Martin H. Ritchie

A meta-analysis of play therapy outcomes

A meta-analysis of play therapy outcomes with children was conducted to determine the overall effectiveness of play therapy and the variables related to effectiveness. Hierarchical linear modelling was used to analyse the data. The analysis showed an average treatment effect of 0.66 standard deviations. A strong relationship between treatment effectiveness and the inclusion of parents in the therapeutic process was reported. The duration of therapy also appeared to be related to treatment outcomes, with maximum effect sizes occurring after approximately 30 treatment sessions. Play therapy appeared to be as effective as non-play therapies in treating children experiencing emotional difficulties. Recommendations for future researchers focus on explaining therapeutic or participant characteristics that are related to treatment effectiveness.

Effectiveness of a group for parentally bereaved children

Abstract This study investigated the effects of a 6-week support group for middle school parentally bereaved children on self-esteem, depression, and problem behavior as well as self-beliefs about abilities to cope with loss. The Solomon four group design was used with data analyzed by using a two way analysis of variance (ANOVA) to determine the effect of the intervention as well as any interaction and for pretest effects. No statistically significant differences were found. Self-reports of group members and observations of the group leader suggested that the group did have a positive effect on members, Limitations are cited, and suggestions for future research are discussed.

Recruitment and screening of minors for group counseling

Abstract Group counseling with minors requires special considerations in the recruitment and screening process. Recruiting members involves advertising the group and soliciting referrals. Suggestions are offered to ensure that potential members are not labeled during recruitment. Pregroup screening may involve individual or group interviews. Counselors must ensure that prospective members will cooperate with one another and benefit from group counseling. General and specific characteristics for screening are discussed, as are contraindications for group counseling with children and adolescents. Ethical and legal issues involving informed consent, privacy, and parental involvement are discussed as they relate to treating minors in groups.

Animal-Assisted Therapy and Rogers’ Core Components Among Middle School Students Receiving Counseling Services: A Descriptive Study

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) is an effective counseling method, yet the reasons for this effectiveness are not well understood. It has been theorized but not empirically verified that AAT participants view therapy animals as possessing Carl Rogers’s core counselor characteristics (Friesen, 2010; Parish-Plass, 2008).This study examined the degree to which 312 middle school students in Grades 4 through 8 rated an AAT dog on Rogers’s core counselor characteristics using the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory (1962). The findings show that the AAT dog was rated highly on the 3 Rogerian traits level of regard, empathy, and congruence.

Perceived Leadership Preparation in Counselor Education Doctoral Students Who Are Members of the American Counseling Association in CACREP-Accredited Programs

The researchers examined the perceived leadership training of counselor education doctoral students (N = 228) regarding their leadership preparedness. The results indicated that the majority of the participants believed that they are receiving the training that will prepare them to be leaders in the domains of clinical counseling, research, teaching, clinical supervision, writing and publishing, professional advocacy, leading and managing people, and motivating others to accomplish a mission. Conversely, the findings suggest that the sample did not perceive that their training prepared them for leadership in the areas of managing an organization.

Development of a Screening Instrument for Post-Traumatic Symptoms

Traumatic events in Sri Lanka, such as a decade-long civil war and the 2004 tsunami, necessitate a language specific and time-efficient screening instrument for post-traumatic symptoms. The Sinhala version of the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (SIES-R) was administered to 438 adult participants. Internal consistency estimates for the total SIES-R and each subscales were acceptable (α = .70). A one-week test-retest reliability (n = 54) analysis provided evidence of temporal stability. Adjusted item-to-scale reliability estimates were less supportive. Confirmatory factor analysis using LISREL indicates a three factor structure best represents the SIES-R’s underlying factor structure. Results suggest the SIES-R as appropriate for screening of post-trauma symptoms in Sinhala speaking SriLankans in an urban area.

The effects of assessment-based and non-assessment-based factors on special education placement decisions

Abstract This study investigated the relative importance of assessment-based factors (attainment, IQ), and non-assessment-based factors (sex, age, reason for referral) on the placement recommendations of guidance officers (school psychologists) for children of borderline eligibility for special education services. Respondents were asked to recommend the most appropriate placement, from regular classroom to full-time special education class, and to rate the importance of the information presented in the case folder to their decision. Overall, 55% of the respondents recommended full-time special school placement and all of the respondents recommended some form of special education service. There were discrepancies between what guidance officers perceived as influencing their decisions and what actually influenced them. Assessment-based factors of attainment levels and IQ scores were perceived as most influential and sex was perceived as the least influential. Statistical analysis revealed that girls were si...