Abstract
This paper provides a comprehensive treatment plan for a person who has both bipolar disorder and a substance abuse problem. All of the steps in the treatment process are delineated and discussed as well as the general counseling theory and methods.

From the Paper
"The patient is Mr Williams a ... year old African American male with bipolar and substance abuse disorder, crack cocaine. A complete profile of Mr. Williams can be obtained in Appendix A which presents all of the data collected during the bio psychosocial assessment that was conducted at intake. This section of the report discusses Mr. Williams general problems in relation to important elements of the treatment strategy. According to the American Psychiatric Association bipolar disorder with a co-morbid substance..."

Tags:CBT treatment, bipolar, substance abuse, counseling

Abstract
This study investigated the effects of home-based counseling in improving the personal self-concept, overall social behavior and academic achievement of inner city at-risk African American adolescents, aged 12 to 21. It was hypothesized that if a counselor could be exposed to, and take into consideration, the at-risk adolescent?s home and community environment, a holistic outlook might be beneficial in recommending effective, successful intervention tactics with both short and long term benefits.

From the Paper
"The concept of home-based visits and counseling is not new: in recent decades, mental health professionals have been visiting their clients in their homes for a variety of reasons including the provision of services to those unlikely or unwilling to seek out and maintain regular contact in more traditional settings and to provide comprehensive, integrated treatment approaches for clients with multidimensional needs. Clinical observation and empirical research supports the potential effectiveness of home-based services. Appropriate intervention can help individual clients and families in crisis or at risk to be served, stabilized and supported in their own homes; research also supports the fact that clients, whether individuals or families, facing multiple problems of poverty, few social supports, severe psychosocial disturbance, social stigma and prejudice, and limited access to employment, housing and other resources often need ongoing support to sustain a successful environment from which a student may confidently base academic achievement .and crisis free living. (Newton, 30-31)."

Tags:learn, counsel, treatment, therapy, african, culture, students

Abstract
The paper relates that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a non-pharmacologic treatment which consists of therapy designed to change how the person thinks [cognitive] and how they behave [behavioral] (Timms, 2007). The paper explains that CBT is completely focused on the present rather than on past causes of a problem and can be brief therapy or a long course of treatment. The paper relates that CBT can be individual or group therapy and currently computer programmes have been developed to apply its principles.

From the Paper
"Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a non-pharmacologic treatment which consists of therapy designed to change how the person thinks [cognitive] and how they behave [behavioral] (Timms, 2007). CBT is completely focused on the present rather than on past causes of a problem and can be brief therapy or a long course of treatment. CBT can be individual or group therapy and currently computer programmes have been developed to apply its principles. The techniques used in CBT basically consist of reducing a complex problem into manageable components. The problem is first identified and the order..."

Tags:psychologist, prescribing, cbt

Abstract
The paper reviews the treatment literature for Hispanic-Americans and African-American patients through consideration of the cultural and ethnic variables. The paper explains that these are critical aspects in the consideration of matching a client to program services. The paper also identifies those aspects of the culture that should be incorporated into more standard treatment programs. Based on the review of literature, a set of best practice guidelines and a set of counselor competencies are developed that support the integration of cultural variables into treatment services.

Outline:
Objective
Introduction
Review of the Literature
Characteristics of the Culturally Skilled Counselor
Counseling: The African American Individual
Counseling: The Hispanic Individual
Best Practice Guidelines and Counselor Competences

From the Paper
"The counseling professional takes certain attitudes, beliefs, and pre-conceptions with them into the therapy session that may or may not be conducive to the proper and effective treatment of their clients. Specifically certain preconceived notions based on race, ethnicity, or culture may serve to be negative in their effect and even harmful to the well-being of the client being counseled. It is critically important that these issues be addressed during the education and training of the professional counselor in order to prepare the counselor for effectively assessing and counseling their clients in their professional practice.
Existent as well are the factors associated with differences that exist between the races, and specifically in this work the focus will be the African-American and Hispanic race. The cultural differences existent between these two races are pronounced and must be considered separately instead of giving consideration only to cultures other than the predominant White culture, each of these races must be accorded separate consideration by the professional counselor in order for therapy to be effective."

Tags:culture, variables, race, ethnicity, treatment

Abstract
This study proposes to study the impact of personality traits on the treatment of depression among the elderly. It analyzes the results through the examination of NEO-Five-Factor-Inventory scores in comparison to improvements of Beck Depression Inventory scores between baseline and outcome measures in three experimental treatment conditions (antidepressants, psychotherapy and combination therapy). The study hypothesizes that combination therapy is significantly more effective than the other treatment conditions in the reduction of depressive symptoms and that personality traits are significantly associated with treatment outcomes.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Method
Results
Discussion

From the Paper
"Research has determined that forms of psychosocial intervention, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), behavioral therapy, cognitive bibliotherapy, reminiscence group therapy, and problem-solving group therapy, may be effective treatment interventions for geriatric depression. A combination of psychotherapy and antidepressant medication might be an appropriate treatment for individuals presenting with moderate to severe depression. A study by Thompson, Coon, Gallagher-Thompson, Sommer & Koin (2001) examined the efficacy of a specific antidepressant medication (Desipramine), a specific psychotherapy (CBT), and a combination approach, (CBT and Desipramine), in the treatment of depression among the elderly. The results indicated that, although patients in all three treatment conditions experienced substantial improvement in their depressive symptoms, the patients receiving the combination treatment and those receiving CBT alone showed greater improvements than those patients that only received Desipramine. Therefore, the researchers concluded that CBT is an effective treatment for depression in older adults, and that the combination of pharmacotherapy and CBT may be of particular usefulness among patients who do not effectively respond to either antidepressants or psychotherapy alone."

