Advocate C h i S i g m a I o t a

A l p h a E t a C h a p t e r

U n i v e r s i t y o f N e w O r l e a n s LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT

Volume , Issue Spring 2015

The

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Chi Sigma Iota is an international honor society that values academic and pro-fessional excellence in counseling. It was created for professional counselors, counselor educators, and students who contribute to the realization of a healthy society by foster-ing wellness and human dignity. Our mission is to promote scholarship, research, professionalism, leadership and excellence in counseling and to recognize high attainment in the pursuit of aca-demic and clinical excellence in the profession.

Letter from the President

About Chi Sigma Iota

1

Big Easy Recap:

Dr. West-Olatunji

2

Mandated Clients 3

Drug Court 4

Graduation Fall 2014 5

Re-Searching For Answers 6

Big Easy Recap:

Dr. Lee

7

In Memorium: Dr. Jane Myers 8

COMING SOON

UPCOMING EVENTS

9

Editors’ Thank You 10

Getting Involved /Submissions 11

ABOUT CHI SIGMA IOTA

Alpha Eta Board 2014—2015

Faculty Advisor:

Dr. Barbara Herlihy

President: Angela Jam es President-Elect: Chr is Lauer Secretary: Ham ilton Sim s Treasurer: Eleanor McAuliffe

Member-At-Large (Doctoral):

Panos Markopoulos

Member-At-Large (Alumni):

Elizabeth A. Taylor

Recently I had the privilege of serving as a delegate representing CSI, Alpha Eta Chapter during ACA in Orlando. Delegates of Chi Sigma Iota are responsible for attend-ing certain meetings and events to maintain chapter standards. We also get the oppor-tunity to join with other delegates to celebrate the achievements and highlights of the past year. This year’s events were significantly poignant for a number of reasons. Chi Sig-ma Iota is currently in its thirtieth year of existence and we just recently reached the 100,000 mark for the number of national initiates into our prestigious organization. There was a great deal of revelry and jubilance surrounding these two significant achievements and being witness to the accolades was enjoyable. But perhaps the most momentous experience was seeing the life of Dr. Jane Myers being celebrated through-out the events at ACA. Dr. Myers left an indelible mark on Chi Sigma Iota and the American Counsel-ing Association. As a Past-President of both ACA and CSI, her contribution to our pro-fession was easily seen and her influence on its members was readily shown. At the del-egate meeting, Dr. Lois Wedl, the very first initiate into Chi Sigma Iota, reminisced about her experience when the organization was in its infancy, and the perseverance in Dr. Myers which allowed Chi Sigma Iota to develop into what it has become today. When we have to say goodbye, there is a sense of loss we feel as we think about the connections and relationships we have made and fear develops surrounding what happens in transitioning. Will we be missed? Have we done enough? What would we do differently? The lingering questions often make goodbyes hard as we walk away with uncertainty about what we have left behind and ambiguity about what lies ahead. What was so remarkable about seeing Dr. Myers being celebrated was looking at her legacy from the past thirty years being reflected in every action taken by the members and knowing she was there when Chi Sigma Iota was just a dash of hope with an unclear fu-ture. I say my goodbyes as president of Alpha Eta very soon and am thankful for the opportunities, relationships and growth that have come my way through this experience. Having confidence in the leadership that is to come gives me great hope in Alpha Eta’s future. Seeing what lies ahead brings a sense of relief and pride having been a part of this incredible organization. Although feeling a tremendous sense of loss, I choose to celebrate how it has shaped me and how much I have gained because of this journey. Angela James, President Alpha Eta Chapter

SEEING THE GOOD IN GOODBYES

“How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard.” - A. Milne, Winnie the Pooh

Page 2 Volume , Issue

BIG EASY RECAP: DR. WEST-OLATUNJI BY: BRITTNEY YANDLE

Dr. Cirecie West-Olatunji’s seminar titled,

“Evidence-based, Culture-centered Interventions for

African American Clients: Ethical and Clinical Con-

siderations,” placed a spotlight on the need for, and

outcomes of, using interventions in counseling Afri-

can American clients. Dr. West-Olatunji acknowl-

edged the historical and cultural attributes that make

this population unique and stressed that African

Americans should not be viewed by human service

professionals from a “deficit-oriented perspective.”

Instead, the perpetual strength of this group despite

a long history of oppression should be acknowledged

and incorporated into the therapy process. Dr. West

-Olatunji spoke to using a new lens to view the Afri-

can American community, one that brings African

culture and values to the forefront. With this lens,

African Americans will not be viewed as a group ex-

periencing social, physical, or mental deficits, but as

a group that holds a unique cultural and historical

experience. This approach allows African culture to

be acknowledged and accepted, as opposed to being

pushed aside by Eurocentric values. Dr. West-

Olatunji pressed that an African-centered approach

“unifies African principles, values, and traditions,”

all of which, along with history, culture, and social

context, must be taken into consideration when

working with an African-American client.

