Counseling Commons^™

Perspectives Of University Leaders On Adoption And Scaling E Mental Health Support For Students: An Exploratory Analysis, Choongo Mulungu, Esin Nisan Yildirim

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

ABSTRACT

University students face rising mental health challenges, yet adoption of digital support services in higher education remains limited, especially in the Global South. This qualitative study explored perceptions of 18 senior administrators from universities across Africa, Europe, Asia, and North America. Findings revealed a significant implementation gap, with few institutions offering formal platforms. Leaders cited barriers including limited institutional prioritisation, counsellor overload, financial ambiguity, ethical concerns, and absent policy frameworks. Addressing these challenges requires deliberate policy action, equitable resource allocation, and culturally responsive strategies for sustainable integration.

No-Show Characteristics Of Rural Clients With Mental Health Conditions, Christy R. Collins, Jose Carbajal

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

The purpose of this study is to report demographic characteristics and appointment compliance factors associated with no-show appointments in a rural clinical setting in East Texas. Describing these variables will expand the existing literature and offer greater clarity not only on why appointments are missed, but also on who is missing them. Therefore, understanding how sociodemographic variables relate to missed appointments may enhance appointment adherence and improve healthcare outcomes for individuals. This study used cross-sectional archival data specifically collected to examine missed appointments among clients at a rural clinic (N = 134). The results indicate that Hispanic/Latino individuals, clients aged …

Faith And Justice: Church Leadership's Impact On Prison Reform, Yaw Asamoah Akowuah Mr., Frank Y. Adusei, Eric Kaufman, Loy V. Crowder

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

This study examines the Church of Pentecost’s (CoP) pioneering prison reform initiative in Ghana as a faith-based response to systemic overcrowding and inadequate rehabilitation infrastructure. Through a qualitative case study design, the research analyzes in-depth interviews with church leaders and media staff, alongside institutional documents, to explore how religious leadership intersects with correctional policy. Findings reveal that CoP’s “Vision 2023” strategy positioned prison decongestion as a moral and national imperative, leading to the construction of five “Inmates Skills Acquisition and Reformation Centres.” These facilities integrate vocational training, spiritual care, and modern infrastructure, aligning with Rehabilitation Theory’s emphasis on humane, reintegration-focused …

Rural Voices On The Opioid Epidemic In Deep East Texas, Jose Carbajal, H. Stephen Cooper

Journal of Human Services: Training, Research, and Practice

Opioid use is a major concern in the United States. Rural communities face even greater difficulties in addressing opioid use and related challenges. An appreciative inquiry was employed to assess the degree to which the opioid crisis has affected the rural region of Deep East Texas and to develop recommendations for a regional action plan. One hundred and eight participants attended eleven conversation cafés across the region. Response analysis revealed eight primary themes and 11 sub-themes. Community awareness and education are crucial in combating the opioid crisis, as some participants were unaware of the prevalence of prescription opioid abuse in …

Bridging Ipv And Sud For Pregnant And Postpartum Women: A Case Report Of Interdisciplinary Programming In Mississippi, Catherine Poehling, Masoumeh Karimi, Chinedu Chukwu, Jerome R. Kolbo, Xiaoshan Gordy, Saijun Zhang, Matthew Morris, Andrew Voluse, Erin Dehon, Michelle Brassfield, Danielle Lahn, Lisa Slade, Deanna Howington, Kathleen Rhodes, Tearsanee Davis, Sonja Fuqua, Mary M. Wesley, Lei Zhang

Journal of Public Health in the Deep South

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adolescents in the U.S. South experience disproportionately high rates of bullying, discrimination, depression, and suicidality. Supportive and inclusive school climates are identified as key protective factors that can mitigate these risks and function as primary prevention against violence. This systematic narrative review synthesizes peer-reviewed research and high-quality survey reports published between 2015 and 2024 that assess school climate, mental health, and violence-related outcomes among LGBTQ+ youth with representation from Southern states, including Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana. Following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, 1,167 records …

The Counseling Experiences Of Gifted Adults, Kelli Busbee, Theodore Remley

Adultspan Journal

In this transcendental phenomenological study, we followed the traditions of Moustakas and explored the counseling experiences of adults who had been identified as gifted during their school years and had experienced counseling for issues related to anxiety, depression, perfectionism, or hypersensitivity. We identified the following themes after interviewing participants: (1) growing up gifted; (2) challenges for gifted individuals at the college level; (3) living with anxiety and depression as a gifted adult; (4) medication and tools used by gifted adults; (5) being a perfectionist and dealing with hypersensitivity as a gifted adult; (6) experiences in counseling as a gifted adult; …

