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Research Interests: Psychology, Clinical Psychology, Social Work, School Social Work, Pediatric Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, and 7 moreIntervention, Psychological Intervention, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), School Social Work & Counselling, School Based Social Work, and Obsessive Compulsive
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This chapter describes bibliotherapy, an intervention based on the tenets of cognitive-behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, as a developmentally appropriate strategy to address grieving children’s emotional needs.... more
This chapter describes bibliotherapy, an intervention based on the tenets of cognitive-behavioral therapy and solution-focused therapy, as a developmentally appropriate strategy to address grieving children’s emotional needs. Bibliotherapy incorporates literature into the counseling process to address four basic tasks of grief. This chapter discusses key guidelines for implementing a bibliotherapy lesson with bereaved youth. The importance of selecting books and develop activities that align with the bereaved child’s developmental needs, the family’s cultural and religious beliefs, and other facets of the child’s experience is highlighted. The chapter includes recommended books and associated activities that address the tasks of grief and facilitate children’s expression of feelings. A sample bibliotherapy lesson plan is included.
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Language Translation for Mental Health Materials: A Comparison of Current Back-Translation and Skopostheorie-Based Methods Amelia Kathleen Black Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, BYU Doctor of Philosophy As mental... more
Language Translation for Mental Health Materials: A Comparison of Current Back-Translation and Skopostheorie-Based Methods Amelia Kathleen Black Department of Counseling Psychology and Special Education, BYU Doctor of Philosophy As mental health professionals seek to disseminate information in many languages in order to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population, it is important to consider the methods of written translation that the field is choosing to employ. The method chosen for translation can affect the accuracy and usability of the translated text. This study begins with a survey of current literature, the results of which suggest that the most popular translation method in the mental health field is back-translation, a translation method based in the premise that translating a text back into its original English after it has been translated into a second language provides an accurate indication of the success of the translation. This study then compares back-trans...
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Acknowledgement of Reviewers for SPI, 2017: The Editorial team at School Psychology International (SPI) journal would like to acknowledge the following colleagues who reviewed articles for the journal in 2017. We appreciate the time and... more
Acknowledgement of Reviewers for SPI, 2017: The Editorial team at School Psychology International (SPI) journal would like to acknowledge the following colleagues who reviewed articles for the journal in 2017. We appreciate the time and expertise devoted to these reviews, which have substantially improved the quality of the journal. School Psychology International 2018, Vol. 39(2) 214 ! The Author(s) 2018 Reprints and permissions: sagepub.co.uk/journalsPermissions.nav DOI: 10.1177/0143034318755440 journals.sagepub.com/home/spi
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For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. School-aged youth that struggle with suicidal thoughts often express their feelings to peers and some trusted adults. Generally, these trusted adults... more
For youth between the ages of 10 and 24, suicide is the third leading cause of death. School-aged youth that struggle with suicidal thoughts often express their feelings to peers and some trusted adults. Generally, these trusted adults work in school settings. Potentially, teachers and staff can serve as vital gatekeepers to identify and support students who struggle with suicide ideation. In particular, paraeducators, who are often seen as less of an authority figure, become easier to approach due to the personal relationships created in small groups and one-on-one interactions with students. If trained in suicide prevention, paraeducators, who work closely with students and are part of the local community, could become an important gatekeeper. The current study sought to investigate paraeducators ’ perceptions of the following questions: (a) Are paraeducators approached by students with suicide ideation? and (b) How are paraeducators
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Research Interests: Psychology, Death Studies, Silence, Bibliotherapy, Medicine, and 3 moreFocus Group, Grief, and workbook
Given the increasing number of Chinese international students attending American universities, it is important to consider potential problems arising during their initial transition period, and their experiences acculturating into the... more
Given the increasing number of Chinese international students attending American universities, it is important to consider potential problems arising during their initial transition period, and their experiences acculturating into the American culture and educational system. Thirteen Chinese international students participated in qualitative interviews conducted in participant’s native language, Mandarin Chinese. Data analysis followed the hermeneutic circle. Based on their personal perspectives, participants reported their experiences encountered during their initial transition into the U.S. They described how they made sense of their experiences and how their ways of thinking and behaving changed as a result of being influenced by their experiences interfacing with U.S. culture. Participants also shared their strategies they perceived as helpful in specific situations. Based on an analysis of participants’ interviews, emerging themes included (a) difficulties and challenges they faced as new immigrants, (b) differences they encountered with respect to their homeland and the new environment, including language/communication, culture, academic study and learning, living in the U.S., and psychological adjustments, (c) positive growth they acknowledged from facing challenges and adapting to their new environment, and (d) help they received from a variety of individuals and organizations. Additionally, participants offered suggestions to future Chinese international students, emphasizing the importance of more proactively seeking and receiving assistance. Implications for American universities, including counseling centers, to more actively assist and include Chinese international students are also discussed. An increased understanding of and sensitivity to international students’ challenges will help professionals strengthen outreach services.
