Date of Conferral

2022

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Counselor Education and Supervision

Advisor

Theodore P. Remley

Abstract

Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent mental health disorders worldwide. Traditional counseling approaches do not address the evolving needs of individuals with anxiety disorders, and information is scarce regarding counselors’ use of complementary and alternative approaches in treating anxiety disorders. The purpose of this quantitative survey study was to investigate whether counselors’ knowledge, perceptions, intentional practices, and openness predicted their use of complementary and alternative approaches in counseling individuals with anxiety disorders. The integrative mental health model for the conceptual framework guided this study. The research questions examined how five variables—spirituality, specialization, types of anxiety disorders treated, training, and professional identity—predicted mental health professionals’ use of complementary and alternative approaches in counseling. A convenience sample of 139 licensed mental health counselors participated in an online survey. Data analyzed using multilinear regression indicated that the five variables, in combination with each other, had a positive influence on counselors’ integration of complementary and alternative approaches for treating individual with anxiety disorders. Spirituality and training were found to be individually statistically significant variables in predicting counselors’ use of complementary and alternative approaches in counseling adults with anxiety disorders. This study may contribute to positive changes in treatment for anxiety disorders by supporting greater awareness of complementary and alternative approaches in counseling.

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