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The Integration Of Culture, Identity, And Belongingness In Emdr Therapy: Practitioners’ Perspectives, Robert Anthony Richards

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

This dissertation examines how EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) practitioners approach power dynamics, identity, and belongingness in therapy from a multicultural and social justice perspective. Using a qualitative narrative research design guided by intersectional feminist epistemology, the study investigates how privilege, positionality, and belongingness influence clinicians’ approaches to EMDR therapy. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine EMDR-trained practitioners from diverse sociocultural backgrounds to explore how relational, systemic, and contextual factors influence their clinical work. Thematic analysis was used to illuminate how EMDR practitioners navigate complex power dynamics both within the therapeutic alliance and in broader sociocultural contexts. Participants emphasized …

Internalized Transnegativity, Self-Warmth, Self-Coldness, And Eating Disorder Symptomatology Among Transgender And Nonbinary Adults, Sarah Mcarthur, Suzanne Mclaren, Peter D. Goldie

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Eating disorders (EDs) are highly prevalent among transgender and nonbinary (TNB) adults, and internalized transnegativity is a key risk factor for ED symptomatology. Although extant literature has established that self-compassion protects against EDs among the cisgender population, research among TNB adults is nascent. The current study sought to identify whether internalized transnegativity and components of self-compassion (i.e., self-warmth and self-coldness) were independently associated with ED symptomatology, and whether the components of self-compassion moderated the relation between internalized transnegativity and ED symptomatology. An international sample of 127 TNB adults aged between 18 and 69 years (M = 32.24, SD = …

Allan Leslie Combs: Celebrating The Life Of A Trickster And Pioneer In Consciousness Studies, Zeke Floro, Leila A. Kincaid

Journal of Conscious Evolution

The Journal of Conscious Evolution (JCE) is a peer-reviewed academic journal dedicated to exploring consciousness, conscious evolution, and transdisciplinary inquiry as they relate to human growth, transformation, and planetary well-being. Originally founded by Allan Leslie Combs (1942-2025), Professor Emeritus at CIIS, JCE highlights outstanding work from both students and professional scholars around the world. A distinguished author, teacher, and mentor, Combs devoted himself to the study of consciousness, authoring over 250 publications on consciousness and the brain, including Synchronicity, The Radiance of Being (which won the 1996 best book award from the Scientific and Medical Network) and Consciousness Explained Better. …

Drug Education: The Gaps In Rural Versus Urban Communities, Madilyn Mages

Honors Capstone Projects

Drug education is often lacking in rural communities due to lack of access and lower quality of education causing an increase in youth using substances and drug overdoses. Looking at previous research, there is a definite gap in rural and urban adult and youth substance use. The research showed that higher levels of education show less risk of substance use issues. Research also looked at new programs and how they worked in urban areas to decrease risky substance use behavior. This is a call for new programs to be created for rural communities due to their differences. This research explores …

From Retaliation To Restoration: Evaluating Norwegian Prison Rehabilitation Models For United States Integration, Lucas I. Abbott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study evaluates the viability of implementing Norwegian rehabilitative frameworks within the American prison system by gathering the perspectives of formerly incarcerated men in the United States. Using a qualitative phenomenological design, the research sought to understand how American offenders perceive Norwegian normalization techniques, such as single-occupancy rooms, humane architectural environments, respectful inmate-officer relationships, and their potential to promote rehabilitation and reduce recidivism. Fifteen participants who had served a minimum of three weeks in correctional institutions completed open-ended questionnaires analyzed through conceptual content analysis. Findings revealed strong support for individualized rooms, normalized environments, and increased positive human interaction as transformative …

Examining The Intergenerational And Transgenerational Impact Of Military-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder On Academic Success In College Students In The United States, Kimberlee Bazo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military families and caregivers have unique experiences with their service member which can both enhance and challenge their daily lives. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine the transgenerational and intergenerational impact of military-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) on academic success in college students in the United States. This non-experimental, quantitative research design utilized both descriptive and correlational data analysis. Self-report measures and grade point average (GPA) provided the data from a total of 67 participants, as determined by an a priori analysis, for the results and subsequent discussion sections. Participants were recruited through a variety of sources using …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Global Remote Leadership, Melissa Morrison

