Counseling Commons^™

How Christian Beliefs Shape Long-Term Recovery In A 12-Step Program, Decarol L. Gulliford

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how individual Christian beliefs play a role in long-term recovery in a 12-step program. The findings from this study, focusing on this purpose, addressed the problem recognized as having a lack of research related to the Christian spiritual beliefs associated with the 12-step program and its successes or failures. Logotherapy provided the lens for the theoretical framework with data collected from a sample of seven individuals who had been sober for at least 10 years. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed for themes using Braun and Clarke’s six phases …

The Black American Women, Mental Health, Self-Stigma, And The Church, Sylvia D. Dorsey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study is to explore the lived experiences of Christian Black American women who underutilize mental health services due to a perceived notion of self-stigma of Christian Black American women seeking mental health services and how the church may play a role. A transformational theory guides this study. In a transformative framework the study focuses on looking at marginalized groups that have power differentials and are viewed as being less important in society and to understand their life experiences. Stigma and self-stigma are the dominating factors that contribute to the underutilization of mental health services …

Attached To The Algorithm: Investigating The Relationship Between Adult Attachment Styles And Instrumental And Relational Dependency On Large Language Models, Jim Zapf, Ala Yankouskaya, Timothy J. Evans, Andrew J. Graham, Abigail Hill, Troy Backhuus

Journal of Counseling and Psychology

The rapid growth of large language models (LLMs) raises questions for counselors regarding when such tools are used adaptively versus when they foster dependency. Guided by attachment theory and a dual-dimension view of AI reliance, this study examined whether adult attachment styles predict instrumental (task/decision support) and relational (companion-like) dependency on LLMs, whether spiritual engagement relates to these dependencies, and whether levels differ by age. Faculty, staff, and students who had used an LLM completed the LLM-D12 and the ECR-R (N = 515). Analyses showed that instrumental dependency on LLMs was highest among individuals high in avoidance, with modest additional …

Anchored In The Shifting Tides: An Interpretive Phenomenological Study Of Paramedic Resilience And Worldviews, David Eric Wolff

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of paramedics in Western society, who self-report sustaining positive psychological well-being despite their emotionally and psychologically demanding work, examining the interplay of their narrative identity, spirituality, worldviews, and social connections. The stories paramedics construct about their realities can reveal the underlying meanings and how their role has molded who they are, best viewed through a threefold constructivist theoretical framework: narrative identity theory to understand how paramedics make sense of their experiences, transformational learning theory to identify how paramedics adjust their worldviews to while coping, and posttraumatic growth theory …

A Phenomenological Study To Describe The Lived Experiences Of U.S. Military Veterans Diagnosed With Ptsd Who Have Completed A Spiritually Integrated Treatment Program, Roger Fall

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of U.S. military veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) who completed a spiritually integrated treatment program. Schlossberg’s transition theory formed the study’s primary theoretical framework, through which the following research questions were answered: 1) How do U.S. military veterans diagnosed with PTSD describe their experiences before attending a spiritually integrated treatment program? 2) How do the participants describe their expectations for the program prior to their participation? 3) How were the participants’ expectations met, and were any unexpected outcomes experienced while participating in the program? and 4) …

Interviews With Roman Catholic Couples In First-Time Long-Term Marriages: Navigating The Landscape Of Life-Long Marriages With Spirituality As The Guiding Principle To Achieving Enduring Marital Relationships, Sovichan E. Scaria, Carl L. Thameling, Jana P. Sutton, David Hale

Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration

In-depth guided interviews were conducted with 10 Roman Catholic (RC) couples to reveal the impact religious spirituality had on their long-term marriages. Achieving this goal meant examining Catholic Church’s teachings on marriage, divorce and annulment, and relationship development and maintenance. The interview sessions were video-audio taped and analyzed. Some sample questions asked of the couples were: “How, if at all, did spirituality play a role in choosing your spouse?” “How do you practice spirituality in your marriage?” and “What advice would you give younger couples who have recently gotten married?” Analysis resulted in 8 themes being identified as important to …

Exploring Religious-Spiritual Struggles Among Muslim Immigrants In The Canadian Context, Ayse Erenay

