Counseling Commons^™

Ce 590 Syllabus: Addictions Counseling - Practicum, Mitch Moore

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides a practical, field-based experience of 880 hours in an addiction counseling setting as required by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (MBBHT) Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor [LADC], and the Minnesota Certification Board’s (MCB) Board Certified Counselor (BCC) requirements (IC&RC). This experience may be arranged with supervision coordinated through the practicum course instructor and an on-site supervisor. A total of six (6) credits—two sections—of practicum work must be completed.

Ce 633 Syllabus: Ethical Practice And Social Change, Rieko Miyakuni

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course introduces students to the legal, professional and ethical issues that affect the practice of counseling and psychotherapy and the methods and ethical basis for counselors to be agents of social change. Students will become familiar with law and ethical codes related to the counseling profession. A model for ethical decision-making will be presented. Also, students will be presented with models for social change in their function as leaders, change agents, collaborators, and risk takers. Providing outreach and advocacy services in the school and community settings, students will expand their role as counselors to include the social contexts of …

Ce 690 Syllabus: Internship, Dawnette Cigrand

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course provides a practical, field-based experience in a school or community setting. This experience may be arranged with supervision coordinated through the CE Internship Coordinator and an onsite supervisor. A total of six (6) credits of internship work must be completed.

A Phenomenological Study Of The Impact Of Client Suicide On Mental Health Professionals: Personal And Professional, Hernel Lois Selman

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological study was to understand the impact that client's suicide has on mental health professionals' lives, both personally and professionally. The study's central question was: What is the influence that spirituality/religions have on the impact experienced by mental health professionals after the death of their client by suicide? The theories that guided this study are Joiner’s interpersonal-psychological theory of suicide and Bowlby's attachment theory as it relates to grief and loss and the challenge to obtain support with an insecure attachment style; Sanders, Jacobson, and Ting's theory of the five phases of guilt experienced after …

Preliminary Examination Of School Counselors' Perception Of Their Ability To Provide Direct And Indirect Student Services, Angela K. Waggoner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

According to the American School Counseling Association (ASCA) national model, over 80% of school counselors’ time should be spent providing direct and indirect student services, which represents a major shift in the roles and responsibilities of school counselors. Additionally, after the Santa Fe mass shootings, Texas school counselors are now required to provide these services to students experiencing trauma and/or crisis. However, little research has been found regarding school counselors’ perceptions of their ability to provide direct and indirect student services, including trauma and crisis-related counseling, as outlined by the ASCA. This study addressed this gap by collecting survey data …

Moral Disapproval, Perceived Addiction, God-Image And Externalization: A Moderation Analysis, Christopher L. Ostrander

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Research has indicated a positive correlation among religious individuals who view pornography and report experiencing increased moral incongruence and perceived addiction as a result of their use. Research also shows how one views God (loving, distant, and cruel), known as God-image, can attenuate or exacerbate psychological distress associated with pornography use and or religious/spiritual struggles. Recently a small number of studies have shown externalization, the tendency to blame others, as an effective coping mechanism in the reduction of sexual shame. Based on Grubbs, Perry, et al., (2019) theoretical model, pornography problems due to moral incongruence (PPMI), this study aimed to …

A Descriptive Case Study Of The Challenges Of Drug And Alcohol Counselors, Ruben Herron

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Substance abuse is the number one public health problem in Oklahoma and nationally. Annual related expenses of substance abuse in Oklahoma are nearly $2 billion. This qualitative descriptive case study asks the question what are the challenges of substance-abuse counseling? The researcher will be describing in detail the history of drug and alcohol treatment and counseling in America. Using interviews, observations and document collection which will allow the interviews voices to be heard.

The Lived Experiences Of African American Counselors: An Exploration Of Their Reactions To Trauma Survivors, Zanovia P. Tucker

Dissertations

Nearly 83% of Americans are exposed to a traumatic event (Benjet et al., 2016). Given this, every counselor will more than likely work with trauma survivors (Trippany et al., 2004). Because of the high percentage of exposure to trauma, mental health professions who service individuals who experience trauma are at risk for secondary trauma (Ivicic & Motta, 2016), vicarious traumatization (Culver et al., 2011), and shared trauma (Hope & Edward, 2013). African American counselors have not been recognized in the counseling literature; thus their work with trauma survivors and their training experiences remain relatively unknown. Most of the research pertaining …

Examining The Role Of Self-Compassion In Resilience Among African American Women: A Qualitative Perspective, Vivian W. France

