Abstract The global impact of COVID-19 heightened existential awareness particularly among parents. This period provided a unique opportunity to implement the circle of security program, equipping parents to address parental stress, anxiety, and depression. Conducted with mothers in Saudi Arabia ranging in age from 19 to 30 years, this quasi-experimental intervention study demonstrated a notable reduction in negative emotions, coupled with enhanced parent–child relationships and a strengthened sense of purpose in parenting. A total of 70 (55%) mothers attended at least 6 of 8 sessions, the cri ..read more

Abstract In this manuscript, a new theoretical model is applied to analyze the effects of the early 2020s’ dual pandemics: the coronavirus and anti-Black racial violence pandemics. Grounded in humanistic–existential principles, the nonpossessive caring model emphasizes relational structures, relational caring, and relational nonpossession. The model is applied to the coronavirus pandemic's challenges, such as balancing disease mitigation and the interpersonal control. Through the lens of relational structures, the anti-Black racial violence pandemic is analyzed, examining privilege and oppress ..read more

Abstract The coronavirus and anti-Black racial violence dual pandemics of the early 2020s brought multiple existential concerns that aligned with the four existential givens of human experience, namely, life and death anxiety, community and isolation, meaning-making and absurdity, freedom of choice and responsibility compared to determinism, and existential guilt and shattering. These themes are examined through an analysis and summary of the seven articles included in this special issue. These seven articles substantiate a need for further research and widely implemented interventions that em ..read more

Abstract The primary objective of this study was to explore posttraumatic growth in adults who lived alone during the shelter-in-place (SIP) phase of the pandemic. Semistructured interviews were conducted with nine adults between the ages of 33 and 56 several weeks into SIP. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged from participant interviews: connection, prior recent hardship, gratitude, spiritual practice, and relationship with self. By exploring the experiences of those who thrived while living alone during the SIP phase, this study aimed to provide a nuanced u ..read more

Abstract Most theories used to explore existential realities of clients were developed and informed by White Eurocentric philosophers, who overlooked the impact of race and racism on identity. At a time when Black men continue to experience threats to their survival, such as through the epidemics of racial violence and health disparities of COVID-19, it is critical for professional counselors to appropriately incorporate racial and gendered perspectives into existential conceptualizations of client experience. In this paper, we identify four theoretical frameworks for clinicians to adopt in wo ..read more

Abstract This qualitative study investigated the psychological impact of the dual pandemics of COVID-19 and anti-Black violence on client-facing social workers who identify as Black, the coping strategies they used in response to the pandemic, and the ways in which these individuals’ racial and cultural identities impacted their experiences. Such individuals are at unique risk for traumatic stress and burnout. This risk was compounded by the traumatic nature of the dual pandemics and the ways in which they forced confrontation with Yalom's existential givens of human existence: death, isolatio ..read more

Abstract The recent emphasis on racial unrest and systemic inequality perpetuated by COVID-19 has made the counseling profession seek more appropriate methods for clients, especially with Black males. Epigenetics, a science examining how behaviors and environment intersect to impact gene expression, could serve as this tool. This article advocates for providing therapy through an epigenetics framework, integrated with existential–humanism to give counselors the tools necessary to work with contemporary Black male clients ..read more

Abstract This article explores integrating mindfulness within psychotherapy through dialectical humanism. The author integrates Buddhist, Jewish, and contemporary psychology perspectives to explore three dialectical tensions in psychotherapy: striving versus acceptance, becoming versus being, and relevancy versus regularity. The author offers integrative mindfulness techniques for counselors to use with clients ..read more

Abstract A leading cause of disability, brain injury entails long-term recovery that often necessitates in-home caregiving provided by a spouse, partner, or parent. Women tend to shoulder such caregiving roles, yet few studies investigate the triumphs and obstacles associated with their lived experiences—including counseling and other supports. Anchored in a constructivist tradition aligned with humanistic principles, we utilized narrative inquiry and grounded theory to explore, via interviews, the experiences of 20 women caregivers to family members with brain injury. Our analyses yielded fou ..read more

Abstract Using a sample of 450 emerging adult university students, this study examined the effects of relationship status and gender on meaning in life (MIL) dimensions and the relationship between social media use and MIL dimensions among participants. The MIL Questionnaire (MLQ) and a subscale of the Sources of Meaning and MLQ (SoMe) were used to measure three different life meaning dimensions (presence of meaning, search for meaning, and crises of meaning). Findings suggested that being in a romantic relationship is positively associated with the presence of MIL. Findings also revealed that ..read more