Dallas Wilkes - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Dallas Wilkes

Research paper thumbnail of The Use Of A Phototherapy Intervention To Foster Empathy, Self-awareness, And Self-disclosure In Counselors-in-training Using The Personal Growth Group

The researcher set out to investigate the effectiveness of a specific phototherapy intervention o... more The researcher set out to investigate the effectiveness of a specific phototherapy intervention on counselor-in-training's empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure development through participation in a personal growth group using Davis' (1980) Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) Govern and Marsch's (2001) Situational Self-Awareness Scale, and behavioral observations. The study also explored the relationship between the three factors. The study looked to see if there was a difference in the change over time between the group receiving the phototherapy intervention and those participants who did not receive the intervention. The data was collected and measured through a (a) repeated measures MANOVA, (b) independent samples t-test, and (c) Pearson product correlation. The study used 41 participants who were currently enrolled in a group counseling course at a CACREP-accredited master's program in the Southeast. The students were either on a marriage and family, mental health, or school track. Both the treatment and the comparison group consisted of four groups and met weekly for a total of 10 meetings. Each group used a manualized treatment developed by the researcher with the treatment group incorporating the use of images. The findings showed that the phototherapy intervention did not have a significant impact on affective empathy or selfawareness when compared to the comparison group. Cognitive empathy showed a significant difference between the two groups over the course of the study. There was no difference between the observations of self-disclosure for the treatment and comparison groups, and the factors of empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure were not correlated. The results did show a significant change for both groups when looking at self-awareness. As a whole the study iv attempted to fill a gap in the literature surrounding how the factors of empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure are taught in counselor training programs and proposed next steps for future studies. vi There are friends that kept me balanced along this journey, the "Applebee's Crew" of Dr. Jonathon Ohrt, Dr. Wanda Wade, and Dr. Kara Ieva, that provided many nights of conversation and wisdom through my first year. I thank Dr. Zachary Walker, whose weekly conversations helped keep things in perspective. I also want to think Dr. Emma Kendrick, who walked with me stride for stride through this process. She was my sidekick and made the process fun. I also want to thank the rest of the Tigres; I could not have done this without them. There was my Summit family that forced me to put down my walls and insecurities and begin to really live life with others, I could not have done it without Jarman, Dan and Carrie, Adam and Deanna, Calvin and Jess, Ryan, Gia, and Stratton. Summit Church has made Orlando feel like home to me. As I grew weary in the process I often found myself recharging in the mountains of Colorado. Wind River Ranch served as an escape and a refuge for me for the past six years. The staff and families that visited that place brought me great joy and helped keep everything in perspective. I thank Don, Sara, Rob, Lynda, Nick, and Emily for their many conversations, encouragement, and laughter that extends far beyond the property gates. They encouraged me to continue on the path and to trust God's timing. Don was and will be a great friend and mentor to me. Although short in stature, I will always look up to him. Wind River also introduced me to the Mullers who have become my family away from family; they have shown me more kindness and love than I deserve. Through them I met the rest of "The Old Guys" and their families. They are all a blessing to me. vii Most importantly, I want to thank Shelly. Over the last half of this process she has been everything that I needed. She challenged me when I needed challenging. She encouraged me when I was down. She brought me joy when I was frustrated. She loved me well the entire time. This process would not be nearly as sweet without her by my side. Finally, I want to thank my personal savior, Jesus, for the hope I have found in him. All the suffering and pain I endured through this process pale in comparison to the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for me. God sent his son to pay my debt and for that I am eternally grateful. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS

Research paper thumbnail of The Use Of A Phototherapy Intervention To Foster Empathy, Self-awareness, And Self-disclosure In Counselors-in-training Using The Personal Growth Group

The researcher set out to investigate the effectiveness of a specific phototherapy intervention o... more The researcher set out to investigate the effectiveness of a specific phototherapy intervention on counselor-in-training's empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure development through participation in a personal growth group using Davis' (1980) Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI) Govern and Marsch's (2001) Situational Self-Awareness Scale, and behavioral observations. The study also explored the relationship between the three factors. The study looked to see if there was a difference in the change over time between the group receiving the phototherapy intervention and those participants who did not receive the intervention. The data was collected and measured through a (a) repeated measures MANOVA, (b) independent samples t-test, and (c) Pearson product correlation. The study used 41 participants who were currently enrolled in a group counseling course at a CACREP-accredited master's program in the Southeast. The students were either on a marriage and family, mental health, or school track. Both the treatment and the comparison group consisted of four groups and met weekly for a total of 10 meetings. Each group used a manualized treatment developed by the researcher with the treatment group incorporating the use of images. The findings showed that the phototherapy intervention did not have a significant impact on affective empathy or selfawareness when compared to the comparison group. Cognitive empathy showed a significant difference between the two groups over the course of the study. There was no difference between the observations of self-disclosure for the treatment and comparison groups, and the factors of empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure were not correlated. The results did show a significant change for both groups when looking at self-awareness. As a whole the study iv attempted to fill a gap in the literature surrounding how the factors of empathy, self-awareness, and self-disclosure are taught in counselor training programs and proposed next steps for future studies. vi There are friends that kept me balanced along this journey, the "Applebee's Crew" of Dr. Jonathon Ohrt, Dr. Wanda Wade, and Dr. Kara Ieva, that provided many nights of conversation and wisdom through my first year. I thank Dr. Zachary Walker, whose weekly conversations helped keep things in perspective. I also want to think Dr. Emma Kendrick, who walked with me stride for stride through this process. She was my sidekick and made the process fun. I also want to thank the rest of the Tigres; I could not have done this without them. There was my Summit family that forced me to put down my walls and insecurities and begin to really live life with others, I could not have done it without Jarman, Dan and Carrie, Adam and Deanna, Calvin and Jess, Ryan, Gia, and Stratton. Summit Church has made Orlando feel like home to me. As I grew weary in the process I often found myself recharging in the mountains of Colorado. Wind River Ranch served as an escape and a refuge for me for the past six years. The staff and families that visited that place brought me great joy and helped keep everything in perspective. I thank Don, Sara, Rob, Lynda, Nick, and Emily for their many conversations, encouragement, and laughter that extends far beyond the property gates. They encouraged me to continue on the path and to trust God's timing. Don was and will be a great friend and mentor to me. Although short in stature, I will always look up to him. Wind River also introduced me to the Mullers who have become my family away from family; they have shown me more kindness and love than I deserve. Through them I met the rest of "The Old Guys" and their families. They are all a blessing to me. vii Most importantly, I want to thank Shelly. Over the last half of this process she has been everything that I needed. She challenged me when I needed challenging. She encouraged me when I was down. She brought me joy when I was frustrated. She loved me well the entire time. This process would not be nearly as sweet without her by my side. Finally, I want to thank my personal savior, Jesus, for the hope I have found in him. All the suffering and pain I endured through this process pale in comparison to the suffering and sacrifice that Jesus made on the cross for me. God sent his son to pay my debt and for that I am eternally grateful. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS