Areas Of Positive Changes Research Articles

Is Supervisor Training Effective? A Pilot Investigation of Clinical Supervisor Training Program

ObjectiveAlthough competency‐based training of supervisors is now compulsory in many countries, there has been limited evidenced‐based literature to guide the profession as to the most effective ways of training supervisors. The aim of the current pilot study was to examine the effects of a supervisor training program on supervisor, supervisee, and evaluator perceptions of supervisory competence.MethodTen female and two male supervisors employed by a state‐wide counselling service participated in the study. Data, including taped supervision sessions relating to supervisor, supervisee, and evaluator perceptions of supervisory competence, skill, and process were collected at three time points; two prior to a supervisor training program and one following the program.ResultsThe evaluator observed significant improvements in supervisory competence from pre‐ to post‐training. Although supervisors reported no significant change in competence as a result of training, they did report areas of positive changes in supervisory practice. Across time supervisors also reported a significant decrease in their perception of the supervisor–supervisee alliance on one measure, but this was not noted by the evaluator or supervisee, or on other measures of supervisory alliance.ConclusionsEvaluator ratings of supervisor competency and qualitative supervisor feedback provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of supervisor training. However, the pilot study was underpowered and some of the measures require further psychometric testing, which will need to be addressed in future research.

Tracking Responses to Items in Measures as a Means of Increasing Therapeutic Engagement in Clients: A Complementary Clinical Approach to Tracking Outcomes.

This article presents a novel clinical application of questionnaire feedback, which focuses on change at the individual question level rather than the total mean or clinical score level. We term the approach 'Tracking Responses to Items in Measures' (TRIM) and promote the key aims to be (1) providing both client and practitioner with feedback on areas of positive change that may be masked by numerical feedback, (2) reinforcing client strengths and self-efficacy, (3) exploring potential extra-therapeutic factors that may contribute to the lack of change or deterioration on individual questions and (4) establishing a collaborative dialogue relating clients' problems to their goals and the consequent aims of treatment. This paper profiles the clinical origins and technical development of TRIM as a clear, user-friendly display of item change across sessions using colour codes and illustrates the clinical utility through two clinical vignettes. Although the profile of the TRIM method herein uses the Clinical Outcomes in Routine Evaluation Outcome Measure, we believe the method could easily be used with other measures. These could include Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7 and Patient Health Questionnaire 9 used in English National Health Service primary care Improving Access to Psychological Therapies services, or disorder specific measures for particular problems commonly used in National Health Service specialist services. We suggest TRIM is a practical complement to existing feedback systems, especially in work with clients who may be less likely to show empirically meaningful change on mean item or clinical score levels. Using outcome questionnaires as conversational tools helps practitioners focus on change at the individual item level rather than the numeric level. Tracking Responses to Items in Measures helps provide clients and practitioners with feedback on areas of positive change that may be masked by summary score analysis. Exploring the lack of change or deterioration on particular questions helps practitioners to assess extra-therapeutic factors that may be compromising change. Using individual item change profiles as feedback for clients helps validate their progress and reinforce their strengths and self-efficacy.

Posttraumatic Growth Among Traumatized Somali Refugees in Hungary

The present study focuses on the posttrauma adjustment of traumatized war refugees, with a special focus on the possibility of positive transformation. Specific predictors and correlates of posttraumatic growth were examined among 53 Somali refugees, based on research literature and clinical work experience with Somali refugees in Hungary. Posttraumatic growth was assessed with the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory. The results of the study demonstrated significant accounts of posttraumatic growth among Somali refugees, as well as additional areas of positive changes. Hope, religiosity, negative religious coping, and satisfaction with perceived social support were positively related to reported growth.

Stability and Change in the Experiences of Parents, Stepparents and Adolescents in Stepfamilies

This study investigated the stability over time of themes in the experiences of biological parents, stepparents and adolescents in stepfamilies. Twelve adolescents, ten stepparents, and nine biological parents from ten stepfamilies that participated in a qualitative study completed follow-up questionnaires that sought to determine if the themes found in the earlier study were still present in their stepfamilies four years later. The results indicated areas that remained stable over time and areas of positive change and adjustment. The results also suggested the need for further research about the specific factors that shape adjustment to stepfamilies.