Research has found an overlap between neurodivergence and transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) identity (Goetz & Adams, 2022; Thrower et al., 2020; Warrier et al., 2020). Both TGD and neurodivergent populations are negatively impacted by minority stress (Botha et al., 2022; Valentine & Shipherd, 2018). Yet, little research has considered the minority stress experience of TGD individuals who are neurodivergent. Drawing on minority stress theory, we used hierarchical multiple regression analyses to examine how distal (i.e., gender-related discrimination, gender-related rejection, neurodivergent discrimination) and proximal (i.e., internalized transphobia, stigma consciousness) stressors predicted psychological distress and college self-efficacy among a sample of TGD college students who are neurodivergent (n = 139). The results revealed that, after controlling for covariates, neurodivergent discrimination and neurodivergent stigma consciousness positively predicted psychological distress. Furthermore, after controlling for covariates, internalized transphobia and neurodivergent stigma consciousness negatively predicted college self-efficacy. Recommendations for future research, clinical practice, and social justice advocacy are discussed.

Transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people represent a small percent of the population and yet, they experience sexual violence (SV) at disproportionately high rates compared to their cisgender counterparts. Little is known about how SV relates to TGD people's gender identity and their ability to engage in posttraumatic growth (PTG). The purpose of the present study is to gain a nuanced understanding of the role that SV plays in the lives of TGD people. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight TGD participants, and an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) revealed two superordinate (i.e. negative impacts of SV on self and factors that facilitated recovery from SV) and twelve subordinate (i.e. systemic oppression, mental health outcomes, gender dysphoria and transitioning, difficulties with disclosure, lack of resources, physical intimacy, advocacy, connection and support, strengths, posttraumatic growth, affirming resources, and hope) themes. Implications for practice include the use of gender-affirming interventions; understanding the potential interplay between gender dysphoria, oppression, and trauma; and exploration of strengths and avenues for growth. Directions for future research include the use of diverse samples and a mixed-method approach to studying this topic.

Drawing on minority stress and intersectionality theory frameworks, this study used latent profile analysis to examine how distal (gender-related discrimination, gender-related rejection, neurodiverse discrimination) and proximal (internalized transphobia, stigma consciousness) stressors clustered together to form distinct patterns of identity-based stress among 190 transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) undergraduate students who are neurodiverse (ND). Variation in relative risk for mental health (psychological distress, resilience) and academic outcomes (college self-efficacy, grade point average [GPA]) among the profiles were assessed using multinomial logistic regression. Four distinct profiles emerged: low stress profile (Profile 1, n = 59), high gender-related discrimination profile (Profile 2, n = 56), high stress profile (Profile 3, n = 43), and high stigma consciousness (Profile 4, n = 32). Profile membership was associated with ND diagnosis, gender identity, race, and income. Multinomial logistic regression analyses found that psychological distress, college self-efficacy, and GPA predicted profile membership. The implications of study findings for existing theory and clinical practice are discussed. Public Significance Statement This study investigated differences in identity-based stress experiences among TGD undergraduate students who are ND, identifying distinct patterns that grouped individuals together on the basis of these experiences. Demographically, we identified differences among the groups, and largely found that the risk of membership in the high minority stress groups was higher for worse levels of psychological distress and lower for better academic outcomes.

This case study describes the progress of a client receiving goal focused positive psychotherapy over 34 sessions, capturing the subtlety and responsiveness of the theory in action. The client self-identified as a Mexican American heterosexual female in her early 20s who had experienced intense anxiety and recurring bouts of depression since elementary school. The primary therapeutic principles of goal focused positive psychotherapy- including hope, strengths, virtuous approach goals, incremental change, and culture- are described alongside germane interventions (one good thing, capitalization, and self-compassion). The client experienced reduction of the initial symptoms (anxiety, pessimism and low self-worth, and deficits in time management and organization). Beyond symptom diminishment, the client achieved increased agency, clarity of virtuous values, genuine caring for others, engagement with a broader range of feelings, and self-compassion. The client's cultural strengths served as a central resource for growth. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).

