I have a Master's Degree in Human Services. I also have a graduate certificate in Human Services, specialization in Marriage and Family Services. I maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout my graduate courses. I currently teach online courses in Cultural Diversity through Phoenix University. I would like to get my PhD (maybe McGill, SUNY Albany, or University of Vermont) and advance my post-secondary teaching/research career. I am interested in Counseling Psychology. Address: Plattsburgh, NY
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) have been shown to bring abo... more Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) have been shown to bring about positive changes in therapy. CBT and PCT, like all single-theory approaches, have limitations. Literature suggests that when the change-producing techniques of CBT and PCT are combined and applied, counseling is more effective (Josefowitz & Myran, 2005; Tursi & Cochran, 2006). In this paper, CBT and PCT are reviewed and then integrated into one approach. A case example is then presented and hypothetical helping sessions are described to demonstrate how the various techniques of the approaches can come together to create positive changes in therapy. A discussion follows that suggests future research and identifies additional resources.
The DSM-IV is widely used in the mental health field. Some of its many uses include providing a ... more The DSM-IV is widely used in the mental health field. Some of its many uses include providing a common language among professionals about psychopathology and delineating criteria for diagnosing individuals with mental disorders. This paper explores the purpose, history, and limitations of the DSM diagnostic approach. A case study is provided and the DSM-IV-TR is used to diagnosis borderline personality disorder. The disorder is described and an empirically-based treatment plan is offered.
The social systems approach views all social systems as interconnected and interdependent. In th... more The social systems approach views all social systems as interconnected and interdependent. In this paper, the systems approach is further examined and applied to military families. The systems that military families are involved in are identified and their interactions analyzed. Recommendations for creating a more family-oriented military organization are offered.
Human service professionals are often faced with ethical dilemmas while carrying out their work. ... more Human service professionals are often faced with ethical dilemmas while carrying out their work. Literature within the human services field is rich with publications that address the ethics of human service work. This paper offers a review of this literature, including as in-depth examination of the National Organization for Human Service Education's Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals and Reamer's Guide for Social Worker's that is applied throughout the paper. An interview with Carolyn Cobb, the director of the Family Service Center (FSC) on a military base, is discussed. The interview included a number of questions about the agency, the ethical dilemmas faced, and the approach to resolving the ethical dilemmas. The answers provide a picture of a real-life agency's ethical operations that was compared and contrasted against the ethical standards and decision-making models for ethical dilemmas in the literature. This discussion examined the following ethical issues: social and cultural considerations, informed consent and confidentiality, dual relationships, and service delivery concerns. The information from the literature review and the insight gained from the interview are integrated in the presentation of guidelines for professionals new to the field of human services. A self-reflection statement about the increased awareness gained as a result of the course is offered, ethical challenges are identified, and a plan for action for further professional development and ethical clinical practices are explained.
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is transforming the way people communicate in modern societ... more Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is transforming the way people communicate in modern society. Herring (2001) explains computer-mediated discourse or communication as “the communication produced when human beings interact with one another by transmitting messages via networked computers” (p. 612). This study is an attempt to provide further insight into the effects of CMC on social and psychological well-being. This study examines the following question: Will higher levels of CMC use predict lower social functioning of traditional college students? It was hypothesized that higher CMC use will predict lower social and psychological well-being. CMC use, social functioning, and psychological well-being were measured using validated instruments and participants will be grouped according to the frequency of CMC use. The results would likely indicate that the hypothesis is supported. Implications and future research is also discussed.
American society ascribes power and privilege differently to various groups in society based on a... more American society ascribes power and privilege differently to various groups in society based on an individual’s cultural or racial background, gender, age, sexual preference, choice of religion, physical abilities, outward appearance, and socioeconomic class. Most of the literature on discrimination focuses on racism, sexism, ageism, and classism. Lookism, which is discrimination based on physical appearance, and weight-discrimination are possibly more common, but given less attention. Multiculturalism has to do with being aware of the discrimination in society, knowledgeable about different cultures, and possessing the skills necessary to practice in a culturally-sensitive manner. This paper discusses the history of lookism and weight-discrimination, examines the ways over-weight individuals are discriminated against, reviews the theories that attempt to explain why weight discrimination is common, and offers solutions for reducing weight discrimination. The paper also includes an assessment of this learner’s personal competence and an action plan for increasing cultural competency.
This paper details a case study in marital therapy. It includes a case history of a couple in mar... more This paper details a case study in marital therapy. It includes a case history of a couple in marital therapy and a literature review of issues that pertain to their case, including past abuse and stress associated with military life. The theoretical framework used by the therapist in the case is explained. Gottman's (1999) sound marital house and Hudson and O'Hanlon's (1991) brief marital counseling approaches were the main theories used in the case. Three sessions of the couple's therapy are examined. The examined sessions focus on assessment and goals for therapy, conflict regulation, and sexual satisfaction. The results of the therapy are discussed, as well as plans for future sessions.
This paper gives an overview of the Common Factors approach to Family Therapy. The history and t... more This paper gives an overview of the Common Factors approach to Family Therapy. The history and theoretical formulations of the approach are discussed. The Common Factors approach is applied to a case example. The outcomes of the therapy are explained. The merits and limitations of the approach are also discussed.
Examines how well the developmental needs and cultural issues of Asian American adolescents are b... more Examines how well the developmental needs and cultural issues of Asian American adolescents are being addressed by APCTC (Asain Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers), a community based human service organization in Los Angeles. Summarizes an interview with APCTC on the work of the agency. Reviews literature from various peer-reviewed academic and professional journals on adolescent development and multicultural counseling. Evaluates APCTC services based on the information from the literature review. Offers recommendations and resources for improving APCTC's services to better meet the developmental and cultural needs of the clients they serve.