Dr. West-Olatunji spoke on numerous Afri-

can-based values as well as the structure and belief

systems of African American families, such as a

strong sense of kinship and a matriarchal hierarchy,

and how these could play a role in the case conceptu-

alization of an African American client. The discus-

sion moved into the many possible clinical consider-

ations that should be taken into account when coun-

seling an African American client, such as distrust of

Whites and the display of psychological distress,

both of which stem from a long history of racism and

oppression. Dr. West-Olatunji elaborated on the Af-

rican-centered approach by presenting various Afri-

can-centered counseling theories, such as those de-

veloped by White and Parham, Wade Nobles, and

Frederick Phillips.

Aside from her immense knowledge of Afri-

can-based approaches and theories, Dr. West-

Olatunji brought a rich background full of engaging

stories, videos, and experiences that allowed the au-

dience to better grasp the necessity and historical

success of using culture-centered interventions with

African American clients.

Pictured from left:

Dr. West-Olatunji, Dr. Herlihy, Dr. McCarthy,

& Angela James.

Dr. West-Olatunji included within her

seminar the continued importance to help rebuild

Haiti. As part, Dr. McCarthy, from the Haitian Re-

lief Fund, spoke & Alpha Eta proudly presented

him a donation to the rebuilding efforts.

Page 3 The Advocate

When a professional envisions therapy with involuntary clients, one may be met with pre-

dictions of hesitation, resistance, and lack of participation. In my personal experience I have

undoubtedly experienced this, yet have come to realize that this is not always the case. Even

when these obstacles are present they have served as a stepping stone towards growth and ex-

ploration for all members.

Incorporating existential theory into mandated group work was especially challenging in

the beginning of my internship experience. With the program model being focused on psy-

choeducation and short-term psychotherapy, I found it difficult to delve into issues related to

members’ search of life’s meaning. Though as the flow of relationships in the group began to

form and change, it became encouraging to see how my choice of theory was actually an appro-

priate fit for the population.

Through co-facilitator guidance, the members are exploring their own awareness of free-

dom and responsibility in their lives. This has assisted in the ongoing discovery of their own

identity, separate from society, in building better relationships with others. Members have been

observed to express their honest reactions of situations and admit their self-created obstacles

with one another as it relates to their family of origin issues. By participating in a group setting

each member can decide to view the program as an opportunity to remove themselves from tox-

ic relationships and examine themselves as an individual for the first time.

With the help of the group dynamic and the support it presents, members are allowed the

space to practice self-awareness and expand upon it. Members can relate to one another and

look towards answering the question as to why they continue to have turmoil and anxiety in re-

lationships. At the same time the group is learning how they may in fact be escalating their

stress by avoiding healthy boundaries. Taking accountability for their actions and refraining

from blame has been an active topic contributing to the group’s plan for a better future.

My experience with group work has been invaluable and insightful. It appears that we are

all working as a whole and learning new and helpful information each week from one another.

Cohesion and altruism amongst the group continue to allow mandated members to process old

behaviors and further envision what they truly want out of life. Looking at their past and apply-

ing new coping skills learned in group will hopefully contribute to their success in avoiding the

same choices that may have hindered their previous happiness. As a co-facilitator, I hope to

continue my interpretation of the same path related to professional identity.

EXISTENTIAL GROUP WORK WITH MANDATED CLIENTS BY: COLIN THERIOT

The Advocate Page 4

Page 4 The Advocate

DRUG COURT BY: ANGELA BRAMANDE

In 2012 there were 29 operational, adult

offender, drug court programs in the state of Loui-

siana. Drug court is an intense treatment pro-

gram that combines treatment with “judicial over-

sight.” In 2009 there was a 5.4 percent recidi-

vism rate which means that 94.6 percent of gradu-

ates “remained free of additional convictions 2

years after graduation.” Most programs have

many similarities yet differ in different ways. This

article will briefly review the clientele serviced,

treatment modality used, and the counselor’s role

and work responsibilities working at Lafourche

Parish Drug Court in Thibodaux, Louisiana on

Green Street.