Assessment Perception: Delivery Matters, Nicole Marie Arcuri Sanders, Chelsey Simmons

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Perception shapes how individuals experience the world and guides their actions toward personal goals. In counseling, clients’ accurate understanding of assessment results is essential for informed decision-making and effective treatment engagement. Mental health clinicians have an ethical responsibility to communicate findings in ways that safeguard client welfare and empower both clients and stakeholders to collaborate in care. This conceptual manuscript introduces the BRIEF (Brief, Relevant, Interpretive, Empathetic, and Factual) Feedback Integration Framework, a structured model for delivering assessment feedback ethically and accessibly. Integrating cognitive, developmental, and cultural considerations. BRIEF provides counselors, supervisors, and educators with a practical strategy for improving …

Addressing Saintly Corrections: An Integrative, Developmental Approach To Counselor Bias Management, Travis Walker, Jennifer M. Cook

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

No person is without biases, even the most culturally adept among us. Managing biases is critical to counselors’ continued journey of understanding clients contextually and holistically. In this article, we describe two novel bias management concepts: A specific type of bias called saintly corrections and the more clinically fruitful approach of realistic corrections. We define and illustrate saintly and realistic corrections, outline a multifold approach (i.e., cognitive complexity, cultural identity development, and the multicultural orientation model) for remediating saintly corrections, and offer recommendations counselor educators can use during planned and contextual learning opportunities, including an example of a contextual …

Teaching Multicultural Counseling: A Phenomenological Exploration Of Counselor Educators’ Voices, Cameka Hazel, Paul Leheste, Raymond Blanchard

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study explored the perceptions of counselor educators who taught the graduate level multicultural counseling course. Six participants shared experiences, leading to four themes: personal and professional rewards, who is fit to teach? dealing with resistance and difficult conversations and limited time and class size. Implications for counselor education are discussed.

Competencies And Preparation For Addressing Poverty In Counselor Education: A Q Methodological Study, Seneka Rachel Gainer

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

This study explored the competencies needed to prepare counselors to address the systemic and relational impacts of poverty within counselor education. Using Q methodology, expert participants identified critical knowledge, skills, and awareness factors required for effective practice. Two distinct factors emerged: (1) the centrality of relational competencies such as empathy, cultural humility, and trust-building, and (2) the necessity for curriculum-wide integration of poverty-specific training and systemic advocacy. Findings highlight the need for counselor education programs to embed poverty-related competencies across curricula, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and develop experiential and advocacy-based training models. Implications for counselor education, accreditation standards, and professional development …

Counselors’ Experiences Of The Alliance In Videoconference Supervision: The Role Of Nonverbals, John E. Trenery, Azra Karajic Siwiec, Randall L. Astramovich

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

The role of nonverbal immediacy and intimacy in shaping the supervisory alliance during videoconference-based clinical supervision is understudied. Using a generic qualitative research design, data were collected from 15 practicing counselors through semi-structured interviews. Thematic analysis identified six primary themes, highlighting both the perceived barriers and the essential role of nonverbal cues, as well as the need for amplified behaviors in video-based interactions. The findings point to significant gaps in telesupervision training and introduce a novel framework to strengthen telepresence in videoconference supervision. This study offers actionable insight for educational institutions and governing bodies, emphasizing the importance of targeted curricula …

Dismantling Racism In The Classroom: Recommendations For White Male Counselor Educators, Jason L. Vannest, Rebecca J. Vannest, Lorise D. Grey

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

In response to the historical tradition of Eurocentrism and Whiteness in counseling programs in the United States, the American Counseling Association (ACA) and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) have challenged their members to confront implicit bias, become allies with Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC), and commit to challenging racism and implicit bias. Despite these robust calls to disrupt racism and implicit bias, counselor educators - specifically White male counselor educators (WMCEs) - may wonder how to effectively take action due to their own racial identity. Several factors may contribute to WMCEs' reticence to deconstruct racism and …