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) have been shown to bring abo... more Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and Person-Centered Therapy (PCT) have been shown to bring about positive changes in therapy. CBT and PCT, like all single-theory approaches, have limitations. Literature suggests that when the change-producing techniques of CBT and PCT are combined and applied, counseling is more effective (Josefowitz & Myran, 2005; Tursi & Cochran, 2006). In this paper, CBT and PCT are reviewed and then integrated into one approach. A case example is then presented and hypothetical helping sessions are described to demonstrate how the various techniques of the approaches can come together to create positive changes in therapy. A discussion follows that suggests future research and identifies additional resources.
The DSM-IV is widely used in the mental health field. Some of its many uses include providing a ... more The DSM-IV is widely used in the mental health field. Some of its many uses include providing a common language among professionals about psychopathology and delineating criteria for diagnosing individuals with mental disorders. This paper explores the purpose, history, and limitations of the DSM diagnostic approach. A case study is provided and the DSM-IV-TR is used to diagnosis borderline personality disorder. The disorder is described and an empirically-based treatment plan is offered.
The social systems approach views all social systems as interconnected and interdependent. In th... more The social systems approach views all social systems as interconnected and interdependent. In this paper, the systems approach is further examined and applied to military families. The systems that military families are involved in are identified and their interactions analyzed. Recommendations for creating a more family-oriented military organization are offered.
Human service professionals are often faced with ethical dilemmas while carrying out their work. ... more Human service professionals are often faced with ethical dilemmas while carrying out their work. Literature within the human services field is rich with publications that address the ethics of human service work. This paper offers a review of this literature, including as in-depth examination of the National Organization for Human Service Education's Ethical Standards of Human Service Professionals and Reamer's Guide for Social Worker's that is applied throughout the paper. An interview with Carolyn Cobb, the director of the Family Service Center (FSC) on a military base, is discussed. The interview included a number of questions about the agency, the ethical dilemmas faced, and the approach to resolving the ethical dilemmas. The answers provide a picture of a real-life agency's ethical operations that was compared and contrasted against the ethical standards and decision-making models for ethical dilemmas in the literature. This discussion examined the following ethical issues: social and cultural considerations, informed consent and confidentiality, dual relationships, and service delivery concerns. The information from the literature review and the insight gained from the interview are integrated in the presentation of guidelines for professionals new to the field of human services. A self-reflection statement about the increased awareness gained as a result of the course is offered, ethical challenges are identified, and a plan for action for further professional development and ethical clinical practices are explained.
Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is transforming the way people communicate in modern societ... more Computer-mediated communication (CMC) is transforming the way people communicate in modern society. Herring (2001) explains computer-mediated discourse or communication as “the communication produced when human beings interact with one another by transmitting messages via networked computers” (p. 612). This study is an attempt to provide further insight into the effects of CMC on social and psychological well-being. This study examines the following question: Will higher levels of CMC use predict lower social functioning of traditional college students? It was hypothesized that higher CMC use will predict lower social and psychological well-being. CMC use, social functioning, and psychological well-being were measured using validated instruments and participants will be grouped according to the frequency of CMC use. The results would likely indicate that the hypothesis is supported. Implications and future research is also discussed.
American society ascribes power and privilege differently to various groups in society based on a... more American society ascribes power and privilege differently to various groups in society based on an individual’s cultural or racial background, gender, age, sexual preference, choice of religion, physical abilities, outward appearance, and socioeconomic class. Most of the literature on discrimination focuses on racism, sexism, ageism, and classism. Lookism, which is discrimination based on physical appearance, and weight-discrimination are possibly more common, but given less attention. Multiculturalism has to do with being aware of the discrimination in society, knowledgeable about different cultures, and possessing the skills necessary to practice in a culturally-sensitive manner. This paper discusses the history of lookism and weight-discrimination, examines the ways over-weight individuals are discriminated against, reviews the theories that attempt to explain why weight discrimination is common, and offers solutions for reducing weight discrimination. The paper also includes an assessment of this learner’s personal competence and an action plan for increasing cultural competency.
This paper details a case study in marital therapy. It includes a case history of a couple in mar... more This paper details a case study in marital therapy. It includes a case history of a couple in marital therapy and a literature review of issues that pertain to their case, including past abuse and stress associated with military life. The theoretical framework used by the therapist in the case is explained. Gottman's (1999) sound marital house and Hudson and O'Hanlon's (1991) brief marital counseling approaches were the main theories used in the case. Three sessions of the couple's therapy are examined. The examined sessions focus on assessment and goals for therapy, conflict regulation, and sexual satisfaction. The results of the therapy are discussed, as well as plans for future sessions.
This paper gives an overview of the Common Factors approach to Family Therapy. The history and t... more This paper gives an overview of the Common Factors approach to Family Therapy. The history and theoretical formulations of the approach are discussed. The Common Factors approach is applied to a case example. The outcomes of the therapy are explained. The merits and limitations of the approach are also discussed.
Examines how well the developmental needs and cultural issues of Asian American adolescents are b... more Examines how well the developmental needs and cultural issues of Asian American adolescents are being addressed by APCTC (Asain Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers), a community based human service organization in Los Angeles. Summarizes an interview with APCTC on the work of the agency. Reviews literature from various peer-reviewed academic and professional journals on adolescent development and multicultural counseling. Evaluates APCTC services based on the information from the literature review. Offers recommendations and resources for improving APCTC's services to better meet the developmental and cultural needs of the clients they serve.
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