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Few research studies have examined how screening outcomes may be different or similar for males and females, despite evidence that male students outnumber female students in special education populations and are more likely to experience... more
Few research studies have examined how screening outcomes may be different or similar for males and females, despite evidence that male students outnumber female students in special education populations and are more likely to experience school failure. During the 3 years of this study, 15,932 students in Grades 6 through 9 were screened with the use of a modified version of the Systematic Screening for Behavior Disorders (SSBD). Within this period, 1,065 nominations were collected for students identified as at risk for internalizing and externalizing problems, of which 77.4% were male. The average ratio of males to females nominated was approximately 5:1 for externalizing behaviors, 2:1 for internalizing behaviors, and 3:1 for total nominations. Reliability coefficients on the Adaptive and Maladaptive scales from the SSBD Stage 2 were comparable for both genders as determined by Fisher’s z tests. On the Adaptive scale, female students tended to be rated higher by their teachers. A ...
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Two important questions arise when creating a school crisis plan: (a) Who should be trained as part of the crisis team? and (b) What type of training will be the most effective and practical? The authors suggest that paraprofessionals are... more
Two important questions arise when creating a school crisis plan: (a) Who should be trained as part of the crisis team? and (b) What type of training will be the most effective and practical? The authors suggest that paraprofessionals are a valuable resource to consider for assisting with crisis prevention and intervention. Practical suggestions are made for preparing paraprofessionals to assist in this role.
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Sexual harassment is commonplace in schools, particularly among adolescents. Although information on this topic is typically gathered from students and teachers, this study collected information from school bus drivers. Based on feedback... more
Sexual harassment is commonplace in schools, particularly among adolescents. Although information on this topic is typically gathered from students and teachers, this study collected information from school bus drivers. Based on feedback from 58 school bus drivers, 39 (67%) ...
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Utah licensed special educators who were randomly selected completed a survey regarding their observations of and personal experiences with student-to-adult and adult-to-adult sexual harassment in the school setting (52% return rate, n=... more
Utah licensed special educators who were randomly selected completed a survey regarding their observations of and personal experiences with student-to-adult and adult-to-adult sexual harassment in the school setting (52% return rate, n= 129). Comparable to adult-to-adult sexual harassment in other work settings, almost 40% reported being the target of sexual harassment. A total of 74% of those incidents were perpetrated by students. A higher percentage of male teachers reported personal incidents of student-to-adult sexual harassment. Similar to student-to-student sexual harassment, most student-to-adult incidents consisted of verbal, not physical harassment. Based on survey results and best practice, recommendations are made to assist special educators and administrators in identifying sexual harassment, reporting incidents, and effectively intervening. Most importantly, a positive school climate of respectful behavior is emphasized in preventing sexual harassment.
Research Interests: Psychology and Aggression
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(Adams, Smith, Bolt, & Nolten, 2007). General education classrooms primarily serve most students identified as having OCD (Adams et al., 2007). Students with OCD need developmentally appropriate treatments to address... more
(Adams, Smith, Bolt, & Nolten, 2007). General education classrooms primarily serve most students identified as having OCD (Adams et al., 2007). Students with OCD need developmentally appropriate treatments to address their needs (Freeman et al., 2007). Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medication are effective in reducing OCD symptoms in children and adolescents (Cameron & Region, 2007; Carter & Pollock, 2000). The premise of CBT is that thoughts and feelings have a close link to behavior. Simply stated, ...
