Counseling Commons^™

Counselor Educators' Experiences Within The Faculty Microsystem During Gatekeeping, Victor Chang, Deborah J. Rubel

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Gatekeeping is a responsibility for all counselor educators (CEs). Little is known about how CEs work with their colleagues to enact gatekeeping in counselor education programs. This grounded theory study explored 12 diverse CEs’ gatekeeping experiences, creating an ecological model of the Faculty Microsystem during gatekeeping that illuminates important conditions, processes, and interactions during gatekeeping in counselor education. Implications for counselor educators and doctoral students on the nature of collaboration during gatekeeping are described.

Grief Education In Accredited Counseling Programs: Tools For Integrating Grief Counseling Concepts Into The Cacrep Foundational Counseling Curriculum, Nicole A. Stargell, Emily T. Smith, Gary W. Mauk

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Counselors working in a wide variety of settings should be competent in providing grief counseling. The current CACREP (2024) standards include grief education under lifespan development, but grief education can be woven throughout all eight domains of the foundational counseling curriculum. This article explains the foundational grief counseling concepts of attachment theory, the dual process model of grief, meaning-making theory, and adaptive grieving styles. Included in this article are suggestions for infusing these foundational grief counseling concepts into each of the eight CACREP foundational counseling curriculum areas.

Exploring Neuromyths In Counselor Education: A Neuro-Informed Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Approach, James R. Spears, Natasha Villalobos, Whitney Zahar-Rich, Priscilla R. Prasath, Willie Ray

Teaching and Supervision in Counseling

Although advances in neuroscience validate the therapeutic practices and professional identity of counselors, educators struggle to infuse accurate neuroscience knowledge into the classroom. Utilizing a quasi-experimental, repeated measures design, this study examined the effectiveness of a neuro-informed lecture in reducing neuromyth endorsement among graduate students enrolled in the counseling theories course. Participants (n = 62) completed a demographics questionnaire and identical neuroscience pre- and post-surveys. The intervention group (n = 32) received the lecture-based intervention, while those in the comparison group (n = 30) did not. Results revealed significant improvement in neuroscience knowledge scores for those receiving the lecture (pre: …

Wearing Many Hats: The Lived Experience Of Professional School Counselors, Yenitza Z. Guzman, Ahmet Can, Leonis Wright, Eman Tadros

Journal of Applied Disciplines

This study examines the lived experiences of urban school counselors. This qualitative phenomenological research attempts to examine roles and responsibilities of each school counselor. The focus is to identify roles assigned to the school counselor, how they are assigned, what sort of say school counselors have in those assignments, and suggestions they have to improve their assigned roles and responsibilities. The findings are analyzed and discussed, including themes of COVID-19, Challenges, Satisfaction, Professional Identity, and Advocacy.  Clinical recommendations and future directions have been provided.

The Effectiveness Of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Cbt) And Medication For Treating Major Depressive Disorder In Adults 18-45 And Factors Contributing To Treatment Resistance: A Case Series., Shavon R. Romita, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and antidepressant medications are often used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD). After examining the existing research on the treatment of MDD, a study was conducted using a vignette methodology to determine if there is a decreased rate of symptoms for patients who are currently being treated for MDD by a mental health professional utilizing CBT and antidepressant interventions. The study explored the effectiveness of CBT in reducing depressive symptoms when antidepressants alone had limited efficacy. The target population included adult patients experiencing MDD, with some presenting additional challenges such as cultural barriers, difficult diagnoses, and …

Understanding The Impact Of Covid-19 On The Mental Health Of Children And Parents During The Pandemic, Whitney S. Gray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The COVID-19 pandemic presented parents with stressors that affected their well-being and their life satisfaction. The pandemic caused parents to struggle with balancing their families’ needs and maintaining their happiness. Prior to the pandemic, children and adolescents had a routine that accommodated their daily functioning and provided them with social contact. The pandemic added stress with parents working odd hours at work, having to adjust to their child’s school schedules, and not being able to contribute to their support system. In addition to these daily stressors, parents had to consider the precautions surrounding COVID-19 and the worries attached to the …

Intimate Partner Violence And The Black Church Culture: A Place Of Judgement Or Healing, Indea J. Hamlin

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study will discover how Black clergy and lay leaders in urban communities respond to Black women who report intimate partner violence. Semi- structured interviews will take place in urban churches or secure locations within the communities. Six male and six female church pastors, clergy, and lay leaders will be selected as participants for the study, which will capture their firsthand experiences, levels of awareness and belief about the prevalence of IPV in urban communities, and their preparedness to address this form of violence against Black women. Thematic analysis will be employed to generate codes, uncover any themes …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring The Lived Experiences Of Former Adult Drug Users’ Sobriety Journey After Graduating From A Faith-Based/Spiritual Drug And Alcohol Recovery Program, Laurine Voltaire