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Leaders of organizations have faced many changes with respect to remote work. As face-to-face interactions decrease, the opportunities and challenges of technological and digital advancement further the complexity of remote work. Leaders serve as prominent figures who use remote technology to communicate and interact with employees that report to them. The relationship between remote work and the development of meaningful social interactions remains largely unexplored (Clark et al., 2018). This phenomenological study explored the described experiences of remote leaders, the role that identity development plays in the success of leadership remote work, how their identity development impacts their well-being and …

Evaluating Theories On End-Of-Life Dreams And Visions With Similar Phenomena In Trauma-Related Populations, Christopher Channy Vinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

A grounded theory approach was used to conduct a study on participants (N=24) who were veterans with trauma-related dreams or who had a near-death experience. Research questions were designed to qualitatively examine the lived experiences of dreams and visions in a non-end-of-life setting. This allowed the data to give greater insight into the end-of-life phenomenon and deepen the body of knowledge on dreams and visions in general. A survey consisting of the PTGI-SF, LuCiD, NExS, and the Greyson NDE, along with open-ended survey questions designed to record dream narratives for a thematic analysis, was used. The dream narratives were coded …

Investigating The Reliability And Validity Of The Social Connectedness Instrument Among U.S. Adults, Blake A. Fraser

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Growing evidence shows that poor social connectedness is becoming a public health threat, with rising prevalence and connections to poor mental and physical health across the lifespan. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop feasible and effective social connectedness interventions. There is limited evidence for the effectiveness of current interventions, with studies recommending tailoring the intervention to an individual’s specific social connection needs. However, previous measures of social connectedness provide little information about potentially modifiable contributors of poor connection. Thus, the Social Connectedness Instrument (SCI) was developed to fill in this gap by proposing two novel latent constructs of …

Examining The Psychological Impact Of Adverse Childhood Traumatic Experiences In Adult Survivors: Creating A Community Of Awareness And Intervention, Lawanda T. Mobbs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood trauma encompasses experiences such as abuse, neglect, and household dysfunction, experiences which have profound and lasting effects on an individual’s development and well-being. These behaviors can manifest in many ways. The intricate interplay between childhood trauma, mental health challenges, and maladaptive behaviors creates a complex clinical picture, often requiring specialized and trauma-informed approaches within the community. Understanding the efficacy of interventions tailored to this population is crucial for improving the quality of life and fostering resilience. Despite extensive research, there remain significant gaps in understanding the full scope of these effects and how to mitigate them. This study investigated …

Bridging Theory And Self-Development In Human Services And Counselor Education, Kristy Carlisle

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

Counselor and human services education increasingly recognize self-awareness as a core component of professional competence and ethical practice. This conceptual manuscript presents a pedagogical framework that integrates major helping theories as tools for structured self-reflection and self-development among students and practitioners. Drawing from experiential learning theory, reflective practice, and models of counselor identity formation, the approach encourages learners to view themselves through theoretical lenses such as person-centered, cognitive-behavioral, and existential frameworks, paralleling the very lenses through which they will view their clients in practice. By engaging in guided reflective activities, students examine personal beliefs, emotions, and behaviors to enhance self-understanding, …

Understanding Inclusive Postsecondary Education Programs For Students With Intellectual And Developmental Disabilities, Jade Viator Mcminn

Doctoral Dissertations

Inclusive Postsecondary Education programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities are growing rapidly, and this is largely due to the legislative changes of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Higher Education Opportunity Act, 2008). This dissertation study will examine the current legislation under the Higher Education Opportunity Act (2008), opportunities for federal funding, and postsecondary education programs for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as a whole. This review will also cover Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary programs, which are a direct result of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008. These approved programs allow eligible students to receive …

Lived Experiences Of Caregivers Navigating The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act For Their Disabled Children, Natasha Weber Holmes

