Coping-skills training for adolescents: Applying cognitive behavioral principles to psychoeducational groups

Counseling Psychology and School Counseling

Counseling psychology and school counseling have become quite removed from each other despite sharing a common history, having similar values, and the fact that many training programs for the two disciplines coexist in the same university department or college. This article argues for a stronger integration of the two specialties to advance their contributions to pre–K-12 education and the nation’s youth. Counseling psychology, with its strong commitment to career psychology, counselor training and supervision, multiculturalism, prevention, and scientific inquiry, is well positioned among psychological specialties to exert major influence in the educational enterprise. Models of school counselor training and service delivery have been recently developed and offer numerous opportunities for collaboration between counseling psychologists and school counselors. A collaborative model that encompasses training curricula, research, service, and professional organization dimensions of the specialties is presented. Challenges that may impede a stronger partnership between counseling psychology and school counseling, as well as suggestions for addressing them, are also discussed.

Evaluation of a 12-Month Coping Intervention Intended to Enhance Future-Oriented Coping in Goal-Oriented Domains

The present study used a mixed methods approach to evaluate the usage and perceived effectiveness of a 12-month coping intervention. Twelve junior national netball players followed an intervention that had two objectives: 1) to encourage the use of future-oriented coping across goal-oriented contexts and 2) to facilitate resource accumulation and maintenance by developing coping related competencies. Mentors and players maintained reflective diaries throughout the intervention and were contacted via telephone or e-mail every 2–3 months. In addition, players completed the Brief COPE measure at 1, 6, and 12 months. Eight players and 8 mentors completed postintervention interviews. Data indicated that following completion of the intervention, players perceived themselves to have a better understanding of when and how to use future-oriented coping. They also perceived enhanced psychosocial resources, and a more flexible approach toward goal pursuits. Recommendations for future research developments and the evaluation of coping interventions are presented.