Counseling Commons^™

Perceived Parental Narcissism: The Adult Child's Search Of Romantic Attachment Through Self-Compassion, Deanna A. Bishop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Narcissistic personality disorder is defined by a strong desire for admiration and apathetic responses to others’ emotional needs making bonding in any relationship difficult (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Healthy bonding within a family environment can be hindered by the lack of empathetic response and agentic behaviors that are characteristic of this personality type (Shaw, 2014). By virtue of innocence and dependency, children are the most vulnerable. The literature illustrates that emotional abuse and neglect, like parental narcissistic abuse, disrupts secure attachment between the parent and the child and can also prevent the child from learning healthy coping mechanisms, such as …

A Phenomenological Study On The Mental Health Stigmatization And Faith Of Christian African American Genx Men, Kenneth Jerlette Mickie

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The primary goal of this study was to examine the Mental health stigmatization and the faith of Christian African American GenX men. Mental Health within the African American community is a topic that is often considered taboo and seldom discussed. African faith plays a prominent role, many still experience contradictory feelings about receiving mental health treatment due to the worry of being judged and stigmatized. Therefore, it is critical to understand African Americans' perceptions of depression and views of depression treatment, including cultural stigmas and religious, spiritual, and socioeconomic barriers that may deter individuals from seeking or accepting treatment in …

A Phenomenology Of Post-Adoption Experiences Of Adoptive Parents, Omowunmi Omotade Ehikhametalor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the post-adoption experiences of adoptive parents in Jamaica. Studies carried out in other jurisdictions are valuable but do not capture the unique experiences of adoptive parents in Jamaica; therefore, this current study sought to fill the research gap. This study's theoretical framework comprises Schlossberg’s transition theory, attachment theory, and parent effectiveness training (PET). Data were collected from a stratified purposive sample of twelve participants using a brief demographic survey, in-depth interviews, and participant journaling. The data were analyzed using Moustakas’ model, and four themes emerged, namely: the inception of adoptive parenthood, the journey …

The Importance Of Adopting A Neurodiversity Affirming Approach: A Training For School Counselors, Emily Bauer

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Consisting of a literature review and a training presentation, this project investigates the concerning mental health crisis affecting the autistic community and educates school counselors on how to shift to a neurodiversity-affirming approach to better support student needs. Research shows that autistic individuals subjected to applied behavioral analysis (ABA), social skills training (SST), and other behaviorist treatments experience significantly poorer mental and physical health outcomes as well as lower quality of life, indicating a critical need for change (Aral et al, 2023; Cassidy et al, 2020; Stewart et al, 2023). Supported by modern research, a neurodiversity-affirming approach is a better …

Investigating Effective Treatments Of Ocd And Related Disorders In Women, Madeline L. Mccarthy

Counselor Education Capstones

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an under-researched mental health disorder, and many studies predominantly include male participants. Therefore, many existing treatments are based on the symptoms and results of male participants. Of the studies targeting women with OCD, much of the reliable research regards pregnancy, hormones, or phases of the menstrual cycle. While these studies have shown connections between OCD symptoms and hormones, particularly regarding pregnancy and the menstrual cycle, there is a lack of general research on effective OCD treatments for women. Additionally, many of the treatment options and medications included in these studies are those discovered through studies with …

Exploring The Complexities Of Suicide Loss: Evaluating Bereavement Experiences, Survivor Needs, And Implications For Counselors, Kristen O. Piringer, Kristen O. Piringer

Counselor Education Capstones

Suicide exposure is common and affects a plethora of people including family members, friends, and coworkers. Suicide bereavement is intricate and involves a variety of symptoms that are not common with all types of grief including: shame, guilt, isolation, rejection, trauma, and suicidal ideation. The complexities of suicide bereavement may lead to the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The grieving period is often extended for years. Suicide bereavement is frequently complicated by stigma and changes in relationships due to insensitivity or avoidance. Suicide survivors express the need for recognition …

Trauma-Informed Care Within Neurodivergent Populations, Adrianna Black

Counselor Education Capstones

The recognition and understanding of what is commonly viewed as neurodivergent diagnoses have broadened significantly in recent years. However, the process of diagnosing individuals who may be considered both neurodivergent and have experienced a traumatic event has presented issues for people in the neurodivergent community. Applying trauma-informed care approaches in counseling will highlight the importance of considering how traumas influence clients’ past and current behaviors and their impact on access to services and meeting milestones within developmental stages. This paper will explore the minimal research on and the need for more research to be done on trauma-informed interventions used with …

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 …

Horticulture Interventions Impact On Eating Disorder Symptoms, Taylor Kline

Counselor Education Capstones

Nature-based counseling offers a wide variety of options that counselors could incorporate into their session as a complementary form of counseling paired with another theory. Specifically, horticulture interventions have been found to increase clients’ self-efficacy and self-esteem, as well as reduce anxiety, which are all common symptoms of eating disorders. With the lack of research on horticulture interventions and the idea of utilizing them within the treatment of eating disorders, the contents of this paper aim to point out the variety of benefits of said interventions on common symptoms that are often related to eating disorders. Future research should focus …