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to investigate the lived experiences of former adult drug users and their sobriety journeys after graduating from a variety of faith-based or spiritual drug and alcohol recovery programs. The research included a systematic review and narrative synthesis of existing literature on faith-based and spiritual recovery programs to address the gap concerning the lived experiences of former users and an evaluation of the strategies and techniques vital for facilitating recovery. The guiding theoretical framework CHIME-D delineated the essential definitive characteristics such as connectedness, hope, identity, meaning of life, empowerment, and overcoming difficulties that …

Pentecostal Christian’S Influence On Marital Satisfaction And Longevity, Rebecca Burgess

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research study aimed to explore the influence of Pentecostalism on marital satisfaction and longevity within the context of individuals who identify as Pentecostal Christians. By employing PENTECOSTALISM AND MARITAL SATISFACTION 3 phenomenology, the study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and beliefs of participants regarding the impact of Pentecostalism on their marriages. The research involves in-depth interviews with married individuals adhering to Pentecostal beliefs, examining their experiences and interpretations of how Pentecostal teachings and practices influence their marital satisfaction and relationship longevity. This study included a sample size of 10 participants, consisting of 5 married …

The Impact Of Covid-19 On Marital Satisfaction And Marital Resilience In Christian Couples, Melvinlyn Lovell Scott

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study examined the impact of the coronavirus, better known as COVID-19, on marital satisfaction and resilience in Christian marriages. Marital satisfaction and resilience are critical components of a successful marriage. Numerous studies have focused on marital satisfaction and resiliency (Carr & Kellas, 2018). However, little research focuses specifically on Christian married couples’ marital satisfaction and resilience during extraordinary conditions such as the recent pandemic, COVID-19. Even without a pandemic, marriages encounter internal and external stressors that can strengthen or destroy marriage. The primary goal of this quasi-experimental study using the interactionism theory was to (a) examine the impact of …

Direction Of Prayer And Marital Satisfaction, Jeffrey Deyel Brothers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this correlational study was to assess the relationship between the constructs of prayer and marriage. Specifically, this study sought to answer the question of whether or not the direction of prayer, inward, outward, and upward was significantly correlated with marital satisfaction. Two hundred and one participants who were married, at least eighteen years of age, and who identified as Christian participated in the study. They completed a demographic questionnaire, the Prayer Thought Scale (PTS), and the ENRICH Couple Satisfaction Scale (CSS) online. Results indicated that there was no significant correlation between direction of prayer and marital satisfaction. …

Investigating The Correlation Between Racially Based Trauma And The Imposter Phenomenon In High-Achieving Black Women, Tarra Lynn Winfield Ray

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study investigates the imposter phenomenon, racially based trauma, and how the two correlate among high-achieving Black women. High achieving for this writing refers to Black women who attend college or graduate school, those in professional positions that require a degree, advanced degree, or professional licensure (i.e., corporate executives, medical doctors, attorneys, mental health clinicians, etc.), and entrepreneurs. Many current studies have focused on the unique and complex experiences that high-achieving Black women face while working to achieve goals and gain success. Many of these women have experienced racially based trauma, and many endorse the simultaneous experiencing of the imposter …

Care Providers Caring For Military Members Struggling With Grief, Clara Altagracia García

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This research aims to address the lack of grief support services for service members (SMs) and veterans, which affects them and the wider community. The mission is to uncover the needs of SMs and veterans and devise effective strategies to support them. The literature review will provide the foundation for the need for research and create a reasonable solution for a healthier grieving process for SMs. This research aims to determine how complicated grief goes undetected and how counseling can help SMs and veterans. The thesis project will impact the grief counseling process of others in this field and bring …

Parenting Strategies For Adult Abuse Victims, Sarah Davis

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological proposal is to describe adults with past childhood trauma’s parenting experiences in Missouri. Growing up in an abusive household, I saw how not to parent my children once I was older. Not everyone thinks this way. Children who grow up in an abusive household do not always develop resiliency. Due to these effects, the following proposal will look at how these adults are impacted when it comes to their parenting styles. Parenting is difficult, to begin with, let alone working through your issues. Generational abuse is a common occurrence. The main research question that will …

The Masculine Perspective Of The Stigmatization Of Childlessness In Marriage In YorùBáLand: An Ile-Ife Phenomenological Study, Godwin Segun-George Olugbami

