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Fifty-four counselors at 9 university counseling centers participated in a study regarding religion and spirituality (R/S) in group counseling. The majority indicated that R/S is an appropriate topic for group counseling and that some religious and spiritual interventions are appropriate to use. However, counselors rarely use these interventions. Counselors endorsed higher ratings for spiritual interventions compared to their religious counterparts. After reading 1 of 2 vignettes depicting either a religious or spiritual concern raised by a group client, counselors rated their likelihood of responding in different ways. We observed no differences in the responses based on the different vignettes.

One of the major obstacles to seeking psychological help is the stigma associated with counseling and therapy. Self-stigma, the fear of losing self-respect or self-esteem as a result of seeking help, is an important factor in the help-seeking process. In the present study, college students meeting a clinical cutoff for psychological symptoms participated in 1 session of group counseling that either contained therapist self-disclosure or did not. In general, participants reported significantly less self-stigma following the session. Working alliance-bond and session depth significantly predicted the change in self-stigma. Furthermore, self-stigma (as well as bond, depth, psychological symptoms, and being female) predicted the intention to seek help following the session. Self-stigma and session depth also predicted interest in continuing with counseling. The therapist self-disclosure condition, however, had no effect on the change in self-stigma, intentions to seek help, or interest in continuing with group counseling. (Contains 3 tables and 3 footnotes.)

Public and self-stigmas have been implicated as factors in the underutilization of individual counseling. However, group counseling is also underutilized, and yet scholars know very little about the role of different types of stigma on attitudes toward seeking group counseling. Therefore, the current study examined the relationships between public and self-stigma and attitudes toward group counseling among a sample of 491 U.S. college students. Results of structural equation modeling analyses indicated that public stigma is internalized as self-stigma and self-stigma is then negatively related to attitudes toward group counseling. Furthermore, public stigma and self-stigma explained 52% of the variance in attitudes toward seeking help. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

