Holistic Approaches to Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key concepts, biological factors, psychological and social components, wellness models, and prevention strategies from Chapter 6: Holistic Approaches to Clinical Mental Health Counseling.

Biopsychosocial Model

An approach to medicine and mental health proposed in 1977 by George Engel that focuses on the multiple, interrelated ways biology, psychology, and social/cultural factors are conducive or detrimental to health and well-being.

Neurotransmitters

Messenger chemicals in the brain, produced by glands such as the pituitary and adrenal glands, that account for transmitting signals from one neuron to the next across synapses to excite or inhibit messages.

Dopamine

A neurotransmitter linked to an increase in hyperactivity and irritability.

Norepinephrine

A neurotransmitter that modulates other transmitters and shares similarities with dopamine.

Serotonin

An inhibitory neurotransmitter closely associated with emotion and mood; deficiencies can lead to depression, anger control issues, obsessive-compulsive disorder, other emotional disorders, and suicide.

Limbic System

A brain structure located on both sides and underneath the thalamus, just under the cerebrum (including the hypothalamus, hippocampus, and amygdala), that is primarily responsible for emotional life and memory formation.

BATHE

A clinical interviewing technique consisting of Background, Affect, Trouble, Handling, and Empathy, used to assess biological, psychological, and social factors affecting a client.

Spirituality (ASERVIC Definition)

An innate and unique capacity and tendency that moves an individual toward knowledge, love, meaning, peace, hope, transcendence, connectedness, compassion, wellness, wholeness, creativity, growth, and the development of a value system.

Religion

A social or organized means by which a person expresses spirituality, characterized primarily by organizational and behavioral components.

Mindfulness

A mental health approach defined by Jon Kabat-Zinn as paying attention to the here and now in a purposeful, nonjudgmental manner without filters or distortions.

Core Building Blocks of Mindfulness

Three components identified by Shapiro et al. (2006): Intention (practicing purposefully), Attention (focusing on what is occurring in the moment), and Attitude (observing in a nonjudgmental manner).

Wellness

A way of life oriented toward optimal health and well-being in which body, mind, and spirit are integrated to live life more fully within the human and natural community (Myers, Sweeney, & Witmer, 2000).

Salutogenic

A term describing an intervention or approach that is health-enhancing rather than disease- or pathology-focused.

Wheel of Wellness

A wellness model rooted in Alfred Adler's Individual Psychology that outlines five major life tasks (spirituality, self-direction, work and leisure, friendship, and love), placing spirituality at the center as the most important component.

Indivisible Self Model (IS-Wel Model)

A counseling-based wellness model organized around a primary factor (global wellness), five second-order factors (creative, coping, social, essential, and physical self), 17 third-order factors, and four contexts (local, institutional, global, and chronometrical).

Primary Prevention

Intervention efforts that occur 'before the fact' and attempt to reduce the number of new occurrences of a disorder (Caplan, 1964).

Secondary Prevention

Intervention targeted toward individuals who are at risk of developing a mental health problem or who are exhibiting early symptoms of a disorder (Caplan, 1964).

Tertiary Prevention

Interventions aimed at reducing the debilitating effects of an existing disorder through treatment, remediation, or reactive intervention (Caplan, 1964).

Configural Equation

A prevention model formulated by Bloom (1996) that involves increasing individual strengths, decreasing individual limitations, increasing social supports, decreasing social stresses, and enhancing environmental resources.

Incidence Formula

A prevention model developed by Albee and Gullotta (1997) that emphasizes bolstering coping skills, self-esteem, and support systems while recognizing personal power and powerlessness.

What additional effects can low serotonin have?

Increased carbohydrate appetite, sleep difficulties, migraines, IBS, and fibromyalgia.

Which hormones are secreted by the adrenal glands during stress?

They secrete hormones such as cortisol, adrenaline (epinephrine), and norepinephrine during stress, which help to regulate metabolism, immune response, and the body's fight-or-flight reaction.

How can chronic stress affect the immune system?

Chronic stress can weaken the immune system by reducing its effectiveness in fighting off infections and diseases, making an individual more susceptible to illness. - Cortisol is associated with a decline in immune functioning. It can also lead to increased inflammation and slower healing processes, as sustained high levels of cortisol can suppress the immune response.