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe men's experiences with the stigmatization of childlessness in the context of marriage in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The experience of childlessness as a universal phenomenon has been predominantly studied from the female perspective, and men are primarily neglected. The heteronormative ideal of women as 'mother/nurturer' is supported by only collecting women's fertility data in contrast to relatively suboptimal statistics in men's studies. This dissertation explores the view of ten African men set in the Yorùbá culture suffering from childlessness and its attendant stigmatization, mainly as a result of infertility. It provides in-depth interviews …

Adverse Childhood Experiences: Healing Through Storytelling And Mindful Narrative Therapy, Julie Kemp

Mindfulness Studies Theses

This study presents research about the nature and prevalence of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), the mental and physical impacts to individuals exposed to ACEs, and incorporating mindfulness practices into therapeutic approaches to treating them, particularly Mindfulness-Based Narrative Therapy (MBNT). It is important because ACEs have become a global crisis, with the potential for interfering with psychological and physical development, early mortality, and other harmful life outcomes. This thesis provides critical information for mindfulness teachers and practitioners, therapists, educators, regulators, parents, and individuals subjected to ACEs.

The methodology includes extensive literature searches for narrative therapy and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) in peer-reviewed …

Camp Research Forum Book Of Abstracts - 2025, American Camp Association

ACA National Camp Research Forum Abstracts

This book includes 30 abstracts that will be presented at the 2025 American Camp Association (ACA) Research Forum to be held during the ACA annual conference from February 18-21 in Dallas, TX. Abstracts have been grouped into similar areas and will be presented across five verbal sessions and one poster session.

Trauma-Informed Care: A Catalyst For Strong Therapeutic Alliances, Madelyn M. Ayers

Psychology | Senior Theses

Trauma-informed care (TIC) is a framework designed to support trauma survivors and is centered around 4 R’s: realizing the holistic impact of trauma, recognizing symptoms of dysregulation, responding to needs appropriately, and resisting retraumatization (SAMHSA, 2014). The present study explored how receiving TIC impacted a client’s perception of the therapeutic alliance. Participants consisted of 118 adults who have attended individual outpatient psychotherapy. More than half of participants worked with a master’s level psychotherapist (e.g Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Clinical Social Worker), followed by a third working with a psychologist. The remaining participants worked with a psychiatrist or pre-licensed professional. The …

Stigma And Isolation: The Lived Experiences Of Male Sexual Assault Survivors In College, Vanessa Vela

Theses and Dissertations--Family Sciences

Male sexual assault survivors on college campuses face barriers to disclosure, support, and recovery due to stigma, societal expectations of masculinity, and inadequate institutional resources. This hermeneutic phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of six male survivors of sexual assault enrolled in college, focusing on their perceptions of sexual violence before and after their assault, the psychological burden of disclosure, and their experiences with available support systems. Participants described challenges including rape myths, feelings of isolation, fear of emasculation, and limited access to gender-inclusive resources. While online communities provided some support, institutional services often failed to meet their needs due …

The Use Of Ritual In Counseling Sessions For Suicide Loss Survivors, Dr. Kailey Bradley, Dr. Yegan Pillay, Dr. Ibrahim Akmese

Adultspan Journal

Suicide loss impacts every aspect of the lives of those left behind, creating shattered assumptions and feelings of meaninglessness. In this perspective piece, the authors attempt to describe how the use or rituals in sessions can be therapeutically beneficial to suicide loss survivors across the lifespan. This piece provides a brief overview of the impact of suicide loss, theoretical approaches to suicide loss, and examples of rituals that can be used in sessions. Lastly, the authors share how they have used rituals in their own clinical work to provide guidance for mental health professionals working in diverse clinical settings who …

Permission To Unpack: Releasing The Traumas From Toxic Relationships, One Brick At A Time, Tomasa Villaronga

Doctor of Strategic Leadership (DSL) Capstone Abstracts

"Permission to Unpack: Releasing the Traumas from Toxic Relationships, One Brick at a Time" is a transformative manuscript designed to empower women to confront and heal from the traumas tied to toxic relationships. This book serves as a comprehensive guide, offering practical tools and insights to help readers engage in self-discovery and healing at their own pace. Central to the narrative are the principles of transformational leadership, guiding women on a journey of self-exploration and empowerment.

