Counseling Commons^™

Perceived Anxiety Disorder Stigma: A Predictive Analysis, Shawn Nabors, Richard J. Cicchetti, Gary Michael Szirony, Craig R. Blum, Sri Banerjee

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Anxiety remains one of the most commonly diagnosed mental health disorders. Systemic barriers to mental health treatment persist. Research on anxiety is robust, although research on perceived anxiety disorder stigma is limited. The purpose of this quantitative analysis was to determine whether factors including age, gender, level of education, and presence of a diagnosable anxiety disorder condition would predict perceived anxiety stigma in a population of adults from the Midwestern region of the United States who were in treatment for anxiety. Based on Goffman’s framework, we used the Generalized Anxiety Stigma Scale (GASS) to determine the presence and level of …

Intersecting Inequities For Older Lgbtq+ Adults Of Color In The Advent Of Medicare Access: A Structural Vulnerability Framework, Christian D. Chan

Adultspan Journal

Although advances in Medicare legislation provide access for beneficiaries to professional counselors, older LGBTQ+ adults of Color face a litany of concerns that heighten stigma and inhibit their access to mental health services. The structural vulnerability framework identifies multiple domains that support the interface between Medicare coverage and access to care for older LGBTQ+ adults of Color. In this conceptual article, I outline (a) interdisciplinary scholarship that contextualizes the key issues facing older LGBTQ+ adults of Color; (b) the core tenets of the structural vulnerability framework; (c) implications for practice addressing structural vulnerability for older LGBTQ+ adults of Color with …

Using The Gerontological Imagination To Explore Suicide Among Older Adults: An Interdisciplinary Perspective For Professional Counselors, Mary Chase Mize, Afroze Shaikh

Adultspan Journal

Gerontology, the study of aging and older adulthood, is a vast field consisting of many intersecting disciplines, such as medicine, nutrition, public policy, psychology, social work, and professional counseling. As the older adult population rapidly increases, so too will the prevalence of mental health concerns among this population, including risk for suicide. Older adults presently comprise 16.5% of the U.S. population, yet account for 19.3% of all deaths by suicide (Drapeau & McIntosh, 2020). Professional counselors are newly eligible Medicare providers and can close gaps in healthcare access for older adults who rely on Medicare to receive mental health services, …

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

Adultspan Journal

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

Mental Health Distress And Suicide Risk Among Older Adults Who Receive Nutrition Services Programming: Implications For Licensed Professional Counselors., Brittany R. Jones-Cobb, Jihee Hong, Mary Chase Breedlove Mize, Laura Shannonhouse

Adultspan Journal

Licensed professional counselors (LPCs) are now eligible to provide mental health counseling to older adults as Medicare providers. Many older adults receive home delivered (HDM) and congregate (CM) meal services through the Aging Services Network, though their mental health impact remains under examined. This study compared the mental health and suicide risk of older adults receiving HDM or CM services. Our cross-sectional study of 221 HDM and 150 CM recipients from 2018-2020 found significant group differences in psychological distress, t(366) = 3.28, p = .001, perceived burdensomeness; t(357.31) = 2.77, p = .006, and thwarted belongingness, t(357.96) …

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

Adultspan Journal

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

Introduction To The Special Issue On Medicare Inclusion Of Counselors: Preparing The Counseling Workforce To Serve Older Adults, Matthew C. Fullen, Jordan Westcott

Adultspan Journal

Introduction to the special issue on Medicare Inclusion of Counselors: Preparing the Counseling Workforce to Serve Older Adults.

Special Issue Editors:

Matthew Fullen, Virginia Tech

Jordan Westcott, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville

Pastoral Counseling In African American Churches, Allen Tyrone Smith Jr.

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

African Americans, as a people group, are generally reluctant to pursue clinical support related to emotional or mental health issues. Black people underutilize professional services that address emotional and mental health-related problems (Hankerson & Weissman, 2012). According to Neighbors et al. (1998), regardless of problem type or severity, individuals less likely to secure assistance from professionals are those who contact pastors first. Avent et al. (2015) noted that African American Christians who seek religious support tied to a variety of circumstances choose to access their pastor in order to be supported in opposition to a professional counselor. A perception exists …

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

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Biblical Counseling Curriculum: Building A Counseling Curriculum To Train Ministry Students To Counsel Advanced Topics, Nicholas A. Piervicenti

