Perspectives Of Clients And Counselors Regarding Premature Dropout And Unsuccessful Long-Term Therapy: Similarities And Differences In Perspectives, Danilo Salli

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Whether it manifests as premature dropout from therapy or unsuccessful long-term treatment, psychotherapy does not work for everybody who engages in it. The current paper aimed to synthesize and compare information regarding premature dropout and treatment failure from the perspectives of the two parties who participate in psychotherapeutic treatment: therapists and clients. Eight main studies were used in the literature review, each focusing on either/both therapist’s and/or client’s perspectives of the reasons for premature dropout or treatment failure. The current paper concluded that communication between therapists and clients is key to reducing unsatisfactory results in psychotherapy and presented a list …

Not All Superheroes Wear Capes: Understanding The Lives Of Asian American Student Caregivers, Angela Ji

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

There exists an invisible army of children who sacrifice their childhoods and shoulder responsibilities expected of adults; these children are called young caregivers. Young caregivers provide significant assistance for their family on a regular basis. The existing literature shows that youth caregiving is associated with negative physical and mental health impacts that vary depending on the cultural background associated with families. It is also clear that the complexities and nuances of different ethnic groups influence the lived experiences of young caregivers. Unfortunately, there is limited information exploring racial and cultural implications of caregiving for children. This study sought to address …

Empowering Nurses, Enhancing Mobility: A Qi Initiative Using Plof And Clof To Promote Patient Ambulation, Kaela Nguyen

Master's Projects and Capstones

The quality improvement project involves the intervention of implemented mobility educational flyers about the mobility tools, Clinician Reported Level of Function (CLOF) and Patient Reported Level of Function (PLOF) and aims to increase patient mobility post surgery. The quality improvement project was conducted in two medical surgical units in a San Francisco hospital. To address unmet mobility goals, during change of shift, in-services on the educational flyers about the mobility tools (CLOF and PLOF), were utilized to provide education about the importance of mobility, how to utilize the mobility tools, and correctly document ambulation. More than twenty flyers were posted …

There’S A Crisis Brewing In Higher Education, Caroline M. Graham

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation addresses the increasing need to enhance crisis preparedness among student affairs practitioners in higher education. With the growing frequency and complexity of campus crises—ranging from mental health emergencies to incidents of violence, the preparedness and self-efficacy of those in student support roles are paramount. This three-manuscript dissertation explores crisis intervention training, crisis self-efficacy, and the lived experiences of student affairs practitioners navigating campus crises. The first manuscript provides a conceptual overview of the gaps in current crisis intervention training within graduate programs, advocating for the integration of core competencies informed by accreditation standards and professional associations. The second …

Unmasking Masculinities In Counseling: From Conformity To Connection, Kyle R. Rose

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation explored the entanglements of professional counseling and masculinities across three manuscripts, to contribute to (1) healthier forms of gender expression within and beyond the spectrum of masculinities for individuals, (2) the counseling profession’s role in transforming hegemonic masculinity within communities, and (3) larger movements to subvert the patriarchy throughout society. The first manuscript is a conceptual article that presented the Relational Cultural Privileged Identity Counseling (RCPIC) model, an integrative framework designed to help counselors address hegemonic masculinity within the therapeutic relationship. Drawing from Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) and Privileged Identity Exploration (PIE), this model provided a roadmap for compassionate …

Exploring Trauma Education And The Intersection Of Self-Efficacy, Ashlea Yearwood

Dissertations, 2020-current

Trauma education in counselor training programs is not only required for those accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), but a critical component in preparing counselors-in-training to work with clients who have been directly or indirectly impacted by a traumatic event. This three-article dissertation includes a conceptual manuscript, qualitative manuscript, and a quantitative manuscript regarding trauma education for counselors. The conceptual manuscript offers an approach to mitigating compassion fatigue through the utilization of attachment-based supervision when working with counselors-in-training. The qualitative manuscript aimed to utilize an interpretative phenomenological analysis to explore and understand what …

Ethics And Clinical Supervision: Understanding The Needs Of Counselors In Training And Self-Efficacy Development In Clinical Supervisors, Brooke Carroll

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation examines foundational principles of ethics, clinical supervision, and clinical supervisor ethical decision-making self-efficacy development. Counselors-in-training, those who have completed their degrees but are not yet licensed, are profoundly impacted by their experience in clinical supervision. Therefore, it is imperative for the clinical supervisors who are leading this new generation of counselors to embody the highest respect and execution of ethical practice and ethical decision making. To do this, clinical supervisor ethical decision-making self-efficacy must be tended to, developed, and understood. When mastered, these clinical supervisors are better equipped to assist their supervisees through ethical dilemmas and critical incidents. …

