Counseling Commons^™

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy For Social Anxiety In Adolescents, April Fohrman

Counselor Education Capstones

Exposure therapy has been around for decades and is still proving to be a robust, evidence-based treatment modality for several psychological issues. Imaginal exposure (vividly imagining a feared object, situation, or activity) and in vivo (directly experiencing the real fear or situation) are the traditional modes of exposure intervention. Although these treatments have shown that they work, they can also be time-consuming, expensive, or even impossible to replicate. A newer exposure therapy combines traditional imaginal therapy with in vivo therapy, but virtually.

This combination creates a middle ground where exposures to situations or fears can be increased or decreased virtually …

Msw Portfolio, Melissa Sue Wells

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio showcases examples of the work I have completed throughout my master's program.

Exploring Generational And Vicarious Trauma In The Haitian Diaspora Of America: A Phenomenological Inquiry, Lourna Charles-Thelusca

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study is to understand the generational and vicarious trauma experiences of first-generation Haitians living in the diaspora in the United States (U.S.) and to gain insight into how trauma affects their lives. To achieve an advanced understanding of this population, this study explores the factors contributing to participants' trauma experiences focusing on coping strategies and interpersonal impacts. Haitians, as the first enslaved people to liberate themselves from their European colonizers, have built a rich history marked by overcoming adversity and resilience. Historically, the ongoing cycle of trauma stemming from Haiti's persistent challenges, including …

Examining Differences In Implicit Bias Towards Students Of Color Within The Higher Education System, Marlene Drake

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This quantitative, quasi-experimental, static-group comparison design study aims to address the unknown factors of implicit bias within our public education system by examining the differences between the awareness of school staff towards students of color. The theories that guided this study were the Theory of Experience and the Theory of Leader-Member Exchange (LMX) Theory. The Theory of Experience emphasizes the need for a positive connection between the school staff and students of color to prevent social injustice through awareness and empathetic behavior. The LMX theory supports the need for positive behavior from the school staff to increase the motivation and …

Perceived Childhood Paternal Betrayal Trauma: The Impact To Attachment And Interpersonal Relationships As Adults, Jacquelyn S. Marcum

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to explore adult female perspectives of being abandoned by a father during their grade school years (between ages 6 and 12). Current research has indicated that parental abandonment or rejection creates anxious, avoidant, and insecure attachments into adulthood. Wounded attachment can significantly impact the ability to form healthy attachments as adults. Limited research is available on children between the ages of 6 to 12 on how betrayal trauma impacts the developmental stages, the sense-of-self, and the ability to form and maintain healthy attachments within relationships throughout adolescence and adulthood. In the current …

Mindfulness Matters: Addressing Anxiety And Navigating Toward Wellbeing Through Miea Mindfulness Practices, A Mixed-Methods Study Of Lgbtiq Graduate Writing Students, Kim Westerman

Doctoral Dissertations

ABSTRACT

Mindfulness Matters: Addressing Anxiety and Navigating Toward Wellbeing Through MIEA Mindfulness Practices, a Mixed-Methods Study of LGBTIQ Graduate Writing Students

Anxiety has always been a part of the human experience, even before the phenomenon was conceptualized in the 17^th century and named by Freud in the 19th. And human beings have devised many strategies for addressing anxiety: reducing it, ignoring it, distracting oneself from it, despairing over it, medicating it, engaging with it, moving through it, co-existing with it. The current zeitgeist, more than four years into the COVID-19 global pandemic, situates anxiety as a central facet of …

Barriers To Help-Seeking Behaviors And Interventions For Adolescents With Co-Occurring Disorders, Hannah A. Fisher

Counselor Education Capstones

Adolescent mental health problems have become an extremely prevalent topic for discussion since the coronavirus pandemic. Adolescents experience five major barriers to obtaining mental health professional services including stigma, access to services, mental health professional mistrust, adolescent lack of mental health knowledge, and lack of support. These barriers create obstacles for adolescents seeking proper, affordable, high-quality, and culturally specific mental health care for their mental health needs. There are many different approaches to take to combat the identified barriers. Four different types of approaches are important to consider including what youth can do, what the family of the youth can …

Workforce Barriers And Needed Supports To Enhance Behavioral Health Service Provision For Older Adults In Nebraska, Cecilia Y.M. Poon, Shinobu Watanabe-Galloway, Yadi Liu, Charles Yale, Deepanjali Bhale, Erin O. Shcneider, Julia F. Houfek, Christine Chasek, Marley Doyle, Kendra L. Ratnapradipa

