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Animal-Assisted Therapy: An Exploration Of The Utilization Of Animal-Assisted Therapy, Ashleigh R. Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Animal-assisted therapy (AAT) has been increasingly incorporated into professional counseling practice, yet limited research has examined the factors associated with counselors’ reported utilization of animal-assisted interventions (AAI). Guided by the Theory of Planned Behavior-informed framework, this quantitative, nonexperimental correlational study examined whether subjective norms predicted counselors’ reported AAI utilization, with attitudes and perceived behavioral control included as covariates. Multicultural competence was examined first as an overall mediator and then through the parallel mediating pathways of multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. Following data screening, 28 participant responses were retained for the primary analysis. Multiple regression and mediation analyses using PROCESS Model …

Benefits Of Art Therapy On Quality Of Life In Middle Aged Women With Gynecological And/Or Breast Cancer, Rylee N. Diehl, Iman Ahmed, Piper S. Bell, Lamya Moore, Giada Anastasi, Constanza Bravo Rodriguez, Taylor Edmondson

OneUSF Undergraduate Research Conference

Art therapy involves the use of art representations in clinical and mental health care. Art mediums such as painting, dance, and movement can be interventions for diagnoses such as gynecological or breast cancer (GBC). GBC incidence is highest among women 45-65, and art therapy has shown potential to improve their quality of life (QoL). Art therapy’s impact on QoL is often assessed by measuring physical and mental health, coping and adjustment capabilities, healthcare relationships, and social life. Using the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was conducted with an initial 181 articles extracted from multiple journals of psychology. A final selection …

Musical Methods For Nonverbal Emotional Expression, Carrie Uddenberg

Music: Student Scholarship & Creative Works

No abstract provided.

Social Prescribing For Refugee Populations: A Rapid Realist Review Of International Evidence, Victoria Touzel, Doreen Reifegerste, Luisa Bartz, Anna-Lena Esser, Kerryn Husk

Peninsula Medical School

BackgroundSocial prescribing offers potential for addressing social determinants of health and supporting health equity among disadvantaged groups. However, evidence for refugee populations remains limited, despite this group facing profound social and systemic barriers. This rapid realist review synthesizes social prescribing and comparable social-capital based intervention evidence to address this gap.MethodsWe conducted a RAMESES-compliant rapid realist review supported by an expert advisory board. Searches across six databases (2014–2024) were supplemented by grey literature and citation chasing strategies. Eligible studies included refugee, asylum-seekers and forcibly displaced populations engaged in either formal social prescribing or comparably operationalized social-capital interventions. Synthesis developed Context-Mechanism-Outcome configurations …

Nurturing The Nurturers: Caritas Literacy Wellness Program, Pakeeza Ali

Doctoral Projects

Burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional exhaustion remain significant concerns among oncology staff in high-demand ambulatory settings. This quality improvement project implemented the Caritas Literacy and Resilience Training Program (CLARITY), a microlearning-based intervention grounded in Watson’s Caring Science Theory, to support self-caring behaviors and emotional resilience among oncology staff in an ambulatory cancer center. A quasi-experimental, mixed-methods design was used, incorporating pre- and post-intervention survey data and qualitative focus group feedback. Quantitative outcomes were assessed using the Watson Caritas Self-Rating Score (WCSR) and post-intervention ratings of perceived effectiveness of the microlearning format. Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used to examine pre-post change …

Relationships Between Adolescents With Substance Use Disorders, Their Guardians, And Expressive Arts Therapy: A Literature Review, Sarah K. Unkefer

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review collects the comprehensive, current research around effective treatment of adolescents with substance use disorder (SUD) and explores ways to provide psychoeducation for the adolescent and their guardians to foster healthy relationships and open communication. This author explores the ways that expressive arts therapy influences treatment and long-term recovery of adolescents with substance use disorders (SUDs) by addressing familial communication and internalized stigma. Previous studies have shown that the current primary reaction from guardians is forcing abstinence, which often damages the adolescent-guardian relationship. Since this is one of the most important relationships in an adolescent’s projected recovery journey, …

The Ink That Binds: Creative Writing & Addiction, Sheryl St. Germain

Creative Nonfiction Magazine

No abstract provided.

Hangout Hour: A Safe Space Fostering Community Within The Adolescent Young Adult (Aya) Community, Brooke Ashmore, Makena Krier

2025

Creativity In A Flash: Exploring The Perceived Therapeutic Effects Of Combining Creative Arts Therapies And Flash Technique, Celia J. Gagnon

Art Therapy | Doctoral Dissertations

Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, research has revealed a significant strain on mental healthcare systems and healthcare professionals. Concurrently, there has been a rapid escalation in the prevalence of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and adolescent suicide rates, all of which have reached critical levels (World Health Organization, 2025; World Health Organization, 2022; Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, 2025; American Psychiatric Association, 2024). Post-pandemic, these statistics continue to rise across all nations and socioeconomic groups (WHO, 2025). Consequently, there is an urgent need to intensify research that supports the enhancement of mental health services globally (Institute for Health Metrics …

An Exploratory Study Of Occupational Therapy Students’ Use Of Coping Strategies On Fieldwork, Heidi Horwitz, Sheila Moyle, Hannah Morse, Christine Myers

Journal of Occupational Therapy Education

This qualitative study explored how occupational therapy students applied coping strategies during Level II fieldwork after completing resilience-focused preparatory modules. Occupational therapy students often experience high stress during fieldwork, and resilience-building strategies may help mitigate these challenges. Participants (N=58) were second-year doctoral students who completed modules designed to increase awareness of personal stressors, enhance self-efficacy, and promote the use of coping strategies. Analysis of student reflections across twelve weeks of placement identified the types, frequency, and contexts of strategy use. Students most frequently reported using emotional regulation, breathwork, and positive self-talk. These strategies were typically employed daily or weekly, often …

Exploring The Impact Of Pre-Assessment Rapport-Building On Children’S Evaluation Outcomes, Alyssa N. Springstead Knutz

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)

Psychological assessment with children is vulnerable to inequities that arise from cultural mismatch, situational anxiety, and the interpretive nature of examiner judgement. This pilot study examined whether a brief, standardized pre-assessment sandtray activity could enhance children’s assessment experience and observational richness by supporting rapport prior to testing. Using a within-subjects, counterbalanced crossover design, 10 children (ages 7-10) completed two assessment sessions on separate days: one session included a 20-minute guided sandtray task immediately before testing and one session proceeded directly to testing. Quantitative outcomes included state anxiety (SAI-CH-6), general self-efficacy (GSE), and performance on brief standardized tasks (WJ-IV Math Fluency …

Finding Harmony: Music Therapy As An Adjunct In Acute Psychosis, Brandon Szwydky, Rebecca Low, Nelay Govan, Marcus Decarvalho

South Atlantic Division GME Research Days 2026

No abstract provided.

More Than Just Multiculturally Competent: Doctoral Student Competency And Preparedness To Work With Individuals With Disabilities, Kristen N. Dickens, Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson, Synthia Best

Georgia Educational Researcher

Phenomenological inquiry was used to interview counselor education doctoral students about their experiences and perceived competency and preparedness to counsel individuals with disabilities. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) continuous self-directed learning, (2) disability is multifaceted, misunderstood, and evolving, and (3) influential learning factors. Implications and recommendations for counselor educators and training programs are provided.