Applied Research in Consulting

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy intervention on promoting happiness and adaptive behaviors and reducing maladaptive behaviors in children with cancer aged 7 to 13 years in Urmia city. This study was conducted using a quasi-experimental pre-test-post-test method with a control group. The statistical population included all children with cancer aged 7 to 13 years who had referred to Urmia medical centers between January 2004 and June 2005. 40 children were selected through convenient and purposeful sampling and were randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (20 people). The experimental group underwent cognitive behavioral therapy intervention for 8 60-minute sessions, and the control group received only usual medical care. The measurement tools were the Children with Cancer Happiness Scale (MSCS) and the Behavior Assessment Questionnaire (BASC-2). Data analysis was performed using the analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) test and SPSS software. The results showed that the experimental group had a significant increase in happiness scores (F=12.76; p<0.01; Eta²=0.35) and adaptive behavior (F=9.34; p<0.01; Eta²=0.29) compared to the control group, and a significant decrease in maladaptive behavior (F=10.25; p<0.01; Eta²=0.30). The findings of the study confirm the positive effect of cognitive behavioral therapy on improving happiness and behavior in children with cancer.

Abstract The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of Gestalt therapy-based group counseling on post-traumatic damage and growth in individuals experiencing the psychological consequences of war. The research method was quasi-experimental, employing a pretest-posttest control group design. The statistical population comprised individuals in Tehran experiencing the psychological consequences of the 12-day war, from whom 30 participants were selected via purposive sampling and randomly assigned to either the experimental or the control group. The experimental group participated in eight 90-minute sessions of Gestalt therapy-based group counseling, while the control group was placed on a waiting list. Data were collected using the Farahbakhsh (2025/1404) Post-Traumatic Damage and Growth Questionnaire. The gathered data were analyzed using Univariate Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA). The findings indicated that after controlling for pretest scores, a significant difference existed between the two groups in the posttest; furthermore, the Gestalt therapy-based group counseling significantly reduced post-traumatic damage and increased post-traumatic growth in individuals experiencing the psychological consequences of war. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that Gestalt therapy-based group counseling—through its emphasis on increasing awareness, acceptance of emotional experiences, resolving unfinished business, and enhancing authentic contact with self and others—can be utilized as an effective approach to mitigate the psychological consequences of war and facilitate the psychological reconstruction of affected individuals.

Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of reality therapy on referential thinking and attachment styles of women with marital burnout. The research method was a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test-post-test design with a control group. The statistical population of the study included all married women referring to counseling clinics in Tehran with marital burnout experience between January and March 2025, from whom 30 were selected by convenience sampling and randomly assigned to two experimental and control groups (15 people in each group). The experimental group underwent reality therapy intervention based on Glasser's choice theory (1967) and according to the William Glasser International Institute (2008) by Ali Sahebi for 10 sessions, while the control group did not receive any intervention. Data collection tools included the Ehring et al.'s Referential Thinking Questionnaire (2011) and the Besharat Adult Attachment Styles Questionnaire (2011). The data were analyzed using analysis of covariance in SPSS software. The results showed that reality therapy significantly reduced referential thinking and insecure attachment styles, including avoidant attachment and ambivalent/anxious attachment, and also significantly increased secure attachment style in women with marital burnout (p<0.05). Accordingly, it can be concluded that reality therapy can help correct maladaptive cognitive and emotional patterns in marital relationships.