When individuals experience gratitude they receive many benefits, including increased meaning in life, optimism, happiness, and greater connection to others. Multiple theorists and researchers citing the benefits of gratitude have proposed gratitude interventions for couples. However, research on intentionally practicing gratitude in the complex dynamics of intimate relationships remains sparse. This study piloted a two week-long gratitude exercise to explore if intentionally practicing gratitude could improve the quality of intimate relationships with 70 heterosexual couples. APIM models indicated a positive effect between the frequency of gratitude exercises and increased positive emotion, intimacy, and relationship satisfaction for women, but not for men, after accounting for relational satisfaction prior to the exercises. Implications for couples and psychoeducational settings are discussed.

Hope is a critical component of therapeutic change. However, hope does not singularly emanate from clients. Therapists’ hope for their clients represents a specific therapeutic factor that may impact clinical outcomes. Currently no measure exists to assess the uniqueness of therapist’s hope in therapy with specific clients. Our purpose in this study was to develop and initially validate the Therapist Hope for Clients Scale (THCS). Participants ( N = 380) completed the THCS, plus four additional measures to assess therapists’ use of clients’ strengths, self-efficacy in helping skills, working alliance with individual clients, and a general measure of hope. We subjected the THCS to parallel analysis, factor analyses, reliability testing, and validity testing. These steps led to the development of a 10-item measure. THCS scores were positively related to therapists’ use of clients’ strengths, helping skills, self-efficacy, and working alliance. Implications of the THCS are discussed.

In honor of the 50th anniversary of The Counseling Psychologist, we present a snapshot of the current state of counseling psychology training in the context of the health service psychology model and competency-based framework of the Standards of Accreditation. Using data from the 2017–2018 Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs membership survey that was completed by 95% of counseling psychology training directors ( N = 76), we describe how counseling psychology programs are meeting accreditation requirements and present their self-reported institutional resources and supports. We also summarize preliminary data on program-specific competencies and master’s-level training—two current training-related issues that may strengthen or weaken counseling psychology professional identity and values. We discuss ways of balancing the demands of training and available resources within the current context of overall rising costs and diminishing resources across higher education.

This article introduces the empirical support for and theoretical tenets of Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP), a comprehensive, evidence-based, psychotherapy model. GFPP's approach emerges from positive and social psychology research, and is informed by psychotherapy research from the common and contextual models. Its interventions focus on idiosyncratic and multiculturally-attuned client factors, particularly client strengths and goals, in an effort to increase subjective well-being and facilitate the client's experience of a meaningful, satisfying life. Enhanced client well-being provides more robust and abundant resources for proactively addressing presenting concerns without requiring intensive focus on client deficits, symptoms, or trauma. The mechanism of change is positive emotion, as informed by the broaden-and-build [Fredrickson, B. L. (2001). The role of positive emotions in positive psychology: The broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions. American Psychologist, 56(3), 218-226. doi:] biopsychosocial model. The therapeutic alliance creates a healing context cultivated through a focus on hope, strengths, and client-centred experiences of self-determination.

Hope is often identified as a central process in psychotherapy, with researchers supporting links between clients' hope, symptom distress, and process variables. However, this body of literature is yet to specifically ask what it means for psychotherapists to have hope for their clients. Our purpose, with this descriptive phenomenological study, was to understand the meaning of therapists' hope for their clients. This information has the potential to better inform how therapists think about their own hope for clients and the ways in which this is transmitted to clients who may enter therapy in a state of hopelessness. To accomplish this, we interviewed psychologists (N = 8) using a semistructured interview protocol. Interviews were transcribed then analyzed in accordance with descriptive phenomenology guidelines. Four themes were identified: (a) a sense of holding and possibility; (b) fundamental, dynamic, and reflective practice; (c) client influence (positive and negative) on hope; and (d) connection through hope. The findings are discussed in light of therapist effects in psychotherapy, the internal world of therapists, and training implications. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).