Tags:antidepressants, psychotherapy, combination, CBT

Abstract
This paper provides a treatment plan for a 14 year-old girl assaulted over a period of time by her step-father. The paper delves into the major goals and objectives of the treatment plan, the interventions which are pursued, and the people who play an integral role in nursing her back to psychological health. The paper also incorporates the DSM-IV diagnosis approach and outlines the ethical and legal considerations which must be borne in mind at all times. Finally, the writer looks at which goals have been prioritized and why they have been prioritized.

Tags:treatment, adolescent, counseling

Abstract
A review of a study which investigates the effectiveness of individual spiritual and cognitive-behavioral counseling for substance abuse. The subjects used are 30 male and female adults, who volunteered to be counseled by the investigator. The paper includes a copy of an information questionnaire which was used to determine their diagnosis of substance abuse, and qualify for study participation. The research made use of The McMullin Addiction Thought Scale (MAT) for the pre and post test.

Contents:
Statement of the Problem & Study Purpose
Theoretical Orientation
Hypothesis
Definition of Terms
Literature Review
Substance Abuse Treatments
Spiritual Treatment
Methodology
Procedures
Data Analysis
Limitations
Conclusions
References

From the Paper
"Research has reported that specialists in the addictions field remain unable to define the factors necessary for effective substance abuse treatment, including competencies and scope of practice needed. Although cognitive-behavioral therapy has been viewed as an optimal treatment for addiction (Crits-Cristoph, 1999, p. 3), others have determined that interpersonal counseling with antidepressants was effective (Covi, Hess, Kreiter, & Haertzen, 1995, p. 341). Since findings are unclear, it appears that further study of the efficacy of substance abuse treatment programs is warranted."

Tags:treatment, drugs, overdose, therapy, mcmullin, program, rehabilitation, rehab

Abstract
This paper studies the issues regarding the integration of religious beliefs into counseling. The paper looks at the benefits of a spiritual and religious approach to counseling, why this approach has been neglected for so long, the negative consequences that can occur when spirituality is not part of the counseling framework, and the ethical challenges posed to the integration of religion and spirituality into counseling. The paper also describes ways in which spirituality and religion can be integrated into the therapeutic process and highlights what is most beneficial about each approach.

From the Paper
"The complexities involved with psychology and the Christian faith are complicated. John Carter, author of The Integration of Psychology and Theology, states that some Christians embrace psychology for answers to problems that are not clearly defined in scripture. In addition, they also look outside the church because they church may only offer such solutions as more prayer and a more committed Christian walk, but "certainly not psychotherapy" (1979 Carter 12). In addition, pastors encounter a similar impasse for not being able to provide answers that relate to a deeper understanding of human psychology. Some pastors may even fear being "disloyal to God and his word," which may create anxiety. This anxiety adds to the complexity of the problems associated with introducing religion into psychology."

Tags:mental, health, field, theology, christian, treatment, coping, skills, therapists, diagnosis, church

Abstract
This paper discusses the background and current status of cognitive behavior therapy. It lists the challenges facing cognitive behavior therapy and discusses the need for this form of therapy to address these issues. The paper then describes three cognitive restructuring therapies and discusses how they are implemented in practice. It also discusses the theory and practice of the problem-solving therapies and the cognitive learning theory.

Table of Contents:
Current Status
Theory
Methodology
Applications
Summary

From the Paper
"If Cognitive Behaviour Therapy can effectively deal with these concerns, it will unquestionably develop into a key force within clinical psychology. Nevertheless, in spite of its recognition amongst several therapists, not all behaviourally oriented researchers are in favour of this form of therapy. For instance, Eysenck (1979), a staunch S-R theorist, cautioned that "Although cognitive theories seem fashionable at the moment among some behaviour therapists who should know better. . . being fashionable is not the same as being correct, or useful, or in line with the evidence." He indicated that "Cognitive theory, per contra, does not even exist as a 'theory' that could meaningfully be criticized or tested; it is an aspiration, born of mentalistic preconceptions, in search of hypotheses."
"Wolpe (1978, p. 442) stated that that, "Behaviour therapists have deliberately influenced their patients' thinking ever since formal behaviour therapy of the neuroses came into existence"; for this reason he believed that cognitive approaches to therapy had always been incorporated with the behavioural techniques. "Thought," wrote Wolpe, "obeys the same 'mechanistic' laws as motor or autonomic behaviour" (p. 438). The principles of conditioning are adequate to account for cognition, and overt behaviour is an adequate indicator of this conditioning."

Tags:CBT counseling treatment