Individual Psychological Counseling Research Articles

SOCIAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT IN VETERAN DEVELOPMENT CENTERS: PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE

Institutions of higher education actively participate in the implementation of the state veteran policy. The article characterizes the practical experience of the Center for Veteran Development in providing first-level psychological assistance. Research methods applied: analysis of the activities of the Center for Veteran Development of Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, generalization of the main forms of social and psychological support for veterans and their family members; study of the official website of the institution of higher education. The main form of socio-psychological support for veterans and veterans is Veteran Development Centers. The article`s purpose is to characterize the practical experience of the Center for Veteran Development in providing first-level psychological assistance. Research methods: analysis of the activities of the Center for Veteran Development of Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University, generalization of the main forms of social and psychological support for veterans and their family members; study of the official website of the institution of higher education. Since 2023, such a center has been created based on Pavlo Tychyna Uman State Pedagogical University. The university staff is working on creating a barrier-free space and accessible services. Among the forms of work of the center: individual psychological counseling is provided; group therapeutic classes, psychoeducation, and information sessions are practiced; rehabilitation programs are being developed; measures to support families are in demand; relaxation techniques and therapies are effective; individual work on social and psychological adaptation is carried out; training work is popular. Volunteer activities are systematically carried out by specialists and volunteers of the Center. It is possible to study for veterans at the university, as well as to study a foreign language.

Качество сессии в психотерапии и консультировании: литературный обзор методов оценивания и основных характеристик

<p style="text-align: justify;">Defining a high-quality psychotherapy or counseling session is important but challenging due to the lack of consensus in the scientific community. Presently, there is no clear definition or universally accepted criteria for determining session quality. This article presents a narrative review of contemporary literature on universal methods for evaluating the quality of individual psychotherapy and psychological counseling sessions. This review aims to identify prevalent and valid instruments for assessing session quality and to define the main characteristics of a high-quality session. The Session Evaluation Questionnaire, Session Evaluation Scale, Session Impacts Scale, and Individual Therapy Process Questionnaire encompass the predominant methods found. This study explores the structure, applications, psychometric properties, strengths, and weaknesses of each tool and provides recommendations for their utilization in examining session quality. The article also comprehensively examines the characteristics of high-quality sessions embedded within these methods. High-quality sessions are based on a trusting relationship in which the specialist respects the client's self-sufficiency and avoids imposing his/her beliefs or actions. To improve the quality of sessions, the therapist or counselor should emotionally support the client, encourage hope, actualize strengths, develop inner resources, help reframe and overcome difficulties, explore new perspectives and meanings, and increase overall awareness of motivations for behavior.</p>

Examination of Psychological Counselor Candidates’ Views of Using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) in Individual Psychological Counseling: A Q Methodology Approach

Individual Psychological Counseling Practicum is an applied course in which Guidance and Psychological Counseling undergraduate senior students have an opportunity to have a practical experience with an actual client in Turkey. In the course, the theoretical approaches chosen by the counselors and their views on this approach may affect their attitudes towards the practicum process and their experiences. Therefore, the current study aims to determine the opinions of guidance and psychological counseling senior students who took the course Individual Psychological Counseling Practicum about using Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in individual psychological counseling with the Q-methodology approach. For this purpose, 33 senior undergraduate students participated in the current study, taking the Individual Psychological Counseling Practicum-2 course in Atatürk University. The research utilized Q-statements crafted by the researcher along with a Q-sort comprising 18 sentences ranging from -3 to +3, facilitating forced placement, as the data collection instrument. Results showed that the opinions of the counselor candidates about the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy were gathered in a single dimension, which indicates a positive attitude.