All clients serviced have pled guilty to a

felony and waived their rights to contest to be ac-

cepted into the drug court program. Clients’ ages

range from 18 on up and they are males or fe-

males. The felonies are drug related or have been

deemed to be in response to drug use. The felo-

nies can range from 3rd DWI offense to having a

clandestine lab manufacturing methampheta-

mine. The one common denominator the current

100 drug court client participants have in com-

mon is their drug use that resulted in them being

criminally charged and pleading guilty. Each indi-

vidual has the opportunity to graduate the pro-

gram within a minimum of two years to a maxi-

mum of five years. The program is divided into

four phases that the client progressively advances

through once becoming compliant to the program

rules and requirements of each phase.

The program uses Moral Reconnation

Therapy, MRT, “an evidence based cognitive be-

havioral program” developed by Dr. Greg Little

and Dr. Kenneth Robinson. “MRT addresses be-

lief and reasoning” seeking “to move the client

from hedonistic reasoning” to “concern for social

rules and others.” The counselor who is employed

receives specialized training to utilize MRT and

will use this treatment modality when working

with clients in the first three phases.

The drug court counselor normally facili-

tates a one-hour and forty -five minute group four

times per week. The group can be as small as one

individual or as large as 12 to 15 people. Before

each group session, the counselor administers a

breath analysis on each individual. After group,

one counselor staffs the table, observes and as-

sists, where clients’ urine specimens are tagged

and bagged, then boxed for shipment for testing.

Another counselor, male or female, observes each

same sex individual urinate in a urine collection

cup. On Fridays, the treatment team meets to dis-

cuss the clients’ current progress and staff cases.

Then on Monday, the treatment team meets in the

Judge’s chambers to review the clients’ progress

with the Judge and the judicial team.

Overall, the counselor who works at drug

court can expect to facilitate four groups per week,

create treatment plans, write case notes, chart and

complete phase advancement paperwork. The

work can be challenging to watch clients relapse.

However, it can be rewarding watching clients

make positive changes in their lives, working,

gaining their GED, going to college, becoming par-

ents to their children, and being better persons.

Page 5 The Advocate

GRADUATION CELEBRATION FALL 2014

Stephen Carrier

Kathleen Carroll-Stutts

Christina Lott

Eleanor McAuliffe

Samantha Reese

Travis Smith

Doctoral Graduates:

Drew David Reilly

Danielle Marie Desnoyers

Ariel Encalade Mitchell

Master’s Graduates:

Right: Doctoral graduates

Danielle (far left) pictured

with Ariel & family

Above: Master’s Graduates Kath-

leen, Eleanor, Samantha, Christina,

Travis, & Stephen (front).

Above from left: Dr. O’Hanlon,

Leonie Kruger, Dr. Herlihy, & Dr. Dickens

Below: Site Supervisors Steve Kessler&

Sharon Normand accept the award for

“Outstanding Practicum/Internship Site”

for Addiction Recovery Resources

Outstanding Master’s Intern:

Travis Smith

Outstanding Master’s Graduate:

Eleanor McAuliffe

From left: Dean of the College of Education, Dr.

Kruger, pictured with Dr. Lyons, & Dr. Watson

Page 6 The Advocate

RE-SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS BY: ALLISON LINDSEY DURANT

“A mind is a terrible thing to waste.” This is a quote I have heard throughout my life. I believed

this was something a famous poet or humorist such as Mark Twain wrote. So I did what anyone might

do, I asked Google “who wrote ‘a mind is a terrible thing to waste?” What I learned was that it is the slo-

gan for the United Negro College Fund. Not at all what I expected.

Most of us are naturally curious beings. With the Internet, we have access to endless amounts of

information. Searching for information, as many of you know, can lead to an infinite number of pages of

data, adding more questions and provoking us to search for more answers.

Research is not just for scientists. The word can bring up the white coat, goggles and microscope

for a lot of people. However, as counseling students, we have the opportunity to do research. It is not

reserved just for those in the doctoral program. Anyone can do research. It allows us to pursue our inter-

ests or learn something new. A professor who acts as a mentor may be the first person approach for help

in your research project. In some cases, there may be research underway, with which you can help. Send

an email or set up a meeting with your advisor to begin discussions. Doctoral students are often a part of

our counseling program, they often teach or supervise the Masters’ students. Use these opportunities to

explore research topics they may be interested in.

If you want to start your own research project, the first thing you need to do is determine if the

question you want answered has been answered before. The way to do this is to scour journals, texts and

articles that have been published. Don’t go to Google. You will want to search Google scholar. Your

school library has an enormous database and resources. These search engines will allow you to filter your

search to a certain time period or even more specifically, certain publications or only peer-reviewed liter-

ature. Your mentor will also perform a search to ensure your findings are accurate.