What are examples of stress buffers?

Exercise, creative outlets, control, social support, and hope for improvement. Stress management techniques, mindfulness practices, healthy relationships, and relaxation strategies.

Why should counselors understand brain chemistry and psychotropic medications?

To understand medication effects and communicate effectively with prescribing professionals.

What medication-related responsibilities do counselors have?

Stay informed about clients' medication practices and pharmacology–mental health connections.

What is emotional intelligence?

Ability to perceive, understand, and express emotions.

How do psychological and biological factors interact?

Each can influence the other. I.E. both the psychological and the biological factors can influence each other.

What is the purpose of the BPS model?

Assess human behavior within a comprehensive whole.

What does BATHE stand for?

• Background

• Affect

• Trouble

• Handling

• Empathy.

What is the goal of the BATHE technique?

Explore factors influencing client well-being collaboratively

What does the B in BATHE stand for?

Background: Builds rapport and explores the client's current circumstances and relevant BPS factors.

What does the A in BATHE stand for?

Affect: Assesses the client's current emotional state and feelings.

What does the T in BATHE stand for?

Trouble: Explores the presenting problem and additional factors contributing to it.

What does the H in BATHE stand for?

Handling- Assesses the client's coping strategies and support systems.

What does the E in BATHE stand for?

Empathy: Communicates that the client's emotional response is understandable given their circumstances.

How can spirituality benefit mental health?

Higher self-esteem, less depression, and decreased substance use.

How can spirituality benefit physical health?

May support illness coping, recovery, and cognitive functioning.

How can religion negatively affect mental health?

Certain beliefs may create distress, guilt, or feelings of being punished.

What are the six ASERVIC competency domains?

Culture/worldview, self-awareness, spiritual development, communication, assessment, diagnosis/treatment.

Who should generally take the lead in discussing spirituality during counseling?

The client should take the lead in discussing spirituality during counseling

Why should counselors examine their own spiritual beliefs?

To develop self-awareness and avoid imposing personal values.

How can counselors incorporate a client's spiritual worldview?

Use language and treatment approaches consistent with the client's beliefs.

How can counselors support clients with religious or spiritual concerns?

Respect their beliefs and help maximize their positive influence on well-being.

Why might counselors consult spiritual leaders?

To support clients whose spiritual needs may benefit from collaboration with other healers

What are the historical roots of mindfulness?

Buddhist tradition, dating back over 2,500 years.

What does living on autopilot mean?

Acting through habit or impulse without consciously directing attention.

What is the "puppy mind"?

A mind that constantly wanders from one focus to another.

What are the basic steps of mindfulness practice?

Find an anchor, observe the present, and gently return attention when it wanders.

What is a common mindfulness anchor?

Breathing; other anchors include sounds and body sensations.

How does mindfulness benefit counselors?

Develops insight, compassion, self-monitoring, and multicultural awareness.

How does mindfulness benefit clients?

Helps them manage the pain associated with difficult emotions.

What is positive wellness?

Optimizing well-being rather than simply fixing problems.

What theoretical approach influenced the Wheel of Wellness?

Adlerian Individual Psychology and its holistic view of individuals.

What influences the life tasks in the Wheel of Wellness?

Family, community, education, religion, and government influence the life tasks

Why was the Indivisible Self model developed?

Statistical analyses did not support the Wheel of Wellness structure.

What type of model is the Indivisible Self (IS-WEL)?

An empirically supported wellness model. (IS-WEL)

What inventory can counselors use to assess IS-WEL components?

Five-Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-Wel) can be used to assess IS-WEL cmponents

What should a personal wellness plan include?

Specific objectives, methods for change, and helpful resources.

What are Hettler's six dimensions of wellness?

Spiritual, emotional/social, physical, occupational/leisure, environmental, intellectual.

How does the Wheel of Wellness differ from IS-WEL?

Wheel = theoretical model; IS-WEL = empirically supported model.

Why was IS-WEL developed?

Statistical analyses did not support the Wheel of Wellness structure.

What are the five secondary factors of IS-WEL?

1. Creative

2. coping

3. social

4. essential

5. physical self.