Supervisees' Views on Live Observation-Based Supervision Modality

Live observation is a technique that allows the supervisor to offer immediate feedback to the supervisee by directly witnessing counseling sessions. Despite its numerous advantages over traditional supervision methods, this approach is seldom put into practice due to its time-consuming nature. Furthermore, there is insufficient research on its suitability in supervision practices, particularly in the context of Türkiye. In this study, the views of the participants on a practice in which live observation and consultation break methods used together were examined. The research involved seven students enrolled in a master's program in Guidance and Psychological Counseling at a university in the Central Black Sea region of Türkiye. Live observation and consultation break methods were incorporated into students' certain sessions as part of their individual psychological counseling practices course. After the supervision process ended, semi-structured individual interviews were conducted to evaluate the students' experiences. The data from the interviews were analyzed using content analysis. The students' opinions were grouped under four themes: development, relationship, live observation practice, and the overall supervision process. The participants stated that the live observation-based supervision practice improved their professional competence and increased their self-awareness. They also stated that they experienced anxiety at the beginning of the practice, but that this anxiety disappeared over time. The views of the participants suggest that the practice of live observation-based supervision strengthens the relationship between client, supervisee, and the supervisor. In general, the results indicate that this practice is a method that can be used in supervision processes.

Коррекция нарушений пищевого поведения у женщин-бодибилдеров в процессе психологического консультирования

The article attaches importance to the issue of working out programs for eating disorder modification in women professionally engaged in an individual aesthetic sport (bodybuilding). The article theoretically and empirically verifies the hypothesis that women bodybuilders have eating disorders due to their discontent with the body image and a high level of perfectionism. The author suggests that there is possibility for effective eating disorder modification in the process of group and individual psychological counselling. Structural and content-related components of eating disorder modification aimed at facilitating acceptance of one’s own appearance and body image and at optimizing the level of perfectionism have been piloted. It has been found that implementation of the program discussed contributes to reducing manifestation of eating disorders in women bodybuilders.

Effectiveness of University-Provided Individual Counselling for Healthcare Students: A Systematic Review

Medical, nursing, and other healthcare students undergo specific stressors. Their mental health represents a priority for universities and the entire community. This review aimed to gather evidence about the effectiveness of individual psychological counselling offered by universities to healthcare students. A systematic review was conducted by searching PubMed, Scopus, and APA PsycInfo. A total of 1906 records were identified. The selection resulted in six studies published between 1994 and 2014. The most common design was quasi-experimental. Half focused on medical students and often interventions comprised other elements. Outcomes were related to mental health issues, academic performance, or both. The results showed statistically significant improvements, with some exceptions. The present review highlighted some specific characteristics that must be considered in order to fill the existing gap in this field, such as widening the range of studied outcomes, improving the description of the intervention, and planning randomized controlled trials (RCT) to compare strategies.

THE PROBLEM OF PSYCHOLOGICAL SUPPORT OF STUDENTS OF PEDAGOGICAL SPECIALTIES IN THE PREPARATION AND PASSING OF A DEMONSTRATION EXAM ACCORDING TO WORLDSKILLS STANDARDS RUSSIA

Currently, a demonstration exam is being introduced into the educational standards of secondary vocational education as one of the forms of final state certification, taking into account the requirements of the competence approach. The demonstration exam has great potential in assessing the professional training of future primary school teachers. However, the organization and conduct of a demonstration exam affects the increase in exam stress and the growth of exam anxiety among students.
 Exam stress is a situation that leads to negative physiological and psychological manifestations; a test situation for a student that requires increased self-control, activation of communicative and intellectual and other resources. Exam anxiety can negatively affect students’ learning outcomes and lead to disappointment in the profession. Therefore, it is important to organize psychological support of students in preparation for the demonstration exam.
 This article describes a study in which the level of anxiety (Spielberger-Khanin Anxiety Scale) and psychological stress (Psychological Stress Scale) of students were diagnosed at all stages of the organization of psychological support. This work included three areas: psychological education, training work with a group of students with the highest rates of anxiety and stress, and individual psychological counseling. The scientific data obtained from the results of the questionnaire and psychological diagnostics (using methods of mathematical statistics) showed that the most effective direction of work is to conduct group training sessions.

