
Kenneth M CollUniversity of Nevada, Reno | UNR · College of Education
Kenneth M Coll
Doctor of Philosophy
About
100
Publications
40,149
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692
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Introduction
Dr. Kenneth M. Coll is currently Professor in Counseling and Educational Psychology at University of Nevada, Reno. His research primarily focuses on mental health risk and resilience factors and effective assessment and counseling interventions with vulnerable adolescent populations. He also researches effective clinical supervision processes and strategies for clinical mental health counselors.
Additional affiliations
Education
August 1987 - August 1989
Publications
Publications (100)
This study combined asset (i.e., strength) assessment, measured by the Search Institute's Asset Checklist, and humanistic counseling approaches to measure effects on self‐reported assets in two similar vulnerable adolescent populations in therapeutic residential treatment centers located in the rural Rocky Mountain West. Results indicated that seve...
Objective: Community colleges have historically reported high levels of student mental health needs, with low levels of available face to face services. Ways of meeting this mental health staffing challenge is an area of import for each institution. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this situation. The objective of this analysis is to examine the i...
This article describes the process of developing a proposed trauma-related group intervention for teachers. A needs assessment was then piloted in collaboration with the state education association and local school district. Based on the needs assessment and current literature, a protocol was created for the psychoeducational groups, and the interv...
This article highlights one child and youth services agency’s journey to develop and pilot a system for tracking training effectiveness for staff. Given the importance of intentional and strong staff training to the success of an agency, the purpose of this study was to report training outcomes across four-time intervals (i.e., immediately after tr...
This study explored two resiliency areas, interpersonal strengths and family involvement, in adolescent transitions from Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC). Unfortunately, gains made by adolescents in therapeutic residential programs are often not sustained during the aftercare phase due to, among other factors, lack of family involvement and lack...
The challenges to higher education institutions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic are placing new and demanding pressures on the academic deanship. A leadership role focusing on guiding teams of professionals toward meeting internally defined goals now requires critical examination. This study analyzes the impact of the pandemic on higher educat...
Extensive research has documented associations between childhood abuse and neglect and adolescent mental health. This exploratory study adds the examination of differences in types of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), including abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, with a little studied population, those in therapeutic residential care. Al...
This study evaluated the trends of reported childhood trauma found in two adolescent therapeutic residential communities (TRCs) in the rural Rocky Mountain West as measured by the Trauma Symptom Checklist for Children (TSCC). The participants (N = 168) involved in the study were adolescent males and females aged 12–16 who had been admitted into the...
Vulnerable youth often face challenges with delayed learning due to their life experiences. Trauma, loss, mental illness, and social-emotional developmental delays present a variety of challenging educational issues for such youth. This study was undertaken at a Therapeutic Residential Care (TRC) facility to provide insights into psychosocial and e...
This study explored challenges and stressors facing academic deans within higher education. The study analyzed, via step-wise multiple regression, the degree to which current challenges and related stress were associated with the well-being measures of effort-reward imbalance and over-commitment as measured by the Effort/Reward Imbalance scale (ERI...
Abstract: This study evaluated specific aspects of elementary school teachers’ job satisfaction in a large urban public school district. Teachers from ten out of sixty-four elementary schools within a school district in a U.S. western state were surveyed. The elementary schools surveyed included low, medium, and high social economic status schools....
Abstract: This study evaluated specific aspects of elementary school teachers’ job satisfaction in a large urban public school district. Teachers from ten out of sixty-four elementary schools within a school district in a U.S. western state were surveyed. The elementary schools surveyed included low, medium, and high social economic status schools....
There is a significant need to comprehensively describe and illustrate via a logic model what processes work for adolescents in residential treatment facilities and how to make improvements (Bean, White, Neagle & Lake, 2005).The purpose of this article is to highlight one Adolescent TRC’s journey to develop and implement a working Logic Model.
Using a comparison group of non–American Indian youth, a field-based pilot study was undertaken to investigate the challenges and risks of American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) youth in therapeutic residential care. Results show key differences between AI/AN and non-AI/AN groups and underscore the importance of implementing culturally relevant trea...
Although the notion of involving families in residential treatment is not new, relatively little research has specifically examined youth perceptions of improvement in family functioning as an outcome of adolescent residential treatment. This study investigated youth perceptions of family functioning (as measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohe...
The purpose of this study is to investigate how therapeutic recreation within a wilderness setting (aka therapeutic outdoor programming) affects youth functionality as measured by the Youth Comprehensive Risk Assessment (YCRA) utilizing pretest and post-test results. For purposes of this article, therapeutic recreation is defined as “a treatment se...