A Personal Journey Of Self-Reflection, Brooke Heil

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

In this analysis, I investigate the different layers that make up who I am, exploring my personal experiences, relationships, academic pursuits, career path, mental and physical health, cultural background, coping mechanisms, strengths, and aspirations. Coming from a family deeply impacted by alcoholism, mental health struggles, and loss, I navigate through life's challenges, drawing insights from various psychological theories to understand my own journey. Through self-reflection and insights from those around me, I explore themes of resilience, independence, and how my past shapes my present. This analysis was constructed with personal stories, reflections, and observations, providing a holistic view of …

Unveiling Resilience: An Exploration Of Relational Cultural Theory, Prevalence Factors, And Emdr’S Impact On Injury And Performance Anxiety In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Brian T. Lusk

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation delved into the mental health challenges encountered by collegiate student-athletes, with a specific focus on injury and performance anxiety. The research is presented in a three-manuscript format. The first manuscript is a conceptual exploration of Relational Cultural Theory [RCT] and its application in supporting student-athletes during injury recovery. By integrating the Five Good Things framework, the study demonstrates how growth-promoting connection and a strong therapeutic alliance can enhance holistic recovery, addressing the physical and emotional impacts of injury. The second manuscript investigated performance anxiety among student-athletes, with an emphasis on gender, sport type, and Adverse Childhood Experiences [ACEs] …

Space And Context: Exploration Of Information Experience And Document Experience, Carrie A. Boettcher

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This paper explores documents that are recorded and cataloged, but the original is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon that only exists once. It ponders where information ends, and document begins and the concepts of space and context that contribute to the shape or structure of the document. Specifically, the confidential counseling session, only experienced by the individuals present during the session, repeated but not duplicated, and how information and documents contribute to understanding of the counseling session.

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.

Adolescent Dieting And Eating Disorders: Considerations For Counselors, Josephine Sticha

Counselor Education Capstones

A crucial time for an individual’s development is during adolescence. During this developmental stage, the media, social influences, and cultural pressures contribute to a teenager’s body dissatisfaction and disordered eating habits. Nearly 22% of adolescents engage in unhealthy weight-loss behaviors such as skipping meals, fad diets, excessive exercise, and dangerous purging practices due to experiencing weight and body dissatisfaction (Whyte & Findlay, 2004). Other factors such as low self-esteem, peer pressure, and the desire for increased social status have been known to exacerbate these behaviors. Dieting practices intensify these risks and increase the likelihood of developing nutritional deficiencies and eating …

Disproportionate Rate Of Mental Health Care For African American Service Members, Amy Tesla Kingjones

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This case study understands and describes the disproportionate rate of mental health care for African American Service Members in the US military. With minorities making up less than 20% of the US armed forces, fitting into predominantly white spaces is necessary for continued success and can cause stress, depression, and anxiety. The theory guiding this study is critical race theory, as it uncovers and challenges how laws, policies, and societal norms perpetuate racial hierarchies and disadvantage marginalized communities. It emphasizes the social construction of race, highlighting that it is not an inherent biological category but a product of historical, political, …

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 …

Divorce: A Phenomenological Study On Estrangement In Fathers In Older Adulthood, Janet H. Shaffer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This proposed study will be to look at the phenomenon of estrangement framed in the family system theory through a Biblical lens. The qualitative interpretive approach will look at a minimum of ten individuals who have been or are currently experiencing the outcomes of familial estrangement that occurred between fathers and their adult children. This destructive phenomenon has been found to increase the risk of negative mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, chronic stress, feelings of grief, and loss for those within the family unit. The growing number of parent-adult-child estrangements highlights the need to study the lived experiences …

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 …

After The Training Ends: A Qualitative Study Of Therapists’ Experiences With Trauma Training And Self-Efficacy, Megan L. Briggs

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Counselors meet many clients with experiences of trauma throughout their careers, and many counselors do not feel confident in their skills to process trauma. The training programs that teach trauma-focused skills have been researched regarding dissemination practices, but there has been very little exploration of the experiences of the individuals who do not utilize newly acquired skills. The primary research question asks what are the experiences of outpatient therapists in applying the skills they learned in trauma processing training programs when practicing in the outpatient setting? The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study will be to describe the experiences of …

Discipling Your Children For Dating, Isaiah Del Pilar

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Currently, in the culture of the church in the West, there is a very weak support system or culture of guidance as it relates to dating and courtship. This primarily is played out on the level of discipleship with primary caregivers with their children. Participants in this research project reported a low degree of feeling prepared and equipped to properly guide their children toward a quality spouse. There is an urgent need to improve the overall ability of primary caregivers in regard to discipling their children on the subject of dating marriage. The purpose of this project is to prepare, …

The Mediation-Moderation Effects Of Religiosity On The Relationship Between Adverse Childhood Experiences And Marital Satisfaction In African American Couples, Pauletta Michele Brown

