ language and cultural competence when providing services in Spanish.. This chapter discusses dilemmas faced by mental health practitioners who offer services in more than one language, the development of the PSSSP program, and the current curriculum. Reflections from graduates of the program on their experiences during and after the PSSSP program highlight the effect of the program on graduates’ professional development.