ВОСПРИЯТИЕ БОЛЕЗНИ ПАЦИЕНТАМИ С ВОСПАЛИТЕЛЬНЫМИ ЗАБОЛЕВАНИЯМИ КИШЕЧНИКА

The course and treatment of various diseases is influenced by such psychological factors as the perception of the illness and self-efficacy in overcoming the disease. Currently, there is an increase in the prevalence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in people of young working age. Along with this, there is a lack of awareness about the perception of patients with IBD of their illness, which in turn may reduce the effectiveness of the treatment provided. The 2021 Clinical Guidelines developed by the Russian Gastroenterological Association mention not only drug treatment, but also psychotherapeutic effects. In this connection, the need to improve the psychological diagnosis and treatment process of patients with IBD is explained. In the course of the study, a comparative analysis of the components of the perception of the illness and self-efficacy in overcoming the disease among patients who perceive their disease as a severe and moderate threat was carried out. The results obtained indicate the need for an integrated approach in accompanying patients with IBD, including both individual psychological counseling and protocols for group psychotherapeutic interventions aimed at correcting the negative perception of the disease, subclinical and clinical levels of anxiety, increasing self-efficacy in relation to overcoming the disease and treatment.

Music Therapy in the Treatment of Dementia: A Review Article.

The etiology of depression is the degeneration of the brain cells involved in cognitive function before the other brain cells.It is characterized by a neurological condition that causes a reduction in terms of physical, social, and cognitive impairment and has no cure presently. These nonpharmacological approaches, such as music therapy, enhance living outcomes for those dealing with dementia and also reduce behavioral incidence. Among these strategies is music therapy, and individual or gap-time psychological and educational counseling. Many scientists believe in the advantages of music for the brain. The brain is affected by music function and enhances some cognitive abilities, including the mechanism of speech, alteration, memory, and learning. Music can activate the limbic system, subcortical circuits, and emotionally related systems, inducing the sensation of well-being. The music itself is quite effective at increasing cerebral plasticity. Music therapy has powerful stimulation for neuroplastic alterations in the adult and developing brain. Dementiacan be cured by music therapy and music-based intervention (nonpharmacological intervention) rather than by medication. This study highlights dementia therapy utilizing the music therapy method.

Relationship between activity styles of medical college students and danger experience during the COVID-19 pandemic

The article presents the results of studying the relationship between student activity styles as a subject of life activity and experiencing the vital threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. The relevance of the research in the framework of the study of the diverse activity of medical students is indicated. The results of the study can be used in psychological counseling, as well as become the basis for the development of psychological support programs for the educational process of medical students during a pandemic. The purpose of the research. To study of the relationship between the activity styles of medical college students and the experience of the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic. Results. The study has established a connection in medical college students between the "Cognitive- reflexive" style of activity and the experience of "Danger-safety" in relation to the mental "I" and in relation to people; the "Communicative-reflexive" style of activity is associated with the experience of the insecurity of the world. Conclusion. The research is of practical importance for psychologists of educational organizations in the conduct of psychological education and individual psychological counseling of students.

The Research on the Marital Dilemmas and Ways of Coping with Gender Stereotypes of Highly Educated Women

In the context of the modernization process and in particular, the expansion of higher education, the proportion of women among postgraduate students is on the rise and exceeds that of men. The opportunity cost of higher education for highly educated women is their late entry into society, which has resulted in many highly educated women not being able to marry or find a suitable partner at a marriageable age. Based on socialization theory and gender theory, this paper explores and analyzes the gender stereotypes and marital dilemmas faced by highly educated women and their ways of coping with them based on interviews and literature research, and learns about the gender stereotypes faced by highly educated women and their responses to the threat of stereotypes. The study also explores the links between the marital behaviour of highly educated women and gender stereotypes, and proposes policy implications for the marriage of highly educated women, starting with individual psychological counselling, and then improving social policies and laws and creating a favourable cultural atmosphere, in order to provide a theoretical basis and practical support for society to correctly understand the marriage of highly educated women and reduce gender stereotypes.

Statistical Model of College Students’ Mental Health Based on the Law of Large Numbers

Abstract This paper constructs a mental health probability space based on the law of large numbers. First, this paper defines and predicts the transition of personal emotion and the transmission of emotion. This study treats emotion as two random stages. At the same time, according to the initial parameters of each different stage model, a psychological model with individual characteristics based on the Markov chain is established. It can predict the outcome of emotional activities emotionally. Finally, numerical simulation is carried out with Matlab. The results show that the prediction method can well reflect the emotional state transmission. It can be used in psychological prediction simulations of individuals. The mental health statistical model based on the law of large numbers established in this paper opens up a new way for individual psychological counseling and mental health training.

