Paul F. Granello

Measuring treatment outcomes and client satisfaction in a partial hospitalization program

Mental health practitioners are increasingly being called on to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment they provide. The partial hospitalization component of the mental health industry also has felt this call for outcome research. This article presents the results of one programs attempts to answer that call through an assessment of treatment outcome and client satisfaction at a partial hospitalization program. Participants (N=287) were evaluated at admission, discharge, and 3-month follow-up. The article outlines the procedures used for assessment and uses the results as an example of the type of data that can be obtained through outcomes measurement. The article is intended to provide an example of program evaluation that is easy and inexpensive to administer.

Integrating Wellness Work into Mental Health Private Practice

Abstract The American publics interest in wellness has grown considerably. Thisarticle offers an introduction to incorporating wellness methods into private practice. A parallel is made between the use of theory, assessment, and treatment planning in traditional practice and a practice that has a wellness focus. Examples of wellness models are introduced, two wellness assessment instruments associated with the models are presented. The transtheoretical model of change is reviewed in relation to its utility of working with a client on wellness issues. Finally, a case study is given to illustrate the use of wellness methods with a client.

Measuring Treatment Outcome in a Child and Adolescent Partial Hospitalization Program

Mental health practitioners are increasingly being called upon to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment they provide. The partial hospitalization component of the mental health industry has also felt this call for outcome research. This article presents the results of assessments of treatment outcome at a child and adolescent partial hospitalization program. The research design was an effectiveness study, a type of clinical outcome evaluation. Subjects were evaluated at admission and discharge, using the Revised Behavior Problem Checklist. The article is intended both to demonstrate the effectiveness of a partial hospitalization program and to provide an example of program evaluation that is easy and inexpensive to administer.

Therapeutic Alliance: A Review of Sampling Strategies Reported in Marital and Family Therapy Studies:

Therapeutic alliance is considered important for successful counseling. Alliances between a therapist and couples or family members become complicated because of multiple interactions. This literature review examines sample size, participant assignment, and generalizability in 19 marital and family therapy studies on therapeutic alliance published 1989 through 2003. Eleven studies had inadequate sample sizes. Most of the assignment strategies include convenience and purposive samples conducted with YAVIS (young, adult, verbal, intelligent, stable) populations. Studies lacked diversity in participant demographics and treatment sources. None of the studies factor how therapist experience and therapeutic setting affect therapeutic alliances. These studies do support therapeutic alliance as an integral part of marital and family counseling, theory, and assessment.

Confronting Sex in the Media: Implications and Counseling Recommendations

The media greatly influences the sexual development of our youth and impacts society on a macro level. The messages that the media sends to our youth are contradictory to what families and professionals, such as educators and counselors, attempt to instill in our youth. This article addresses the urgent need for parents, educators, and counselors to address the messages ingrained in the media about sex and sexuality through the use of accurate media representation, the development of media literacy among youth, and open communication between youth and adults.

Motivation for movement: Influences for walking event participation

Background: There is widespread evidence of the health and wellness benefits associated with moderate physical activity, and lack of engagement with these behaviours remains a significant contributor to the burden of chronic disease in the US adult population. There are clear benefits to identifying motivational factors that facilitate increased personal adherence to physical activity behaviours. Objective: This study explored motivational influences on personal adherence to physical activity by examining the factors related to the behaviours of participants in an organised walking event. Design: Cross-sectional survey involving items for demographic variables, walking habits, perceived wellness, fulfilment of psychological needs, presence of chronic illness and motives for physical activity. Setting: The study sample included participants in a large US Midwestern walking event (N = 345) across a variety of demographic characteristics. Method: Study participants completed an online survey that gathered information related to personal demographics, behaviours and sources of motivation as measured by the Motives for Physical Activity Measure–Revised scale. This instrument was developed within the context of self-determination theory to measure different motives for implementing behaviours associated with physical activity. Results: Findings revealed different intrinsic (competence, enjoyment and social) and extrinsic (fitness and appearance) motivational influences on participation in walking events that varied based upon demographic characteristics. Conclusion: Motives for participation in walking events, as a mode of health promotion, are influenced by demographic characteristics and health states, and may be relevant for focused efforts to promote engagement with physical activity programming.

Suicide risk assessment: Clinical aphorisms

S risk assessment involves a complex set of skills that requires knowledge, training and experience. Mental health professionals who conduct such assessments need concrete, practical information on suicide assessment in order to conduct culturally and developmentally appropriate suicide risk assessments. In general, the determination of suicide risk is based on a comprehensive assessment of individual risk factors and warning signs as well as a careful appraisal of protective factors that can work to mitigate the risk. Much of the research emphasizes the content of suicide risk assessment and instead of the principles that guide the process of assessment. The presenter’s own research, clinical experience and comprehensive reviews of the literature reveal a dozen overarching principles that guide the implementation of suicide assessment, regardless of setting, population or specific type or method of assessment used. These clinical aphorisms guide the work of individuals who engage in suicide assessment, becoming a part of the expert thinking that directs the process. Taken together, they can form a foundation for the process of suicide risk assessment. Ultimately, a comprehensive and thorough suicide risk assessment is the cornerstone of appropriate and effective interventions with suicidal individuals.

Ezines: A Constructivist Instructional Activity for Teaching Diagnosis and Psychopathology

ABSTRACT Ezines (electronic zines) are independently made, online publications that can provide creative, pedagogical possibilities for constructivist learning in counselor education and, specifically, the diagnosis class. Making ezines about mental disorders and psychopathology allows students to engage in active learning about important topics while incorporating such constructivist principles as meaning and knowledge construction, multiple perspectives, and contextual thinking. The purpose of this article is to describe an innovative, constructivist learning strategy that involves the use of ezines in teaching diagnosis and psychopathology.