Counseling Commons^™

Reimagining Discipline: Elementary School Counselors’ Experiences Implementing And Advocating For Restorative Practices As An Alternative To Exclusionary Discipline, Kim Kelly

Dissertations

School counselors are positioned as leaders and advocates within their school communities, playing a critical role in promoting equitable practices and systemic change. Despite decades of research indicating the harmful effects of exclusionary discipline, this approach continues to be implemented in schools across the United States. Emerging literature has indicated restorative practices as an alternative discipline approach that promotes equity, reduces disproportionality in school discipline, and fosters a positive school climate. This research focused on the experience of elementary school counselors advocating for and implementing restorative practices as an alternative to exclusionary discipline. Through a hermeneutic phenomenological and social constructivist …

Ecclesiological Support For Veterans Suffering From Moral Injury: A Phenomenological Study, Douglas Guy Wood

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

For many military service members, the cost of their service is through the psychological, physiological, emotional, sociological, and spiritual scars from the trauma of conflict. This trauma is most associated with the diagnoses of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Moral Injury (MI). Existing literature primarily focuses on a humanistic underlying philosophy to symptoms and patient care or uses a non-specific definition/categorization of religion/spirituality (e.g., Ames et al., 2019; Hill et al., 2000; Sharma et al., 2017). Studies have addressed psychological, physiological, emotional, and sociological healing (e.g., Åkerblom et al., 2020; Drescher et al., 2011; Gray et al., 2012; Nash & …

Lgb Sexual Minorities And Parental Disclosure, Robyn D. Brian

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative, collective case study is to explore how sexual minorities are making parental disclosure decisions in the United States. The theories guiding this study are Minority Stress Theory with theorist Illan Meyer, as well as Family Systems Theory with Murray Bowen, as they explain the relationship between sexual minority stress experienced by sexual minorities while looking at how that impacts the entire family unit during the disclosure process. Data was collected with semi-structured interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis. Results found that one’s future plans and next steps in life were the motivating factor for sexual …

Perceptions Of Competency, Adequate Training, And Job Satisfaction Of Intensive In-Home Counselors In Hampton Roads, Virginia, Sueann Nicole Anderson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aimed to explore the perceptions of intensive in-home counselors in the Hampton Roads, Virginia, area regarding their adequacy of training, competence, and job satisfaction. Participants were recruited from community-based agencies offering intensive in-home counseling services. These counselors work with at-risk children and families that face complex challenges like trauma, poverty, and behavioral instability. The theories guiding this study were Herzberg’s Motivation-Hygiene Theory and Core Self Evaluations Theory, which provided a dual framework for examining intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing participants’ perceptions and experiences. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with participants, which allowed for in-depth exploration of …

Analysis Of The Relationship Of Spirituality And Spiritual Bypass On The Resilience Of Survivors Of Homicide In The U.S., Katie Ann Wiggins

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The quantitative study examined the influence of spirituality and spiritual bypass on the resilience of homicide survivors, an area with limited research. This correlational design used multiple regression analysis to investigate how spirituality and case solution status moderated the effects of spiritual bypass on the resilience of homicide survivors. While substantial studies address grief from natural and sudden loss, there have been few that explore the experiences of homicide survivors grieving loss due to murder. It was the researcher’s anticipation that there would be a positive effect between spirituality and resilience in addition to the negative effect on resilience from …

Experiences Of Forgiveness With People Who Have A Problematic Use Of Pornography: A Phenomenological Study, Clarence E. Chapman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand the lived experiences of participants in early recovery from self-perceived problematic porn use (PPU). The theory guiding this research study was attachment theory, which was developed by John Bowlby, a physiatrist who focused on the overall development of a child’s emotional development. The study aimed at trying to discover if there are barriers to a person for receiving forgiveness from God when in early recovery. Research indicated there are guilt and shame that can be reasons to these barriers for those who struggle with self-perceived pornography use as Christians. Methods used …

Understanding The Impact Of Romantic Relationship Satisfaction On Depression In Women Veterans, Rhonda Jean Gaston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Depression is a prevalent and impactful mental health issue worldwide, with a particularly high incidence among women. Previous research has established a positive association between romantic relationship satisfaction and depression in women. However, little attention has been given to the mental health of women veterans, a growing population within the United States military, leading to significant gaps in understanding their unique experiences. This nonexperimental retrospective study was conducted to examine how initial romantic relationship satisfaction predicted the reduction of depression symptoms following psychotherapy. Additionally, it explored how minority status among women veterans influenced post-treatment depression outcomes. Using archival data, between …