Counseling Faculty Publications

Nearly 20% of US older adults have mental health concerns, but few mental health professionals specialize in this population. In Nebraska, where almost 17% of Nebraska’s population is >65 years of age, BHECN conducted a survey to understand provider attitudes about and abilities to serve the state’s older population. Results from this online survey of licensed mental health practitioners in 2022 showed that 61% of responding practitioners were rural, 27% did not provide direct clinical services to older adults, and only 18% of their time was spent working with older adults. Barriers to providing care to older adults included Medicare …

Barriers In Reporting Sexual Violence On College Campuses, Amber Hartman

Honors Theses

This thesis is designed to examine the underreporting of sexual violence on college campuses by exploring the systemic, cultural, and logistical barriers that hinder victims from disclosing their assault. Using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies, the research identifies three overarching influences for non-reporting. Fear, shame, and lack of resources are presented as the basis of the decision that victims make to not report. Meta-analysis of the research concludes that there is a profound impact of internalized victim-blaming narratives, fear of repercussions and institutional deficiencies in providing accessible support. Recommendations for solutions emphasize creating trauma-informed policies, improving communication and accessibility of …

Study Abroad Angst: A Literature Review On The Mental Health Of International Students During Covid-19, Daisuke Akiba, Michael Perrone, Caterina Almendral

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique and unprecedented challenges for international students, those studying at institutions of higher education outside of their home countries, due to their distinct circumstances and vulnerabilities. This literature review examines the multifaceted mental health burdens they experienced and highlights the need for targeted support and interventions. Methods: A rigorous search across three databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, and ERIC) yielded 50 empirical studies for inclusion in this literature review. A six-phase thematic analysis framework was employed to identify and synthesize key themes. Results: Seven prominent themes emerged: (1) academic and professional disruptions; (2) challenges navigating international …

Is Warmer Better? Examining Counseling Student Responses To Syllabus Tone, Angela I. Sheely-Moore, Leeann Cardaciotto, Krista Malott, Megan Krell, Carlos A. Flores

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Researchers in this quantitative study explored the impact of syllabus tone on master-level counseling students (N = 124). Findings indicate statistically significant differences between students’ reactions to syllabi language, with greater student retention of the content within the warm syllabus condition and more favorable perceptions of the instructor and their grading practices. Implications for counselor educators are included.

The Argument For Clinical Supervision For Early Career School Counselors, Sarah Evans Zalewski, Maiko Xiong, Robert Gilbert

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Early career school counselors need support to navigate their professional development as novice counselors, manage programmatic duties, high caseloads, and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health needs of children and youth. Given that school settings are often the first point of entry for mental health services for children and youth, clinical supervision is necessary. Clinical supervision promotes ethical practice, supports the professional growth of early career school counselors, and guards against burnout. This article (a) describes the development needs of early career school counselors and (b) provides recommendations for establishing clinical supervision for early career school …

Adverse Childhood Experiences, Work-Related Stress, And Trauma-Informed Care Among Novice Counselors, Eunae Han, Paul Carrola

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The current study examined the prevalence of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) among novice counselors and demonstrated the relationships among ACEs, work-related stress, and familiarity with Trauma-informed Care. Specifically, the results showed that counselors’ ACEs scores significantly predicted secondary traumatic stress while the ACEs score did not predict burnout and compassion satisfaction. Additionally, the level of familiarity with Trauma-informed Care among novice counselors had a negative association with secondary traumatic stress. The meaning of the results and the limitations of the study are discussed.

An Explorative Study Of Two African American Mentoring Programs At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Arlen Sims

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by Arlen Sims Gary on November 15, 2024.

The Implications Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Adult Health Perceptions, Angela Cleshette Revis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are traumatic incidents or circumstances children face before age 18 that often manifest as physical and mental health illnesses in adulthood, disproportionately affecting survivors from lower socioeconomic classes, specifically communities of color. This study examines the prevalence and type of illnesses stemming from ACEs in adult patients sampled from a North Carolina public health center, where patients are of lower socioeconomic classes, including those from communities of color. Semi structured interviews among 14 participants were conducted using the Zoom meetings platform to obtain responses from the participants. The results show significant mental health consequences, including early …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences Of K-12 Teachers In Delaware County Facilitating Communal Trauma Processing, Geena Flores

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to analyze the lived experiences of K-12 teachers in Delaware County, PA to understand how they perceive the processing of student trauma that has been passed down through generations in the community. The theory guiding this study was Intergenerational Trauma (IT) as this study seeks to understand the perceptions and intentionality of the teachers working in a community impacted by trauma passed down through generations. Teachers elucidated their experiences and perspectives via interviews, participant journaling, and a focus group. The data collected was analyzed and common themes emerged including the importance of safety …

