Date of Conferral

2020

Degree

Ph.D.

School

Psychology

Advisor

Martha Giles

Abstract

This quantitative study was to determine whether there are differences in client treatment outcomes based upon the type of counselor who conducted an empirically supported treatment called Seeking Safety for persons diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder and substance use disorder. Many studies show that counselors’ personal attributes impact treatment; however, this study added to the literature by focusing on a standardized treatment for the co-occurrence disorder of substance use and posttraumatic stress disorder. Archival data from an outpatient treatment facility was used. Clients were provided integrated services, which included psychological and substance use treatment. The participants/clients were men and women who voluntarily agreed to 6 to 12 months of treatment. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the 445 participant/clients who received service during 2016. Hotelling’s T2, a special case of the one-way MANOVA, and the test of 2 proportions, also known as a chi-square test for homogeneity, were used determine the differences in treatment outcomes based upon type of counselor. Findings in the study showed significant differences in changes in clients’ scores on mental health scores, in their length of stay, and on clients’ substance use scores, based upon whether they received treatment from a mental health counselor or a substance abuse counselor. The results may be used by counselors to understand that their beliefs and emotions may be predictors of treatment outcomes and can be used to match clients to effective treatment.

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