Date of Award

5-2003

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Ph.D.

Degree Program

Counselor Education

Department

Educational Leadership, Counseling, and Foundations

Major Professor

Christensen, Teresa

Abstract

This study investigated 9 variables to determine their relationship to the frequency of use of "Play Therapy" or non- verbal counseling techniques by elementary school counselors as well as their relationship to counselor perceived self-efficacy when counseling children who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent. The notion of placing an emphasis on "Play Therapy" or non- verbal counseling techniques with such a population has emerged as a possible therapeutic intervention when working with individuals from a cultural background which is different from that of the counselor. Researchers in counseling have noted the importance of providing adequate services to diverse populations including those who do not speak a language in which the counselor is fluent. This study was based on the concept that an elementary school counselor's effectiveness when counseling children who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent is related to the counselor's level of training in non-verbal counseling techniques, level of training in multicultural counseling, years of counseling experience, professional membership affiliations, fluency in other languages, gender, and grade level in which the counselor works. Statistically significant relationships were found with several of the variables including level of training in play therapy, membership in the Association for Play Therapy and American School Counselor Association, and grade level in which the counselor works. Elementary school counselors and counselor educators can utilize the findings of this study to develop and implement programs that teach play therapy and other non-verbal counseling techniques to elementary school counselors. These experiences may help provide better services to diverse populations including those who speak a language in which the counselor is not fluent.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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