Unraveling The Impact Of Cognitive Test Anxiety On Academic Performance Among Adolescents: The Case Of Minority And Majority Communities, Zulfiqar Ullah Siddiqui, Wael M. F. Abuhassan

An-Najah University Journal for Research - B (Humanities)

Background: Within the Indian society and its many communities, adolescents exhibit a wide range of individual differences, including cognitive abilities, learning styles, and personality traits. These differences can influence how students perceive and cope with test anxiety and related stress. Objective: The primary goal of this research study was to investigate the influence of cognitive test anxiety on academic performance in adolescents from both minority (Muslims) and majority (Hindus) communities in India. Method: Based on descriptive-inferential research design, a sample of 450 students was selected, with 223 students representing the majority community and the remaining 227 students representing the minority …

From Perspective To Practice: Investigating Elementary Educators' Insights Into Secondary Traumatic Stress In The Classroom, Cassie Bailey Phillips

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the central phenomenon of elementary educators recognizing their lived experiences of secondary traumatic stress and investigate their self-care techniques. The theories guiding this study were secondary traumatic stress theory and the constructivist self-development theory. Research questions investigated in this study included how elementary educators make meaning of secondary traumatic stress (STS) caused by interactions involving students with traumatic lived experiences. How do educators experiencing secondary traumatic stress perceive the training available to them to mitigate the effects of STS? How do educators experience and interpret their use of self-care in managing …

Teach Me How To Love: The Love Ethic As A Foundation For Liberatory Counseling Education, R. Danielle Scott

The Journal of Advancing Education Practice

Centering social justice within the university classroom is essential for fostering an inclusive and equitable learning environment and empowering students toward an orientation for social change. This article explores how interdisciplinary learning, grounded in bell hooks’ concept of the “love ethic” from All About Love, can enhance counseling education within the field of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences (SLHS). The study focuses on a flexible-synchronous course designed for upper-level undergraduate students as an elective in the Communication Sciences and Disorders department at a predominantly White Midwestern public university. By integrating decolonized course content and a critical, inclusive pedagogical approach, the …

The Stepped Care Model: A Flexible, Integrative, Transdiagnostic Approach To Counseling, Justin Jacques, Nick R. Abel

Scholarship and Professional Work – Education

The stepped care model (SCM) is a healthcare approach in which patients and providers collaborate to select interventions and adjust the level of care over time based on outcomes. The approach is widely used in primary healthcare and becoming increasingly prevalent in busy mental health settings such as community clinics and university counseling centers. This manuscript provides a brief overview of SCM, its utility in counseling, and some core features of the approach including an emphasis on client readiness for change, common factors in counseling outcomes, an integrative or eclectic approach to treatment, and a transdiagnostic understanding of mental health …

Strategies For Prevention And Management Of Non-Communicable Diseases Among Community Women In Nigeria: Insights For Family Social Welfare, Abiola Adiat Omokhabi Dr

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

In this study, modifiable risk factors, prevention and management plans for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) among women were examined. This study examined published and grey literature that was gathered from a number of sources, such as open data portals on the five major illness categories that make up the NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), diabetes, malignancies, chronic respiratory diseases, and mental health. Literature shows that the primary behavioural risk factors for NCDs, including CVDs, diabetes, and cancer(malignancies), can be largely avoided. Inactivity, tobacco use, alcohol use, and unhealthy eating habits (often high in processed sugar, fats, and salt) are a …

Exploring Depictions Of Mental Health In Popular Hindi-Urdu Cinema, Sara Ahmed

Journal of Critical Global Issues

Hindi-Urdu popular cinema, commonly referred to as Bollywood, largely reflects the evolution of various social attitudes in the Indian subcontinent. In order to better understand these films’ depiction of social attitudes surrounding mental illness and the implications for its treatment, this study creates and analyzes an anthology of Hindi-Urdu movies from the 1940’s to the present that portray some aspect of mental illness. These movies that depict mental illness were grouped into the various aspects of stigma that they portrayed: structural stigma, courtesy stigma, health practitioner stigma, self-stigma, and public stigma. I extracted and analyzed the attitudes towards mental illness, …