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this quantitative, multiple regression, mediation research design was to explore the impact of ACEs on Christian African American marital satisfaction. This study was grounded in the Family Systems Theory, introduced by Dr. Murray Bowen, investigating the relationship between ACEs and African American marital satisfaction mediated and moderated by religiosity. A Qualtrics survey was distributed through social media, and a QR code was posted at two churches located in Birmingham, AL, open to all African American married couples (n=105). PROCESS Models 1 and 4, were utilized to determine if religiosity mediates and moderates the relationship between ACEs and …

A Phenomenological Study On The Adult Biological Child's Experience In A Family That Fostered, Melba Richards-Garcia

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Families involved in the fostering process experience a wide range of situations which can impact all family members—both positively and negatively. This includes the biological children of foster parents. While recent research has started to focus on providing support for foster families, most studies primarily concentrate on training and assistance for foster parents. When it comes to the effects of being a biological child within a foster family there exists a gap in the literature regarding long-term support for these family members. The objective of this study is to explore the retrospective experiences of biological children of foster families, who …

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 …

The Silent Legacy: A Phenomenological Study Of Transgenerational Trauma Passed From Mothers To Daughters In The African American Community, Stephanie Diane Jeffreys

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to understand the transgenerational trauma passed from mothers to daughters in the African American community. The problem is that transgenerational trauma is unintentionally passed from mothers to daughters, which has a negative impact on their life outcomes, such as their self-worth, worldview, and relationships. The study was guided by the historical trauma theory, arguing that populations that have historically been subjected to traumatic experiences exhibit higher instances of psychological and physiological conditions multiple generations after it has happened. Through the research, how the trauma transmission happens from mothers to daughters was assessed, …

A Legacy Of Trauma: A Phenomenological Study Of African American Pastors' Perspectives On Mental Health In Delaware Churches, Donell M. Winder

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This hermeneutic phenomenological qualitative study aimed to explore the perceptions and practices of african american evangelical pastors in delaware regarding mental health care within their congregations. the study sought to understand how pastors integrate their spiritual beliefs with mental health practices and how cultural factors influence their roles as mental health advocates. anchored in social constructivism, the research examined the cultural and contextual factors that shape pastors' approaches to mental health issues. eight senior pastors from evangelical churches across delaware were selected through purposive sampling, and semi-structured interviews served as the primary data collection method. thematic analysis identified several key …

The Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On The Eating Behaviors Of Black American Women, Teshia Stovall Dula

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explores the impact of behaviorism on understanding adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and their effects on eating behaviors, particularly emotional overeating, and satiety responsiveness, in Black women. It highlights the importance of addressing ACEs to promote holistic well-being, especially given racial health disparities. The study investigates various factors shaping the behavior of Black women, including individual traits, environments, and behavioral patterns, focusing on an under-researched area. It calls for standardized definitions in this context and advocates for more extensive and diverse sample sizes for future research. Ultimately, the research aims to empower Black women by translating insights into effective …

A Qualitative Study Of Emdr Clinician Treatment Modality Choice And Client Needs, Carole Petrides Bakke

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological qualitative research study was to explore and understand the lived experiences of clinicians practicing eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) in the state of Nebraska and their choice of treatment modality, between the audio, visual, and kinesthetic techniques of EMDR. As an evidenced-based treatment therapy, EMDR has been shown to decrease the symptoms of distress in clients with a history of trauma and the treatment of choice for clients with a diagnosis of PTSD. A qualitative approach was used to assess the possible connection between the EMDR techniques as factors in individual preferences and …

Contact Refusal In Children And Adolescents Post-Parental Separation, Ashten N. Gallagher

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore and understand the underlying themes in contact refusal between a parent and a child through a developmentally sensitive lens. This study examines how trauma, relational dynamics, and developmental stages influence a child’s refusal to engage with a parent post-separation or divorce. The theories guiding this research include Erikson’s psychosocial development stages (Erikson, 1950, 1968), which highlight how children’s developmental needs and challenges impact their relational attachments. Additionally, the diagnostic framework for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) as outlined by the World Health Organization’s International Classification of Diseases 11 (Cloitre et al., …

The Shared Experience Of Marriage And Commitment Of Couples Who Have Been Married For Over 30 Years: Challenges And Resilience In Marriage, Rosemarie Gonzalez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to explore the experience of marriage commitment for individuals who have been married for over 30 years. Current research indicates that commitment is the leading cause of marital dissolution. Moreover, research indicates that marriage commitment is associated with several factors (e.g., marriage beliefs, communication, relationship maintenance, and marriage quality) that aid in the stability and satisfaction of long-term marriages. The framework for the study included marital commitment in constructivism learning theory, with biblical concepts of marital relationship, and the intergenerational theory. Concept mapping was used as a means of data analysis …

Treating Depression Using Non-Pharmacological Interventions, Herve Preval, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Abstract

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), and neuropsychotherapy are all non-pharmacological interventions that have been used in the treatment of depression. This review seeks to investigate the possible advantages of CBT, TMS, and neuropsychotherapy in the treatment of depression. Depression is a debilitating mental health disorder, and it is an extremely prevalent mental condition that is linked to increased illness and death. More than 300 million people suffer from depression worldwide. Depression is estimated to be at a rate of 5.5 percent annually in developed countries and even higher at 6.7 percent amongst young adults. In this …