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Migration to a new culture and adaptation to a different lifestyle may cause emotional and psychological stress. In some cases, immigrants may experience religious and/or spiritual (R/S) struggles due to challenges to their beliefs and practices in the country they have immigrated to. Based on Pargament (2007, 2013)’s R/S struggle framework, these struggles may include questions about the ultimate meaning of life, one’s relationship with God, or doubt about one’s belonging within a religious or spiritual community. Muslim immigrants face unique struggles since Islamic teachings require Muslims to visibly practice their faith and reflect on God’s presence as a central …

Spirituality And Psychological Well-Being In College Students: Does Resilience Mediate This Relationship, Kevin C. Snow, Jessica Starken, Lindsay A. Phillips

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Given continued challenges of college transition and recent changes (e.g., COVID) leading to increased use of college counseling services and past studies exploring spiritualty/religion and resilience pertaining to psychological well-being (PWB), this study explored the relationship between spirituality, resilience, and PWB in college students. Three scales, the Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale, Daily Spiritual Experience Scale, and the Ryff Psychological Well-Being Scale, were used to measure the relationship between spirituality, resilience, and PWB. Results of this study showed support for the relationship between spirituality, resilience, and PWB in college students. Results also lend support for future research exploring therapeutic incorporation of spirituality …

Treatment Concerning Grief Disorder After Covid-19: Can Spiritual Care Help?, Tamika Marie Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The phenomenological study described the experiences of spiritual care for adults who lost a loved one due to COVID-19 in Texas. The theory guiding the study was Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy, which was humanity’s search for meaning in a finite world governed by spiritual principles (García-Alandete, 2024; Parker, 2022; Seligman & Reichenberg, 2014). Grief was one of the occurrences that grappled with humanity’s understanding of life. Death was a universal phenomenon, and grief occurred as a response to a loss (Fernández & González-González, 2022). Research shows that symptoms of grief dissipate over time. When it was accompanied by prolonged time or …

Ministerial Perspectives On Approaches To Caring For A Traumatized Congregant To Enhance Spiritual Development, Tonya B. Perry

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe experienced Christian Ministers’ experiences caring for a traumatized congregant from various countries worldwide. The criterion for participation was an experienced minister with 15 years of experience, at least 40 years old, and who ministered to three types of traumas. The two main theories guiding this study were Bowlby’s (1969, 1982) attachment theory and Fowler’s (1981) development of faith with references to Erickson’s (1958/1962) psychosocial development, Maslow’s (1954) Hierarchy, and cognitive behavior theory (Beck, 1952; Ellis, 1962). The three main research questions were: How does an experienced Christian minister describe their experiences …

A Qualitative Phenomenological Study Of The Role Of Spiritual Mindfulness Practices In Coping With Divorce Loss In Christian Women, Gale Louise Nicolai

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This phenomenological study aims to understand the role of spiritual mindfulness practices in counseling individuals who have experienced divorce. The theory guiding this study is the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, which recognizes the interconnectivity and mutual influence of biological, psychological, social, and spiritual factors. This data will be descriptive, using open-ended interview questions. Data analysis will be thematic. The study participants are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce. The independent variable is spiritual mindfulness practices. The dependent variables are women who self-identify as Christian at 1-10 years post-divorce.

Exploring The Stigma Of Mental Health In Oneness Pentecostal Churches From A Pastoral Perspective, Jannett Liburd

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the stigma of mental health in Oneness Pentecostal churches in the Northeast from a pastoral perspective. The theory guiding this study is Sigmund Freud’s object relational theory (ORT), as it focuses on the past experiences an individual has with an object, person, or event, and how the experience, whether negative or positive, shapes the person’s attitude and behavior in the future. Mental health stigma is a phenomenon with which individuals may have had a harmful experience. In the study, the central research question was: What are the lived experiences of Oneness …

Qualitative Analysis Of Chaplains’ Experiences Supporting Military Service Members And Veterans With Moral Injury, Marangely Mesa

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study explored the frequent themes identified by chaplains while supporting service members and veterans (SM/V) from diverse Christian denominations, such as Catholics, Protestants, and other Christian groups, who have suffered a moral injury. I described the lived experience of chaplains using in-depth surveys as part of a phenomenological approach to data collection. In the qualitative interview, the interest is hearing the chaplains’ thoughts on the nature and manifestations of moral injury in chaplaincy contexts. The study explored chaplains’ observations concerning what service members and veterans have in common when they experience moral injury. This qualitative research approach …

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

Moral Injury And Spiritual Struggles Among Christian Adults With A History Of Substance Use And Perceived Problematic Behaviors: A Phenomenological Study, Diera Shaw-Mendez