Effect of interval training with non-invasive ventilation in severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-a prospective cohort study with matched control group.

In severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), interval training (IT) can be performed with oxygen support, which provides beneficial effect on metabolic processes, tissue perfusion, and peripheral muscle function. A prospective cohort study with matched controls was performed on patients in Budapest at the Department of Pulmonary Rehabilitation of the National Koranyi Institute of Pulmonology between January 1, 2020 and March 1, 2020. After a complex condition assessment, both case and control patients participated in a 3-week long complex pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) program that included individual training, education, nutrition, and psychological counseling. Anthropometric and functional data of patients were recorded at both the beginning and end of the PR program. Our research aimed to assess the effect of non-invasive ventilation (NIV) in patients with severe COPD who underwent IT. A total of 18 [male/female: 10 (55.6%)/8 (44.4%)] patients were enrolled in our study. IT with NIV significantly improved the patients' 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) (m) [216.0 (211.5-233.7) vs. 274.0 (247.5-313.5); P<0.001] and quality of life [COPD Assessment Test (CAT): 29.0 (26.9-32.0) vs. 15.0 (13.5-17.5); P<0.001], [modified Medical Research Council (mMRC): 2.0 (1.5-2.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0-2.0); P=0.009]; in addition, there was a significant increase in inspiratory vital capacity (IVC) (ref%) [65.0 (63.0-69.0) vs. 74.7 (70.5-75.0); P=0.015], in chest kinematics (cm) [3.0 (2.5-4.0) vs. 5.5 (4.0-6.5); P<0.001], work rate (Watt) [25.0 (24.0-27.0) vs. 36.0 (35.0-38.0); P<0.001], volume of oxygen consumption [VO2/kg (mL/kg/min): 8.8 (8.5-9.2) vs. 10.3 (10.2-10.7); P<0.001], and Body-mass index, airflow Obstruction, Dyspnea, and Exercise (BODE) index [5.0 (5.0-6.7) vs. 4.0 (3.0-5.0); P=0.006], while the results of the control group were non-significant [6MWD, maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP), CAT, mMRC, BODE index]. In severe COPD, IT with NIV is well tolerated during PR, it has a significant beneficial effect on the quality of life, improves exercise capacity and respiratory functions, decreases dynamic hyperinflation and dyspnea.

ПСИХОЛОГІЧНІ ОСОБЛИВОСТІ ТРЕНІНГУ ЯК ОСОБЛИВОГО РІЗНОВИДУ ГРУПОВИХ ФОРМ ПІДГОТОВКИ МОЛОДІ ДО СІМЕЙНОГО ЖИТТЯ

The article provides a theoretical analysis of the "readiness" of young people for family. The components of the training program are analyzed. The psychological content of the training is revealed, as well as the methods of non-verbal communication to practice the skills of optimal communication and interaction with the opposite sex. The existence of a significant number of modifications of specific forms of training, which differ from each other in certain respects, is noted. It is proved that the participants' own activity is the main factor that determines the success of training sessions and allows to identify and understand ineffective ways of responding.The obtained results of comparing the indicators of the experimental and control groups before and after the training according to the Wilcoxon T-test allow us to assert the effectiveness of the conducted psychological training work. There are several areas of psychological work aimed at increasing the readiness of young people for family life: information, individual psychological counseling, counseling of future couples, group work (training). The more common interests partners have, the easier it is for them to understand each other. In the process of living together, married couples gradually learn about each other's character, habits and personal qualities, as well as discover their child's personality together. If the views on some issues do not coincide, then a trusting relationship helps to reach an appropriate solution for both partners, which will further determine how the couple will react to difficult life situations they face.Thus, based on the results of re-diagnosis (using statistical methods), we can say that the psychological training was implemented successfully. Improving emotional interaction in couples, the desire to perceive the emotional state of their partner, seek mutual understanding with a partner and compromises, will allow future young couples to respond better and better to situations that arise in married life (especially in the early stages of family life) and choose more constructive behaviors to save the family.

