Counseling Commons^™

Analysis Of Self: My Journey To Healing And Helping, Chelsea C. Schultz

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

The Analysis of Self led me to take an inventory of who I am as a person and a professional, and what led me to where I am today as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor. This project satisfies the requirements of the graduate program. Besides taking an in-depth overview of my personal history, I also included assessments such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) and the Strong’s Interest Inventory (SII) to uncover various aspects of my personality, strengths and qualities. Interventions that align with my counseling style are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Person-Centered Therapy because of …

Parenting Strategies For Adult Abuse Victims, Sarah Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological proposal is to describe adults with past childhood trauma’s parenting experiences in Missouri. Growing up in an abusive household, I saw how not to parent my children once I was older. Not everyone thinks this way. Children who grow up in an abusive household do not always develop resiliency. Due to these effects, the following proposal will look at how these adults are impacted when it comes to their parenting styles. Parenting is difficult, to begin with, let alone working through your issues. Generational abuse is a common occurrence. The main research question that will …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Culturally Responsive Social Emotional Learning Intervention On Parents And Its Impact On Family Well-Being, May Duong

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines how Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)-based parent education can bridge cultural divides and strengthen family-school partnerships in increasingly diverse educational settings. Conducted at an independent California elementary school where student demographics shifted to become more diverse in the last ten years, the research addresses a critical gap: while parent education is essential to child development, it remains overlooked in SEL implementation. The research investigates whether Western-based SEL frameworks, which emphasize individualism, can effectively support families from collectivist cultures. Through the EQ Gym program—a culturally responsive parent education initiative—the study explores three key questions: how school-based SEL research can address …

Exploring The Impact Of Self-Control, Motivation, And Resilience On Students' Self-Compassion, Diani Akmalia Apsari, Adi Atmoko, Ika Andrini Farida, Nur Eva, Augusto Da Costa, Aidah Fuadiyah

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The core purpose of Pendidikan Profesi Guru Prajabatan (PPG) is to educate prospective teachers to become professional teachers. To achieve this goal, students requires psychological abilities when facing challenges such as dense and demanding tasks based on the curriculum that must be completed in 2 semesters. This study aims to (1) test the theoretical model of regression of self-compassion, and (2) determine the contribution of self-control, motivation, and resilience to self-compassion in PPG students. This study used a causal relationship design. Data were collected with (1) Brief Self Control Scale, (2) The Academic Motivation Scale, (3) The Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, …

Stopping The Transference: Family Resilience Concerning High Adverse Childhood Experience Through A Genogram Study Of Southern Appalachian Storytelling Culture, Brittany Shay Teague

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of multi-generational Appalachian storytellers and their culture to discover if there was a decrease in Adverse Childhood Experiences and increase resilience across generations. Vygotsky's Communication Theory, which emphasizes child development through language and communication, and Masten’s Resilience Theory, which emphasizes that children can develop resilience with the assistance of their caregivers, guided this study. The research questions asked were as follows: How do they describe the impact of storytelling and genograms on resilience and intergenerational transference?  How do they describe the importance of storytelling? How would they describe …

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 …

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, …

College Females With A History Of Childhood Sexual Abuse: The Impact Of Birth Order And Religious Commitment On Resilience, Courtney Elizabeth Walraven

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Traumatology is defined and expanded on concerning the common outcomes and sequela. The short- or long-term effects of trauma are discussed including the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). A description was given of the history and progression of the formal diagnosis of PTSD. A thorough explanation of PTSD diagnostic criteria, risk factors, cultural considerations, and protective factors were provided. A detailed explanation of sexual assault and the implications of this specific trauma on survivors/victims were provided. The impact of child sexual abuse in survivors was reviewed. Commonly used measurements of psychological resilience were reviewed. The impact of religiosity on …

Boosting Teacher Work Engagement: The Role Of Self-Efficacy, Resilience, And Personality Traits, Ajar Dirgantoro, Nur Eva, Fattah Hanurrawan, Imanuel Hitipeuw

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The role of a teacher in the world of education greatly affects how the quality of students with the expected changes cannot be separated from the responsibility of a teacher in educating, guiding, motivating and being a facilitator for these students. However, low work involvement by teachers is not able to achieve organizational or school success in producing quality successors. The intended work engagement is a series of results from the teacher's self-efficacy and resilience towards himself and work tasks. This study aims to empirically examine the effect of self-efficacy and resilience on teacher work engagement with personality traits as …