If you find your question has not been answered, the next steps are to complete the documents

mandated by the university to complete a research project. This is where it can be extremely helpful to

have the guidance of someone who has done this before. Looking at the requirements can be intimidat-

ing, but as is the case with most things, having someone guide you through what may seem to be a daunt-

ing task can allow you to break it down and face the challenge.

Where do you go from here? The possibilities are too numerous to even attempt to discuss them

in this brief article. Have your mentor hold your hand or grab the hand of someone who is conducting

their own research and let them show you the way. Don’t just sit back and wonder, make a project out of

it and the result could provide some answers that would benefit others. Isn’t that why we are in the coun-

seling profession?

The Advocate Page 7

BIG EASY RECAP: COUNSELING BLACK MEN IN THE AGE OF TRAYVON

BY: SARAH BARNES

In the wake of the recent shooting

deaths of several unarmed Black men around

the country, many counselors are grappling

with how to address the issue on both a per-

sonal and systemic level. In January, Dr.

Courtland Lee, Ph.D., Professor in the Depart-

ment of Counseling at the University of Malta,

delivered the particularly timely and relevant

seminar, “Stony the Road they Trod: New Per-

spectives on Counseling Black Men.”

Seminar participants began the day by

examining a case study and collaborating with

their colleagues to uncover the social and cul-tural issues at play, evaluate the challenges

they may have as the client’s counselor, and

formulate initial treatment options.

Dr. Lee then grounded the participants’

knowledge in the four categories of Black men

outlined in Eugene Robinson’s 2010 book,

Disintegration: The Splintering of Black

America. The categories include: The trans-

cendent Black man - one who has fulfilled Dr.

King’s dream – with examples such as Magic

Johnson and Colin Powell. The “mainstream”

Black man or the so-called “middle class” who

seems to have achieved the American dream.

The emergent Black man, a group including

both biracial and foreign-born Black men. Fi-

nally, the abandoned Black man, the group

most acutely stricken by the cyclical nature of

poverty, for whom there seems to be no way

out of current reality. Of the latter group, Dr.

Lee inquired of the audience, “Is this group

abandoned? Or is war being waged against

them?”

Dr. Lee provided an overview of the

crucial stages in the counseling process and the corresponding counselor requirements.

In the first stage, Initial Contact/

Appraisal, the client appraises the counselor,

whose goal is to make human contact and

begin to uncover similarities. In the Investi-

gative stage, the client begins to investigate

the counselor, and the counselor must work to

make the relationship egalitarian. In the In-

volvement stage, the client and counselor

begin to connect on a more personal level. In

the Commitment stage, the client will test the

counselor to determine if he or she is trust-

worthy and authentic enough to work with.

Lastly, in the Engagement process, the work of change and growth can begin.

To end the seminar, participants span-

ning demographic categories had the oppor-

tunity to practice counseling Dr. Lee as

“Colin,” a young Jamaican immigrant who

was struggling to fulfill both his academic and

familial responsibilities.

The wrongful deaths of Trayvon Mar-

tin, Mike Brown, Eric Garner, and far too

many others provide insight into why, as Dr.

Lee pointed out, “All black men living in this

country are angry.” As counselors, it is our

responsibility to continuously seek multiple

pathways to join in the journey of healing.

Dr. Courtland Lee

The Advocate Page 8

DR. JANE E. MYERS (1948— 2014)

BY: CHANTRELLE VARNADO-JOHNSON

Dr. Jane E. Myers, a visionary leader in professional counseling, has died. Dr. Myers

passed away peacefully at her home in Lexington, NC, on December 23, 2014. She is survived by

her husband of 21 years, Dr. Thomas J. Sweeney, her stepchildren, spouse’s grandchildren, and

great grand-children.

Dr. Myers’ research interests included neuroscience/biofeedback, wellness/assessment of

wellness, developmental counseling, and cross cultural wellness assessment and counseling. She

was an advocate for wellness lifestyles. Dr. Myers enjoyed cooking, gardening, flying, outdoor

exercise, and hiking

Dr. Myers’s culturally adapted wellness models are embraced and taught throughout the

world. She has written and edited more than 20 books and monographs, over 130 refereed journal

articles, and more than 50 additional publications. Dr. Myers was President of the American

Counseling Association in 1990-1991. Since 1990, Dr. Myers served as a Professor in the Depart-

ment of Counseling and Educational Development at the University of North Carolina at Greens-

boro. Most recently, she retired as Executive Director of Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic

and Professional Honor Society International, one of the largest associations of professional coun-

selors in the world.

