Counseling Commons^™

Measures To Assess The Competence Of Supervisors Of Provisionally Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Jennifer S. Kennett

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Supervision is a foundational component of education and training for new counselors. Ensuring provisionally licensed supervisees receive adequate supervision is vital, given the variation in training and experience requirements from state to state. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate three measures of supervisor competence and experience, the Supervision Experience and Supervisory Competence Assessment (version 2; SE-SC), the Generic Supervision Assessment Test (GSAT), and the Brief Supervisory Working Alliance Inventory (BSWAI) for use in the counseling profession within the United States. The instruments were evaluated for reliability and face validity using a sample of 104 provisionally licensed counselors …

Exploring Consciousness In Millennial African American Men: Using Video Ethnography To Convey Meaning Within The African American Male Experience, Mark L. Gumm

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research dissertation was to investigate and explore consciousness in millennial African American men. This study defined consciousness in the form of self-concept or self-conceptualization, the image we have of ourselves (Carl, Rogers; Akbar, 1991). The research question under investigation is how do African American college men define identity, masculinity, and self-concept under the umbrella of consciousness? In addition the relation to environmental factors which include type of schooling, household dynamics, high-school mentorship, and college readiness. Investigative approaches also include asking questions regarding socio-economic status, academic achievement and success. Sub-questions included: “how do African American men explain …

Understanding The Experience Of Mothers In Higher Education During The Covid-19 Era, Shannan L. Engel

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This exploratory study aimed to understand the experience of mothers in higher education both during the COVID-19 pandemic and toward the end of restrictions. The population included academic mothers with children at home during the pandemic. Data was analyzed thematically by a team of researchers. The results generated six themes: (a) life changed suddenly, (b) remote work, school, and life, (c) unsupported, (d) sense of control, (e) support, and (f) positive aspects of COVID. These findings are important to the field of mental health counseling profession, supervision, and higher education because of the circumstances exemplified by the pandemic that highlight …

Developing Self-Evaluation Skills In Interprofessional Simulation Educators: A Multilevel Mixed-Methods Study, Dana G. Trottier

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This multilevel mixed methods investigation examines the experiences of developing self-evaluation skills for simulation fellows in an interprofessional simulation fellowship program. Interprofessional fellows (N = 12) and faculty (N = 4) engaged in a three-phase study using video-assisted learning tools to explore the differences in self-evaluation (perceived performance) and faculty evaluation (actual performance) in developing debriefing skills. For the quantitative component, fellows and faculty completed the DASH© tool to evaluate the quality of debriefing to help close the gaps between fellow self-evaluation and faculty evaluation. For the qualitative component, video-stimulated think-aloud and video-assisted debriefing the debriefer were utilized to understand …

Examining Multicultural Leadership Development Practices In Counselor Education To Foster Future Leaders, Katie N. Schmitz

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to gain a deeper understanding of how doctoral programs foster leadership development in Counselor Education and identify recommendations for incorporating leadership-related learning outcomes and multicultural leadership identities. Using a Delphi method, the study collected input from sixteen experts in the field of Counselor Education and leadership. Data was examined through the lenses of transformational learning and leadership theories. The research questions were: what are the best practices in teaching and/or fostering multicultural leadership development in Counselor Education, and what are the recommendations for integrating CACREP leadership-related learning objectives in the curriculum? Eight themes were …

Ain’T I A Survivor Too: Contextualizing Black Women’S Experience Of Sexual Trauma And Healing, Danielle Alyssa Samuel

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The double bind of Black womanhood has been long documented in Black feminist literature. This dissertation seeks to greatly contextualize how Black women experience make sense of, and heal from, sexual trauma given the nature of gendered racism in the United States (U.S). Utilizing a convergent parallel design grounded in Black Feminist Theory and hermeneutic phenomenology, the lived experiences of 98 Black women from across the U.S. were investigated. Regression analyses revealed that the frequency of gendered racial microaggressions and the associated appraisal were not significant predictors of participants’ PTSD symptoms. Additionally, PTSD symptoms were inversely predictive of current perceptions …

Maternal Burden: The Interplay Of Parental Burnout, Insomnia, And The Covid-19 Pandemic Among First-Time Mothers, Kaila Kutz

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The current study sought to better understand the relationship among parental burnout, insomnia, and first-time motherhood within the context of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. A thorough review of the literature was conducted in order to position this dissertation and its questions within the current research landscape. A quantitative, survey-based research methodology was used to explore the association between the aforementioned variables of interest through correlational analyses. Findings of the study suggest a positive association between parental burnout and insomnia, though nonsignificant findings between motherhood groups in relation to insomnia and parental burnout suggest that continued investigation into these variables …

Ideals Of Benevolence, Acts Of Dysconsciousness: White Women's Pursuit Of Diversity In Nonprofits, Tessa A. Fulmer

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Recent political movements such as the Black Lives Matter and #MeToo movements have brought renewed attention to the social roles of White women and their unique position of intersectional privilege and oppression. White women experience the benefits of whiteness while simultaneously experiencing the gendered oppression of womanhood. However, there is a lack of research exploring how White women conceptualize and respond to their own positionality as both White individuals and as women. This study utilizes constructivist grounded theory to examine how White women navigate their social location within the context of working in the nonprofit sector, a space wherein White …

Experiences Of Counselors Working With Adolescents, Allison Bradford Chow

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative study aimed to examine the lived experience of clinical mental health counselors working with adolescents. Participants included pre-licensed (associate) or licensed counselors who predominately work with and have a strong preference for working with adolescent clients. Data was collected through individual interviews and analyzed with a descriptive-interpretative approach. Ten domains were identified as part of data analysis: (a) Understanding Adolescent Culture and Building a Therapeutic Alliance, (b) The Intersection of Counselor and Adolescent Emotions, (c) Transference and Countertransference, (d) Clinical Challenges and Barriers, (e) The Multifaceted Role of Parents, (f) Nuances of Confidentiality, (g) Adolescent Development and Strengths, …

Emdr Gaming Recovery And Insight Protocol (E-Grip): An Approach For Treating Video Game Addiction, Manjit Bath

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The prevalence of video game addiction has escalated with the advancement of digital technologies, posing significant psychological and social challenges. This dissertation introduces the eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) Gaming Recovery and Insight Protocol (E-GRIP), a novel therapeutic approach designed to address the complexities of video game addiction. Grounded in the principles of EMDR therapy and incorporating insights into video game culture, E-GRIP aims to treat individuals struggling with problematic gaming behaviors by integrating their gaming experiences and preferences into the therapeutic process. The E-GRIP methodology extends the conventional EMDR framework by including an in-depth exploration of the client’s …

The Development Of Internalized Sexism In Young Adult Women, Kylie Schwabe

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The present study utilized Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis in order to examine the lived experiences of young adult, cisgender women and the development of internalized sexism. Eight participants completed semi–structured interviews focused on their relationships with other women and subsequent views of womanhood. Themes found were (a) womanhood is taught by women throughout the lifespan, (b) women are sexually responsible for men, (c) women are emotional caregivers, (d) there are biological bases of womanhood, (e) women are expected to “do it all,” (f) expectations of women are fueled by media portrayal, (g) traditional femininity is seen as oppositional to the feminist …

Parentification And The Protective Factor Of Familismo In The Latine Community, Leury Peña

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Parentification, or parent-child role reversal, occurs when children and adolescents take on parental responsibilities within the family (Boszormenyi-Nagy & Spark, 1973). This can include caring for younger siblings, attending to their parents' emotional needs, and assisting with tasks such as translation. Parentification disrupts family dynamics as parents transfer significant responsibilities to the child (Martino & Coburn, 2022). Extensive research consistently demonstrates the negative impact of parentification on children, leading to depression, suicidal feelings, shame, guilt, worry, and social isolation (Jurkovic, 1997). It can also contribute to the development of conduct disorders. Unfortunately, these difficulties often go unnoticed. However, when it …