Hugging A Porcupine: A Phenomenological Study On Attachment In Young Children In Foster Care, Stuart Parker Meyer

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe foster parents’ experiences attempting to build healthy attachment with young children in their care in Northern Virginia. The foster parent’s role is pivotal in nurturing these valuable relationships. The theory guiding this study was the theory of attachment by John Bowlby, as attachment impacts development in a child. Promoting secure attachment builds resilience in young children, supporting them as they overcome trauma (Storey & Fletcher, 2022). The research question was: What are the lived experiences of foster parents who attempted to build a secure earned attachment with their young foster child? …

Examining Ethnic-Racial Socialization As A Predictor Of Resilience And Ethnic-Racial Stress In Hispanic/Latine Young Adults, Adrian Josue Hernandez

Dissertations

Multiple scholars have emphasized the importance of elucidating how Hispanic/Latine individuals are socialized to navigate issues pertaining to ethnic-racial identity, such as ethnicracial stress from racism and discrimination (Ayón et al., 2020; Umaña-Taylor & Rivas-Drake, 2021). Ethnic-racial stress has been linked to numerous adverse physical and mental health outcomes among Hispanic/Latine people, including poor health-related quality of life and increased depressive symptoms (Alamilla et al., 2010; Andrade et al., 2021).

Attention to the role of ethnic-racial stress in exacerbating health disparities within Hispanic/Latine communities has also stimulated increased interest in understanding Hispanic/Latine resilience (Arce et al., 2020; Bosma et al., …

Challenges Faced By Adult Gifted Students Who Have Experienced Traumatic Brain Injury: A Phenomenological Study, Dawn M. Nessler

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the educational experiences of gifted adult students who have experienced traumatic brain injury (TBI). The theory guiding this phenomenological study was Kazimierz Dabrowski's theory of positive disintegration, with a focus on how the tragedy of various natures impacts the development of an individual's identity. This qualitative phenomenological study sought to understand the shared educational experiences of gifted undergraduate students who have experienced a TBI. 12 participants from Strong Minds, Kind Hearts, a Christian counseling and educational office located in Northwest Florida engaged in the study. Stratified sampling was used within the …

Spiritual Disciplines And Mental Resiliency: The Effectiveness Of Spiritual Coping Mechanisms To Decrease Anxiety And Depression Symptoms, Alysa Lynn Vanderweerd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The outcome of anxiety and depression’s symptomology is an ever-rising global economy cost of 1 trillion U.S. dollars, due to medical costs and loss of productivity, leading researchers and clinicians to search for effective cost saving solutions (Chodavadia et al., 2023). Religion/Spirituality (RS) based cognitive therapy treatments are recognized in alleviating maladaptive behaviors and cognitive distortions, offering comfort to the afflicted, hope and belief that God is available for the seeker (Ramos et al., 2018). Therefore, the researcher conducted an internet-based, self-paced intervention of a mixed methods study of a 40-Day Biblical Worldview Educational Treatment Program of a convenience sample …

Resilience In Refugee Youth: A Review Of Contributing Factors And Potential Barriers, Anna J. Kreisman

Honors Projects

While past research has predominantly centered on the trauma and challenges faced by refugees, there is a current shift toward examining refugee lives through a lens of resilience. The purpose of the present investigation is to examine the contributing factors and potential barriers to resilience in young refugees. I conducted a literature review of research from the past 24 years, primarily searching PsycINFO, Academic Search Complete, and SocINDEX. The review findings demonstrate that resilience can stem from individual, family, school, and community-level factors. The findings further indicate several potential barriers to resilience. In addition, I briefly discuss mental health interventions …

Expressive Therapies And Resiliency – Resistance In Mental Health: A Literature Review, Gabrielle Lopez

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

This review evaluates the current literature on psychological resistance amongst human service professionals experiencing burnout and the effect of Expressive Arts interventions on resiliency. Concepts include identifying the main symptoms, risk factors, causes, and treatments for burnout in education faculty, medical staff, and clinicians. Qualitative, quantitative, and meta-analysis studies are included to identify the most prevalent intervention frameworks for reducing stress including Arts-Based and Mindfulness-compassion based techniques. The effectiveness of Arts-based tools on strengthening identity, self-esteem, emotional regulation, and meaning-making in combating burnout is presented. Based on analysis of the literature, the author proposes a three-step intervention framework for utilizing …