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This study focused on Utah school psychologists’ self-reported job satisfaction and reasons for remaining in the profession. Based on surveys completed by 69 school psychologists (58% return rate), the top five reasons for staying in... more
This study focused on Utah school psychologists’ self-reported job satisfaction and reasons for remaining in the profession. Based on surveys completed by 69 school psychologists (58% return rate), the top five reasons for staying in their profession were feeling the success and joy of helping students, working one-on-one with students, counseling with students, taking vacation time during summers and holidays, and the population of students with whom they work. The results indicated that school psychologists enjoy their job, perceive their work as important, and express a desire to stay in the profession. In light of existing shortages, these results are encouraging. However, it is important to further explore and implement strategies to attract new school psychologists and retain currently employed school psychologists. The participants responded to the question, what could be done at the school, district, state, and national levels to keep them employed as school psychologists. The most frequently suggested strategy across all levels was increased salary. Other strategies included improved communication with other school personnel, increased recognition and respect, and more public promotion of the profession.
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School psychologists (N 276, 81% return rate) were surveyed regarding the following aspects of crisis intervention: (a) university preparation, (b) continuing professional development, and (c) current involvement with school crisis plans... more
School psychologists (N 276, 81% return rate) were surveyed regarding the following aspects of crisis intervention: (a) university preparation, (b) continuing professional development, and (c) current involvement with school crisis plans and crisis teams. Of those receiving ...
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Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neurobiological condition affecting 1 of every 200 school-age children. OCD greatly affects students’ academic, behavioral, and social functioning, and it can lead to additional problem such as... more
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a neurobiological condition affecting 1 of every 200 school-age children. OCD greatly affects students’ academic, behavioral, and social functioning, and it can lead to additional problem such as depression. To effectively collaborate with other individuals providing appropriate support to students with OCD, teachers need to understand this disorder, particularly its manifestations in school settings. This article addresses typical manifestations of OCD in school settings and provides general and specific accommodations for teachers to implement in their classrooms.
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Bullying, a serious issue in today's schools, negatively impacts children. This article summarizes research and emphasizes the need for effective tools, such as bibliotherapy, to deter bullying. To assist professionals in selecting... more
Bullying, a serious issue in today's schools, negatively impacts children. This article summarizes research and emphasizes the need for effective tools, such as bibliotherapy, to deter bullying. To assist professionals in selecting books for bibliotherapy, 38 bully-themed children's K-3 picture books ranked 1-4 by The Horn Book Guide (HBG) from January 1, 2004 through January 1, 2010 were analyzed. Comparisons were made between the selected books' portrayals of bullying and aspects of bullying, and bully prevention ...
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APA PsycNET Our Apologies! - The following features are not available with your current Browser configuration. - alerts user that their session is about to expire - display, print, save, export, and email selected records - get My ...
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School safety, a major concern for students, parents, and school staff, is also a key issue for state and federal legislators who develop educational guidelines and standards. This article summarizes early disasters and the subsequent... more
School safety, a major concern for students, parents, and school staff, is also a key issue for state and federal legislators who develop educational guidelines and standards. This article summarizes early disasters and the subsequent impact on school-based crisis intervention and safety plans. In particular, children’s mental health services are emphasized as a critical component of crisis intervention. Additionally, based on feedback from State Departments of Education, the current status of school crisis planning across the United States is summarized. [Brief Treatment and Crisis Intervention 7:206–223 (2007)]
Research Interests: History, Medicine, Safety, Crisis, Legislation, and 4 moreSchool, United States, Key words, and Mental health services
ABSTRACT Because of the massive literature base describing, analyzing, and researching child maltreatment, practitioners are challenged to boil this information down into evidence-based practice that ultimately improves prevention and... more
ABSTRACT Because of the massive literature base describing, analyzing, and researching child maltreatment, practitioners are challenged to boil this information down into evidence-based practice that ultimately improves prevention and intervention efforts. In regard to treating mental and physical health problems, emphasis is typically on individual treatment, with less focus on continuum of care and consideration for systems in which problems arise. With such a heavy focus on individual intervention, prevention and sustaining change across time have been sorely neglected. Future prevention and intervention strategies must rely more on environmental and organizational models, which emphasize interaction between and among systems and the context in which difficulties arise, occur, and are sustained and perpetuated. When considering both short term and long term effects of interventions, consistently research findings indicate that youth respond more favorably to ecologically based interventions that promote safe and nurturing environments and relationships. The ecology of children’s maltreatment must be carefully considered beyond an individual level. Moving forward, in planning and evaluating children’s mental health services practitioners must acknowledge the fact that mental health issues are embedded within and across relationships, including family (parent-parent, parent-child, and sibling-sibling), peer, school, community, and societal interactions.