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This project was dedicated to the creation of a higher education curriculum that would support the needs of ministry students who study at West Coast Baptist College. Counseling is at the heart of what Christ committed himself to during His earthly ministry. (Mark 2:16–17, King James Version). The skills to counsel advanced topics in the local church arena should be an essential element of instruction that takes place in colleges that train ministry leaders. In order to effectively transfer these truths to students, a qualitative research project was implemented which utilized thirty-six interviews of alumni in order to assess areas …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Lived Experiences And Psychological Well-Being Among African-American Christian Evangelicals: The Role And Impact Of Prayer, Mikenley Lundy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This descriptive phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and psychological well-being of African-American Christian evangelicals, with a particular focus on how prayer influenced their psychological well-being. Building on the African-American community's longstanding tradition of religious participation and interaction, the study predominantly took place within urban African-American Christian evangelical communities in northwest Roanoke, Virginia. Cognitive theory, religious coping theory, and social support theory provided the theoretical framework for understanding the role and impact of prayer among African-American Christian evangelicals. Data collection involved surveys and interviews with 10 participants. Inductive coding techniques were used to identify themes, patterns, and categories within the …

Leading The Families Of First Baptist Church Of Long Beach, Ca, To Support The Foster Care And Adoption Community, David B. Delaney

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The PLACED project is a faith-driven initiative to equip First Baptist Church to support the foster care community through practical care, education, and community engagement.

Pastoral Care For Intimate Partner Violence: An Examination Of Attitudes And Behaviors, Francine P. Young

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Domestic violence or intimate partner violence (IPV) is willful intimidation, physical assault, battery, sexual assault, and other abusive behaviors. They are utilized as a part of a systematic pattern of power and control perpetrated by one intimate partner against another. Domestic violence can affect anyone, regardless of social status, how they identify themselves, or how others identify them. Religious affiliation is no exception to these abusive exploits; however, your spiritual practices may aid in the recovery and escaping IPV. This dissertation addressed the ministerial process of counseling congregants victimized by intimate partner violence. At the same time, examining the attitudes …

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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

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

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

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

Gsep Research Symposium Proceedings - 2024

GSEP Research Symposium

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

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

The symposium aimed to bridge …

A Laboratory Evaluation Of The Effects Of Empathy Training On Racial Bias, Victoria D. Suarez, Adel C. Najdowski, Angela Persicke, Jonathan Tarbox

Psychology Division Scholarship

The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the efects of behavioral procedures, including relational training and multiple exemplar training on empathic responding of individuals who display racial bias. In particular, this study used a multielement design with fve adult participants to evaluate whether the presentation of relational frames of coordination and distinction between the participants’ values and the values of a person belonging to a group for which a bias existed altered empathic responses toward people belonging to such groups. The results showed empathic responding was higher when relational frames of coordination were presented and lower when relational …

No Crises In The Curriculum: A Hybrid Course Design In Counselor Education, Jill Minor, Neil Duchac

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Abstract

School counselors are in a unique position to provide crisis prevention and intervention support within their school community. Yet, many school counselors feel ill-prepared to perform such a role when they leave their graduate training program. As such, this article discusses the development of a practical hybrid instructional design for teaching school counselors in a graduate program pertaining to crisis work. An overview of what influenced the design of the course, teaching methods, and general information about the course structure is provided. Recommendations for enhancing assignments with individual, peer, and instructor feedback along with online course management resources will …

Counseling In Virtual Spaces And Into The Metaverse: A Framework For Reflection, Conversation, And Future Scholarship, Staci Hayes, Yahyahan Aras, Kathy Caputo, James Hoag, Lindsay Ibos, Sania Khan, Kelly Smith

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Given the success of Virtual Reality (VR) in the gaming community and strides in mental health, both VR and the Metaverse provide limitless opportunities and possibilities in the field of counseling. This article aims to provide important definitions, an overview of the use of VR in clinical counseling, clinical supervision, counselor education and its potential emergence into the Metaverse. Implications are presented in hopes of prompting conversation on how we may accept technological and cultural shifts and remain true to our counseling roots. Specifically, how to maximize the potential benefits with counseling specific rationale and address the limitations and potential …

Assessing Impacts Of A Hybrid Orientation On Counseling Students’ Self-Efficacy, Candice R. Clark, Arien K. Muzacz, April Lague