Military Spouse Counselors: Exploring Mental Health, Resilience, Coping, And Burnout, Melinda Poteet Brinkley

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military spouses (MLSPs) are an integral part of the military family and key mental health providers in military community. This study explores the mental health, resilience, coping, and burnout of MLSP counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors (CES). This study was grounded in resilience theory, investigating relationships between mental health and burnout, mediated by resilience, and conditioned by coping. An online survey was distributed through social media and email, open to MLSP counselors/CES of all branches and components of service (N = 68). This quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional correlational research designed utilized PROCESS Models 4, 58, and 59, which determined that resilience …

Experiential-Based Research Depicting Humanistic Survival After Violent Victimization & Traumatization Exploring Human Resilience, Spirituality, Meditation & Expressive Writing, Sabrina Harris

Dissertations

Unattended trauma-induced stressors resulting from incidents of violent victimization can escalate into mental health challenges, including trauma-related and substance-abuse disorders, which most often co-occur in a debilitating manner. Therefore, it is essential to conduct ongoing exploratory research on cognitive-based approaches (e.g., spirituality), psychological adaptations (e.g., human resilience), and trauma-informed approaches (e.g., meditation, expressive writing), which serve to reduce or offset the adverse impact of trauma.

Twelve women who experienced victimization and traumatization but did not seek professional mental-health intervention were interviewed; six had been abused as children and eight as adults. Some did not contact or follow through with reports …

Continuing The Legacy: Navigating Grief And Loss While Pursuing A Degree, Sharon Lewis, Hope Charles, Nivischi Edwards

National Cross-Cultural Counseling & Education Conference for Research, Action & Change (2016-2024)

A 2013 study found 74.8% of Black girls graduated high school, while only 37.6% of the Black females in early adulthood were enrolled in college (Kalu, 2022). The added pressure of navigating grief while also endeavoring higher education only exacerbates that statistic. Learning to process grief healthfully is a useful lesson to ensure one’s ability to thrive during their grief.

A Correlational Study Of The Resilience Factors That Promote Mental Health In First Responders, Tamara Rae Grayson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Too often, the title first responder (FR) has been correlated with mental illnesses, such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There was a need to address the mental health of this unique at-risk population prior to developing a mindset that being a FR translates into also suffering from mental illness, due to repeated exposure to traumatic situations. The purpose of this correlational study was to identify the resilience factors in FRs, what unique and untreated exposure to traumatic events looks like in FRs, what normal treatment and early interventions for mental illnesses in FRs is, the …

Stress, Resiliency, And Burnout Among Counseling Leaders, Adriana Bovee

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Leaders in the counseling profession face many demands. The purpose of this quantitative regression analysis study was to determine if there was a predictive relationship between the independent variables of stress and resiliency and dependent variables of burnout, emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment among leaders in the counseling profession. Transformational leadership theory and resilience theory were applied as the theoretical framework of this study, and the cross-sectional data collection method was used. Data were collected through anonymous online surveys from a purposive sample of 75 counseling leaders. Data analysis methods included descriptive statistics and multiple linear regressions. Results indicated …

Adult-Child Estrangement: Clinical Considerations For Deaf Clients, Emmett B. Kessler Ph.D.

JADARA

This paper provides an overview of specific considerations for counselors when working with DHH parents who have experienced adult-child estrangement. Estrangement is a process continuum brought about by schisms between adult-children and their parents/caregivers. Topics for consideration include early childhood attachment styles, issues surrounding emerging adulthood, psychological well-being, and resilience of DHH clients. Recommendations are offered to clinicians working with DHH clients. Specific individual, couples, and family counseling approaches are recommended as likely modalities to address the needs of clients embroiled in estrangement experiences.

Out Of The Fires (2023) By Carrie Lara, Peter Shea

Middle Grades Books

After a fire destroys his home and neighborhood, a young boy must learn what it means to be resilient. Things may never be "normal" again, but he discovers that he is strong―even when hard things happen. The book, written as a journal, includes drawings, news clippings, and coping strategies to help children cultivate resilience after a natural disaster.

