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Jeff Cochran , Ph.D.

Mental Health Counseling
Professor and Masters Program Coordinator

EDUCATION
Virginia Tech                                                 Blacksburg, VA                                     1996
Ph.D., Counselor Education
Appalachian State University                        Boone, NC                                          1991
MA, Human Development Psychological Counseling
Appalachian State University                        Boone, NC                                          1986
BS/BA, History and Secondary Education;  Minor studies in Spanish and Psychology

RESEARCH INTERESTS

  • Child-centered play therapy
  • Troubled youth and children
  • Therapeutic relationships in counseling, as well qualities of therapeutic relationships within families (parent-child relationships and couples), within teacher-child-relationships, and among child and adolescent peers in conflict (i.e., employing empathy and other key therapeutic relationship qualities in conflict resolution)
  • Person-centered approaches to counseling
  • Growing child-centered play therapy up to meet the needs of highly troubled youth through by providing alternative modes of self-expression in counseling

BRIEF STATEMENTS ABOUT RESEARCH INTERESTS
In Jeff’s way of thinking and research, it’s all about relationships. His current research projects include ongoing data collection within standardized procedures in which child-centered play therapy (CCPT) is provided for highly disruptive children. Measures for that project include outcomes in behavior change as well as in depth studies of the children’s process through the typical stages in CCPT. Data is being collected for that study in Rochester, NY (Jeff’s most recent former home) and in the Knoxville area. Another is informally called, “Growing Play Therapy Up.” It investigates outcomes and process in adapting CCPT to the needs of highly aggressive youth. A new project aims to investigate the outcomes of relationship-based mental health consultation for teachers of disruptive children aimed at developing more therapeutic and effective teacher-child relationships with troubled children. Additionally, Jeff is launching a research project to measure outcomes of an empathy based model of conflict resolution for children and adolescents. The project is in conjunction with the Association for Filial and Relationship Enhancement Methods and will take place across a number of states and cities. The project adapts the relationship enhancement method of couples counseling to conflict resolution among troubled children and adolescents.
Jeff frequently writes, presents, and conducts research with Nancy H. Cochran. Their first book is The Heart of Counseling: A Guide to Developing Therapeutic Relationships (Cochran & Cochran, 2006, Thomson Brooks/Cole). Their current book project is Child-Centered Play Therapy: A Guide to Therapeutic Relationships with Children (Cochran, Nordling, & Cochran, due out 2010 by Wiley Publishing).

RECENT PUBLICATION (2005-2009)

Cochran, J. L., & Cochran, N.H. (in press). Filial therapy. In S. Goldstein & J Naglieri (Eds.) Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development (page numbers not set). Heidelberg, Germany: Springer Reference.

Cochran, N. H., Higgins, B., & Cochran, J. L. (in press). Special playtime: A child’s book about play therapy.  Frankfort, KY:  Ideals.

Higgins, B., Cochran, N. H., & Cochran, J. L. (in press). A parent’s guide to play therapy.  Frankfort, KY: Ideals

Cochran, J. L., & Cochran, N. H. (2006).  The heart of counseling: A guide to developing therapeutic relationships. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Cochran, J. L., & Cochran, N. H. (2006). Instructors manual and test bank for The Heart of Counseling. Belmont, CA: Thomson Brooks/Cole.

Tursi, M., & Cochran, J.L. (2006).  Cognitive-behavioral tasks accomplished in a person-centered relational framework.  The Journal of Counseling and Development, 84, 387-397.

JEFF’S FAVORITES AMONG OLDER PUBLICATIONS

Cochran, J. L., & Cochran, N. H. (2004). Services to students with conduct disorder by their elementary school counselors.  The Virginia Counselors Journal, 27, 27-34.

Demanchick, S. P., Cochran, N. H., & Cochran, J. L. (2003). Person-centered play therapy for adults with developmental disabilities.  International Journal of Play Therapy, 12, 47-66.

Cochran, J. L., Cochran, N. H., & Hatch, E (2002).  Empathic communication for conflict resolution among children.  The Person-Centered Journal, 9, 101-112.

Cochran, J. L., & Cochran, N. H. (1999). Using the counseling relationship to facilitate change in elementary school students with conduct disorder. Professional School Counseling, 2, 395-403.

Cochran, J. L. (1996). Using play and art therapy to help culturally diverse students overcome barriers to school success. The School Counselor, 43, 287-298.

COURSES TAUGHT

  • Child-Centered Play Therapy in Agency and School Settings
  • Practicum
  • Internship in Mental Health Counseling
  • Counseling Skills
  • Theory and Practice of Counseling

CURRENT & RECENT PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIPS

  • American Counseling Association
  • Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors
  • Southern Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors
  • Counselor Association for Humanistic Education and Development
  • Association for Assessment in Counseling and Education
  • Association for Filial and Relationship Enhancement Methods
  • Association for the Development of the Person-Centered Approach
  • Tennessee Counselors Association
  • Tennessee Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors
  • Tennessee Mental Health Counselors Association
  • Smokey Mountain Counselors Association

EDITORIAL AND OTHER PROFESSIONAL SERVICE RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Committee Chair of the Make A Difference Grant Competition for the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development (C-AHEAD, a division of the American Counseling Association), 2007 to present
  • Governing Board Member for the Counseling Association for Humanistic Education and Development, 2007 - present
  • Column co-author, Current Trends and Research in Filial Therapy, for RE/Filial News, of the Association for Filial and Relationship Enhancement Methods.
  • Member of the Education and Research Committee for the Association for Filial and Relationship Enhancement Methods (a multidisciplinary association supporting approaches to family therapy, parent and couples education, that feature skill based/skill teaching approaches to helping families function better), 2007-2008
  • Editorial Board Member: The Tennessee Counselors Association Journal 2006-2009
  • Editorial Board Member: The Journal for The Professional Counselor, November 2005-2008

PERSONAL INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
            I divide my time between work and family and I must admit that at this time that doesn’t leave much time for hobbies. Our little family (Jeff, Nancy, Erzhan & our good dog Spirit) likes to do quite a few outdoor things, such as hiking, biking, gardening and spending time around the camp fire. We also travel as much as we can, mostly keeping up family connections, friendships, and work related interests around the country and the world. I also very much enjoy my solitude in running and biking long and short distances on country roads.

Updated 03/10/2009

Contact Information

1122 Volunteer Boulevard
439 Claxton Complex
Knoxville, TN 37996-3542

Phone: 865-974-4178
Fax:65-974-0135
Email: jcochr11@utk.edu

Contact EPC

525 Jane & David Bailey Education Complex
1122 Volunteer Boulevard
Knoxville, Tennessee 37996-3452

Phone: 865-974-8145
Fax: 865-974-0135