Research of the effectiveness of couples counseling has demonstrated clear benefits (e.g.; Lebow et al. (Journal of Marital and Family Therapy, 38(1):145–168, 2012)). However, relatively few couples initiate counseling and seek help. This exploratory study employed a qualitative multiple case study approach to heterosexual couples (N = 7) that were currently in the process of seeking conjoint therapy to identify intra and interpersonal factors that influence relational help-seeking. Participants reported that female partners were the first to perceive a problem and suggest seeking professional help. In turn, male partners reported feeling a sense of failure and fear of judgment when considering couples counseling. Patterns of blame, withdrawal, and aggression contributed to increased distress, which eventually led these couples to counseling, some with mixed-agendas for services.

The counseling psychology Model Training Program (MTP) was written to reflect new developments in counseling psychology, the American Psychological Association, and the world. The updated MTP is aspirational, intended to guide the development and maintenance of counseling psychology programs. The MTP conforms to the American Psychological Association’s and the Society of Counseling Psychology’s standards and guidelines. A strategic task group appointed by 2015 Society president James W. Lichtenberg sought feedback from the field to assist in its formulation, and the executive boards of the Society and the Council of Counseling Psychology Training Programs approved the final version. The 2017 MTP consists of four core values (i.e., growth toward full potential, holistic and contextual, diversity and social justice, communitarian perspective) as well as 20 principles grouped into six clusters: counseling psychology identity; multiculturalism, diversity, and social justice; health service psychology; developmental, prevention, and strengths orientation; science–practice integration; and relationships within and between professional communities.

Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy presents the first comprehensive positive psychology psychotherapy model that optimizes well-being and thereby diminishes psychological distress. The theory of change is the Broaden-and-Build Theory of positive emotions. The therapeutic process promotes client strengths, hope, positive emotions, and goals. The book provides the foundational premises, empirical support, theory, therapeutic techniques and interventions, a training model, case examples, and future directions. A three-year study is presented that reveals that Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP) was as effective as cognitive-behavioral therapy and short-term psychodynamic therapies, which fits the meta-analyses of therapy outcome studies that no bona fide psychotherapy achieves superior outcome. However, GFPP was significantly more attractive to the clients. Descriptions are provided of the Broaden-and-Build Theory, therapy goals based upon clients’ values and personal meaning (i.e., approach goals and intrinsic goals), identification and use of clients’ personal strengths (including client culture), centrality of hope and hope theory, the implicit theory of personal change or the growth mindset, and finally Self-Determination Theory. The techniques and interventions of GFPP as well as the importance of the therapist’s intentions during therapy are presented. GFPP focuses upon the client and relationship while not viewing psychotherapy as a set of potent scripted treatments that acts upon the client. Goal Focused Positive Supervision is presented as a new model that supports the supervisee’s strength-based self-definition rather than a pathological one or deficit orientation. Training that includes the experiential learning of GFPP principles is underscored.

The final chapter presents empirical support for Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP) in comparison to cognitive-behavioral therapy and short-term psychodynamic therapy. Topics for future research and development are addressed. The GFPP orientation toward the client and skills to enact the orientation are discussed. The three primary pathways of the Contextual Model, a meta-theory of psychotherapy, are used to outline future research. Pathway 1 describes the importance of forming a real relationship between the therapist and client. Pathway 2 consists of the client’s expectations of benefit that are created through therapeutic techniques. The final pathway is the client’s change through participating in the therapy interventions. Treatment model validity issues are reviewed by examining therapists’ therapy model allegiance versus treatment integrity. Assessing the therapist’s competence as an ability to facilitate GFPP experiences for the client is examined. Finally, areas of growth for GFPP are discussed, including a better integration of systems theory.