The Feminist Impostor Phenomenon Approach (Fipa): A Feminist Approach To Addressing Impostor Phenomenon In Novice Counselors, Isabel Springer, Kelly Emelianchik-Key

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Impostor Phenomenon (IP) is known to affect new professionals in health professions, yet there is little to no academic literature available on how it affects early career counselors and how it can be addressed. Novice counselors (NC) frequently experience extreme anxiety and feelings of fraudulence around their professional performance. Feminist mentorship and interventions can help alleviate IP and foster self-efficacy and confidence in new counseling professionals. The Feminist Impostor Phenomenon Approach (FIPA) consists of a three-hour workshop educating participants through a feminist lens about IP and relevant coping strategies, and subsequent weekly consciousness-raising groups where coping strategies are reinforced, and …

The Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Of The Job Search Experiences Of International Counseling Doctoral Students In The U.S., Yi-Ju Cheng, Juleen Buser, Terry Pertuit

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

International counseling doctoral students (ICDSs) bring valuable cultural diversity to the counseling profession in the U.S. However, their transition to professional roles is complicated by cultural identity factors, limited support for career guidance, and employment barriers tied to language, immigration status, and unfamiliarity with U.S. licensing and employment resources. There is limited understanding of their job search experiences. This qualitative study, through interpretive phenomenological analysis, examines 12 ICDSs’ job search experiences in the U.S. Nine themes were identified. The findings highlight a discrepancy between the counseling profession’s stated commitment to diversity and the actual support to international students, and the …

Artificial Intelligence Literacy In Counselor Education: The Developmental Ai Literacy Framework, Leo Gonzalez Jr.

Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming counselor education, yet frameworks for preparing counselors-in-training (CITs) to use AI remain limited. This article introduces the developmental AI literacy framework (DALF), a conceptual model integrating developmental theory, professional identity formation, and AI literacy. The DALF reframes AI literacy as a developmental competency comprising intentional AI use, critical evaluation, ethical engagement, and awareness of professional identity. The framework outlines three stages, including foundational awareness, reflective application, and integrated professionalization, that parallel CITs’ growth from dependence to autonomy. Pedagogical, developmental, and research implications are provided to guide ethical and reflective AI integration in counselor education.

The Adultspan Journal Fellowship Program: A Structured Mentorship Experience, Lauren B. Robins, Natese R. Dockery, Courtney T.K. Chester, Crystal Morris, Teah Moore, Zoey Liu, Kaprea F. Johnson

Adultspan Journal

This qualitative study used reflexive thematic analysis (Braun & Clarke, 2006) to explore how the Adultspan Journal Fellowship Program, a structured, cohort-based mentorship initiative, supports the development of doctoral students and early-career counselor educators. Grounded in Social Learning Theory, the program integrates hands-on journal management, guided peer review, collaborative writing, and monthly didactic sessions within multi-layered mentorship. Data from asynchronous email interviews and document analysis with seven fellows across two cohorts (2022–2024) yielded four themes: (1) Cultivating Belonging Through Structured Mentorship, highlighting affirming guidance that reduced isolation and built peer networks; (2) Building Confidence and Professional Identity, reflecting growth in …

Determinants Of Critical Thinking In The Ai Era: The Mediating Role Of Self-Efficacy In Digital Literacy And Students’ Social Interaction, Annisa Arrumaisyah Daulay, Atikah Asna, Devi Eka Yulita Br Tarigan

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

The importance of critical thinking in higher education has become increasingly prominent amid the rapid advancement of digital technology and artificial intelligence. This study aims to examine the effects of social interaction and digital literacy on students’ critical thinking skills, with self-efficacy serving as a mediating variable. Employing a quantitative approach with path analysis, data were collected from 650 university students during the 2024/2025 academic year and analyzed using SmartPLS. The results indicate that self-efficacy has a significant effect on critical thinking (β = 0.455, p < 0.001) and functions as a mediator linking digital literacy (β = 0.286, p < 0.001) and social interaction (β = 0.166, p = 0.001) to critical thinking ability. Furthermore, digital literacy exerts a significant indirect effect on critical thinking through the enhancement of self-efficacy (indirect effect = 0.234, p < 0.001). These findings underscore that strengthening digital literacy and social interaction within educational curricula, along with fostering students’ self-efficacy, can effectively enhance critical thinking skills, which are essential for addressing academic and professional challenges in the digital era.