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to describe the experiences of moral injury and spiritual struggles among Christian adults from the Philadelphia tri-state area with a history of substance use or perceived problematic behaviors. Moral injury (MI) is newly studied in civilian populations. In a review of 253 studies on moral injury and substance use, only two qualitative studies explored exposure to morally injurious events amid substance use rather than as a pathway to substance use. Due to the religious characteristics of the target sample, the grounding theory for this study is Fowler’s Stages of Faith Development, which …

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 …

More Than Meets The Eye: A Phenomenological Study Of Self-Concept, Identity, And Meaning-Making In Adults With Acquired Vision Loss, Melinda M. Szilva

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

The qualitative research project examines the lived experience of acquired vision loss in adulthood and its impact on the way participants see themselves and the world around them, both sensorially and metaphorically. The research question, “What are the lived experiences of adults with acquired vision loss as they relate to identity and conceptions of self?” is informed by the researcher’s clinical practice as a psychotherapist in a low vision clinic. The dissertation includes a literature review focussed on the psychosocial aspects of vision loss to provide insight into the intended population and context for the study. Data for the phenomenological …

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 …

Inaugural Message From The Editorial Board Of The Journal Of Faith Integration In Counseling, Lynn Bohecker, Vasti Holstun, Robyn Trippany Simmons, Ann Shillingford, Yulanda Tyre, Robin Switzer, Nivischi N. Edwards, Teshaunda L. Hannor-Walker, Kevin Boyd Hull, Lacey A. Ricks, Amy C. Rice

Journal of Faith Integration Counseling (JFIC)

The inaugural issue of the Journal of Faith Integration in Counseling introduces a platform dedicated to integrating faith, religion, and spirituality into mental health practices. Highlighted articles include the ACPE Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (SIP) Training Program, a Buddhist approach to self-concept obsessive-compulsive disorder, and a model for recovery from infidelity in evangelical marriages. These contributions emphasize the importance of spiritual dimensions in counseling to improve client outcomes. The editorial board is committed to mentoring authors and fostering scholarly excellence, addressing a critical gap in existing publication options by offering practical approaches for faith integration in counseling.

Acpe’S Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy (Sip) Training Program: Clinical Competencies For Integrating Religion And Spirituality In Counseling, Carol Za Mcginnis, Maya Georgieva, Mary Elizabeth Toler

Journal of Faith Integration Counseling (JFIC)

Clients frequently seek psychotherapy that will incorporate their unique religious or spiritual values into the therapeutic process, yet they are discouraged by practitioners who are not equipped to provide those services. Licensed mental health practitioners can receive this training and certification from the ACPE Spiritually Integrated Psychotherapy Training Program. Spiritual competencies exclusive to this integrative process have been designed to guide and support SIP-certified practitioners in alignment with other professional ethical codes. It is our hope that students, educators, and licensed practitioners from all mental health fields will find this information helpful in understanding the ethical integration of spirituality into …

No-Self, No Problem: A Buddhist Approach To Self-Concept Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Adam Brandt, Laura Smestad

Journal of Faith Integration Counseling (JFIC)

While exposure and response prevention is an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder, it may not fully address the psycho-spiritual concerns of clients whose obsessive-compulsive disorder symptoms threaten and leave them in distress about their self-concept. This article addresses this problem by introducing the term self-concept obsessive-compulsive disorder and offering Buddhist psychology, a theoretical orientation based on the Buddhist principles of nonjudgment, mindfulness, and no-self as a useful framework to couple with traditional obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment.

Investigating The Effects Of Mindful Eating, Self-Compassion, Emotion Regulation, And Spiritual Experience On Compassion Satisfaction And Burnout Among Christian Counselors, Andrew D. Baker

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

It is crucial, in the effort to understand and to be intentional in positively affecting professional quality of life, to examine and balance the impacts of job demands. Nearly four decades ago, Figley introduced the concept of secondary victimization, which when unmitigated leads to compassion fatigue and burnout (Figley, 1988, 1995). Analyses show rates as between 46 and 83% of mental healthcare professionals face unique work environments relating to psychopathological symptoms and lower work satisfaction (Almadani et al., 2022; Lluch et al., 2022; Mollica et al., 2021; Morelen et al., 2022; Stebnicki, 2017; Unjai et al., 2022). Accessing and utilizing …

The Antecedents Of The Experience Of Light In Dreams, Gregory Scott Sparrow, Ryan Hurd