Youth Comprehensive Risk Assessment: A Clinically Tested Approach for Helping Professionals presents a complete youth risk assessment and treatment program based on Dr. Ken Coll’s 20 plus years of research on assessing and treating at-risk youth. In this book, helping professionals will find not only a wide range of succinct and easy-to-use assessm...
This article reports research findings on the impact of Oglala Lakota Sioux traditional healing on family functioning and youth resiliency where trauma, abuse, or violence are often present. Caregivers of Lakota youth struggling with serious emotional and behavioral problems participated in the study. The study included both quantitative and qualit...
This study discusses the implementation of a service learning component in community college communication 101 level courses. Through the execution of a service learning component in communication classes at a community college, students’ communicative competency and attitude toward community service is assessed. Using two different delivery approa...
Bullying behaviors among youth in the United States are epidemic. Professional counselors need effective interventions founded upon evidence-based practices to help truncate perpetrator bullying behaviors. The “Reflecting As If” (RAI) intervention provides a relatively simple to implement, evidence-based intervention that holds significant clinical...
This study was undertaken to investigate the treatment outcome differences between youth offenders from the joint commission accredited residential treatment center (RTC) and youth from a non-accredited center. Results showed that youth from the accredited center reported significantly more progress.
This quantitative pilot study examined changes in counseling students' professional attitudes in 3 master's-level core courses. Results indicated significantly more change occurred during an ethics course than during the other courses. Changes occurred in attitudes consistent with humanistic philosophy, including self-awareness, professional impair...
In rural western states that are large geographically and small in population, it is unrealistic to expect to have comprehensive mental health and substance abuse professional support in most rural communities. One viable idea is for mature and distinguished treatment facilities in those geographic areas to expand their delivery system.
This exploratory article reviewed the professional literature related to the construct of multigenerational trauma and the importance of cultural identity and practices as healing and protective/resilience factors against such trauma. It also posited that the Irish and the Oglala Lakota (Sioux) of the North American Northern Plains have commonaliti...
This study used a multimethod approach to evaluate the relationship of alexithymia (as measured by the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale and the 30-item Emotion Awareness Questionnaire), psychosocial development (assessed with the Measure of Psychosocial Development), and risk behavior (as measured by the Youth Comprehensive Risk Assessment) in 67...
This study evaluated the efficacy of a web-based personalized normative feedback program targeting heavy drinking in first-year intercollegiate athletes. The program was offered through the Athletic Department first-year seminar at a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I university. Athletes were randomly assigned to either a w...
This study examined relations between family cohesion and adaptability (as measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Scales-III) and the formation of trust and intimacy (assessed with the Measure of Psychosocial Development) among adolescents in residential treatment. Bivariate correlation revealed a significant association between family co...
This study assessed the effectiveness of building partnerships with community resources and systems for court-referred clients and their families through a participant outcome evaluation. Specific variables studied included change in substance abuse patterns, family well-being, child safety, and recidivism. Results from pre-post testing revealed th...
This study investigated the opinions of a national sample of counselor education chairs and college of education deans regarding the advantages and disadvantages of faculty job sharing. Results showed favorable responses toward faculty job sharing from approximately half the sample, despite limited experience with job sharing. The study found few d...
Alan J. Hovestadt, EdD, is the immediate past president of the 24,000 member American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT) and a long-time IAMFC member who served as an IAMFC founding board member when ACA first granted IAMFC divisional status. Recently, Dr. Hovestadt was one of seven recipients of the prestigious American Counseling...
This study investigated the effects of residential treatment centers (RTCs) for adolescents on community stability and safety. Ten RTCs that provided care for teenage boys and girls—excluding those with known criminal, drug, or sexual problems—were selected for the study. Assessment of the impacts of these RTCs was conducted by interviewing realtor...
The authors report the development of an assessment process for distinguishing between higher and lower risk youth offenders through the use of 3 measures. Preliminary results and applications for practice are included.
Although substance abusing clients may not be the primary treatment population that most counselors serve, it is nearly inevitable that at one time or another, the vast majority of counselors will encounter clients presenting with substance use issues. Given the significant suicide risk with persons meeting substance abuse and substance dependence...
The study compared psychosocial risk behaviors of adolescents who were deaf or hard of hearing with those of their hearing peers in a residential treatment facility. Statistically significant differences emerged between groups. The adolescents who were deaf or hard of hearing demonstrated clinically higher scores than those of their hearing peers o...