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study aimed to fill an important gap in the literature by exploring the role of self-compassion in resilience among African American women. This study was an investigation of some of the challenges African American women face in their lived experiences that impact their self-compassion and to provide an understanding of the role self-compassion plays in their pursuit of higher education. A qualitative design with a phenomenological approach and thematic analysis for gathering and extrapolating primary themes and subthemes from the participant data sets was used. Semistructured interviews were conducted with five African American women ages 27–58 years who had …

The Biblical Model Of Marriage In Preventing Divorce: Maintaining Healthy Relationships Among Couples, Aviva B. Gafford Williamson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this thesis project is to provide methods for married couples to follow as it relates to Ephesians 5:25-33 and Hope-Focused Marriage Counseling. As divorce rates increase and couples struggle to remain in their marital union, this project brings relevant data, information, research, and solutions to couples so they can maintain. This project provides insight from the perspectives of couples and ministers as it relates to characteristics of a healthy marriage, the current state of marriages, common marital issues, biblical principles, and solutions to resolve problems so that couples can have healthier marriages based on what God envisioned …

The Effect Of Anxiety On Academic Performance Among English Language Learners College Students, Sergine Cadet

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

English Language Learners (ELLs) who can write and read competently can fully participate in American schools, work environments and the society. However, ELLs face challenges while learning the English language. Anxiety is characterized as one of the issues impacting the learners’ accomplishment, which involves stages of communicative anxiety, fear of adverse assessment, test anxiety, and anxiety of English classroom. Moreover, anxiety is identified as being prevalent in the field of education and psychology as one factor that has negative influences in language acquisition (Hashemi, 2011). Studies have shown that there is a relationship between anxiety level and academic performance of …

The Underlying Implications Of Chronic Poverty: Investigating The Exponential Increase In Suicides From 2001-2017 Among African American Female Teenagers, Kevin Adarell Johnson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to investigate and ascribe meaning to the lived experiences of African American females and examine plausible circumstances that could cause an exponential increase in suicides among teenagers from 2001-2017. The theories that guided this study were Albert Bandura’s (2018) social cognitive theory (SCT) and Icek Ajzen’s theory of planned behavior (TPB). TPB is a model used to predict and explain behaviors based on an individual’s attitude and intentions toward the behavior. When TPB is interwoven with SCT, the theories helped interpret influences that explained the participants’ perspectives, thoughts, and behavior that could …

Development Of Spiritual Competency In Counseling: A Pilot Research Study Of Graduate Students At End Of Training, Rebecca Dawn Hill

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Researchers suggested religious practice and spirituality are multicultural or diversity counseling competencies. Professionals who treat religious and spiritual concerns are sought by a majority of clients. Religious and spiritual training is critical for the ethical treatment of the client, a part of developmental wellness and integrated holistic health theories, and also vital to optimum physical and mental health development. Yet, spiritual and religious competencies are often neglected in graduate studies, leaving counselors fearful and inadequately trained to address spiritual and religious concerns with clients. The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) requires training in graduate education …

Treatment Access For Dual Diagnosis Substance Use And Mental Health Disorders, Pedro Banuelos

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

In 2018, of 1.3 million Latinx adults in the United States facing concurrent issues with substance use disorders (SUD) and mental health disorders (MHD) 93% remained untreated for either diagnosis. This is concerning since Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) data reveals that this population is at greater risk for suicidal thoughts, plans, and attempts. They also face structural barriers such as employment, housing, legal involvement, and insurability that further impede access to treatment.

This study’s purpose was to examine barriers to accessing treatment for Latinx populations confronting co-occurring SUDs and MHDs. This study used a qualitative design …

Unifying Is Medicine: Providing Holistic Treatments For Substance Use And Truama, Dulce Virginia Leguizamo, Erika Zemmol

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

The focus of this qualitative, exploratory research project will be holistic treatments for clients with trauma and substance use. The researchers hypothesize that some of the most effective treatments incorporate the five virtues of compassion, cultural sensitivity, community, competency, and client-centeredness. Another important element which these researchers have identified is honoring the mind-body-spirit connection in helping clients heal from trauma and substance use. These researchers conceptualize an effective treatment for clients with trauma and substance use as what we call The Medicine of Unifying. Incorporating the five virtues, we hypothesize that The Medicine of Unifying can be achieved by uniting …

Mental Health, Substance Abuse And Recidivism: Perceptions Of Key Justice System Stakeholders In Southern California, Tabari Zahir