The Pulse Of Connection: Professors' Experience Of Positive Relationships With Students–An Interpretative Phenomenology And Photovoice Study, Ileya N. Grosman

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In higher education, the focus on student success often takes center stage in research and the professor-as-teacher practice. While numerous empirical studies concentrate on the growth and development of undergraduate students, this dissertation delves into professors’ relational and felt experiences in positive teaching-learning relationships. Four terminal-degreed professors from four different schools and three different disciplines–education, humanities, and leadership–engaged in photography and were then interviewed. Participants reflected on their photographs and their experiences in a teaching-learning relationship with their students. The present study aimed to illuminate the unspoken language of connection by utilizing interpretive phenomenology and photovoice to uncover professors’ relational …

Bipoc Faculty Processing Of Microagressions, Gladys Lopez Guitron

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores the lived experiences of microaggressions encountered by BIPOC faculty within Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited counseling programs, using a feminist theoretical framework. The research addresses the following question: What is the lived experience of microaggressions in academia for BIPOC faculty in CACREP-accredited programs? To ensure participant anonymity, data was collected through an online survey hosted on SurveyMonkey. The survey included demographic items and open-ended questions with clear and concise written instructions. Data was collected from eight participants. Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: (1) personal characteristics embedded in microaggressions, (2) failure …

Exploring The Relationships Among Adhd, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, And Emotion Regulation, Anna S. Hall

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study investigated the relationships among Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms and common comorbid struggles for clients, including Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) symptoms, and executive functions, especially emotion regulation. ADHD and GAD are prevalent mental health conditions, are commonly comorbid with each other, and are both correlated with relative deficits in executive functions. Executive functions comprise higher-order cognitive processes like planning, inhibition, initiation, and monitoring, as well as emotion regulation. Prior research established connections among ADHD symptoms, GAD symptoms, and emotion regulation but did not examine which specific facets of emotion regulation were most relevant. The current study aimed to …

Examining Stigma In Rural Mental Health Care Settings: A Mixed Methods Approach, Lainie Krumenacker

Murray State Theses and Dissertations

More than half of Americans will be diagnosed with a mental illness in their lifetime (CDC, 2021), yet stigma towards mental health affects both patients and providers. Although programs exist to address stigma, improve cultural competency among providers, and educate families on the importance of support, facilities are often limited on programs they provide due to allocation of resources and funds. Without a shift in treatment and programing, stigma will continue to impact patient care and outcome.

This study explored stigma among mental health providers in rural communities, while exploring potential differences in treatment among patients due to race. Mental …

Emotional Intelligence And Self-Perceptions Of Counseling Competency In Counselors In Training, Ariel K. Hernandez, Walter Frazier, Rebecca Cowan

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess the relationship between Emotional Intelligence (EI) and counseling competency. Results indicated that CIT status was positively correlated with counseling skills and therapeutic conditions. Results further showed that CITs with higher EI had a higher self-perception of all components of counseling competency.

Multicultural Competence In Counseling Students: Addressing Social Class In Multicultural Counseling Courses, Carly Paro-Tompkins, Jennifer Pereira, Joffrey S. Suprina, Elda Veloso Ph.D, Eric Davis, Renata F. S. Goldhagen, Katarzyna Wojnas, Samantha Both

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

There are consistent findings of clinician bias toward clients of differing social classes, and little research about faculty efforts to address bias within educational programs. Informed by a literature review, quantitative methodology and descriptive exploratory design were used to examine counselor educators’ instructional strategies for teaching multicultural counseling. Additionally, perceptions of faculty effectiveness and comfort level with social class issues were explored.