Mom, I’M Home: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of The Shared Experiences Of Adults Who Had A Stay-At-Home Mother, Darren Eldred Schmidt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe adults’ childhood experiences with a stay-at-home mother in the Western United States. To date, related studies on stay-at-home mothering have focused almost exclusively on the outcomes for mother and child during the time they are living together. None have examined more closely the long-term effects that stay-at-home mothering may have on children after they reach adulthood. The researcher sought to better inform couples, therapists, practitioners, and society in general regarding some of the long-term effects of having a stay-at-home mother. The family systems theory, wherein the family unit and its members …

A Phenomenological Study Of Forgiveness Following Infidelity Focusing On Robert Enright's Forgiveness Model, Delondria R. Hines

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe the experiences of women who chose to forgive their partner’s infidelity using Robert Enright’s Forgiveness Model. The study explores the motivations for forgiveness after infidelity, focusing on women aged 25–70 in heterosexual relationships from various racial and ethnic origins who have decided to remain with their partners. Extending Robert Enright's Forgiveness Model, this study examines the benefits of forgiveness. The study uses thematic analysis to identify common themes in the participants’ stories, enhancing understanding of their motivations for forgiveness. Semi-structured interviews served as the main method for data collection, offering a …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Factors That Facilitate Sexual Trauma Disclosure In Black Women In The United States, Davne' R. Mccleary

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to describe Black women’s lived experiences with disclosure after experiencing sexual trauma in the United States. The theory that guides this study is Black feminist thought (Hill Collins, 1986), as it provides the historical and societal backdrop against which it is necessary to understand sexual violence against Black women and seeks to empower Black women to resist oppression. Utilizing semi-structured interviews, cognitive representations, and journal entries, data was collected from 13 Black women survivors of sexual trauma to answer the following research questions: How do Black women who have experienced sexual trauma …

A Phenomenology Of The Importance Of Protection As It Relates To The Father And Daughter Relationship, Jared B. Reid

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to better understand the lived experience of a father’s relationship with his daughter(s) and how the central theme of protection impacts that relationship. Protection will be generally defined as a father’s ability to provide boundaries physically, spiritually, and emotionally around his family, created by safety and trust, in developing stability for healthy development. General research questions include but are not limited to, what necessitates a family to need protection. What is the impact on a daughter when the father does not protect her? The purpose of this phenomenological study is to investigate the …

Childhood Sexual Abuse And Posttraumatic Growth Among African American Women, Joyce B. Mckinley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore how African American women describe their lived experience of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), the resulting changes in their relationships with others, and how survivors describe experiences of posttraumatic growth (PTG). Childhood sexual abuse is a significant public health issue in the United States, with African American youth disproportionately impacted. Research has shown that racism-related stressors are related, and African Americans often draw on cultural and familial strengths. This study aims to describe factors contributing to PTG among African American women survivors of CSA. Based on the review of the …

Determining The Mental Health Climate Of The Ministers Of Christian Churches In Metro Vancouver After The Reopening Of The Churches Since Covid-19 Closure, Lap Cho Chan

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The burnout of ministers is real. Ministers are human, just like everyone else in the world. Too many people (such as church officials and leaders) underestimate the adverse effects of burned-out ministers in their churches. The pandemic had a huge impact on all the churches in Metro Vancouver, Canada. Ministers experienced exceptionally high stress and anxiety after the reopening of churches after the COVID-19 closure. Thus, the purpose of this DMIN action research project is to use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), surveys, questionnaires, and interviews to research, qualify, and quantify the mental health climate of ministers in Metro Vancouver. …

“Mommy And Me”: A Phenomenological Study Into The Experiences Of African American Parents In Their Child’S Teletherapy Session, Cleveland E. Robinson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of African American parents involved in their child’s teletherapy session. The study seeks to describe how these experiences occurred in the context of transitional change as these parents and children transitioned from in person therapy to telehealth due to COVID-19 or other major life circumstance. The theory guiding this study is Schlossberg’s transitional theory which highlights how change impacts the lives of people through unique individual experiences. Data was collected from semi-structured interviews that were administered to 10 participants. From these interviews four themes were created. These themes …

Revealing Roots: Examining The Intersection Of Trauma, Mental Health, And Bioecological Impact On Pentecostal Black Male Pastors, Dreama Delicia Cole

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe Pentecostal Black male pastors in their understanding of (or experiences with) trauma and mental health in the context of the inclusion of bioecological effects and any thoughts about the potential impact on their congregations in California. The chosen theories complement the lived experiences of these pastors. Based on the research questions, interview questions, and data analysis, the following themes and one subtheme emerged: Their Roots Tell a Story: Lived Experiences of Identity Formation and Early Trauma with subtheme Rejection: Lived Experience of Exclusion and Emotional Wounding, Revelation: Lived Experiences of …