The text delves into critical themes such as Depression, Cycles, Love Bombing, Domestic Violence, Relapse, Sex, Narcissism, Trauma Bonds, Rebounding, Grief, and Forgiveness, providing …

Power, Interpersonal Trauma, And The Counseling Relationship: A Grounded Theory Analysis, Laura Caputo, Cassandra A. Storlie, Jenny L. Cureton, Sharazazi Dyson

2025 Faculty Bibliography

The purpose of this constructivist grounded theory analysis was to explore how adult women with histories of interpersonal trauma experience power within the counseling relationship. Using semi‐structured interviews with 29 clients in counseling, concurrent data analysis and collection resulted in a process theory composed of seven categories and one core category. Categories included Sociocultural Mental Health Factors, Past Experiences of Power, Choosing Counseling, Assessing for Safety and Fit, Advocating for Needs, Reliving Disempowerment, and Reclaiming Power. Participants’ experience of power was summarized by the core category, Practicing Personal Power in Connection with Others, which represented the model's central concepts. The …

The Role Of Support And Prayer In Enhancing The Psychological Well-Being Of Cancer Patients In Canada, Emmanuel N. Mbah

Dissertations

Purpose of the Study

The purpose of the study was to investigate the role of family support, friends' support, community support, and prayer on the psychological well-being of cancer patients in Canada.

Methodology

A survey research method was used in this study. The survey was distributed through the QuestionPro audience and had 721 viewers, 674 respondents, and 400 participants (i.e., those who completed the survey). The survey completion rate was 59.35%, with an average completion time of 9 minutes. Most participants were Christians (62.0%), some were unaffiliated (29.5%), and the remaining participants were either Muslims, World Religion, Buddhism, Hinduism, etc. …

Ce 622 Syllabus: Family Systems Counseling, Anquinetta V. Calhoun

Counselor Education Syllabi

This course introduces students to the theory, assessment techniques, and intervention strategies used in the practice of family systems counseling. The focus of the course will be on building a theoretical base for understanding and applying family systems counseling strategies and techniques. Didactic and experiential learning will provide students with the opportunity to apply and integrate knowledge and skills.

Ce 633 Syllabus: Ethical Practice And Social Change, Mitch Moore

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 …

A 14-Year Content Analysis Of School-Family Partnership Publications In Counseling: Trends, Gaps, And Future Directions, Yi-Wen Su, Dan Li

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This content analysis examined 55 articles on school-family-community partnerships published in counseling journals between 2010 and 2024, identifying trends in publication type, methodology, and population focus. Most articles (54.54%) were conceptual, with Professional School Counseling leading in publication volume. Limited empirical research and a lack of focus on diverse populations were noted, with only 18.18% addressing racial minorities (primarily Latino and African American) and 5.45% focusing on rural communities. Four primary strategies for strengthening partnerships emerged: Inclusivity, Leadership and Empowerment, Equity-Focused, and Consistent Communication—each aligning with the school counselor’s roles in fostering collaborative, equitable partnerships. Recommendations emphasize a need for …

Gatekeeping As An Online Adjunct Clinical Instructor In Counselor Education, Bernadet Dejonge, Deborah J. Rubel, Yun Shi

Counselor Education Faculty Publications and Presentations

This interpretative phenomenological analysis study examined how adjunct instructors teaching online clinical counseling courses experienced gatekeeping in the context of the university system. The research question was: How do online, adjunct instructors teaching master’s level clinical counseling courses experience their university interactions as a part of gatekeeping? The participants described five experiential themes. These were: a) Balancing marginalization in the system with advocacy for the profession; b) Maneuvering through dependency on the system in gatekeeping; c) Finding consultation while navigating gatekeeping interactions; d) Managing the intensity of clinical courses; and e) Navigating the steep learning curve of learning how to …

The Invisible Struggle: Unveiling The Realities Of Living With Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Maura A. Stewart

Social Work Theses - Archive

Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of rare connective tissue disorders that impact multiple systems of the body and are frequently misunderstood or misdiagnosed. This thesis explores the lived experiences of adults with EDS, focusing on the physical, emotional, and systemic challenges they face in daily life and healthcare. Using a mixed-methods survey, data were collected from 83 participants across the United States and beyond. The results revealed common themes of delayed diagnosis, medical dismissal, mental health struggles, and lack of access to knowledgeable providers. While chronic pain and fatigue were the most frequently reported symptoms, participants also described emotional …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Promoting Parent-Child Connectedness: Insights From A Parent Education Training., Bisola E. Duyile, Robyn Becker, Kate Papas, Shanta K. Pamphile

Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Scholarship and Creative Works

Purpose: This study explores the interrelationship of speech, language, and literacy development, parentchild connectedness, and children’s mental health when viewed as social determinants of health, specifically among families of children with developmental disabilities. Through interprofessional collaboration, researchers aim to identify effective strategies that parents can use to enhance their children’s communication skills and emotional well-being.

Methods: A mixed methods design was employed, involving a post-workshop survey completed by five mothers. The quantitative component included Likert scale items to measure satisfaction with social support. We also evaluated satisfaction with the workshop. The qualitative component comprised openended questions about newly learned tools …