This chapter discusses the training of therapists based on the authentic commitment to promoting client well-being. Experiential learning of Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP) principles facilitates allegiance to this model. Goal Focused Positive Supervision (GFPS) is offered as a new model emphasizing supervisee strengths, approach goals, capitalizing on successes, and hopefulness. A supervision case example is given to illustrate GFPS. Supervisee training includes a developmental orientation to autonomy, relatedness, and competence. Expansion of traditional supervision models includes attention to positive supervisee events and strengths. The contagious relationship between client hope and therapist hope is highlighted. Therapist hope is required to build the therapeutic alliance. Training includes the promotion of essential GFPP therapist skills, and training methods are suggested. The Partners for Change Outcome Management System is useful in training and therapy to measure client progress toward well-being and alliance formation.

This chapter provides an overview of the philosophy and foundational premises of Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy. Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy is described as a comprehensive psychotherapy model built primarily upon positive psychology principles to optimize well-being, which diminishes the effects of psychological distress. The theory of change is the Broaden-and-Build Theory of positive emotions. The therapeutic process promotes client strengths, hope, and positive emotions in order to assist the client in attaining goals, making growth toward goals in psychotherapy and life more enjoyable. Issues of ethics, psychological metaphor, therapeutic alliance, client context, and a case example of a client with posttraumatic stress disorder are presented.

Chapter 2 presents the theory behind Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP), a technique that facilitates clients’ thriving by creating a happier, meaningful life. Psychotherapy can help clients to enjoy a lifetime of well-being and growth toward their meaningful, virtuous goals through positive emotions. The Broaden-and-Build Theory of positive emotions serves as the change mechanism for GFPP. It is important to select goals for therapy based upon client values and personal meaning (approach goals and intrinsic goals). Using clients’ personal strengths (including their culture) is of central importance, as is the promotion of hope in usually demoralized clients. The implicit theory of personal change or the growth mindset includes the belief in neural or brain plasticity. Self Determination Theory sets out competence, relatedness, and autonomy as the three determinants of motivation and the fundamental psychological needs.

The negative impact of alliance ruptures on clients' experiences within the therapeutic process is well documented. One such negative influence may include clients' hope for counseling as a helpful process. This study used a mixed methods design to explore how alliance ruptures are related to hope for change through counseling. Quantitative data (N = 105) indicated that those who experienced ruptures reported lower levels of the components of hope for change through counseling, (a) pathways and agency, and (b) goal identification. More frequent ruptures and rupture repairs were significantly related to participants' (n = 35) pathways and agency. Phenomenological analysis of qualitative participants' (N = 5) experiences elicited 218 meaning units grouped into four themes: disengagement and mistrust in therapy, deepened distress, questioning one's hope for and belief in therapy, and resilience for therapy. Qualitative and quantitative data indicate that alliance ruptures are related to lower degrees of hope for change through counseling. Results suggest that clients' perceptions of ruptures fostered disengagement and mistrust of therapists. However, when therapists act to repair ruptures, they may effectively re-engage some degree of hope for change through counseling in clients. Lastly, the role of clients' persistence in therapy despite experiencing ruptures is discussed.

This chapter present the techniques and interventions of Goal Focused Positive Psychotherapy (GFPP). Highlighted are the therapist’s intentions to emphasize the client’s strengths and to facilitate the expression of positive emotions, hope, and goals while focusing on the therapeutic alliance. Psychotherapy is not viewed as a set of potent scripted treatments that act upon the client. The therapeutic techniques include nonverbal communication, mirroring, open and closed questions, paraphrase and reflection, challenge, summarizing, empathy, interpretation, self-disclosure, immediacy, information giving, and direct guidance. The interventions include capitalization, self-affirmation, formula-first-session-task, reframing, success-finding, encouragement, visualizing success, miracle question, scaling questions, best-possible-self, count your blessings, self-compassion, and mindfulness. The practitioner is urged to use GFPP’s theoretical model to guide the treatment intentions and use any techniques and interventions that fit with the client and the GFPP model.