Cardiac Rehabilitation Component Attendance and Impact of Intervening Clinical Events, as Well as Disease Severity and Risk Factor Burden.

To examine: (1) the rate of clinical events precluding cardiac rehabilitation (CR) continuation, (2) CR attendance by component in those without events, and (3) the association between disease severity (eg, tobacco use, diabetes, and depression) and component attendance (eg, exercise, diet, stress management, and tobacco cessation). Retrospective analysis of electronic records of the CR program in London, Ontario, from 1999 to 2017. Patients in the supervised program are offered exercise sessions 2 times/wk with a minimum of 48 prescribed sessions tailored to patient need. Patients attending ≥1 session without major factors that would limit their exercise ability were included. Intervening events were recorded, as was component attendance. Of 5508 enrolled, supervised patients, 3696 did not have a condition that could preclude exercise. Of those enrolled, one-sixth (n = 912) had an intervening event; these patients were less likely to work, more likely to have medical risk factors, had more severe angina and depression, and lower functional capacity. The remaining cohort attended a mean of 26.5 ± 21.3 sessions overall (median = 27; 19% attending ≥48 sessions), including 20.5 ± 17.4 exercise sessions (median = 21). After exercise, the most common components attended were individual dietary and psychological counseling. Patients with more severe angina and depressive symptoms as well as tobacco users attended significantly fewer total sessions, but more of some specific components. In one-sixth of patients, CR attendance and completion are impacted by clinical factors beyond their control. Many patients are taking advantage of components specific to their risk factors, buttressing the value of individually tailored, menu-based programming.

Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy and Spirituality

This study addresses the topic of integrating spirituality into the Satir method, which was pioneered by Virginia Star and is included within experiential family therapies. The concept of spirituality, which had been included in individual therapies after the 1950s, also found room particularly after 1990 in family therapies together with the Satir method. The goal in the spirituality-based Satir method is to increase the client’s adaptability and communication skills by integrating spirituality in the psychological counseling process. In addition, this approach also aims to have families notice their emotions using spiritual techniques. Satir, who does not limit her approach to any single religious tradition, can be said to have adopted the concept of universal spirituality. While the concept of spirituality has newly been included in individual psychological counseling in Turkey, it still has no place in the dimensions of family therapy. Little research has been encountered on this topic in the literature as well, and because new studies are felt needed, this work is being carried out. This study is believed to provide an important contribution to the literature. This study makes mention primarily of the Satir method as a representative of experiential family therapy, the Satir method’s views on spirituality, how spirituality can be applied in this approach, and how necessary the therapeutic process is in the spirituality-based approach. Afterward, the role and responsibilities of the psychological counselor in the spirituality-integrated Satir method are explained, and the techniques included in Satir’s spirituality-based approach are mentioned. Lastly, a case study founded on Satir’s spirituality-based family therapy approach has been included, and the issue has been generally summarized.

Spiritually-Oriented Cognitive-Behavioral Family Therapy

A great many factors influence human life. Among these are individuals’ religious and spiritual orientations, whose importance cannot be understated as they not only affect how individuals perceive and interpret themselves, events in their everyday lives, and the greater world but also shape their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Consequently, religious and spiritual orientations constitute an integral part of clients’ lives and are an important element that needs to be thoroughly investigated. In addition to having been integrated into individual psychological counseling approaches, religious/spiritual orientation has become as a highly supportive element in family therapy. Spiritually-oriented applications are quite helpful when addressing problems dealt with by individuals and families. In the current study, spiritually-oriented cognitive-behavioral family therapy is addressed in light of the relevant literature. We first present a general overview of cognitive-behavioral therapy and cognitive-behavioral family therapy, after which we frame the assessment steps followed in spiritually-oriented cognitive-behavioral family therapy within a paradigm based on religion and spirituality. After that, we reveal the religious/spiritual-based cognitive-behavioral applications that may be used during family therapy. We then discuss several exercises and applications employed during spiritually-oriented cognitive-behavioral family therapy. Finally, this study seeks to fill in gaps in the relevant literature on this topic in Turkey and offer a novel perspective to practitioners and researchers.