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

This manuscript presents results from a quantitative exploratory study of how a faculty-led hybrid orientation impacted the self-efficacy and readiness to engage in hybrid learning of incoming master’s students in a nationally-accredited counseling program in the U.S. Median difference analyses did not indicate that participants’ post-orientation scores differed significantly on the measures used to assess self-efficacy (i.e., CSES, PEU, LMSE). While participants’ self-efficacy ratings did not change significantly as a result of orientation activities, scores for 89% of participants increased or stayed the same. Implications for future research and for the preparation of graduate students in pre-professional programs with a …

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

Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

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

Ce 601 Syllabus: Foundations Of Counseling - Rochester, Madeline Mcrae-Vinzant

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course introduces students to the profession of counseling. Through scholarly research and writing, students will examine the role and function of counselors in a variety of settings. Current trends and issues in counseling also will be addressed. Throughout the course, major emphasis will be placed on the learning and practice of basic helping skills in a supervised setting.

Ce 550 Syllabus: Addictions Counseling Introduction To The Field, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides students with an overview of the transdisciplinary foundations of alcohol and drug counseling, including theories of chemical dependency, recovery and the continuum of care, and the process of change from a wide range of perspectives. Students will become familiar with the process for screening clients to determine program appropriateness and eligibility. They will be introduced to program admission, intake, orientation, processes and procedures, case management functions, and record-keeping requirements. Referring clients for additional supports and wrap-around services will be considered.

Ce 680 Syllabus: Counseling Practicum - Rochester, Dawnette Cigrand

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides an opportunity for the student counselor to begin to develop and refine their individual and group counseling skills within the functional milieu of a clinical or school setting. All practicum activities are closely supervised by university and field-based supervisors. Prior to entry into the course, all students must provide to the instructor verification of having current professional liability insurance.

Ce 651 Syllabus: Diagnosis And Assessment For Psychopathology Of Children And Adolescents, Andrea Thomas

Counselor Education Syllabi

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the etiology and classification of mental disorders in children and adolescents as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5 TR). Students will learn to utilize diagnostic information to facilitate the initiation and implementation of case management strategies, treatment plan development, and therapeutic intervention with children and adolescents seeking/receiving mental health counseling services

Ce 432 Syllabus: Stress Management, Amy Andersen

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course will provide an introduction to important concepts, issues, skills, and interventions related to the identiOication and management of personal stress.

Addressing Gatekeeping Challenges In Counselor Education: A Grounded Theory, Vanessa Pauline Gill

Dissertations

This constructivist grounded theory study explored how counselor educators navigate remediation and gatekeeping challenges in CACREP-accredited programs. Fifteen counselor educators with at least one challenging gatekeeping experience participated in semi-structured interviews conducted via Zoom. All interviews were recorded and transcripts were completed. Data was analyzed using grounded theory methodology and analysis efforts were organized using the MAXQDA 2024 software. Data analysis involving constant comparison methods and memo-writing generated an emerging theory describing counselor educators’ journey from uncertainty to increased confidence in addressing remediation issues. The theory illuminates how experiential learning, reflective practice, and supportive professional relationships inform this developmental process. …

Ce 651 Syllabus: Diagnosis And Assessment For Psychopathology Of Children And Adolescents, Rieko Miyakuni

Counselor Education Syllabi

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the etiology and classification of mental disorders in children and adolescents as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (DSM-5 TR). Students will learn to utilize diagnostic information to facilitate the initiation and implementation of case management strategies, treatment plan development, and therapeutic intervention with children and adolescents seeking/receiving mental health counseling services.

Ce 601 Syllabus: Foundations Of Counseling - Winona, Madeline Mcrae-Vinzant

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course introduces students to the profession of counseling. Through scholarly research and writing, students will examine the role and function of counselors in a variety of settings. Current trends and issues in counseling also will be addressed. Throughout the course, major emphasis will be placed on the learning and practice of basic helping skills in a supervised setting.

Ce 534 Syllabus: Multiculturalism And Diversity, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

The purpose of this course is to: (1) promote student growth and development through the learning and practice of basic communication and helping skills; (2) study cultural diversity as it relates to human relations and communication; (3) examine gender and sexual orientation in terms of human relations and communication; and (4) address human relations and communication as they relate to special populations (persons with disabilities, older adults, economically disadvantaged individuals, children, etc.) This course will also cover substance abuse issues as relates to diverse cultures, specifically as addressed by the SAMHSA Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) 59.