Measuring Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Burnout In Paramedics, Dispatchers, And Call Takers Of Western Canada, Nahum Chi Heng Ip

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The following dissertation examines depression, anxiety, stress, and burnout in dispatchers and paramedics of Western Canada. This study is meant to bridge a research gap in mental health among emergency health workers in British Columbia, Canada. The samples were collected through two self-reporting surveys, the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Maslach Burnout Index (MBI), both of which are strongly validated and widely used in similar research. Of the 948 dispatchers and paramedics who participated, 771 (81.3%) responses qualified to be included. The data was entered into the Intellectus software where a variety of tools were utilized to …

The Impact Of Communication On Generational Trauma, Claudia Abalo

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Trauma has occurred since God made man, and it has been passed down through generations. Now, even though generational trauma may not end until our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ returns (Revelations 21:4), in the meantime, the Scriptures encourage us to love one another as God loves us (John 13:34-35), to care for each other, and to share our burdens with one another (Galatians 6:2). However, there is limited research as to whether sharing our burdens such as discussing traumatic experiences within the home impacts generational trauma. Therefore, this qualitative, interpretative phenomenological study aimed to answer how the children of …

Institutional Factors Contributing To Child Sexual Abuse In Independent Baptist Churches: A Phenomenological Study, Adam Stephen Pearlstein

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe childhood sexual abuse survivor’s within Independent Baptist Churches experiences reporting and engaging with church leaders about their abuse in the United States. While there is great variety within these churches, they typically share a similar style of church leadership and accountability structures for that leadership. Tragically, child sexual abuse within these churches is far too common, as is demonstrated both by scientific research and by stories reported by journalists. This study will seek to look into both the ecclesiology of the church structures of these Independent Baptist churches and into teachings …

The Missed Education Of Mtss: A Phenomenological Study Of Cross-Cultural Counseling With African American Students, Whitney L. Towns

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how secondary school counselors experience and implement cross-cultural counseling practices with African American students during the Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) process. African American students disproportionately face systemic barriers that influence their academic, behavioral, and social-emotional outcomes, and counselors are often underprepared to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed care within the constraints of MTSS. Guided by Ecological Systems Theory, Intersectionality Theory, and the Trauma-Informed Practice Framework, this transcendental phenomenological study examined how counselors understood and carried out their roles across MTSS tiers while navigating issues of trust, culture, trauma, and equity. …

Teaching Multiculturalism With A Christian Worldview To Influence Perspectives: Combating Emotions And Challenging Presuppositions Of Counselors, Steven Brooks

Faculty Publications and Presentations

In counseling education, teaching multiculturalism is a critical curricular component. Today, counselors (more widely defined as various caregivers) are more likely to encounter people whose race or culture differs from their own. Therefore, to be the most effective counselor, a solid and unapologetic curriculum in multiculturalism should be required. Because the education component of multiculturalism is often subordinate to a trainee’s reluctance—or even inability—to confront the difficult concepts, it is necessary first to address the reluctance; hence, my thesis. Multiculturalism presented and discussed on an academic plane is more likely to assuage trainees’ fears and spur them to cultural competence. …

Teaching Peace, Stopping Bullying: The Transformative Power Of Kh Ahmad Dahlan’S Psychoeducation, Wahyu Nanda Eka Saputra, Anya Ahda Mahira, Salsa Puspita Dwi Djajuli

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Bullying in schools remains a serious problem that negatively impacts students' academic and psychological development. A safe and violence-free learning environment is crucial to supporting the achievement of national education goals, thus requiring effective interventions to reduce bullying behavior. This study aims to test the effectiveness of group counseling services using psychoeducational techniques based on the teachings of KH. Ahmad Dahlan in reducing bullying behavior. The scope of the study focuses on the application of peaceful values in junior high schools as a prevention strategy and as a positive character development strategy for students. This study used a quantitative approach …

The Efficacy Of Rapid Counseling With Single-Session Music Therapy On Enhancing Emotion Regulation In Response To Activating Events, Aloysius Selo Aryobimo Oentarto

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

This study examines the efficacy of Rapid Counseling with Single-Session Music Therapy (RCSSMT) in enhancing emotion regulation in response to activating events. Many daily circumstances are uncontrollable, often leading individuals with negative thought patterns to experience distress and anxiety, known as activating events. Music therapy, as a holistic approach, acts as an emotion-focused coping strategy by calming physiological stress responses and preparing the individual for cognitive restructuring. This research employed a single-subject pre-test, post-test, and follow-up design, with the subject being SG, who had the lowest initial score on the Emotion Regulation Questionnaire. The scores showed a gradual but significant …