Black And African American Young Adult Male Experiences: Implications For Building Resilience And Survival Skills Within Educational Settings And Public Spaces, Akimma Wright-D'Abreau

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of this study is to better understand, from the perspective of Critical Race Theory, the experiences of adolescent males who are Black and living in the United States and to examine how they build resilience and survival skills. Participants were between the ages of 18 and 26 and asked to recall adolescent experiences as part of a semi-structured interview with a Black Storytelling approach. There were six participants and data were analyzed using thematic analysis. According to the results, there were seven themes: (1) Policing In the United States of America Comes in Many Forms, (2) Recognizing Racism …

Beyond Acculturation And Resilience: International Students Navigating Shame And Self-Concept, Shauna Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study highlights the unique experiences of international students while they pursue higher education, manage adjustment issues, and navigate internal struggles. To explore whether English proficiency and family expectations correlate with self-concept and acculturation resilience, this study focused on the acculturation process, incorporating aspects of shame and self-concept that contribute to a student’s motivation and resilience. International students commonly face academic and personal challenges while adjusting to an environment that requires fluency in English. Additionally, many experience the pressure of high expectations from their families in their countries of origin. This study used a sociocultural approach to explore how international …

Resilience Small Group: A Small Group For Upper Elementary Students, Devyn Stenzel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Resilience is important for a child’s ability to persevere, as well as their physical health. Parental influence, connection, cultural identity and coping skills are some factors that can help build resilience within a child. Teaching and surrounding the child with positive connections can help children overcome and persevere when faced with stressful and traumatic events. Children need opportunities to learn skills to reduce the impact of severe stress on their bodies (Sciaraffa, et al, 2018). The resilience small group will help children receive the chance to practice these skills in a group of 4-6 of their peers. Children will be …

An Investigation Into Posttraumatic Growth And Resilience After Trauma In African American Women, Britney A. Mitchell

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among posttraumatic growth, resilience, and trauma in African American women. Posttraumatic Growth Theory was used as the theoretical foundation for the study. A correlational survey design was used to investigate the relationships among the variables of posttraumatic growth, resilience, and trauma among African American women. Four instruments were used in this study, including a demographic survey developed by the researcher, the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI), the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale-10 (CD-RISC-10), and the Life Event Checklist for DSM-5 (LEC-5). This study will investigate how spirituality is used as a coping skill …

Preparing Church Counselors For Obsessive Morbid Jealousy, David M. Reinhardt

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research addressed the problem of the lack of training in pastoral counselors in the Iglesia Bíblica Bautista de Iquique, Chile, to help wives and their families suffering suspicious jealousy due to childhood traumas. This DMIN action research project trained pastoral counselors to connect childhood trauma to wives suffering suspicious jealousy. There are two stages of this action research; the first is to establish the connection of obsessive morbid jealousy (OMJ) to adverse childhood experiences (ACEs). The second is to prepare pastors and counselors to recognize the symptoms and causes of obsessive morbid jealousy and to have a clear strategy …

Exploring The Role Of Religious Coping In Natural Disaster Survivors In The Bahamas, Cherry Ann Raquel Ferguson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Life is filled with a myriad of stressors individuals must navigate to maintain physical and emotional wellness. Some life stressors can be more devastating than others, such as natural disasters. Specific regions, including the Bahamas, have experienced destructive natural disasters such as hurricanes and record-breaking superstorms in the last few decades. Consequently, citizens are exposed to significant amounts of distress due to the devastation caused by these natural disasters. How one copes and one’s level of resilience plays an integral role in managing such turbulent times. Religion can be a valuable resource for those facing traumatic circumstances. The focus of …

Vicarious Trauma: A Phenomenological Qualitative Study Of School Counselors And Self-Care, Chernika E'Unece Leon

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to understand school counselors’ lived experiences of vicarious trauma and explore self-care strategies. School counselors are often exposed to vicarious trauma while working with children who encounter trauma. The theories used to guide this study were constructivist self-development theory and the theory of self-care. These theories explained the nature of understanding the psychological, interpersonal, and transpersonal influence of trauma work on counselors. There were two research questions that guided this study: (a) How do school counselors describe their experience of vicarious trauma? (b) What coping strategies do school counselors implement to cope with …