The Traumatic Impact Of Community Violence Exposure On Children: Perceptions And Experiences Of School Mental Health Workers In Trinidad, Nadine Isaac-Dennis, Michael Milmine, Alyssa A. Sussdorf

Celebration of Research and Creative Scholarship

This qualitative study explores the perceptions and experiences of school mental health personnel who support children living in communities with high levels of community violence in Trinidad. This study aims to gain insight into the type/s and frequency of community violence children are exposed to, the possible trauma symptoms observed, and the interventions used to respond to these children through the experiences of these school mental health workers. Eight school mental health workers (5 school social workers and three guidance counselors/officers) were interviewed via Zoom using semi-structured interviews. The audio recordings from the interviews were transcribed and are being analyzed …

Experiences Of The Supervisory Alliance And Self-Compassion In Counseling And Psychotherapy Students, Alexandre Brien, Patricia Dionne, Réginald Savard, Cynthia Bilodeau

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This qualitative research examined the relationship between supervisory working alliance, self-compassion and reflexive self-awareness with students enrolled in a graduate-level counseling or counseling and psychotherapy program (n = 48). A thematic analysis using a Critical Incident Questionnaire was performed. The themes identified in this study indicate that both supervision alliance and self-compassion seemingly contribute positively to student supervisee learning experiences and to the development of their reflexive self-awareness. Moreover, the perceived learning achieved, and the development of reflexive self-awareness, reciprocally strengthened the supervisory alliance. Furthermore, the degree of supervisees’ self-compassion as well as their perceived supervisory alliances had an …

Examining The Relationship Between Counselor Professional Identity And Burnout, Jessica Gaul

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines counselor professional identity and burnout for clinical mental health counselors. The population of focus included licensed or license-eligible Clinical Mental Health Counselors, who were post-grad (N=53). Participants then completed the Professional Identity Scale in Counseling - Short Form and the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Human Services Survey. When examining the findings regarding the relationship between Counselor Professional Identity and Burnout for this study, the initial observation revealed the validity and applicability of the MBI-HSS to clinical mental health counselors. Though a relationship between Burnout and Counselor Professional Identity was not identified, relationships between sub-scale items were noteworthy. Implications for …

Overcoming The Inner Critic: The Therapeutic Use Of Self-Portraits With Older Adults, Brenda Echeverry

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Older adults are a growing and vulnerable population who experience discriminatory practices that impact their access to equitable housing, employment, and healthcare which was made even more obvious during the Coronavirus pandemic in the United States. A community engagement project was developed and facilitated by the writer to support older adults with the psychological effects of surviving the pandemic. This project also helped to increase accessibility to expressive arts therapy in the writer’s local community. Expressive arts therapy is an effective and accessible method to support mental health and wellness for people of all ages. Engagement with the arts helps …

Expressive Arts Therapy To Support Positive Experiences Of Embodiment Among Rural Lgbtq+ Adults: A Literature Review, Ann Stromgren

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This paper investigates the use of expressive arts therapy to support LGBTQ+ adult clients in rural communities. Caring professionals in rural areas often lack training on how to work with LGBTQ+ clients, and best practices for clinical mental health counseling with rural LGBTQ+ clients have yet to be defined. Some evidence suggests that using “metronormative” best practices with rural clients may be irrelevant or cause harm (Giano et al., 2020). Although some recommendations exist for using expressive therapies with LGBTQ+ clients, they are rarely evidence-based, as very few empirical studies exist evaluating the effectiveness of expressive therapy interventions with LGBTQ+ …

Overcoming The Inner Critic: The Therapeutic Use Of Self-Portraits With Older Adults, Brenda Echeverry

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Older adults are a growing and vulnerable population who experience discriminatory practices that impact their access to equitable housing, employment, and healthcare which was made even more obvious during the Coronavirus pandemic in the United States. A community engagement project was developed and facilitated by the writer to support older adults with the psychological effects of surviving the pandemic. This project also helped to increase accessibility to expressive arts therapy in the writer’s local community. Expressive arts therapy is an effective and accessible method to support mental health and wellness for people of all ages. Engagement with the arts helps …

Development Of An Intervention To Foster Post-Traumatic Growth And Perceived Social Support Among Economically Disadvantaged Students In Thailand: A Design-Based Research Study, Ramida Mahantamak, Nanchatsan Sakunpong, Ittipaat Suwathanpornkul

Journal of Health Research

Background: In Thailand, there is a lack of studies investigating the assistance provided for children who are economically disadvantaged. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to develop assistance specifically designed for economically disadvantaged students (EDSs) which takes into account both psychological and social dimensions.