Lgbtqia+ Competency In Counseling: Understanding Current Trends, Educational Experiences, And Counselor Identity Implications, Tyler Puryear

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation presents is made up of three manuscripts. The first is a systematized review that synthesizes current literature to better understand the definition, development, and gaps in LGBTQIA+ competency. Eleven major themes were identified: competency frameworks, cultural humility over competence, competence in practice, barriers, intersectionality, subgroups, advocacy, allyship, pedagogy, language, and counselor attitudes. Findings suggest the field must move beyond static competency models toward a cultural humility framework. The qualitative study used constructivist grounded theory (CGT) to explore how recent graduates from counseling programs experienced learning about LGBTQIA+ counseling topics. Five themes emerged: faculty influence on learning, experiential learning …

Burnout And Self-Efficacy: Exploring The Rewards And Challenges Faced By Crisis Counselors Working In Emergency Department Settings, Ellen Dotas

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation explores burnout and self-efficacy in counselors who work with clients in crisis in emergency department settings. Mental health and emergency departments are two areas that tend to report higher levels of burnout than are reported in other occupational fields. While much research has been done on the topics of burnout and self-efficacy, limited information is available about counselors who work in these crisis roles. This dissertation follows a three-manuscript format and includes a conceptual, qualitative, and quantitative manuscript. The conceptual manuscript explores the nature of the crisis assessment itself, focusing on the area of risk assessment. The qualitative …

Clinician Training, Support, And Self-Efficacy In Supporting Patients With Severe Persistent Mental Illness, Jaclyn Sharkey

Dissertations, 2020-current

Abstract

Severe and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) has existed long before the contemporary definitions that prevail in the present day. However, traditional perspectives and treatment of SPMI illness have been influenced primarily by the medical model of treatment, resulting in a diagnosis that feels demoralizing and inhibitive for the individual suffering, particularly if they do not share in this belief. The expansion of community-based programs for SPMI patients has provided many opportunities for counselors to work with these clients, however, training and research on how to address population-specific needs is severely lacking within counseling programs and counselor research. As the …

Examining The Effectiveness Of Imago Relationship Therapy In Married Couples, Anne Erickson

Dissertations, 2020-current

Imago Relationship Therapy (IRT) is a structured couples counseling approach designed to enhance relational satisfaction by fostering empathy, communication, and emotional attunement. Despite its widespread use, empirical research on IRT remains limited. This dissertation examines the effectiveness of IRT through three distinct manuscripts: a conceptual analysis of IRT’s application for parents of autistic children, a quantitative study assessing its impact on relationship satisfaction, and a qualitative study exploring critical incidents in therapy.

The quantitative study employed a single-subject research design in which monogamous couples participated in six weekly IRT sessions facilitated by a certified therapist. Relationship satisfaction was measured at …

Exploring Ecowellness And Attachment Dynamics: Understanding Parental Experiences, Youth Perceptions, And Counseling Implications, Katelyn Dolieslager

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation investigated the way in which EcoWellness and Attachment Theory implications interact, specifically emphasizing how integrating these components can enhance clinical practice with caregivers and youth. The first component of the dissertation explored how EcoWellness principles could be applied to strengthen child attachment through family engagement in outdoor activities. The conceptual article discussed how shared outdoor play and recreation offer families the opportunity to bond, improve communication, and develop secure attachments. It provides a framework for clinicians to use EcoWellness to help children recognize their connection to the broader natural world, which fosters emotional growth and attachment. The second …

A Counselor’S Experience: Trauma-Informed Care When Working With Children Diagnosed With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Abbigail Rinard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This study sought to understand the lived experience of professional counselors when implementing trauma informed care to children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. There are few studies that have assessed the counselors lived experience of implementing TIC, and even fewer that have examined professional counselors experience doing so in a specialized population.

To understand the lived experience of professional counselors, the participants of the study were purposefully selected to include those who have an active professional counseling license, implement TIC, and work with children diagnosed with ASD. The study was conducted with a total of eight participants who have implemented …

Changing The Face Of Power: Understanding Black Female Clinical Supervisors Through The Superwoman Schema, Shanelle V. Clay

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

According to the American Counseling Association Code of Ethics (2014), the counseling profession’s core values include honoring diversity and embracing a multicultural approach to both direct services and supervision. Despite the acknowledgement of multiculturalism in clinical supervision, there is minimal research on the impact of supervisors’ intersectionality on supervision dynamics. This qualitative research study will examine the experience of Black female clinical supervisors and the impact the Superwoman Schema has on their role in supervision. This phenomenological research is grounded in the Superwoman Schema Conceptual Framework and Black Feminist Thought. A total of five superordinate themes and 14 subordinate themes …

Laws, Professional Ethics, Policies And School Counselors With A Biblical Worldview, Reagan North Phd, Brittany Hill-Morales

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

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.