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) was designed to guarantee equitable access to special education services for children with disabilities. Yet, disparities persist in how caregivers navigate protections. They often face barriers related to limited legal knowledge, inconsistent school support, and systemic inequities, leaving many unable to fully advocate for their children. The purpose of this interpretative phenomenological analysis study was to explore lived experiences of caregivers as they engaged with the IDEA to secure services for their children with disabilities. Guided by the legal consciousness and empowerment theories, the study involved examining how caregivers interpret and act upon …

Fear Of Falling: A Collaborative Approach To Treatment, Alexandra Uhren, Celeste Delap, Kate Jansen

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

Purpose: Physical Therapy (PT) and Behavioral Health (BH) often overlap in patient care; however, collaborative treatment is always not utilized by providers. This case study details the interdisciplinary treatment of a 69-year-old female with a fear of falling; emphasizing the importance of interprofessional collaborative care in treating Fear of Falling (FOF) in individuals at risk for fall-related injury with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and PT interventions.

Problem: FOF is common among older adults and can result in physical, psychological, and social consequences (Lee & Tak, 2023; MacKay et al., 2021). Patients at risk of fall-related injury experience decreased self-confidence in …

Psychological Experiences Of Law Enforcement Officers Responding To Critical Incidents Alone And With A Partner, Lydia Abernethy

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The role of law enforcement officers is to restore peace and safety when chaos occurs, which can be life-threatening and stressful as officers respond to the critical incidents unfolding. For this study, a qualitative approach and phenomenological framework were utilized to gain insight into the first-hand psychological experiences of officers responding to critical incidents. Police officers work in demanding environments that can lead to mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. Peer support and communication among coworkers have emerged as a potentially important factor, as officers would share traumatic events with other officers. Therefore, my research focused …

What’S My Name? Experiences Of Individuals With Traditional Hawaiian Names, Natalya N. Spotkaeff

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

There is no systematic process of orienting non-Hawaiian educators to Hawaiian culture, as evidenced by name mispronunciation. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of individuals with traditional Hawaiian first names in a classroom environment. Critical race theory (CRT), especially the concept of microaggressions, was used as the framework for the study. Two research questions guided the study: What are the adult lived experiences with traditional Hawaiian first names encountered in academic settings during childhood? How do adults with traditional Hawaiian first names describe their experiences of race in the classroom? Semistructured interviews were conducted with …

Change Management With Ethical Leadership, Sophia Rudisill Holmes

The Journal of Values-Based Leadership

Ethical leadership ensures organizational environments are created and nurtured to support complex dilemmas that surface during change management. Leaders and followers in particular can navigate change management with intentional advance planning guided by the motives of their heart. The motives of a leader’s heart is observed by the ethical practices of their core values. Morally leaders and followers core values inform their ethical behaviors. Furthermore, Christian leaders have access to biblical scripture which provides a roadmap for leaders and followers in the mastery of adapting and not resisting during change management. Biblical scriptures also provide examples of practices that solve …

Exploring Parenting Experiences: Fathers And Mothers Raising A Child With Autism, Simmi Santha

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

The experiences of parenting a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have been widely studied in Western contexts. Still, limited research has explored how sociocultural factors shape these experiences in India. This qualitative study aims to address this gap by exploring and comparing the lived experiences of mothers and fathers raising a child with ASD in Kerala, India. The purpose of this study was to investigate how gender roles, cultural expectations, and social structures impact parental adaptation, coping, and caregiving practices. Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory and Crenshaw’s ideas of intersectionality provide the conceptual framework of this study. Using an interpretative …

Read My Lips: No New Constructs! Construct Proliferation As A Threat To The Future Of I-O Psychology, Nathan A. Bowling, Valerie I. Sessa, Jonathan A. Shaffer, George C. Banks

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology recognizes dozens of different constructs, including several individual differences, environmental variables, job attitudes, and work-related behaviors. It is, of course, necessary to retain a variety of constructs in order to adequately capture the complexities, subtleties, and diversity of work-related phenomena. But do the many constructs recognized by I-O psychologists all serve a useful purpose? Or has our field been too eager to welcome redundant, unnecessary constructs into the fold? And if I-O psychology has embraced too many unnecessary constructs, then what—if anything—should we do about it? In the current focal article, we first discuss when …

