Jack Nowicki, LCSW | The University of Texas at Austin (original) (raw)

Papers by Jack Nowicki, LCSW

Journal of Systemic Therapies, 1997

This paper illustrates the clinical utility of using client self-anchored scales and single case ... more This paper illustrates the clinical utility of using client self-anchored scales and single case designs for conducting outcome evaluations on Solution-Focused Therapy. Client self-anchored scales are compatible with the .fealing technique, and provide a flexible method for collecting outcome data that is consistent with constructivist ideas concerning the client's constructed reality. A client's own language, meanings, and experiences are used to construct individual anchors on the scales. Three single-case AB designs are reponed that use the client self-anchored scales to track the progress of adolescents and families receiving Solution-Focused Therapy in a youth agency. The authors also report the use of standardized family change measures for one single case study to illustrate how these measures may compliment the use of the self-anchored scales. Statistical analysis is conducted using Fischer's Exact Probability Test. Both advantages and disadvantages of using client self-anchored scales to measure outcomes in Solution-Focused Therapy are discussed. Brief therapies are becoming the most popular approaches to psychotherapy

Supportive Care in Cancer, 2018

PurposeGiven the critical role of parental care for pediatric cancer patients, this pilot study e... more PurposeGiven the critical role of parental care for pediatric cancer patients, this pilot study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a hospital-based solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) intervention for reducing psychological distress among parents of pediatric cancer patients in China. Differences between treatment and active control (AC) groups were assessed on dimensions of psychological distress. Parents’ level of hope was also assessed.MethodsParticipants (N = 44) were randomly assigned to SFBT or AC. Parents received four sessions of SFBT twice a week delivered by graduate-level hospital social workers. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured change in distress (depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms) of parents as well as their level of hope.ResultsAnalysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated the SFBT group had better outcomes than the AC group on overall distress of somatic, anxiety, depression symptoms and level of hope. Within- and between-group tr...

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2018

Supportive Care in Cancer

Given the critical role of parental care for pediatric cancer patients, this pilot study evaluate... more Given the critical role of parental care for pediatric cancer patients, this pilot study evaluated the feasibility and effectiveness of a hospital-based solution-focused brief therapy (SFBT) intervention for reducing psychological distress among parents of pediatric cancer patients in China. Differences between treatment and active control (AC) groups were assessed on dimensions of psychological distress. Parents' level of hope was also assessed. Participants (N = 44) were randomly assigned to SFBT or AC. Parents received four sessions of SFBT twice a week delivered by graduate-level hospital social workers. Pre- and post-intervention assessments measured change in distress (depression, anxiety, and somatization symptoms) of parents as well as their level of hope. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) indicated the SFBT group had better outcomes than the AC group on overall distress of somatic, anxiety, depression symptoms and level of hope. Within- and between-group treatment effects reported significantly greater effect of the SFBT group than of the AC group. Considering the inherent limits of a pilot feasibility study, results suggest that SFBT is a feasible, culturally compatible, and promising intervention for alleviating distress among Chinese parents of children with cancer. Additional comprehensive trials are needed to draw more definitive conclusions. SFBT may be beneficial for improving the critical support systems of parents of pediatric cancer patients. Thus, SFBT may have the potential to enhance children's well-being during cancer treatment and recovery.

New Designs for Youth Development, 1994

A community-based family and youth services agency's experiences integrating solution-focused and... more A community-based family and youth services agency's experiences integrating solution-focused and competency-based approaches into a federally-funded runaway shelter; including replacing the structured level system with individualized programming designed around each youth's and their family's (when appropriate) goals and needs.

Franklin, C., Corcoran, J., Nowicki, J., & Streeter, C. (1997) Using client self-anchored scales ... more Franklin, C., Corcoran, J., Nowicki, J., & Streeter, C. (1997) Using client self-anchored scales to measure outcomes in solution-focused therapy. Journal of Systemic Therapies (16) 3. pp. 246-265.

This is a chapter in A.R. Roberts 2nd Edition of the Social Worker Desk Reference, published in 2... more This is a chapter in A.R. Roberts 2nd Edition of the Social Worker Desk Reference, published in 2009. It reports about our work using SFBT in a Crisis Counseling program funded by the state of Texas under a Services To At Risk (STAR) youth grant.

Creative interventions with children: A transtheoretical approach, J. Chang (Edl), 2013

Assessment: a sourcebook for social work practice, 1993

Families in Society, Dec 1, 1993

1. Social service agencies are moving increasingly to brief models that require social workers to... more 1. Social service agencies are moving increasingly to brief models that require social workers to provide rapid assessments of their clients. Recent innovations in computerized assessments have suggested methods to collect data from clients by means of assessment tools. The authors describe a computerized assessment system, which was developed to collect information in a brief, crisis-oriented youth-services agency. The assessment system is illustrated with a case from the agency. The development process is ...

Experiencing seclusion and restraint while in therapeutic care can have damaging effects on youth... more Experiencing seclusion and restraint while in therapeutic care
can have damaging effects on youth who have experienced
trauma. This paper reports on working with Texas Residential Treatment Centers (RTCs) to support their reducing use of restraints and seclusion, using the Six Core Strategies to Prevent Conflict and Violence as a guide and
protocol. Concurrent with this project we have been helping these RTCs to make decisions related to instituting more collaborative and client-centered approaches with youth, including replacing level systems with individualized youth-centered programming. This article reports on how the transition from level systems toward individualized programming can be a helpful approach to decreasing the use of restraint in residential treatment while increasing the youth’s sense of safety and participation in programming.

Confidentiality, client's rights, and informed consent; agency requirements /procedures (scheduli... more Confidentiality, client's rights, and informed consent; agency requirements /procedures (scheduling, research/outcome data collection, etc.)

Thesis Chapters by Jack Nowicki, LCSW

Master's of Science in Social Work Thesis, Univeristy of Texas at Arlington, 1979

The need for education for social work advocates has been documented in the literature since 1969... more The need for education for social work advocates has been documented in the literature since 1969, when the NASW's Ad Hoc Committee on Advocacy concluded that social workers lacked the knowledge and behavioral repertoire to advocate successfully for clients. Similarily, the need for further research on all aspects of advocacy has been indicated over the years.
This paper reports the findings of a study of one aspect of the advocacy process: specifically Child Welfare workers' ability to disciminate between diverse behavioral approaches to case advocacy give different situations involving three selected target systems.

Books by Jack Nowicki, LCSW

Creative Interventions with Children: A Transtheoretical Approach. Calgary: Family Psychology Press, 2012