This research study was developed to investigate whether a structured discussion group on feelings)in combination with play group counseling can be effective as an intervention approach in working with disadvantaged primary grade children who are exhibiting disruptive classroom behavior. The general nature of the research hypotheses was that developmental play group counseling would not only reduce disruptive behavior of disadvantaged second grade students, but would also help to enhance these students' self concepts and attitudes toward school. None of the six hypotheses were confirmed. Developmental play group counseling did not significantly reduce "classroom disturbance" behavior, improve perceived self image, or improve attitude toward school over periods of time. The data indicated that play group counseling did significantly reduce "classroom disturbance" behavior after seven weeks of treatment, and maintained that general level of improvement eight weeks after the end of the study. The above finding suggested that play group counseling be utilized with disadvantaged early primary grade children who present behavior problems in school.

The problem of this study was the reduction of a hypothesized fear of intimate interpersonal interaction among counselor trainees. This study had three purposes: 1. To determine whether implosive therapy is effective in reducing conditioned fear of close interpersonal interaction. 2. To determine whether the use of implosive therapy is effective in enhancing the counseling effectiveness of counselor trainees. 3. To provide information that may be beneficial for future research involving the use of implosive techniques in counselor training. Six hypotheses were formulated for the study. The .10 level of significance was chosen as the level at which the hypotheses would be accepted or rejected. Hypotheses I, II, and III were not supported. Hypotheses IV, V, and VI were accepted; however, no conclusions could be drawn without prior acceptance of at least one of the three hypotheses: I, II, or III. It was concluded that: 1. Group implosive therapy, as utilized in this study, was not effective in reducing conditioned fear of close interpersonal interaction. 2. The underlying assumption of the present study that the counselor trainees are as likely as clients to have developed a fear of close interpersonal interaction is seriously questioned. 3. Group implosive therapy as applied …