(secondary factors)

What are the four IS-WEL contextual factors?

1. Local

2. institutional

3. global

4. chronometrical.

(Contextual factors)

What are Hettler's six dimensions of wellness?

1. Spiritual

2. emotional/social

3. physical

4. occupational/leisure

5. environmental

6. intellectual.

DEMENSIONS

How do counselors use wellness assessment and planning?

They

Assess wellness, identify areas for growth, create goals, and evaluate progress.

What is the Five-Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-Wel)?

An assessment counselors use to measure clients' wellness across IS-WEL components.

The five secondary factors of the Indivisible Self (IS-WEL) model

• Creative Self – creativity and how a person expresses themselves.

• Coping Self – how a person manages stress and life challenges.

• Social Self – relationships and connections with others.

• Essential Self – identity, beliefs, and sense of meaning.

• Physical Self – physical health and bodily well-being.

The 5F-Wel → 17 smaller wellness dimensions

Factor	What it includes
Creative Self	Thinking, emotions, control, work, positive humor
Coping Self	Leisure, stress management, self-worth, realistic beliefs
Social Self	Friendship, love
Essential Self	Spirituality, gender identity, cultural identity, self-care
Physical Self	Exercise, nutrition

What are the five characteristics of primary prevention programs described by Conyne?

1. Decrease the incidence of new cases.

2. Use intentionally planned, collaborative programs.

3. Take a contextual and ecological perspective, including multicultural and societal factors.

4. Reduce risk factors and build protective factors.

5. Improve the fit between people and their environments.

What are the two types of prevention services?

• Direct services: Help people build personal competencies.

• Indirect services: Target environmental factors that need to change

At what levels can prevention efforts be implemented?

Population-based, group-based, or individually based.

Why is primary prevention considered an efficient approach to mental health?

It is time- and cost-efficient and can reach large numbers of people before they experience significant emotional distress.

What are some barriers to implementing large-scale prevention programs?

• Limited funding for prevention.

• Third-party insurance reimbursement often requires a medical diagnosis.

• Counselor training programs may lack courses on prevention.

• Agencies and counselors may lack the resources, knowledge, and skills to implement programs.

What makes a prevention program successful?

It should be well-designed, skillfully implemented, targeted toward a specific population or setting, culturally sensitive, and evaluated for effectiveness.

What is Albee's adapted equation for psychological health?

Coping skills + Self-esteem + Social support + Personal power / Organic Factors + Stress + Powerlessness

The goal is to strengthen the factors that promote psychological health and reduce the factors that contribute to difficulties.

How can prevention programs address personal power and powerlessness?

Through strategies that increase personal power and systemic interventions that reduce unjust social conditions.

How does Lazarus and Folkman (1984) define stress?

A relationship between a person and their environment that the person perceives as exceeding their resources or threatening their well-being.

What are the three types of stressors?

• Chronic: Long-term stressors (e.g., poverty).

• Acute: A specific stressful event (e.g., death of a spouse).

• Daily aggravations: Ongoing everyday frustrations (e.g., arguments with siblings).

How can short-term and long-term stress affect people differently?

Short-term stress can motivate action, while prolonged stress can contribute to physical and psychosocial difficulties.

What is coping with stress?

The process of handling stressful situations and the thoughts and emotions they generate.

What are examples of techniques used in stress management programs?

• Deep breathing and relaxation.

• Cognitive restructuring to reduce negative or catastrophic thinking.

• Nutrition, physical activity, and quality sleep.

• Goal setting, prioritizing, and organizing tasks.

• Anger management and identifying personal strengths.

• Communication, conflict resolution, and assertiveness.

What are examples of time management tools?

Clarifying goals, avoiding procrastination, using a calendar, breaking large tasks into smaller steps, making to-do lists, balancing work and leisure, and keeping things in perspective.

What are vulnerable populations, and how can counselors support them?

Groups experiencing similar types of prolonged stress or societal marginalization. Counselors can support them through advocacy, outreach, and social action.

Examples include people experiencing poverty, homelessness, unemployment, discrimination, chronic illness, or other forms of marginalization.

THATS ALL FOLKS

THE END!!!