This study investigated the differences among youth offenders for family engagement (as measured by the Family Adaptability and Cohesion Evaluation Scales--III) and conduct-disordered behaviors (as measured by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders [4th ed., text revision] criteria) by means of the Youth Comprehensive Risk Assessment...
Given the frequency of suicides and parasuicides and the often comorbid negatively experienced effects of these behaviors, it is likely that the vast majority of couples, marriage, and family counselors will at one time or another encounter couples who survive family members' parasuicides or suicides. This article succinctly describes a modified ne...
A review of the professional literature reveals numerous articles related to the frequency and prevalence of infidelity, the demographics, values, attitudes, opinions, and religious affiliations of those who have participated in or experienced infidelity, and typical infidelity relationship durations. However, there exists a paucity of treatment-ba...
Designed to explore the utility of a retention assessment of students within a college of education, and using Pascarella and Terenzini's (1983) academic and social integration scales, this study found several pertinent results: (a) Factor analyses of the scales support earlier validation studies with first-year college students, and (b) The scales...
This study compared heavy drinking and alcohol-related consequences between freshman student-athletes (n = 137) and nonathletes (n = 318). Differences in high-risk drinking between the fall and spring terms were also examined. Results indicated that student-athletes reported heavier drinking and higher levels of alcohol-related consequences than di...
Therapists in rural settings are faced with many professional challenges (Smith, 2003). Professionals tend to have little training in diagnosing, intervening and treating mental illness, even as the need for such skills grows (DeLeon, 2000). For example, "in the United States, at least 15 million rural residents struggle with significant substance...
This study examined differences in psychosocial development of adolescent offenders in a residential treatment program between early adolescents and midadolescents and boys and girls. The study also evaluated gains after 6 months of treatment. Results suggest focused developmental treatment for early adolescents and specifically targeted treatments...
An interview with Frank Miller, a renowned addictions assessment authority who jointly initiated the updated Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) versions and helped establish the inventories in the addictions assessment mainstream, is presented. Among others, Miller talks about how to use the SASSI with addicted couples or families.
This study explored which risk factors are associated with degrees of relational and purpose development in youth offenders. Results indicate that those with the poorest development particularly struggled with substance abuse, lack of family support, and risky behaviors to self. Several treatment recommendations and clinical strategies are included...
In this component of the evaluation, the Circles of Care grantees assessed the feasibility of their model systems of care. The goal of the Feasibility Assessment was to assure that each model system of care was well designed with careful consideration of project goals, community resources and readiness, cultural competence and measurable outcomes.
The authors describe a preliminary study using the Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory-Adolescent Form (SASSI-A; F. Miller, 1994) as an outcome measure with adolescent offenders. Results indicate that the SASSI-A can be successfully used as a treatment planning tool as well as a measure to evaluate programs.
This article notes the growing challenges for college counseling centers. One solution to these challenges is described as a collaborative initiative designed to actively help university students presenting a range of personal problems with a practicum-based service.
The Association for Assessment in Counseling's Committee on Assessment and Training in Addictions Counseling conducted a survey of Master Addictions Counselors (MACs) certified by the National Board for Certified Counselors. The intent of the survey was to identify which standardized assessment instruments were most frequently used by MACs and perc...
This study assessed the progress of students involved in a collaborative early warning intervention conducted by counseling services and a teacher preparation program. Results indicated that counseling services increased both students' academic and social integration and their confidence in their ability to teach and perform the duties of a teacher...
This article presents a rationale for the inclusion of imagery techniques in community college counselors' therapeutic repertoire for work with at-risk students. The historical, theoretical, and clinical foundations for the use of imagery techniques are briefly reviewed. The Houston Model of Guided Imagery Combined with Music (GICM) is outlined, an...
This article presents a rationale for the inclusion of imagery techniques in community college counselors' therapeutic repertoire for work with at-risk students. The historical, theoretical, and clinical foundations for the use of imagery techniques are briefly reviewed. The Houston Model of Guided Imagery Combined with Music (GICM) is outlined, an...
This study investigated the influence of birth order with the family variables of parenting style, age spacing, gender, and socioeconomic status on the Myers-Briggs attitude scales of Extraversion/Introversion and Judging/Perceiving. Results indicated that age spacing interacted with birth order to influence Extraversion and Introversion scores. Pa...
Compares student drinking of those attending a community college that offers extensive alcohol education programming and student drinking at a similar college that provides no related programming. Description of the alcohol education program; Need for cautious interpretation of the study's findings; Lack of intervention and educational program supp...
Investigates the differences on the personality and family-of-origin of male and female alcoholics. Less personality disturbances on men than women; Differences in personality tendencies between women and men; Minimal difference in paternal alcoholism; Importance of identifying the personality characteristics of alcoholics before treatment.