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Student mental health problems often emerge in high school; however, such problems frequently go unaddressed. Using a time series design, we evaluated the effects of the Strong Teens social-emotional learning curriculum implemented by... more
Student mental health problems often emerge in high school; however, such problems frequently go unaddressed. Using a time series design, we evaluated the effects of the Strong Teens social-emotional learning curriculum implemented by three school counselors and two school social workers with 28 high school students identified with internalizing symptoms. Decreases in students’ self-reported levels of internalizing symptoms were statistically significant following the 12-week intervention, indicating moderate improvement. Participants rated the program as socially valid, though they also recommended ways to improve it. Results coincide with past studies indicating that Strong Teens may help reduce adolescents’ self-reported internalizing symptoms.
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Multiple qualitative and quantitative studies have investigated homophobic language and its associated correlates. However, very few studies have approached this phenomenon from an ethnographic met...
Research Interests: Sociology and LGBT Youth
M. Heath, D. Sheen, E.L. Young, B. Lyman, Introduction to Crisis Intervention. M. Heath, D. Sheen, N. Annandale, B. Lyman, Responding to a Crisis. M. Heath, A. Jerome, Communication: How to Listen, What to Say, and How to React. D. Sheen,... more
M. Heath, D. Sheen, E.L. Young, B. Lyman, Introduction to Crisis Intervention. M. Heath, D. Sheen, N. Annandale, B. Lyman, Responding to a Crisis. M. Heath, A. Jerome, Communication: How to Listen, What to Say, and How to React. D. Sheen, M. Heath, N. Jones, E. Heaton, A. Gstettenbauer, Children's Literature: A Resource to Assist with Crisis Intervention. D. Sheen, M. Heath, J. Campbell, C. Melville, B. Lyman, Assisting Students with Specific Problems. M. Heath, E.L. Young, Preparing Noninstructional Personnel and Bus Drivers to Assist with Crisis Prevention and Intervention. M. Heath, B. Lyman, Avoiding Burnout: Taking Care of Yourself. Appendix A: Free Crisis Intervention Resources from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Appendix B: Additional Books for Bibliotherapy.
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Abstract: The consequences of bullying are both widespread and severe. It disrupts learning, threatens school safety, and poses long-term emotional repercussions for bullies, victims, and bystanders. Although multiple strategies have... more
Abstract: The consequences of bullying are both widespread and severe. It disrupts learning, threatens school safety, and poses long-term emotional repercussions for bullies, victims, and bystanders. Although multiple strategies have targeted bullying, bullying must be understood within a social contextual framework beyond the bully-victim dyad. Davis and Davis (2007) emphasize the importance of focusing on the broad base of bystanders, strengthening this vast majority of students to speak up and take an active stand against ...
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Each year in the United States, 7000 to 30,000 children experience their parent’s suicide. Due to the stigma associated with suicide, feelings of guilt, and intense grief, surviving family members avoid talking about suicide. Over time,... more
Each year in the United States, 7000 to 30,000 children experience their parent’s suicide. Due to the stigma associated with suicide, feelings of guilt, and intense grief, surviving family members avoid talking about suicide. Over time, children struggle with confusion and intense emotions associated with their parent’s suicide. In this study, seven adults, who reported being younger than six years old at the time of their father’s suicide, participated in individual semi-structured interviews. Participants’ responses highlight the challenges that young children face due to limited memories of their deceased parent. Interviews concluded with an opportunity for participants to review and express their impressions of 10 children’s picture books. Participants offered impressions about how these books may or may not be helpful in supporting young child survivors. Implications for applied practice include considering how children’s literature may open communication and assist children in...
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On April 20, 1999, two Columbine High School students started a shooting rampage, ultimately killing 12 students and one teacher, wounding 21 victims, then completing suicide. Using media frame ana...