Yvonne Garza

The Therapeutic Use of Journaling With Adolescents

In this article, we discuss and provide an example of journaling in the context of counseling, focusing on its application with adolescents. A script to be read by the therapist is included with prompts for self-reflection and journaling by the client. The excerpts presented are the actual journal reflections taken from a teenagers journal. The proposed technique has been used with positive results with adolescents in a clinical setting. Additionally, we provide suggestions for expanding the concept of journaling to expressive artwork.

Filial Therapy with Victims of Family Violence: a Phenomenological Study

This research study examined the perceptions of parents, and victims of domestic violence, after receiving filial therapy. Specifically, parents were trained in a 10-week filial therapy model, Child–Parent Relationship Training. At the completion of the study, parents were given a semi-structured, open-ended style interview to gather information about their experiences. Themes emerged from the data participants provided, such as: experiencing increased warmth and trust in the child–parent relationship, changed parenting style, and decreased parental stress. Additionally, narratives reflect the positive influence the training had on parents’ perceptions of violence. A summary of the essence of the parent’s experiences is included.

Filial Therapy: A Process for Developing Strong Parent-Child Relationships

According to the most recent U.S. Surgeon Generals report on mental health, it is crucial for family counselors to use parents and families as partners in delivery of mental health services for children. Filial therapy, a unique, evidenced-based approach, may be useful for fulfilling the aforementioned mandate because filial therapy teaches parents to be the primary therapeutic agent of change in the lives of their children. This article overviews the basic principles and procedures of filial therapy training and provides a case study illustrating this strategy for building strong parent-child relationships.

The Use of Sandtray in Solution-Focused Supervision

Counselors-in-training are in a unique position to begin bridging theory with practice. Supervision and strong supervisory relationships allow supervisees to verbalize and explore goals, case conceptualizations, and client relationships. Solution-focused supervision, like solution-focused counseling, maintains that supervisees build upon times of success for insight and goal setting. Likewise, the modality of sandtray in supervision allows for supervisees to freely express and explore personal and professional growth as counselors. In this article, we advocate the interface of solution-focused techniques and the use of sandtray to facilitate and enhance counselor supervision.

Biblically based parenting and child-parent relationship training: common ground for helping religious clients

The purpose of this article was to demonstrate the interface between biblically based parenting and an empirically validated parenting model. Specifically, the authors compared the relationship between Child-Parent Relationship Trainings (CPRT) theoretical tenets and values espoused by families utilising biblically based parenting practices. The authors propose that certain constructs of CPRT, from theoretical tenets to techniques, interface with important biblically based parenting values of many religious families. The authors purport that this common ground will allow clinicians to utilise the foundational ideas and practical techniques of the CPRT model for specific work with religious clients seeking biblically based parenting education.

Student Perceptions of Sandtray in Solution-Focused Supervision

Sandtray supervision and solution-focused supervision (SFS) are both strengths-based approaches that may be effective in helping counselor trainees reduce their anxiety and develop clinical self-confidence. The purpose of this collective case study was to explore how a group of practicum students with a school counseling emphasis experienced a blending of sandtray and solution-focused supervision (SFS) approaches. Participants described how the blended approach fostered group cohesiveness in their supervision and promoted both personal and professional development. Participants indicated more awareness of the impact of sandtray than the influence of the solution-focused approach in their supervision.