Methods: We utilized a design-based research (DBR) approach for a study with 33 participants. The key participants consisted of nine Thai EDSs, aged between 13 to 15 with trauma resulting from emotional abuse by parents. Non-key participants consisted of twenty-four parents, peers, and teachers. The design involved two iterations in the design cycle.

Results: The completed …

The Effects Of Role Stress Elements On Primary School Counselor's Perceived General Self-Efficacy, Alicia Mckinzy, Candy H. Ratliff, Carol H. Parker, Jessica D. Davis, Ronnie Davis

The Journal of the Research Association of Minority Professors

The authors examined the predictive relationship between role stress elements (role ambiguity and role conflict) and the perceived general self-efficacy of primary school counselors’ ability to effectively implement a comprehensive counseling program. A standard multiple regression technique was computed to test whether a relationship exists between role stress elements (role conflict and role ambiguity) of primary school counselors and their perceived general self-efficacy scores. The predictor variable role ambiguity and role conflict accounted for 8.6% (Adjusted = 6.5%) of the variance in the criterion variable perceived general self-efficacy scores.

The results revealed a linear relationship between role stress elements and …

The Influences Of Acculturative Stress And Gender Roles On Sexual Subjectivity In European, Asian, And Latinx Immigrant Women In The U.S., Silvia Re

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

In the process of acculturation, cisgender immigrant women are at greater risk of experiencing acculturative stress, often entailing a reconsideration of their self-concepts and identities as members of new sociocultural contexts. Gender roles and sexual subjectivity are two identity features they can revise given their ties to culture and socialization. Results from previous studies suggest that cisgender immigrant women’s sociocultural contexts, related values, and attitudes may contribute to their levels of stress, sense of self-efficacy, self-esteem, and sexual subjectivity. This study aimed to fill gaps in the existing literature and raised awareness of the relationship between acculturative stress, gender role …

The African American Dream Deferred: Exploring The Relationship Between The “American Dream” And The Black American Millennial Reality, Simonleigh P. Miller

Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs)

The purpose of this qualitative study is to highlight and bring understanding to the lived experiences of Black American millennials. This study was conducted from the constructivist and critical research paradigms and utilized Reflexive Thematic Analysis methods to analyze qualitative data. The study places specific focus on Black or African American millennials’ associated thoughts and feelings regarding their current reality and positionality within the American context, and its relation to the idealized reality of the American Dream. The influence of the American Dream on the African American millennial reality was explored to gain a better understanding of how, or if …

Exploring The Dimensions Of Lesbian, Gay, And Bisexual Affirmative Clinical Supervision, Lindsey N. Dollar

Dissertations

Graduate programs have continued to improve over time regarding incorporating training on LGB issues into coursework and practicum experiences with less emphasis on supervision. Since supervision is a major training area where therapists learn about clients and themselves, it becomes an important area for also teaching supervisees how to work with minority populations. However, relatively absent from discussions of cultural influences in supervision is a focus on LGB concerns, and missing is the ‘how to’ within the supervisory relationship. This quantitative investigation sought to learn how clinical supervisors with knowledge of LGB issues and people implement LGB-affirmative supervision, and to …

Her Story Told Her Way: A Narrative Inquiry Into Black Women’S Perception Of The Strong Black Woman., Chulyndria Chanee Laye

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The narrative surrounding the meaning of being a Black woman has historically been dominated by stereotypes such as the mammy, jezebel, sapphire, and angry Black woman. Black women have attempted to control their own narrative through the internalization of these stereotypes, leading to the creation of the Strong Black Woman (SBW) construct. While the SBW is comprised of a sense of caretaker, independence, and emotional restraint, Black women’s attempts at embodying this construct in the face of societal oppression and familial responsibilities can and often does have negative effects on their mental health. Although the behaviors associated with the SBW …