Exploring Physical Activity Advocacy in Counseling: Biases, Resistance, and Counselor Wellness
Advisor Information
Abby Bjornsen-Ramig
Location
MBSC Dodge Room 302B - G
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Start Date
4-3-2022 10:45 AM
End Date
3-3-2022 12:00 PM
Abstract
Problem Statement
The paucity of literature linking physical activity with counseling practices renders unanswered whether counselors are advocating toward physical activity with their clients, whether counselors are prepared to effectively deal with client resistance and diverse populations, and finally, whether overall counselor wellness is correlated with their efforts to advocate toward physical activity with clients.
Purpose
This study will quantify the percentage of licensed mental health practitioners who promote physical activity in their practice, while also, measuring individual counselor wellness. Through this process, any biases and beliefs those practitioners may have about promoting physical activity will emerge. This study should provide counselors with resources to advocate for physical activity with their clients, while also providing guidance for counselors to be cognizant of their own wellness. These resources and guidance will better equip future counselors to integrate physical activity with clients of diverse ages, races, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Methods
Two internet-based surveys derived from Podjednic et al., 2017, along with the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-Wel; Meyers & Sweeney, 2005a) will be emailed to licensed counselors through regional mailing lists. The first survey will focus on counseling behavior, use of resources, perceived barriers, and influence of counselors' own physical activity. The second survey will inquire about various types of physical activity counselors are promoting.
Scheduling Link
1
Exploring Physical Activity Advocacy in Counseling: Biases, Resistance, and Counselor Wellness
MBSC Dodge Room 302B - G
Problem Statement
The paucity of literature linking physical activity with counseling practices renders unanswered whether counselors are advocating toward physical activity with their clients, whether counselors are prepared to effectively deal with client resistance and diverse populations, and finally, whether overall counselor wellness is correlated with their efforts to advocate toward physical activity with clients.
Purpose
This study will quantify the percentage of licensed mental health practitioners who promote physical activity in their practice, while also, measuring individual counselor wellness. Through this process, any biases and beliefs those practitioners may have about promoting physical activity will emerge. This study should provide counselors with resources to advocate for physical activity with their clients, while also providing guidance for counselors to be cognizant of their own wellness. These resources and guidance will better equip future counselors to integrate physical activity with clients of diverse ages, races, abilities, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Methods
Two internet-based surveys derived from Podjednic et al., 2017, along with the Five Factor Wellness Inventory (5F-Wel; Meyers & Sweeney, 2005a) will be emailed to licensed counselors through regional mailing lists. The first survey will focus on counseling behavior, use of resources, perceived barriers, and influence of counselors' own physical activity. The second survey will inquire about various types of physical activity counselors are promoting.