ERIC Number: EJ1295483
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021
Pages: 20
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: EISSN-2164-3989
EISSN: N/A
Mental Health Epigenetics: A Primer with Implications for Counselors
Jones, David E.; Park, Jennifer S.; Gamby, Katie; Bigelow, Taylor M.; Mersha, Tesfaye B.; Folger, Alonzo T.
Professional Counselor, v11 n1 p102-121 2021
"Epigenetics" is the study of modifications to gene expression without an alteration to the DNA sequence. Currently there is limited translation of epigenetics to the counseling profession. The purpose of this article is to inform counseling practitioners and counselor educators about the potential role epigenetics plays in mental health. Current mental health epigenetic research supports that adverse psychosocial experiences are associated with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, anxiety, depression, and addiction. There are also positive epigenetic associations with counseling interventions, including cognitive behavioral therapy, mindfulness, diet, and exercise. These mental health epigenetic findings have implications for the counseling profession such as engaging in early life span health prevention and wellness, attending to micro and macro environmental influences during assessment and treatment, collaborating with other health professionals in epigenetic research, and incorporating epigenetic findings into counselor education curricula that meet the standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
Descriptors: Mental Health, Genetics, Counselors, Counselor Training, Mental Disorders, Prevention, Wellness, Stress Variables, Anxiety, Child Abuse, Depression (Psychology), Mothers, Schizophrenia, Addictive Behavior, Influences
National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. and Affiliates. 3 Terrace Way, Greensboro, NC 27403. Tel: 336-547-0607; Fax: 336-547-0017; e-mail: TCPjournal@nbcc.org; Web site: http://tpcjournal.nbcc.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: Teachers; Policymakers
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A