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Despite the 2011 landmark decision of the United States Supreme Court ordering the California authorities to address prison overcrowding, the Golden State still faces significant challenges dealing with the size of its correctional population. Recidivism plays a preponderant role in slowing down the momentum toward overcoming relatively high rates of incarceration across the state. The purpose of this study was to explore the perceptions of key human services stakeholders about the intersection of three major challenges in the California criminal justice system: mental health, substance use, and recidivism. Embracing a continuum of care approach, this study ultimately attempted to explore …

Building Better Relationships With College Aged Students, Morgan Kennedy

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college students lack the education and skill in and maintain healthy romantic relationships. College students can greatly benefit from learning what makes a fulfilling relationship and the signs of what an abusive relationship consists of. They benefit by having a higher self-esteem within themselves and relationships, along with happiness and satisfaction in their lives. College students who do not develop healthy relationships may fall victim to abusive relationships and may experience anxiety, depression, and self esteem issues. In order to better educate college students on healthy relationships, I have created a two-day interactive lesson explaining the importance of healthy …

Improving Healthy Relationship Skills In College Students, Madison Newton

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Many college students, because of their inexperience, may lack skills to develop healthy relationship behaviors and may not recognize signs of unhealthy or violent relationships. Using Albert Bandura's social learning theory with college students and increasing their knowledge of healthy relationship skills and skills to help friends in danger. This study shared that this method of instruction was successful and the college students were able to complete the learning outcomes of identify examples of healthy and unhealthy relationship behaviors and ways to help a friend in a violent relationship.

Genetic Counselors’ Attitudes Towards Telegenetics: The Good, The Bad, The In-Between, Madison Badje

Theses/Capstones/Creative Projects

Given that the global coronavirus pandemic has necessitated a quick and vast transition to telehealth, the purpose of this study is to explore these changes in the field of genetic counseling. To examine the perceived effectiveness of telegenetics from the perspective of genetic counselors, I conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with two genetic counselors in which each participant was asked six questions. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and then analyzed using standard thematic analysis techniques for qualitative data analysis. The analysis revealed two main themes: benefits and drawbacks of telegenetics, with two sub-themes under each. The major benefits are increased patient …

Assessing Genetic Counselors' Clinical Approach And Practices Regarding Pathogenic/Likely Pathogenic Variant Downgrades, Grant Bonesteele

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Although rare, variant downgrades from a pathogenic/likely pathogenic (P/LP) variant to a variant of uncertain significance can have a significant impact on patients and their families in the clinical cancer setting. However, there is a lack of literature about how to approach these potentially challenging cases as a genetic counselor. Therefore, we aimed to characterize genetic counselors’ experiences, approach, and practices to variant downgrade cases using an online survey. The survey asked participants how they would approach variant downgrade scenarios involving the CDH1 or ATM genes with variable family histories. Genetic counselors appear to be united in whether they would …

An Analysis Of The Effects Of Covid-19 On Students At The University Of Mississippi: Family, Careers, Mental Health, Hannah Newbold

Honors Theses

This study analyzes the effects of COVID-19 on students at the University of Mississippi. For students, COVID-19 changed the landscape of education, with classes and jobs going online. Students who graduated in May 2020 entered a poor job market and many ended up going to graduate school instead of finding a job. Access to medical and professional help was limited at the very beginning, with offices not taking patients or moving appointments to virtual only. This would require that each student needing help had to have access to quality internet service, which wasn’t always guaranteed, thus producing additional challenges.

These …

Homelessness And Mental Health: A Participatory Action Research Approach, John D. Rogers

Dissertations, 2020-current

The co-occurring problems of homelessness and mental illness is addressed through Participatory Action Research. A group of five people who have experienced homelessness and mental illness collaborated with the principal researcher through interviews and a working group in order to generate responses to the challenges they encounter. The study sought to examine several research questions which included exploring the lived experiences of individuals who are homeless and are diagnosed with a mental illness, the barriers that they experience, their practical recommendations to support individuals dealing with these challenges. Four key themes emerged: The trauma of homelessness, addiction, and mental illness, …

K-12 Economically Disadvantaged Students, Poverty, And Education: Ecological Narratives Of Successful Raised-In-Poverty, Texas Educators, Rebecca N. Morris

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research study aimed to understand how successful Texas educators who grew up in poverty understood and improved the educational experience of economically disadvantaged students. This study utilized a structural ecological theory and three theories of social relationships (Social Identity, Standpoint, and Cultural Capital). This phenomenological and qualitative study used a cross-sectional, descriptive, online case study design rooted in narrative nonfiction. Virtual interviews with six successful Texas educators that grew up in poverty were conducted. A narrative method of analysis was utilized to generate codes then organize them into themes, and to construct and compare the narrative findings. The results …

