Health And Academic Performance An Exploration Of Safe...

Running head: SAFE AND EFFECTIVE USE OF SELF 1 Cardiovascular Exercise to Improve Psychological Health and Academic Performance An Exploration of Safe and Effective Use of Self Alanna Sampson Yorkville University Abstract The participant in this study is pursuing a Masters degree while working as a teacher. She identified Generalized Anxiety Disorder as the issue she would like to improve upon after self-administering the Beck Anxiety Inventory and completing the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Questionnaire (GAD-7) at her general practitioner?s office. Both questionnaires indicated moderate anxiety symptoms. The participant identified that the requirements of the program resulted in increased stress and anxiety symptoms.†¦show more content†¦Key Terminology: biopsychosocial, cardiovascular exercise, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Melchert (2011) explains the biopsychosocial approach as a ?comprehensive, integrative framework for understanding human development, health and functioning? (p. 10). In the biopsychosocial approach to counselling, Melchert (2011) asserts that the approach focuses on the holistic functioning of individuals. The purpose of this study is to identify an individualized issue to improve upon and then implement a treatment plan. The proposed treatment is an attempt to improve psychological health and academic performance of the participant in the Masters of Arts in Counselling Psychology program at Yorkville University. Beginning a Masters degree while working full time as a teacher and fulfilling responsibilities as a partner and a Mother requires a considerable about of planning and ability to adapt. Students in the Masters program are learning how to practice safe and effective use of self. The study has been introspective as the practice involves implementing a treatment plan and learn ing how to recognize ways to self-care before attempting to prescribe treatment to others. The treatment plan for the participant in this study is for Generalized Anxiety Disorder. Kessler (2005) indicates that approximately twenty percent of the population