Health Impacts Of Migration And Policy On The Iranian Diaspora, Jihye Lee, Mitra Naseh, Sahar Badiezadeh, Sarvenaz Taridashti, Erick Da Luz Scherf

Department of Psychology Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Migration is shaped by a complex interplay of political, economic, and social factors that drive individuals to seek stability and better prospects abroad. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran has experienced significant emigration of its highly educated population, driven by political instability, economic challenges, and restrictive societal norms. This study explores how U.S. immigration policies affect the health and well-being of highly educated Iranian immigrants, with particular attention given to the impact of nationality-based restrictions on psychosocial outcomes. Using a phenomenological approach, we analyzed in-depth interviews with 40 participants to examine the lived experiences of highly educated Iranian immigrants in …

Perceived Academic Workload And Well-Being Among Radiologic Technology Students During Home-Based Learning, Alvin Diaz Crudo

The Lasallian Journal of Health

Introduction: COVID-19 disrupted educational delivery worldwide, forcing Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to shift to home-based learning modalities combining synchronous and asynchronous modes. Radiologic technology students' academic workload intensified with digital and non-digital activities, requiring stronger internet connectivity amid barriers like stress and burnout. This study determined the correlation between perceived academic workload and well-being among third-year radiologic technology students at De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute during home-based learning. Methods: A correlational research design was employed with 124 of 136 students (91.18%) participating during A.Y. 2021-2022. Researchers used self-made questionnaires based on Bowyer's (2012) "Student Workload Model" and …

Pilots’ Perceived Cognitive Functions: The Effect Of Mental Workload And Mindfulness On Prospective Memory Performance, Zehra Nur Kurtoğlu, Pınar Ünsal Bayrakçı

International Journal of Aviation, Aeronautics, and Aerospace

Errors related to human factors remain a leading cause of aviation accidents, with many of these incidents being attributed to pilot performance. A key aspect of pilot performance might be prospective memory (PM), the ability to remember and execute future tasks at the appropriate time. The dynamic and high-demand environment of the cockpit presents significant challenges for pilots' PM, particularly due to high mental workload and the constant need for multitasking. This study investigates the impact of perceived mental workload as consisting of cognitive, emotional, temporal, and performance demands dimensions, and mindfulness on pilots' PM performance. A mindfulness scale specific …

Racial And Ethnic Minority Supervisees’ Experiences In Clinical Supervision, Destiny Chanel Hill

Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies

Clinical supervision practices, although essential to counselor development, often reflect limited cultural competence among supervisors contributes to unclear expectations, conflicting roles, and isolation, leading to stress, negative internalization, and compromised professional development. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minority supervisees in clinical supervision within the mental health counseling profession. The research question was: What are the lived experiences of racial and ethnic minority supervisees who have been involved in clinical supervision? The framework guiding the study was hermeneutic phenomenology. Data from interviews with eight participants were analyzed using the …

Integrating Clinical Reasoning Into Mental Health Diagnosis: A Conceptual Framework For Counseling Practice, Ashley F. Waddington, Alexander M. Fields, Haley Ault

Journal of Human Services Scholarship and Interprofessional Collaboration

Clinical reasoning has long guided diagnostic accuracy in nursing and medical fields, but its application in mental health counseling remains limited. This paper presents a conceptual diagnostic decision-making (DDM) process to embed clinical reasoning into the diagnostic process for counselors, incorporating two vital constructs: counselor self-efficacy and counselor bias (implicit and explicit). Grounded in Bandura’s theory of self-efficacy (1977) and Carvalho et al.’s (2017) clinical reasoning model, the framework highlights the cognitive, behavioral, and contextual factors that shape diagnostic decision-making in early-career counselors, including counselor biases. The paper calls for reform in counselor training, emphasizing curriculum enhancements as pathways to …

Qualitative Exploration Of Hallucinations Among Adolescents With Suicide Ideation And/Or Attempts, Rebecca E. Lewis

Theses and Dissertations

A qualitative study exploring and characterizing how psychotic experiences (PEs), specifically hallucinations, may affect suicidal behaviors in adolescents. Thematic analysis revealed eight key themes within the connection, capturing unique perspectives and nuanced meanings. Exploring this intersection may increase the understanding of adolescent PEs and help inform more targeted interventions.