Virtual School Counseling Amid The Covid-19 Pandemic, Tawonda Maria Hunter

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

School counselors work with students and families to remove or minimize social, emotional, and academic barriers to education. In a traditional setting, school counseling can be rewarding yet not without obstacles. These obstacles or challenges are compounded when variables like role changes, shifts in the work setting, and a pandemic are present. This phenomenological study aimed to understand the lived virtual school counseling experience amid COVID-19 for elementary school counselors in Georgia. The phenomenological theoretical framework by Edmund Husserl was the theory guiding this study. This theoretical framework helped provide a rich description of school counselors' lived experiences working virtually …

The Influence Of Student Disciplinary Participation In Post-Secondary Education On Career Decision Self-Efficacy, Jerry S. Collins

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

College disciplinary issues may affect students’ education and career plans similar to academic issues, yet not enough research has been conducted to analyze this subject area. Students who engage in a disciplinary process for violating a university’s code of conduct may be subject to sanctions deemed appropriate to help them learn from the experience and enhance their personal development during college. However, these students may not understand their behaviors’ potential impact on their desired career goals. Society continues to place increasing demands on more important career realization for students. Nevertheless, disciplinary education may not be adequate to help students genuinely …

College Transition : Voices Of First-Generation Minority Stem Students, Grazia Gangitano

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

The Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) college transition experience for first-generation minority students can be arduous. Despite advancements with inclusivity in higher education institutions in the U.S., first-generation college students of color from lowincome households (FGML) find their first-year college transition difficult to navigate. Higher education institutions were created and still are in some ways encapsulated in white, Christian, male ideals (Alenuma-Nimoh, 2016). Therefore, when FGML start their college transition they can feel out of place and can struggle with the academic adjustment in their pursuit of a STEM degree (Bowman & Sharon, 2016; Dika & D’Amico, 2016; Goonewardene, …

The Cases They Carry : A Narrative Analysis Of Crisis Counselors Working In Behavioral Health Emergency Settings, Rachel E. Sugerman

Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects

Utilizing a qualitative approach informed by narrative inquiry, this study considered the ways in which eight crisis counselors working in behavioral health emergency settings make meaning of their experiences. Participant narratives focused on the intense, multidimensional, and often emotionally demanding nature of crisis work, something they understood to be inherent to working within these settings. The findings revealed that these crisis counselors often felt isolated, unsupported, and unprepared for their positions, leaving them to negotiate the demands of the work and to make meaning of their experiences on their own. Participants developed various methods of coping, yet these techniques were …

The Influence Of Emotion Regulation On The Emotional Well-Being Among Diverse College Students, Shandia Robertson Gardiner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Emotion regulation is essential as it may help to enhance long-term well-being, improve work performance, enrich personal relationships, and lead to better overall health. The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between emotion regulation and emotional well-being among diverse university students when moderated by perceived discrimination. A similar study was conducted by Lavanya and Manjula (2017), with an Indian student population divided into two groups. The study's findings showed a significant correlation between emotion regulation strategies and psychological problems among the two groups. Results indicated negative emotion regulation strategies were associated with psychological issues among group two …

Acculturative Stress Counseling With Immigrant High School Students, Identity Development, And School Belonging, Tony Yang

Counselor Education Capstones

The literature review investigates how acculturative stress relates to the ethnic identity development and feelings of school belonging of immigrant high school students and how school counselors can use this information to facilitate acculturative stress focused counseling to support student needs and development. The literature review first synthesizes information on acculturative stress, experiences of immigrant high school students, and suggestions for acculturative stress focused counseling to explore how school counselors can approach the topic of acculturative stress with their immigrant high school population. Specifically, the literature review explores the ethnic identity development of immigrant high school students and the role …

Strategies For Increasing Attendance For Identified Student Populations Via Online Engagement Methods During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Catherine Douglas

Counselor Education Capstones

This Capstone literature review discusses a school counselor’s role in increasing attendance in schools. The review discusses the common risk factors of absenteeism and the new risk factors that arose after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic changed the strategies that school professionals should use to increase engagement in learning, increase school attendance, and check on the well-being of identified student populations. The review brings light to several strategies that may help counselors increase school attendance with online education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Strategies include: incorporation of gameplay into lessons, keeping consistency with the …