Flow State As A Counter Measure Against Cognitive Decline: What Counselors Should Know, Isaac Burt

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the utilization of the neuroscience concept of flow state for therapeutic usage with older adult populations. Operationally defined, flow state is an altered state of consciousness (ASOC) that emerges when a person engages in an activity or endeavor. Once engrossed within this physical or cognitive undertaking, the person performs at their best (optimal) while expressing a feeling of joy and/or extreme satisfaction. To attain a flow state, there are several neurobiological mechanisms people must undergo. Due to beliefs that quality of life cannot increase in late adulthood, many older adults stop engaging in flow state activities. …

Older Adults And Suicide: Protective Pathways To Apply Shores In Counseling, Anna A. Ellenson, Jenny L. Cureton

Adultspan Journal

Older adult suicide (OAS) is a growing concern as the U.S. population continues to age and access to counseling expands. Despite legal and ethical requirements, counselors are often underprepared to address suicide in later life, especially through the lens of suicide protective factors (SPFs). This conceptual article introduces SHORES, a research-informed mnemonic (Skills and strategies for coping, Hope, Objections to suicide, Reasons for living/Restriction of means, Engaged care, and Support), to help counselors assess, intervene, and plan treatment with older adults. We review literature on OAS, highlight gaps in counselor training, and provide an application guide for using SHORES with …

Gardening As A Psychosocial Well-Being Activity For Adults: Integrating Eco-Wellness And Developmental Theory, Christopher T. Belser, Helene Tavormina, Ann O'Hanlon

Adultspan Journal

Prior research has demonstrated the myriad of benefits that gardening can offer individuals, ranging from physical, mental, emotional, and social benefits. Though the counseling literature has begun to address the nature-wellness connection via EcoWellness theory (Reese & Myers, 2012), little attention has been paid to the benefits of gardening as a psychosocial well-being activity for adult populations. In this manuscript, authors offer a conceptual framework built on EcoWellness theory, psychosocial development theory, life-span, life-space career theory, and selection, optimization, and compensation theory that contextualizes gardening as a beneficial activity for young adults, middle adults, and older adults. Authors present specific …

The Effects Of A Viniyoga-Based Practice On Mental Health Clinicians' Perceived Stress, Burnout, And Quality Of Life, Julie Pate

Dissertations

Psychotherapists often experience stress when treating distressed or emotionally troubled patients due to the emotionally taxing nature of their work, which can lead to burnout and other negative consequences (Bell et al., 2023; Maslach & Leiter, 2016; Simionato & Simpson, 2018) Therapists find it challenging to maintain regular self-care routines (Driscoll, 2023; Baker & Gabriel, 2021; Posluns & Gall, 2020). With the constant demand for counselors (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, 2024), there is a critical need for effective stress management strategies to mitigate burnout risks (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration [SAMHSA], 2022; Sibitz, Pils, …

Exploring The Process Of Professional Identity Development For Generation Z Counselors-In-Training Enrolled In Cacrep-Accredited Master's Programs In The Northeastern United States Coun, Jordan G. Shaw

Dissertations

Professional identity development is a central outcome of counselor preparation programs, yet how Counselors-in-Training (CITs) experience this process, particularly during internship, remains underexplored. This qualitative study examines the lived experience of professional identity development among Generation Z CITs enrolled in master’s programs accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) in the Northeastern United States, with specific attention to the implications for counselor education and supervision in a shifting professional landscape.

Using an existential-phenomenological framework and Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants born between 1995 and 2010 who were completing …

Corrigendum To “Decolonizing Knowledge As Epistemic Justice: Key Conceptual Tendencies From The Global South” [Tanzania Journal Of Sociology, Vol. 11, Issue No.2, December 2025: 113 - 128], Richard Sambaiga

Tanzania Journal of Sociology

This article registers corrections done to a reference section of "Decolonizing Knowledge as Epistemic Justice: Key Conceptual Tendencies from the Global South” [Tanzania Journal of Sociology, Vol. 11, Issue No.2, December 2025: 113 - 128]