Jesus Gutierrez - “Building Therapeutic Rapport: A Review of Evidence-Based Strategies for Trust Development and Intervention Effectiveness in Counseling” (session 8) The development of rapport is recognized as a foundational component of effective counseling and is backed with a lot of research; however, there remains variability in how clinicians conceptualize and implement rapport-building strategies. This capstone project examines the role of rapport and trust in facilitating successful therapeutic interventions and outcomes. The study will also focus on identifying evidence-based approaches to establishing and maintaining the therapeutic alliance. The research study intends to use clinical cases encountered during internship. This study aims to explore the relationship between rapport- building techniques, client engagement, and the effectiveness of interventions. A literature review will be conducted, focusing on therapeutic alliance, core counseling conditions, and empirically supported engagement strategies across diverse client populations. Sources will include peer-reviewed journal articles, meta- analyses, and foundational texts within counseling and clinical psychology. Attention will be given to identifying common phases or steps in rapport development, as well as clinician behaviors that help or hinder trust in therapy. It is expected that the findings will point out consistent factors and therapist traits associated with strong therapeutic alliances. Additionally, the review is anticipated to outline a practical, step-by-step framework that clinicians can use to build rapport and effectively implement interventions. The implications of this study include improving counselor training and clinical practice by providing a structured approach to rapport-building, ultimately improving client outcomes and therapeutic effectiveness. Joseph Hardimon - see Walker et al. “Game Day Spring ‘26 Internship” (session 11) Rich Hart - see Ronsley et al. “World War II in Jackson County, MO: Industry and Agriculture” (session 19) Azul V. Hernández Jimenez - “Ofrenda” & “Hearts and Brains” (visual art session) This installation includes ceramic pieces based on elements that, in Mexico, serve as integral parts of our tradition and culture. This “Ofrenda” consists of an altar assembled for the celebration of the Day of the Dead to honor and remember our loved ones. Each element within the *ofrenda* holds symbolic significance: incense purifies space; candles guide the souls; flowers trace the path; and sugar skulls represent the completion of a cycle and a reminder of our inevitable destiny. Faced with the impossibility of obtaining or transporting these items, I chose to reinterpret them through ceramics. Objects such as the *copalera* (incense burner), the *Catrina papel picado* (cut paper art) candle holder, the sugar skull, and paper-based elements: paper *cempasúchil* flowers and a *papel picado* *pan de muerto* (Bread of the Dead). Through this view of creative necessity, the idea attributed to Franz Kafka takes on deeper meaning: “By believing passionately in something that still does not exist, we create it.” The act of making becomes a means of preserving culture and tradition: create to remember, and remember to endure. This work explores how artistic practices can fill, transforming absence into invention, meaning, and identity. It is a way of bringing what I carry within my heart and history. A way of bringing home. Azul V. Hernández Jimenez - “Viva América!” (session 22) Purple Patch Editor’s Choice Award Winner
Brittani Heuszel - “Strength in Numbers: The Benefits of Women’s Support Groups” (session 8) The presentation will aim to inform fully licensed clinicians, provincially licensed clinicians and internship students how to effectively manage a women’s empowerment group. The presentation will provide valuable insight to its audience with relevant research studies that have evidence-based conclusions about how effective women support groups are. Support Groups (sometimes known as Group Therapy) is a group of individuals with common/shared experiences and concerns that work together to provide support to one another. Women have reported feeling undervalued or unimportant prior to joining their support group. Women who participate in a personal development group for their individual and social empowerment can transform their personalities and become more resilient to any type of crisis, disaster, or unexpected event” (Moudatsou et al., 2025). Research has also shown women do achieve better results when working with like-minded individuals while navigating arduous topics. “The strength of peer support is its positive effect on the quality of life among vulnerable people.” (Mikolajczak- Degrauwe et al., 2023). For this presentation information will be provided that explains what a support group (group therapy) is, the benefits of a support group and how to create an effective multiweek “lesson plan” to ensure the group is structured while benefiting each member. This presentation is centered around a women’s support group that I recently have begun working with through my internship. Each woman brings an irreplaceable perspective to the group that is unmatched. Through the women’s support group, the members have learned how to be vulnerable with one another. Throughout the spring semester a “lesson plan” was created and activities were done with the group members. In the presentation there will be a description of the “lesson plan” that was created and the effectiveness with the women’s support group. Charlotte Hoffman - “Literature Review: How Similar are ICE Detention Centers and Nazi Concentration Camps?” (session 2) Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025 there has been a massive increase in deportation efforts which has led to an increase in the already present human rights violations. This research compiles 5 sources including research studies, magazine articles, an academic book, and statistics to define what torture is, and analyze the similarities between Nazi concentration camps and Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) detention centers. With the hope of identifying the problems within ICE detention centers, in order to bring awareness to a current major ethical problem in the United States. This topic is approached by both a historical and political viewpoint and looks at the failures of both the Biden and Trump administrations in terms of human rights in ICE detention centers. Looking at the similarities, it was concluded that a lack of planning and facilities to accommodate immigrants led to various shocking similarities between ICE detention centers and Nazi concentration camps. Hailey Holland - “Fasting-induced Activation of BNIP3- mediated Mitophagy Reduces Oxidative Stress and DNA Damage: An Emerging Mechanism in Cancer Prevention” (poster session I) Fasting may have therapeutic potential on cancer prevention, according to recent literature. Cells undergo autophagy to eliminate and recycle damaged organelles, preventing cellular dysfunction and accumulation of toxic metabolic products.
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