Transgender Meta-Analysis Study On Healthcare Affirming Care, Beck A. Munsey, Ryan Holliman

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

This study explored the extent to which educational interventions impact knowledge, attitudes, and comfort, of healthcare providers in treating transgender patients through a meta-analysis. Twenty studies that met criteria for inclusion were selected for the study. Research suggests current methods of training healthcare professionals positively impacts knowledge, attitudes, and comfort, but does not decrease transphobia, leading to negative impacts on transgender patients’ care in healthcare settings. The authors highlight some ways training programs can add training modules for future researchers to look at specifically to attitudes and believes about healthcare professions serving transgender patients.

The Correlation Of Adverse Childhood Experiences And Pornography Consumption Among Males, Branden Henry, Corinne W. Bridges, Sidney L. Shaw

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Since 1999, significant research has been devoted to understanding how adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) correlate with a variety of negative health and behavioral outcomes. During this same time, pornography consumption had increased dramatically. Although there were studies that examined the relationship between various variables found in the ACEs questionnaire and pornography consumption, there were no studies that utilized the ACEs questionnaire to examine the relationship between ACEs and pornography consumption and age of exposure. The purpose of this cross-sectional, correlational study was to identify the relationship between ACEs, the age of exposure to pornography, and pornography consumption among adult males. …

Content Analysis Of U.S. State-Level Legislation Impacting Gender-Affirming Practice In Schools, Ashton Keys, Isabel C. Farrell, Amanda Dediego, Caroline Schreder, Kyle Neal, Whitney White

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

In recent years, there has been an increase in legislation that limits access to resources and affirming environments for LGBTQ+ individuals in the United States. This research aimed to identify trends in legislation at the state level impacting gender-affirming school counseling services in the United States. This study represents a content analysis of 225 pieces of state-level legislation from 2023 affecting LGBTQ+ youth in schools. Legislation largely created limitations on use of affirming pronouns for youth in school, availability of appropriate restrooms and changing facilities for transgender and gender expansive youth, and curriculum in schools addressing gender and sexuality.

Educating The Educators: Increased Sexuality Training For Counselor Educators, Joshua C. Taylor

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

A robust body of literature has identified the need for counselors-in-training (CITs) to receive additional training in sexuality counseling. Growing efforts to identify efficacious training strategies have also been well-documented in the literature. These suggested updates have implicitly increased the counselor educator's role in delivering strategies to promote sexual counseling competence for CITs. Unfortunately, there is a dearth of literature regarding the adequate preparation of counselor educators in providing sexuality education. This article will underscore the counselor educator’s role in facilitating competence in sexuality counseling for CITs and provide a model for infusing sexuality counseling into doctoral curriculum.

The State Of Sexuality Counseling Training In Counselor Education, Amber L. Pope, Matt B. Siroty, Stefan Vasic, Julia Lancaster

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Sexuality counseling training remains underdeveloped and lacks standardization across counselor education programs in the United States. We examined the integration of sexuality counseling in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) programs. Out of 191 CMHC programs, 45% offered a standalone course and only 15.2% required one. We also performed summative and latent content analyses on the course descriptions to review the primary content of sexuality counseling courses. Content analysIs revealed course content largely focusing on sex positivity and inclusivity, though invalidating and potentially stigmatizing language persists. We conclude with implications for counselor education and future directions for research.

A Sex-Positive, Contextual Approach To Children’S Sexual Development, Ben T. Willis, Leah G. Talarico, Amber Pope

Journal of Counseling Sexology & Sexual Wellness: Research, Practice, and Education

Sexuality is a multifaceted topic that many counselors feel under-equipped to handle with their clients. Working with sexual aspects is often avoided, especially with younger clients. The purpose of this conceptual article is to provide a framework for understanding and working with children on sexuality-related topics. A positive, contextualized approach to sexuality is offered to understand, assess, and intervene with different developmental levels. We conclude with a case study to demonstrate application of the contextualized model in family counseling.