Interpreting Novel Metaphors - A Test Of The Perspective Identification View Of Metaphor Comprehension, Symmetra J. Roane

Theses and Dissertations

This study provides initial evidence for the Perspective Identification View of Metaphor. It proposes metaphor comprehension involves reliance on vehicle properties to shift the perspective of how the topic is conveyed. This is especially true when the perspective shift relies on a property the vehicle has a principled connection to.

Nasionalisme Di Era Artificial Intelligence: Scoping Review, Mudita Vidyananda, Angelina Regina Halim, Patricia Irene, Muhammad Firliansyah Maliki, Ivana Suryaprawira, Bonar Hutapea

Jurnal Sosial Humaniora Terapan

This paper aims to map and thematically present the existing literature on the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI), identity, and AI Nationalism, following a scoping review approach. A systematic search was conducted across the Scopus, Web of Science, ACM Digital Library, and Google Scholar databases to identify relevant studies. The selected studies, published between 2020-2025, focus on the impact of AI on identity and geopolitics, resulting in six papers included in the final synthesis. The analyzed studies employed various methods, including conceptual, qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches. Data extracted from each study included author, publication year, objectives, methodology, and key …

Exploring The Role Of Occupational Therapy In The Delivery Of Trauma-Informed Services To Hospital-Based Clients Ot, Frank Czuba

Journal of Applied Disciplines

Hospitalization can traumatize clients and impact overall health outcomes, leading to increased hospital readmission rates and resulting in a negative impact for both clients and providers. Limited information exists regarding how hospital-based occupational therapists evaluate and address trauma, even though incorporating trauma-informed principles into professional practice can enhance the occupational therapy process. The study explored the comprehension and perceived significance of trauma-informed tenets among occupational therapists delivering services in hospital-based settings. A quantitative research study with an exploratory design was implemented to explore how occupational therapists (OT) understand and utilize trauma-informed practices with their clients in a hospital setting. An …

Prevalence Of Sexual Harassment Among Nurses And Nursing Students In A Culturally Conservative Country, Hanadi Mohamad Nur Steitiyeh, Fatin Ahmad Safa, Jana Daoud Al Hajj Daoud, Adam Tarek Ikkawi, Sahed Ali Fawaz, Hiba Deek

BAU Journal - Science and Technology

The prevalence of sexual harassment among nurses and nursing students in Lebanon is an unidentified social concern. This study aims to identify this prevalence and assess the related factors. Using a self-administered questionnaire the sociodemographic characteristics, workplace variables, physical appearance, and the Sexual Experience Questionnaire (SEQ) were assessed, the data was analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 25. A total of 380 participated with 71.8% being female and 63.9% aged between 18 and 25. Sexual harassment was experienced by 91 participants (23.9%) and occurred mainly in the patients’ rooms and during procedures. Policies were absent or …

Enhancing Resilience And Reducing Burnout In Oncology Nurse Practitioners Through The “Three Good Things” Intervention, Ernestine A. Muanya

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Background: Burnout among oncology nurse practitioners (NPs) threatens clinician well-being, care quality, and workforce retention. The World Health Organization (2019) defines burnout as a workplace condition caused by chronic unmanaged stress. Nationally, over half of healthcare professionals report burnout symptoms, with high rates in oncology (Deriglazov et al., 2025). In Texas, nearly 48% of advanced practice providers report emotional exhaustion and job-related stress (Patel et al., 2024). Objective: This single-group pre–post quality improvement project evaluated an eight-week, app-based Three Good Things (3GT) intervention to reduce burnout and enhance resilience among 19 breast medical oncology nurse practitioners at a comprehensive …