Discovering And Letting Go
Type of Presentation
Poster Session
Location
University Library
Start Date
4-10-2026 2:00 PM
End Date
4-10-2026 3:15 PM
Abstract
The current study will examine the effectiveness of the Mental Freedom (MF) coaching framework, a six-session cognitive–behavioral program grounded in William Glasser’s Choice Theory/Reality Therapy (Glasser, 1998). Mental Freedom is designed to strengthen emotional resilience, enhance coping skills, and cultivate personal autonomy through a structured set of cognitive heuristics (Olver, 2024). Each session introduces a core principle: (1) Responsibility vs. Response-ability; (2) the Unconditional Trust Challenge; (3) positive and intentional self-talk; (4) reframing the subjectivity of memory; (5) distinguishing Signal vs. Source when interpreting emotional pain; and (6) recognizing life’s Gifts, Lessons, Opportunities, and Wisdom (G.L.O.W.). These components aim to help individuals reinterpret stressful experiences and engage in more adaptive appraisals of daily challenges. In this study, Mental Freedom-certified counselors and life coaches will administer the MF program to clients in the experimental condition, while clients in the control condition will continue receiving their provider’s usual coaching or counseling modality. Before beginning the six-week intervention, all participants will complete two measures: the 14-item Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, 1989) and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988). Participants will complete the same measures following the program, allowing for pre–post comparisons. We expect that clients in the Mental Freedom condition will report significant improvements in well-being and coping relative to the control condition, particularly in areas emphasized by the MF framework, such as autonomy, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance. These anticipated findings would support the potential utility of Mental Freedom as an accessible coaching approach that integrates cognitive reframing, constructive self-talk, and strengthened emotional insight across diverse populations.
Faculty / Staff Sponsor
Figen Karadogan
Discovering And Letting Go
University Library
The current study will examine the effectiveness of the Mental Freedom (MF) coaching framework, a six-session cognitive–behavioral program grounded in William Glasser’s Choice Theory/Reality Therapy (Glasser, 1998). Mental Freedom is designed to strengthen emotional resilience, enhance coping skills, and cultivate personal autonomy through a structured set of cognitive heuristics (Olver, 2024). Each session introduces a core principle: (1) Responsibility vs. Response-ability; (2) the Unconditional Trust Challenge; (3) positive and intentional self-talk; (4) reframing the subjectivity of memory; (5) distinguishing Signal vs. Source when interpreting emotional pain; and (6) recognizing life’s Gifts, Lessons, Opportunities, and Wisdom (G.L.O.W.). These components aim to help individuals reinterpret stressful experiences and engage in more adaptive appraisals of daily challenges. In this study, Mental Freedom-certified counselors and life coaches will administer the MF program to clients in the experimental condition, while clients in the control condition will continue receiving their provider’s usual coaching or counseling modality. Before beginning the six-week intervention, all participants will complete two measures: the 14-item Scales of Psychological Well-Being (Ryff, 1989) and the Ways of Coping Questionnaire (Folkman & Lazarus, 1988). Participants will complete the same measures following the program, allowing for pre–post comparisons. We expect that clients in the Mental Freedom condition will report significant improvements in well-being and coping relative to the control condition, particularly in areas emphasized by the MF framework, such as autonomy, environmental mastery, and self-acceptance. These anticipated findings would support the potential utility of Mental Freedom as an accessible coaching approach that integrates cognitive reframing, constructive self-talk, and strengthened emotional insight across diverse populations.