Integration of teaming therapy and mixed-reality simulation as remote learning modality for couple and family therapy graduate training programs.

In response to COVID-19, a couple and family therapy (CFT) graduate training program integrated a teaming therapy model with virtual technology using mixed-reality simulation software. By utilizing teaming therapy--a model with strong roots in systemic theory and practice-- combined with cutting-edge simulation technology, this distance learning modality provides distinctly relational therapy supervision and training for students at a time when their internships sites are struggling to offer remote clinical services due to the pandemic. This integrative framework offers a high degree of both realism and safety, allowing experiential learning to be appropriately scaffolded for optimum creativity and engagement in an online setting. This paper describes the conceptual, systemic basis for the learning modality, steps for implementation, benefits of the model, and the authors plan for further evaluation.

An Evaluation of Working on What Works (WOWW): A Solution-Focused Intervention for Schools.

Working on What Works (WOWW) is a manualized, 10-week classroom intervention based on solution-focused brief therapy. This study evaluates WOWW using a randomized experimental, posttest-only design. The study included 30 fourth and fifth grade classrooms, containing 30 teachers and 413 students. Results indicate no significant differences between WOWW and control groups for student internalizing and externalizing behaviors, student-teacher relationships, student academic performance, or teacher sense of efficacy. However, students in the WOWW group had significantly fewer days absent from school compared with the control group. Additionally, teachers' ratings on WOWW classrooms' performance improved significantly more than teachers' ratings on the control classrooms. Results from this study show that WOWW is a feasible intervention for therapists to use in schools and can be implemented across classrooms in both public and private schools. WOWW has potential to improve student attendance and classroom performance, both of which are important areas of concern for schools.