Counseling Faculty Publications

The experience of inner light and ecstasy is widely accepted as a universal mystical experience, regardless of cultural or religious context. While one can read first-hand accounts in the historical record, the direct experience of light remains elusive for most people. This study analyzes a series of dream-based experiences of light provided by a single subject. In our analysis of 19 dreams, we pursue a process-oriented, relational analysis based on co-creative dream theory, which views the dream as an interactive experience in real time rather than a fixed product of the unconscious mind. By analyzing dreams as relational events, in …

Healing A Broken Spirit: A Look Into Institutional Trauma And Spiritual Resilience, Christian Cederstrom

Master of Arts in Human Services

This paper focused on the relationship between spirituality, therapy, and those who are affected and traumatized by religious institutions. It sought to cover the hypothesis that exposure to positive spirituality can help those who have been affected by religious institutional trauma to recover. Studies have shown a positive correlation between religiosity and recovery from traumatic experiences and that therapy can also increase one spirituality and relationship with God or other higher powers. This article sought to highlight that this strength of a spiritual coping mechanism may be increased by a person’s education in the field of theology and spirituality meaning …

The Effect Of Language Training In The Perceived Confidence Of Counseling Supervisors' Spiritual Integration In Supervisory Sessions, Wendy Celoria

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The religious and spiritual (R/S) aspects of multicultural counseling are difficult to navigate for counseling educators and supervisors. The supervisors’ responsibility is to equip counselors in training (CIT) to address various issues or topics confidently with clients. Multiculturalism continues to impact the counseling profession due to the diversity and complexity of treating clients. The spiritual component of multiculturalism remains a topic of broaching that can be uncertain for CIT and supervisors. This study describes the dynamics of supervisory relationships with supervisees and how that directly correlates with counselors and their clients. Next, the study evaluates the impact increased training in …

Understanding The Relationship Between Perceived Childhood Experiences And Relationship With God, Remaz Bahaa

Theses and Dissertations

The present study explores the relationship between perceived childhood experiences and one’s current relationship with God in an Egyptian Muslim sample. While such relationship has been researched in Western contexts, there is a notable gap in understanding these dynamics within Muslim Middle Eastern cultures. In this study, 180 participants, brought up in Muslim households, were given the following questionnaires: both versions of the Parental Acceptance Rejection Questionnaire (PARQ) referring to the father and mother, Attachment to God Inventory (AGI), and Images of God (LAMBI Scale). The results presented the internal consistency of both the AGI and LAMBI scales with the …

The Role Of Spirituality In The Lives Of Counselors: Reframing The Focus, Greg A. Meyer

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

The term spirituality is often hard to hear without prior, preconceived ideas and bias attached to it, and is often used interchangeably with other words, depending on one’s past and culture. The field of counselor education and supervision has also used the term in ambiguous ways, which has led to apprehension and a lack of clarity with which the term is taught and understood. This paper explains the historical focus of spirituality within the counselor education field, then redefines the focus towards the lives of counselors, but more specifically the lives of counseling students and the impact counselor educators might …

Building Bridges: A Student-Professor Dialogue About Spiritual Assumptions And Perspectives On Whiteness, Kyle N. Stueber, Andrea C. Walker

Salubritas: International Journal of Spirit-Empowered Counseling

One day in May during a recent year, a conversation began that launched several years of ongoing dialogue. A graduate student, Kyle, reached out to a graduate counseling professor, Andrea, to discuss some concerns and anxieties he felt in some of his class discussions. What began as a conversation about racial diversity in the counseling setting evolved into an exploration of different ways of looking at the sociocultural context of race in the United States, a topic discovered to have political and theological underpinnings. As a result of the dialogue, we realized that specific preconceived labels identifying political, theological, denominational, …

Religion, Spirituality, And Sexual Minority Identity Development, Jake C. Kirschner

Counselor Education Capstones

The LGBTQIA+ relationship with religion is diverse and complex. Historically, many religions have marginalized LGBTQIA+ people. The historic marginalization of queer people has created a complex relationship with religion for many queer people, this can lead to difficulty integrating both religious and sexual affective identities into an integrated identity. It is important to note that not all religions have historically marginalized queer people and many queer individuals do not experience difficulty integrating their religious and sexual identities. Individuals who are able to integrate their varying religious and sexual affective identities experience better mental health outcomes than those who are unable …

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 …