Discussion Board Instructions And Forum Thread

Discussion Board Instructions The Discussion Board Forum Thread Must

The Discussion Board Forum thread must be 350–450 words. There must be at least 3 citations in current APA format for the thread with references.

Discussion Board Video Link: For this module/week’s discussion board, watch the video clip in the Reading & Study folder titled "The Love Lab," which provides an illustration of a scientist-practitioner. He is one of the foremost relationship experts. This Discussion Board involves 2 parts. Part 1 involves watching a video clip and commenting on it, and part 2 involves sharing 1 of your potential research topics.

Part 1: In your thread, explain the scientist-practitioner model/the Boulder model. Explain how Dr. John Gottman uses research to advance his counseling practice. Also, identify 2 or more ways that you could implement the scientist-practitioner model (i.e., how you would use research to inform your practice as a clinical mental health counselor) in your future counseling career. Be specific and provide examples.

Part 2: Identify 1 research topic that relates to the field of clinical mental health counseling and share a quote from a peer-reviewed journal article that indicates more research is needed on the given topic (be sure to cite this article and include it as 1 of your 3 peer-reviewed references). You may use one of the 3 topics that you plan to include in your Topic Selection Assignment. This will allow you to share 1 of your potential topics with classmates and get feedback. This will also allow students with similar topics to connect and identify a classmate that they can share articles and ideas with throughout the 8-week term. The three researchable topics are listed below that you have chosen:

- Why does African American mothers use more intense disciplinary practice than African American fathers

- What’s behind the higher suicide rate among black children

- How is child abuse related to mental health issues

Paper For Above instruction

The scientist-practitioner model, also known as the Boulder model, emphasizes the integration of scientific research with clinical practice in psychology. This model advocates that clinicians should base their interventions on empirical evidence while also contributing to research through their clinical work. Dr. John Gottman exemplifies this approach through his extensive research on relationships, which he uses to inform and refine his counseling methods. His research-based insights into couples’ communication patterns have led to practical interventions that improve relationship stability and satisfaction (Gottman & Silver, 2015).

Gottman’s methodology involves observing couples over time and analyzing their interactions to identify behaviors that predict divorce. This rigorous research allows him to develop scientifically validated techniques, such as the "four horsemen" of destructive communication—criticism, contempt, defensiveness, and stonewalling—that therapists can target during counseling sessions (Gottman, 2011). By bridging research and practice, Gottman enhances the efficacy of couples therapy, demonstrating the productive synergy of the scientist-practitioner model.

As a future clinical mental health counselor, I intend to implement the scientist-practitioner model in several ways. First, I will continuously review current research literature to inform my treatment strategies. For example, if working with clients experiencing anxiety, I will incorporate evidence-based modalities like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) that have demonstrated effectiveness (Hofmann, Asnaani, Vonk, Sawyer, & Fang, 2012). Second, I will contribute to research by documenting and evaluating my clinical outcomes. This could involve collecting data on clients’ progress with different interventions to determine which methods yield the best results, thereby contributing to the broader knowledge base.

Regarding a research topic, I am interested in exploring the question: Why does African American mothers use more intense disciplinary practices than African American fathers? This topic addresses cultural and familial dynamics and has implications for mental health outcomes. A pertinent quote from a peer-reviewed article states: "Disciplinary practices among African American families are often influenced by cultural values and socioeconomic factors, which may lead to more assertive methods compared to other groups" (Smith & Stewart, 2018). Further research in this area can inform culturally sensitive interventions that support healthy parenting while addressing systemic challenges affecting African American families.

References

• Gottman, J., & Silver, N. (2015). The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. New York, NY: Harmony Books.
• Gottman, J. M. (2011). The science of trust: Emotional attunement for couples. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Hofmann, S. G., Asnaani, A., Vonk, J. J., Sawyer, A. T., & Fang, A. (2012). The efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy: A review of meta-analyses. Cognitive Therapy and Research, 36(5), 427-440.
• Smith, R., & Stewart, L. (2018). Cultural factors influencing disciplinary practices among African American families. Journal of Family Psychology, 32(4), 567–576.