Восприятие угрозы личной безопасности в условиях пандемии COVID-19 медицинскими сотрудниками США и России

The purpose is to conduct a comparative analysis of an empirical study of the perception of personal security threats in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, conducted by a team of scientists at Stanford University School of Medicine (California), Ikan School of Medicine (New York), and the authors of the article. Methodology and Approach. Russian sample medical personnel were asked to answer questions using Google Forms that reveal anxiety and fears associated with the risk of coronavirus infection. Each detailed answer was assigned a category. The names of categories and the correspondence of the text to their meaning were determined by a group of experts. Some answers contained several semantic categories. The received text data was processed in the IBM Watson Studio program (Version 1.1.0-177). Cluster analysis was performed using the K-Means model. Results. The Russian sample revealed differences in awareness of the problem at the level of indicators such as fears, problems, requests and decisions depending on the position of physicians: nurses working without direct contact with doctors, doctors and nurses working in direct contact (conditions of wards). It is shown that out of the eight factors identified during the diagnosis of US physicians, Russian physicians do not verbalize the need for employer responsibility for providing the possibility of caring for a child during an increase in working hours and closing schools, for providing competent medical assistance in case of redistribution of personnel, and for lack of access to relevant information. Practical implication. The information obtained during the study can be used by psychologists in individual psychological counseling to reduce the level of personal and situational anxiety among medical workers working in conditions of increased danger; to develop a program of psychological support for the adaptation of medical workers to work in conditions of increased risk; to develop a system of incentives for medical workers; to increase the professional motivation of medical workers.

ПСИХОЛОГИЧЕСКОЕ КОНСУЛЬТИРОВАНИЕ ДИЗАЙНЕРОВ-ФРИЛАНСЕРОВ С РАЗНЫМ УРОВНЕМ ПРОФЕССИОНАЛЬНОЙ АДАПТАЦИИ

Introduction. This study examines the problem of professional adaptation of freelance designers, which is of particular relevance due to the insufficient coverage of this issue, the annual increase in the number of freelancers in the design environment, the specifics of professional adaptation of freelancers engaged in interior design, and the lack of specially developed programs for psychological counseling of freelance designers with different levels of professional adaptation. This work aims to study the professional adaptation of freelance designers and to build and test a psychological counseling program for freelance designers with various levels of professional adaptation. Methods and materials. The study involved several groups of participants. For each group, an individual psychological counseling program was developed and implemented. The program contains modeling, developing, training, and analytical methods. The paper presents the program implementation results, which show the change in the indicators of professional adaptation of freelance designers with different levels of professional adaptation. Results. Analysis performed in this study has confirmed the assumption that professional adaptation of the freelancers at issue has various levels (high, medium, and low). In this work, each level is assigned a certain characteristic with corresponding indicators. Conclusion. The findings of the study indicate that traditional methods cannot affect the professional adaptation of freelancers. In this regard, psychological counseling is one of the most effective approaches. Keywords: professional disadaptation, job satisfaction, professional stress, psychological counseling program, adaptability of freelancers.

Dinî Boyutun Psikolojik Danışma Sürecine Etkisi: Üniversite Öğrencileri İle Yapılmış Deneysel Bir Çalışma

This study was conducted to test whether the psychological counseling process, including the religious dimension, is effective in eliminating the psychopathological levels of university students. The research was conducted with fifteen students studying at undergraduate level at different departments of Mardin Artuklu University. Seven of these students were applied individual psychological counseling; and eight individuals were applied psychological counseling including religious dimension. Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) was used to select subjects and to measure the effectiveness of the application. The BSI was administered to counselors immediately before the psychological counseling intervention, immediately after the intervention period was over, and 6 months after the last test was administered. The data collected to test the psychological counseling intervention on the psychopathological levels of the clients were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 package program and the Mann-Whitney U and Wilcoxon Marked Ranks tests were used. As a result of the research, it was determined that the individual psychological counseling application which included the religious dimension had a permanent effect on the decrease of the psychopathology levels of the university students, and that it was more effective than the individual psychological counseling without lowering the general psychopathology level with somatization, obsessive-compulsive thoughts, depression and anxiety sub-dimensions.