The stigma of seeking counseling and negative attitudes about counseling are primary barriers to its use. In the only known study examining the utility of attending a group counseling session to ameliorate stigma (no control group), participation was associated with reductions in self-stigma (Wade et al., 2011). Self-affirmation interventions have shown promising results in reducing stigma and promoting positive expectations about counseling, but no research has examined its effects on a counseling session. In the present, two-part study, 172 college students who had previously completed an online screening survey, including measures of stigma, participated in a single session of group counseling at a mental health clinic. Upon arrival, participants completed a self-affirmation intervention before viewing psychoeducation (n = 66; 12 groups) or only viewed psychoeducation (n = 72; 14 groups); both groups then completed a session of group counseling. After, participants completed these same measures along with measures of group relationships. The remaining participants (n = 34; 7 groups) viewed psychoeducation and completed the same stigma measures before being informed of randomization to the wait-list control condition. Our results replicate and extend findings from Wade et al. (2011): Completing a single session of group counseling reduced self-stigma and promoted positive attitudes toward counseling. Further, completing self-affirmation reduced postsession perceptions of public stigma. Self-affirmation had no impact on group relationships. Overall, findings suggest the utility of offering a "try-out" session of group counseling as a stigma-reduction intervention; preceding with a brief self-affirmation intervention provides further benefits by reducing perceptions of public stigma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite continued empirical support for a relationship between group cohesion and therapeutic gain, few studies have attempted to examine predictors of cohesion during the life of counseling groups. The present investigation explored the impact of client variables, group characteristics, and first-session leader behaviors on changes in cohesion across time. Participants were 128 volunteer clients and 14 group therapists participating in 23 separate 8-week-long counseling groups. Results of latent growth curve (LGC) analysis indicated that a piecewise, linear-quadratic model best fit the data at the individual level, while a simplified linear model best fit the data at the group level. Overall, individual differences accounted for 80–97% of the total variance in cohesion intercept and slope terms, with the included covariates explaining 9–39% of this variation. Significant individual-level covariates were gender and anxious and avoidant attachment. The only significant group-level predictor was an interaction effect between leadership behaviors in the first session. Specifically, when leaders performed a high number of structuring behaviors in the absence of facilitating emotional sharing, cohesion was lower at the end of the first session. Limitations, areas of future research, and implications for the theory and practice of brief group counseling are discussed. Public Significance Statement: The present study improves our understanding of how group members develop a sense of belonging in brief group counseling; examining the relative influence of client, group, and leader characteristics across time. Findings suggest that while client characteristics explain the vast majority of change in cohesion, group leaders who focus on structuring to the exclusion of fostering emotional belonging may inhibit the bonding of groups they lead. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Religion is a diversity factor that comprises a significant component of identity for many clients. However, little attention has been paid to religion in the context of group counseling, especially process-oriented, nonthemed groups with heterogeneous membership. Using multicultural, process-oriented, and social justice theories of groups, we demonstrate the myriad ways religion is relevant to and influential in group counseling work. Together, these theories provide a solid justification for the need to ethically and effectively attend to religion in group work. Furthermore, they provide a strong foundation for developing counseling expertise in this area by highlighting typical conflicts, group dynamics, and needs that arise when religion is addressed in groups. Based on our review, we provide practical and ethical implications to assist group leaders in addressing religion in their group counseling work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to examine client-rated appropriateness and preferences regarding the discussion of religious and spiritual concerns in group counseling. Participants were 164 group clients at nine university counseling centers nationwide. Clients volunteered to complete an online questionnaire about their experiences and opinions regarding religion and spirituality in group counseling. The majority of clients indicated that religious concerns are an appropriate topic for group counseling and reported a preference to discuss religious and spiritual concerns with their groups. Regression analyses examined predictors of client-rated (a) appropriateness of discussing religious concerns in group, (b) appropriateness of group leaders using religious or spiritual interventions, and (c) preferences for discussing religious and spiritual issues in group. The most consistent predictors of these ratings were client spirituality, client religious commitment, degree of spiritual struggles, and the frequency with which religion had already been discussed in the clients’ specific groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of the present study was to explore client beliefs and preferences regarding the discussion of religious and spiritual issues in group counseling. We collected and described both quantitative and qualitative data. One major finding of this study was that on average the majority (85%) of clients at a university counseling center (N = 68) reported that religious concerns are an appropriate topic for discussion in group counseling. However, only a minority of clients reported that they would like to discuss religious (24%) and spiritual (47%) concerns in group. Open-ended responses from participants provided reasons why they would or would not like to discuss religion and spirituality in their specific groups and provided insight into the discrepancy between their ratings of appropriateness and interest. In regression analyses, client spirituality and group engagement significantly predicted clients' preferences to discuss both religious and spiritual issues. Majority religious affiliation also predicted preferences to discuss religious issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although consensus is building that religion and spirituality are important aspects of individual counseling, there has been little exploration of these topics in group counseling. The current online questionnaire study provided a description of how 242 experienced group counselors approach religion and spirituality in group counseling. Interventions that were less active and less directly tied to religious or spiritual practices were viewed as the most appropriate. Spiritual interventions were seen as more appropriate and were used more frequently than correspnnding religious interventions. Counselors reported infrequent use of religious and spiritual interventions. even when they were viewed as appropriate. Counselors' degree of religious commitment and spirituality were positively correlated with appropriateness and use of religious and spiritual interventions. Finally, open-ended comments revealed that many counselors saw therapeutic value in discussing religion and spirituality in group counseling, hut also cautioned against the negative interactions and unproductive group work that might occur as a result of such discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the major obstacles to seeking psychological help is the stigma associated with counseling and therapy. Self-stigma, the fear of losing self-respect or self-esteem as a result of seeking help, is an important factor in the help-seeking process. In the present study, college students meeting a clinical cutoff for psychological symptoms participated in 1 session of group counseling that either contained therapist self-disclosure or did not. In general, participants reported significantly less self-stigma following the session. Working alliance-bond and session depth significantly predicted the change in self-stigma. Furthermore, self-stigma (as well as bond, depth, psychological symptoms, and being female) predicted the intention to seek help following the session. Self-stigma and session depth also predicted interest in continuing with counseling. The therapist self-disclosure condition, however, had no effect on the change in self-stigma, intentions to seek help, or interest in continuing with group counseling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public and self-stigmas have been implicated as factors in the underutilization of individual counseling. However, group counseling is also underutilized, and yet scholars know very little about the role of different types of stigma on attitudes toward seeking group counseling. Therefore, the current study examined the relationships between public and self-stigma and attitudes toward group counseling among a sample of 491 U.S. college students. Results of structural equation modeling analyses indicated that public stigma is internalized as self-stigma and self-stigma is then negatively related to attitudes toward group counseling. Furthermore, public stigma and self-stigma explained 52% of the variance in attitudes toward seeking help. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Helping clients come to terms with past hurts such as sexual, physical, or verbal abuse is often an important goal of therapy. Research suggests that specific treatments to help people forgive their offenders can be effective. However, these treatments have not been systematically compared with other treatments that are typically offered in real-world settings. The aim of this study was to compare a group-based explicit forgiveness intervention with process-oriented group therapy. Analyses indicated that both group formats were more effective than no treatment, resulting in less revenge, less negative reactions toward the offender, and fewer psychological symptoms. The two treatments did not differ from each other on any of the outcome variables. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the mediating effects of the self-stigma associated with seeking counseling and attitudes toward seeking counseling on the link between perceived public stigma and willingness to seek counseling for psychological and interpersonal concerns. Structural equation modeling of data from 676 undergraduates indicated that the link between perceived public stigma and willingness to seek counseling was fully mediated by self-stigma and attitudes. Perceptions of public stigma contributed to the experience of self-stigma, which, in turn, influenced help-seeking attitudes and eventually help-seeking willingness. Furthermore, 57% of the variance in attitudes toward counseling and 34% of the variance in willingness to seek counseling for psychological and interpersonal concerns were accounted for in the proposed model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]