A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder In Rural West Virginia, Kristen Shaylee Copenhaver

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe young adults’ experiences with high-functioning ASD and ACE in underserved regions of West Virginia. As ACEs are more prevalent in low-income and underserved communities, it can be essential to focus attention on the autism population and their recollection of the events that occurred, as well as the challenges they have experienced receiving treatment to adequately address their needs in West Virginia. The theory guiding this study was the theory of mind, coined by Premack and Woodruff; This theory focuses on the deficits in a person's mental state (Beaudoin et al., 2020), …

Taking A Stand: A Phenomenological Study Of Black Christian Pastors' Experiences Of Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence In The Church & Community, Karen Elaine Simmons-Clifton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe black pastors’ lived experiences of counseling and/or ministering to female victims (congregants & non-congregants) and survivors of Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in Texas. These acts of violation against women occur at staggering rates worldwide, often leaving the victims and survivors with damages and issues they dare trust to share with a spiritual figure. In many communities, the Black Christian pastor is often the person these wounded women seek as their counselor, spiritual guide, and safe place, despite the pastor’s lack of education and/or training in IPV. Research indicates that these women …

The Impact Of Church Members On Single Parents In Residential Family Care Systems, Vanessa M. Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This paper discusses the value of grace and its significance for making positive, lasting change. The researcher initially hypothesized that accountability alone was the sole catalyst for transformation (van Manen, 1990; Williams, 2008). The researcher conducted 30-minute interviews of seven single mothers with a minimum of 2 years residence in one or more Residential Family Care (RFC) programs, identifying them with pseudonyms for the purpose of protecting their identities. Each interview transcript was then evaluated for key repeated themes and phrases. While accountability did indeed play a significant role in the women’s change processes, the researcher found that grace, facilitated …

Love Your Neighbor As Yourself: Examining The Lived Experience Of Christians Of Color Engaged In Advocacy, Monique Victoria Barber

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experience of Christians of Color (COC) engaged in advocacy work within the counseling profession. The study was guided by the allies integrative model, which asserts that God is the author of all truth, and that theology and psychology offer ways to understand His truth within human limitations. This framework provided a lens to examine how COC navigate their faith and racialized identity in advocacy. Seven licensed counselors participated in semistructured interviews, and their corresponding narratives were analyzed using thematic coding. Findings highlight the ways in which COC counselors …

Examining The Relationship Between Cultural Humility And The Working Therapeutic Alliance With African American Clients In Counseling, Najah Dail

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African Americans are one of the most least likely ethnic groups to engage in counseling. Despite African Americans struggling with mental health at the same rate and sometimes more as their white counterparts, African Americans continue to be hesitant to receive mental health services. Minimal research has been conducted to assess how to engage African Americans in counseling and what the barriers are to their engagement. When working with African Americans, cultural humility seeks to address barriers in understanding the cultural experiences of clients in counseling. The purpose of this study was to gain a better understanding of the role …

Exploring Clergy's Use Of Suicide Risk Factor Knowledge: A Qualitative Descriptive Study, Matilda Swanson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative descriptive study explored clergy members’ understanding of mental health literacy in relations to suicide risk factors and the interventions they used to prevent suicidality among congregants in Central Florida. Guided by Anthony Jorm’s mental health literacy theory, the study explored clergy members’ understanding of mental health literacy related to their knowledge of suicide risk factors and interventions they use to address suicide risk among church congregants. Data collection was through semi-structured interviews and two focus groups. A total of 14 clergy members participated in the study. The findings were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-step thematic analysis, leading …

Factors Associated With Clinician Confidence With Gender Identity Issues In Children, Elizabeth D. Hickman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This dissertation explored mental health clinicians’ experience and self-confidence in their ability to identify and treat children with gender dysphoria. Gender issues are highly prevalent in the United States with an estimated 1.9 million individuals (about twice the population of South Dakota) considering themselves in the LGBT community. The American Psychological Association estimated that there were currently 106,500 licensed psychologists in the United States in a 2014 census. The United States Census population clock has the number of citizens to nearly 335 million people. Meaning that for every psychologist there are 3,146 potential clients. This is an overwhelming ratio of …

The Perceived Impact Of Covid-19 On The Grief Process Of African American Adults, Tondra Crumpler Mclaurin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected African Americans in the areas of infections, hospitalizations, and deaths. Research studies have historically focused primarily on the grief experiences of European Americans. The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study is to understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the bereavement experience of African American adults. The theoretical frameworks used to guide this study were attachment theory, individual differences model, and meaning reconstruction model. Three research questions were the focus of the qualitative study: what are the lived grief experiences of African American adults who experienced the death of a loved one during the …