She has been the recipient of a number of scholarly achievements and awards. Among her

honors are ACA’s highest award, the Gilbert and Kathleen Wrenn Humanitarian and Caring Per-

son Award, as well as the ACA Research Award, the ACA Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished

Professional Service Award, the ACA David Brooks Distinguished Mentoring Award, and the

Distinguished Service Awards of both the National Rehabilitation Counseling Association and the

American Rehabilitation Counseling Association, and the ACA Extended Research Award. She

was a Fellow of the Gerontological Society of America, the National Rehabilitation Counseling

Association, and ACA. She was selected as a Charter Fellow of the Chi Sigma Iota Academy of

Leaders for Excellence. Recently she was honored by inclusion in Leaders and Legacies in Coun-

seling, a book that chronicles the contributions of the some of the most significant leaders in the

counseling profession over the last century.

Dr. Myers was an inspirational mentor.

Thank you for all your outstanding work, Dr. Myers.

Page 9 Volume , Issue

UPCOMING EVENTS

April 15 Master’s & Doctoral Students Practicum & Internship Paperwork Due

May 1 Last Day of Classes Spring 2015 Semester

May 2 Chi Sigma Iota Induction & Initiation Ceremony, 6pm @ Dr. Herlihy’s

*more information to be provided

May 14 Counselor Education Graduation Celebration at the Homer L. Hitt

Alumni Center, 6:00pm

May 15 UNO Commencement Ceremony

June 1 Summer 2015 Semester Begins

COMING SOON:

THE 2015—2016 BIG EASY SEMINAR LINEUP

PRESENTED BY ALPHA ETA

Big Easy Seminars bring renowned speakers from the counseling profession to

New Orleans for informational workshops on varying topics for continued education hours .

As UNO students, you have the opportunity to participate in these seminars free of charge.

Visit:

www.bigeasyseminars.com for the latest information on seminars & presenter information

11/1/2014: “Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet, nor

shine, nor “All Saints’ Day” will keep us away from

Big Times in the Big Easy.” (Seminars in Counseling)

- Dr. Deneen Lewis

Left:

Big Easy Seminar frequent attendees:

Glynn Wade, Deneen Lewis, Ph.D., Liz Taylor

Page 10 Volume , Issue

A MESSAGE FROM THE

THE ADVOCATE NEWSLETTER CO-EDITORS

As the 2015 term comes to an end, the Co-editors of The Advocate Newslet-

ter, Eleanor McAuliffe, and Elizabeth A. Taylor, would like to thank so many of

you! The University of New Orleans Chi Sigma Iota, Alpha Eta Chapter has demon-

strated the epitome for which this “Counseling Academic and Professional Honor

Society International” represents. The honor of belonging to this organization recog-

nizes “scholastic and professional excellence” which we have enjoyed and benefited

in working with our student peers and professional colleagues.

We thank our Faculty Advisor, Dr. Barbara Herlihy, for her unwavering sup-

port of our publications! Further, the 2014 -2015 Executive Board has kept the read-

ers up-to-date and well informed of the many activities we hosted. The “Featured

Writers” demonstrated continued commitment offering a submission for each publi-

cation. Former editor, Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson, deserves recognition for all of

her help and contribution as we began this endeavor. Lastly, if it were not for all of

our article contributors, publication of The Advocate Newsletter would not have

been possible!

Please know you have our heartfelt gratitude!

Eleanor McAuliffe & Elizabeth A. Taylor

The Advocate Co-Editors (2013-2015)

Treasurer Member—At-Large, Alumni

Page 11 Volume , Issue

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thank you to all of the following contributors to this edition of the CSI, Alpha Eta Advocate! We could not have put this together

without the help and contributions of the following CSI, Alpha Eta members:

Chi Sigma Iota Newsletter Committee:

Eleanor McAuliffe & Elizabeth A. Taylor, Co-Editors

Angela Bramande, Featured Writer

Allison Lindsey Durant, Featured W riter

Colin Theriot, Featured W riter

Contributors:

Sarah Barnes

Angela James

Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson

Brittney Yandle

Have you recently read a book about counseling that you think others should read, or attended a seminar with

information you're bursting to share? How about research you wish your classmates knew about? Is there an important topic you feel your fellow counseling students and professionals need to be aware of?

Here is a chance for you to spread the word!

The Advocate, UNO's CSI new sletter , is currently accepting article proposals for our next is-

sue. Contributing provides an opportunity to be recognized while expanding the Alpha Eta Chapter commu-nity body of knowledge.

What can you contribute?

Book reviews

Topical articles and professional news related to the counseling field

P/I site spotlights

“Why I Joined CSI”

Big Easy or other conference/seminar reviews

And so much more!

Articles can range from 150-500 words in length.

We look forward to hearing what you have to say!

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