This narrative and descriptive essay traces the legacy and impact
that the Smith College School f... more This narrative and descriptive essay traces the legacy and impact that the Smith College School for Social Work thesis had on me as an individual and social worker. It explains the personal experiences I was facing immediately before beginning the thesis, which was the sudden death of my father, and the journey of self-discovery and healing that took place as I was writing it. The essay ends with a reflection on the importance of research and the value I found in the thesis process within my personal and my professional life.
The spiritual and religious life of clients is an important clinical factor in therapy; it holds ... more The spiritual and religious life of clients is an important clinical factor in therapy; it holds significant meaning and may support therapeutic outcome. This study explored client perceptions of the quality of care they received in therapy when disclosing their spiritual/religious life to their therapists as well as the factors that might contribute to their perceptions of care and disclosure. A total of 75 respondents participated in an online survey tool composed of quantitative and qualitative questions. Qualitative responses were coded and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that most clients (73%) shared some or all of their beliefs; in contrast only 40% shared their spiritual or religious experiences. Almost all clients (80-90%) have had a significant spiritual/religious experience, most often describing a feeling of interconnection and well-being, a loss, gain, or change of faith, heightened intuition, and/or a sensory experience (auditory, visual, or tactile.) Fifty percent of clients who shared their beliefs with their therapists were satisfied or very satisfied with the care they received; 23% were somewhat satisfied or unsatisfied. Of clients who shared their experiences 38% were satisfied and less than 10% were somewhat satisfied or unsatisfied. A poor working alliance, misattuned responses, lack of engagement, and the therapist’s lack of knowledge on the subject were reasons for low levels of satisfaction. The study concludes with suggestions on how to improve the therapeutic quality of care for spiritual or religious clients.
This paper is a case study of child relational psychotherapy with a 7 year-old Hispanic female cl... more This paper is a case study of child relational psychotherapy with a 7 year-old Hispanic female client and a 24 year-old White female social work intern. The client was referred for anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and self-harming statements and behaviors. Using Relational Theory as the framework for treatment, the intern was able to strengthen the therapeutic alliance and mutually discover with the client the most useful clinical intervention, specifically externalization. This primary intervention resulted in a book of “monsters” that represent the client’s varied emotional life (see appendix). Through this project the client’s emotional insight and self-regulation have improved. It continues to provide her with opportunities for greater self-knowledge and is a tangible object through which she can celebrate her strengths and subsequent growth. Word count: 3995
Client Perceptions on Therapeutic Quality of Care When Disclosing Spiritual and Religious Beliefs... more Client Perceptions on Therapeutic Quality of Care When Disclosing Spiritual and Religious Beliefs or Experiences: A Mixed Methods Study
This narrative and descriptive essay traces the legacy and impact
that the Smith College School f... more This narrative and descriptive essay traces the legacy and impact that the Smith College School for Social Work thesis had on me as an individual and social worker. It explains the personal experiences I was facing immediately before beginning the thesis, which was the sudden death of my father, and the journey of self-discovery and healing that took place as I was writing it. The essay ends with a reflection on the importance of research and the value I found in the thesis process within my personal and my professional life.
The spiritual and religious life of clients is an important clinical factor in therapy; it holds ... more The spiritual and religious life of clients is an important clinical factor in therapy; it holds significant meaning and may support therapeutic outcome. This study explored client perceptions of the quality of care they received in therapy when disclosing their spiritual/religious life to their therapists as well as the factors that might contribute to their perceptions of care and disclosure. A total of 75 respondents participated in an online survey tool composed of quantitative and qualitative questions. Qualitative responses were coded and data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Findings showed that most clients (73%) shared some or all of their beliefs; in contrast only 40% shared their spiritual or religious experiences. Almost all clients (80-90%) have had a significant spiritual/religious experience, most often describing a feeling of interconnection and well-being, a loss, gain, or change of faith, heightened intuition, and/or a sensory experience (auditory, visual, or tactile.) Fifty percent of clients who shared their beliefs with their therapists were satisfied or very satisfied with the care they received; 23% were somewhat satisfied or unsatisfied. Of clients who shared their experiences 38% were satisfied and less than 10% were somewhat satisfied or unsatisfied. A poor working alliance, misattuned responses, lack of engagement, and the therapist’s lack of knowledge on the subject were reasons for low levels of satisfaction. The study concludes with suggestions on how to improve the therapeutic quality of care for spiritual or religious clients.
This paper is a case study of child relational psychotherapy with a 7 year-old Hispanic female cl... more This paper is a case study of child relational psychotherapy with a 7 year-old Hispanic female client and a 24 year-old White female social work intern. The client was referred for anxiety, emotional dysregulation, and self-harming statements and behaviors. Using Relational Theory as the framework for treatment, the intern was able to strengthen the therapeutic alliance and mutually discover with the client the most useful clinical intervention, specifically externalization. This primary intervention resulted in a book of “monsters” that represent the client’s varied emotional life (see appendix). Through this project the client’s emotional insight and self-regulation have improved. It continues to provide her with opportunities for greater self-knowledge and is a tangible object through which she can celebrate her strengths and subsequent growth. Word count: 3995
Client Perceptions on Therapeutic Quality of Care When Disclosing Spiritual and Religious Beliefs... more Client Perceptions on Therapeutic Quality of Care When Disclosing Spiritual and Religious Beliefs or Experiences: A Mixed Methods Study
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Papers by Maia Nikitovich
that the Smith College School for Social Work thesis had on me as
an individual and social worker. It explains the personal experiences
I was facing immediately before beginning the thesis, which was
the sudden death of my father, and the journey of self-discovery
and healing that took place as I was writing it. The essay ends with a
reflection on the importance of research and the value I found in
the thesis process within my personal and my professional life.
that the Smith College School for Social Work thesis had on me as
an individual and social worker. It explains the personal experiences
I was facing immediately before beginning the thesis, which was
the sudden death of my father, and the journey of self-discovery
and healing that took place as I was writing it. The essay ends with a
reflection on the importance of research and the value I found in
the thesis process within my personal and my professional life.