Pathway Out Of Homelessness, Budwa (Bud) Sous

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological case study aims to understand the homeless individuals' relational Transformational Experience (TE) and their choice to complete the transitional pathway journey from homelessness at a faith-based shelter. Developed in 1938 by John Dewy, TE has become a comprehensive and complex framework that describes how learners interpret, confirm, and give meaning to their experiences. As a result, this study's framework uses a hermeneutic and relational approach to explore and highlight relational barriers the homeless faced following their transition out of a Midwest homeless shelter. However, research has not adequately recognized how a restored relationship contributes to cognitive and behavioral …

Disability Competencies In A Cacrep Graduate Program: A Grounded Theory And Case Study, Debbye Lopez-Ramos

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There is growing evidence supporting multicultural competencies as a key component of the CACREP standards and ethical responsibilities for faculty counselor educators and supervisors (FCESs). However, literature supporting multicultural competencies has significant gaps as it relates to the conceptualization and practice of disability competencies in CACREP counselor education. Furthermore, the lack of disability competencies and the stigma surrounding disabilities has led to frustration, academic remediation, and the withdrawal of students with disabilities. Despite the CACREP standards, FCESs have failed to infuse disability competencies when working with students with disabilities. This qualitative research used grounded theory and case study to examine …

The Use Of Artificial Intelligence In The Clinical Supervision Of Counselors In Training: A Comparative Quantitative Study, Debra Ann Millman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

To address the need to improve the effectiveness of clinical supervision, this study compared the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to evaluate the counseling skills of counselors in training with evaluations completed by counseling professors. Counseling session transcripts obtained from the public domain were evaluated using AI by asking the chatbot to act as if it were a licensed mental health clinical supervisor and evaluate the transcript using the Counseling Competencies Scale Revised rubric. Counseling professors were asked to manually evaluate the sessions using the same rubric. Finally, doctoral students enrolled in a counselor education and supervision program were asked …

The Lived Experiences Of African American Males With Absent Fathers: A Phenomenological Study, Justin Danta Gravely-Strayhorn

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of African American males who grew up with absent fathers and how this affected them in their homes, schools, and neighborhoods in the rural and urban areas of Chesapeake, Virginia. The theories guiding this study are Bandura's Social Learning Theory, Vygotsky's social learning theory and Bowlby’s attachment theory. These theories explain cognitive development and the influence of social interaction on children’s attitudes and emotional reactions. The theories also explain the role of observation in social interaction and cognitive development, as both explain how cognitive development is influenced by …

Psychological Treatment Behind The Walls:Insights From The Inside, Rogelio Serrano

Psychology Division Scholarship

Repeated eras of mass incarceration, criminalization of marginalized communities, and substance use policies have created a revolving door of justice involved populations. The ever-increasing prison population has repeatedly become the largest contingency of mental health clientele for an overburdened mental health system. Those who work with formerly incarcerated individuals in the community often don’t know the unique set of challenges faced by practitioners within the system. Increased understanding and coordination of care can offer opportunities for sustained recovery and reduced levels of recidivism. In this presentation participants will learn about the unique insights on mental health treatment that can be …

The Impact Of An Iron-Rich Diet On Fatigue In Menstruating Women With Non-Anemic Iron Deficiency, Meagan Seraydar, Lauren Latimer, Sam Miragliatto

Department of Nutrition Student Projects

Fatigue without diagnosed anemia is prevalent in menstruating women, with iron deficiency being a potential contributor. While iron supplementation is a standard intervention, dietary sources of iron may offer a sustainable alternative. This study aims to assess the impact of an iron-rich diet on fatigue levels in menstruating women. A 12-week randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted, assigning participants to either an iron-rich diet group or a control group following their usual diet without specific iron recommendations. Fatigue will be measured using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) at baseline, six weeks, and twelve weeks, alongside iron status biomarkers, including …

Lasting Impact Of Friendship: A Group Manual For Meaningful Connections In Adolescence, Kristen M. Hull

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Adolescence brings profound changes in physical growth, emotions, and social interactions. The friendships formed during this time of life play a crucial role in shaping a young person’s sense of self, emotional health, and ability to navigate social relationships well into the future. This group manual examines the importance of friendships in adolescence, offering a research-based approach to understanding how these relationships influence mental well-being, academic success, and personal development. Designed for school counselors and other trained professionals, it provides practical strategies to help students build and maintain meaningful, supportive friendships during this pivotal stage of life.

Keywords: adolescence, friendship, …