Explores the structure of the Role Questionnaire as cited in the counseling and developmental psychology study of Rizzo, House, & Lirtzman, 1970. Analysis of the three distinct functions including role ambiguity, role incongruity, and role conflict; Definition of the sample participants; Use of an orthogonal varimax rotation factor analysis.
Discusses the school counselors perceptions regarding role conflict. Higher levels of school conflict among elementary school teachers; Definition of structural and resource conflicts; Role overload and incongruence among counselors; Proactive steps to solidify school counselors' roles; protection from burnout, staff turnover and job dissatisfactio...
Investigates clinical supervision practices for community college counselors and preferred supervision practices. Relation between the professional development of counselors and counseling experience; Small number of respondents who receive clinical supervision.
A brief narrative description of the journal article, document, or resource. Describes a study of the perceptions of developmental educators and counselors regarding current level of knowledge and procedures for working with students with learning disabilities in community colleges. Reports differences in training, with 31% of the educators and onl...
This study, an investigation of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) on two community college campuses, showed: a higher number of ACOAs at those community colleges than typically at 4-year colleges and universities; a significant number of high risk ACOAs-those who grew up in disruptive and conflictual homes-at those campuses; and a higher proport...
The author reports results of a study designed to gather information about the severity and frequency of community college student problems.
Discusses school counselor perceptions about formal procedures for identifying students with alcohol and drug problems and to discuss legal ramifications based on the results. Extent to which school counselors are involved in the identification process; Percentage of students who are experiencing alcohol and drug problems; Criminal activity conside...
Educators have a responsibility to learn more about at-risk youth. This paper examines such youths' family systems and dynamics, their identifying characteristics, and explores possible interventions. If a family perceives many situations as crises, that family usually possesses inadequate coping skills. Children in such families develop their own...
The purpose of this study was to investigate ethical attitude changes in counselors in training related to specific topics during a 16-week, two-credit counseling ethics course. This study indicated that significant attitudinal changes occurred related to professional ethics and self-awareness, dual relationships, impairment, and multiculturalism.
This article describes a framework for the comprehensive evaluation of counseling programs and functions within the community college, using Astin's student success conceptualization. Some evaluative results using this framework are included. With such a framework, counselors can clearly show their contributions to the community college and the stu...
Mandatory student psychiatric withdrawal from college has recently become a major legal and ethical consideration for college counselors. This article reviews mandatory psychiatric withdrawal from college in terms of specific legal violations for public higher education institutions. Suggestions for appropriate uses of psychiatric withdrawal proced...
Researchers have begun to analyze community college retention data in terms of students' stated objectives upon entry. By categorizing students based upon their most important reason for attending college, meaningful follow-up and assessment of students' goal attainment can be conducted. Program evaluation studies have produced evidence that studen...
This study examined job satisfaction and factors influencing job satisfaction among community college counselors. Findings revealed that counselors are generally dissatisfied with their leadership, and that teaching load, job title, incompatible demands, unclear explanations, and conflicting resources all significantly affect counselor job satisfac...
This study compared differences between resident assistants (RAs) and conduct code violators in alcohol and drug knowledge, reported use, and perceptions of reasons for abuse and role of the institution. Twenty conduct code violators participated in an alcohol and drug education program and 35 RAs participated in an abbreviated program as part of t...
This study examined differences in psychosocial development of adolescent offenders in a residential treatment program between early adolescents and midadolescents and boys and girls. The study also evaluated gains after 6 months of treatment. Results suggest focused developmental treatment for early adolescents and specifically targeted treatments...
In this component of the evaluation, the Circles of Care grantees assessed the feasibility of their model systems of care. The goal of the Feasibility Assessment was to assure that each model system of care was well designed with careful consideration of project goals, community resources and readiness, cultural competence and measurable outcomes.
A rural school-community council identified local risk factors for youth substance abuse, selected prevention strategies related to the risks, and developed objectives and evaluation processes. Community members were presented with the plan and formed a committee to begin implementation
This study, an investigation of adult children of alcoholics (ACOAs) on two community college campuses, showed: a higher number of ACOAs at those community colleges than typically at 4-year colleges and universities; a significant number of high risk ACOAs-those who grew up in disruptive and conflictual homes-at those campuses; and a higher proport...
Mandatory student psychiatric withdrawal from college has recently become a major legal and ethical consideration for college counselors. This article reviews mandatory psychiatric withdrawal from college in terms of specific legal violations for public higher education institutions. Suggestions for appropriate uses of psychiatric withdrawal proced...