Providing End-Of-Life Counseling: A Narrative Inquiry, Carol Hecht, Sibyl West

Adultspan Journal

This qualitative study aimed to address the gap in the research related to end-of-life counseling by exploring the experiences of counselors working with clients at end of life. While counseling literature and education are lacking regarding end of life, many counselors will work alongside clients approaching death. The purpose of this study was twofold: (a) to better understand the nuanced experiences of counselors providing end-of-life counseling and (b) to explore the supports and preparations helpful for counselors to provide end-of-life counseling. A narrative approach, using the Listening Guide (Gilligan, 2015), was employed to analyze and present the stories of three …

Considerations Of Medicare Telehealth Services With Older Adults, Sonah Kho, Amanda Dediego

Adultspan Journal

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion a rapid expansion of mental health services offered via telehealth. With this rapid expansion came the need to examine how policy and practice should be shaped in a future where telehealth is considered common in counseling practice. For counselors to understand how to support older adult clients in using telehealth services, they must understand telehealth policy. Following the eligibility of licensed counselors to participate in Medicare, counselors need to stay abreast of regulatory changes regarding restrictions and regulations on use of telehealth for mental and behavioral health services, including video and …

Transition Readiness Toolkit: Filling A Gap In Assessing Pre-Employment Transition Services, Brian Nelson Phillips

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

The Effects Of Race-Related Stress, Racial Socialization And Burnout In African American Teachers Who Attended Hbcus Vs. Pwis, Catava M. Burton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Prior research has indicated racial socialization (RS) safeguards against race-related stress (RRS). Despite previous investigations, there has been a dearth of scholarship exclusively examining how RRS, RS, and burnout effect African American teachers with divergent collegiate experiences. To illuminate this research gap, this quantitative study used an online survey to examine the predictive role of RRS and RS on burnout in African American teachers (N = 20) who attended HBCUs or PWIs. This study also measured the potential moderating role of collegiate experience on RRS and RS. The respondents were administered the Trauma Symptoms of Discrimination Scale (TSDS), Cultural and …

Exploring School Counselors’ Perceptions Of How Poverty Impacts Elementary School Students’ Capacity For Academic And Emotional Success: A Phenomenological Study, Latesha Dixon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate school counselors’ viewpoints regarding poverty’s influence on elementary school students’ executive functioning, self-regulation abilities, and academic performance. The impact of poverty on children’s academic achievement is widely acknowledged, and school counselors’ assistance to students from low-income families is considered paramount. The study provided a unique viewpoint regarding alleviating poverty by highlighting the crucial significance of education and skills. The guiding theory in the research study was the social cognitive theory that offers a conceptual structure for comprehending how school counselors’ observations and experiences within the educational setting influence their perspectives regarding …

Gsep Research Symposium Proceedings - 2024

GSEP Research Symposium

The 8th Annual GSEP Research Symposium, was themed "Dismantling Barriers between Research and Practice: Shining a Light on Global Interdisciplinary Solutions," took place on July 18-19, 2024, at the picturesque Château d'Hauteville in Saint-Légier-La Chiésaz, Switzerland.

The annual symposium is hosted by the Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology (GSEP). The symposium served as a dynamic platform for students, faculty, alums, and staff to come together and explore innovative ideas across multiple disciplines. Featuring 69 selected presentations under five distinct tracks, the proceedings showcase groundbreaking research, foster meaningful discussions, and promote professional development.

The symposium aimed to bridge …

Building A Virtual Residency: One Program’S Journey, Susan F. Branco, Nathaniel Mason, Rebecca G. Scherer, Heidi L. Henry, Regina Moro

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

The majority of CACREP accredited online counselor education programs are limited residency distance learning programs. Including a residency experience in online programs can help foster community, increase student engagement, and teach important skills needed to be an effective counselor, including counseling and advocacy skills. In this article, the authors describe one program’s approach to developing a two-day virtual residency program in combination with a concurrent course utilizing the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competency framework. Roleplays, guest presenters, and counseling skills instruction and practice were utilized in the residency program. Student feedback, implications, limitations, and future directions are also discussed.

School Counselor Capacity Building: A Literature Review, Yulizar Yulizar, Ahman Ahman, Juntika Nurihsan, Ipah Saripah

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Capacity describes the human ability to perform, maintain itself, and self-renew. The concept of capacity building is concerned with three distinct levels: the individual, the organizational, and the community level. The literature on capacity building for school counselors is quite diverse. Accordingly, a comprehensive review of the emerging literature is required. This study conducted a systematic literature review exploring the current state of knowledge regarding the capacity building of school counselors. This study was conducted in accordance with the Standard Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Protocols (PRISMA-P), which guided the selection of 30 articles that met the …