A Time To Build And A Time To Break: Processing Grief Through Art With Older Adults, Kasriel Zlochower Linzer

Expressive Therapies Theses

Grief comes in many forms and is an expected part of living as an emotion-oriented being. Within this framework exists forms of grief most commonly understood and accepted in society and others that often go under the radar, especially for older adults. A wealth of literature exists for the exploration of grief and a sizeable subsection in grief around older adulthood, but few explore a breadth of grief-based experiences through the lens of art therapy in an assisted living environment. This thesis explores how arts-based directives can be used to process grief with older adults in an assisted living setting. …

Beyond Stigma: Role Theory And Drama Therapy In Reentry And Rehabilitation, Mackenzee Donham-Stradling

Expressive Therapies Theses

To be system-impacted often means facing stigmatization. The experience of incarceration is profoundly dehumanizing, eroding self-worth and identity. This thesis examines the application of a 3-week drama therapy method for formerly incarcerated women residing in a transitional facility with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders. This project integrated a drama therapy framework with Robert Landy’s Role Theory to create a method aimed at assisting formerly incarcerated clients in expanding their role repertoire and discarding those roles that perpetuate their disempowerment. This thesis begins with a literature review of role in drama therapy, the experiences of incarcerated women in the …

Couples In The Playspace: Community Engagement With Developmental Transformations, Amanda Roberts

Expressive Therapies Theses

Couple therapy is an evolving field in the modern therapeutic landscape. With that evolution comes an opportunity to study the application of drama therapy with couples. Although there is limited evidence supporting the use of drama therapy with couples, there is no research on the use of Developmental Transformations (DvT), a play-based improvised form of drama therapy, with couples. As a first step in exploring this gap, this community engagement project invited two monogamous couples to engage in two separate brief DvT sessions. Given that this project was community-oriented rather than clinical, the focus of this capstone was self-reflective in …

Practical Jokes: A Drama Therapy Process Between Comedians, Therapists, And Those Affected By Grief/Loss On The Ongoing Development Of Therapeutic Humor, Abby T. Michel

Expressive Therapies Theses

Previous studies on humor in therapy suggest that some types of humor are more beneficial than others. This author found humor to be an essential part of coping with the loss of her mother and wondered why humor is broken down into good and bad parts, when humor can be subjective and dependent on culture and context. Using Robert Landy’s Role Theory and Dintino’s theory of Playing with the Unplayable, the author aimed to neutralize humor by exploring the roles that humor plays in therapy and hoped to find a practical definition of humor that could be appropriate in a …

How Can Art Therapy Help Veterans And Service Members With Ptsd? A Literature Review, Shira Espo

Expressive Therapies Theses

This paper seeks to research the usefulness of art therapy with veterans and service members with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Theoretically, art therapy is thought to work by allowing access to non-verbal memories to be expressed and transformed into a trauma narrative, to be stored in memory in a way that does not interfere with daily life the way PTSD symptoms do. The method used is a literature review, which studied research articles about art therapy being used to treat veterans and service members with PTSD. Other included topics are the history of PTSD, current theories about PTSD and the …

Embedded Roots: Exploring Healing Through Digital Storytelling: Application And Training, Joselyn M. Carvalho

Expressive Therapies Theses

This review examines digital and expressive storytelling in a clinical, community-based health center, focusing on its impact and relationship with trauma. Existing research has explored how digital storytelling serves as an intervention for addressing intergenerational trauma, trauma transmission, identity development, and social systems affecting youth. This community engagement project integrates these ideas with reflections from clinicians, exploring how clinicians' involvement in digital storytelling may influence care, confidence, and cultural understanding. Theories central to this research include Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory and systems-based awareness maps, which help examine the broader systems that influence youth as they develop their narratives. The transmission …

Playing With Fire: Exploring Burnout In The Mental Health Field Through Developmental Transformations Play, Abigail E. Dufresne

Expressive Therapies Theses

Although professionals from many different fields experience the phenomenon of burnout, it is especially prevalent amongst human service workers. This is concerning because it not only impacts the professionals themselves, but potentially also the clients they work with. Burnout is a complex phenomenon due to the variability of each individual and workplace; however, it is commonly characterized by exhaustion, cynicism/depersonalization, and a reduced sense of professional efficacy. This community engagement project sought to gain deeper insight into burnout by exploring the lived experience of mental health professionals using the drama therapy technique of Developmental Transformations (DvT). The research consisted of …

More Than Dress-Up: A Literature Review Of The Function Of Costume In Drama Therapy, Bretny M. Seamon

Expressive Therapies Theses

This literature review examined the role of costume as a therapeutic tool in drama therapy; an area that, despite its potential, remains underexplored. The studies located focused on how costume may facilitate identity exploration and emotional expression. The paper synthesized existing literature on drama therapy's core processes, particularly embodiment and dramatic projection, while expanding the definition of costume to include masks and puppets. The literature illuminated the psychological and cultural significance of dress and identity, with studies that investigated how costume influenced both self-perception and external perception. The literature addressed the evolution of costume use in virtual therapy settings, illustrating …