Counseling Psychology Commons^™

Emergency Care For Youth Who Experience Suicidality And Identify As Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer/Questioning (Lgbtq+): An Interpretive Phenomenology, Theresa Schultz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Purpose: Suicide is a leading cause of death in children; youth who identify as LGBTQ+ are at an exponentially higher risk of suicide. The purpose of this study was to explore the lived experiences of young adults who identify as LGBTQ+ and sought emergency care for suicidality when they were adolescents.

Methods: Heideggerian hermeneutics phenomenology is the research method used in this study. Youth, ages 18-25 years, who identify as LGBTQ+ and sought emergency treatment for suicidality when they were adolescents (13-17 years) were recruited to participate;fifteen youth enrolled. Individuals ranged in age from 20 to 25 years. Participants described …

Broaching Race And Race-Related Issues: Phenomenological Inquiry Of Doctoral Student Supervisors Of Counselor Trainees, Judith Wambui Preston

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Clinical supervision is a central building block in counseling that ensures client welfare, fosters supervisees’ professional development, and facilities the gatekeeping process of those entering the profession (Bernard & Goodyear, 2019). In addition to gatekeeping, the American Counseling Association (ACA; 2014) Code of Ethics mandates clinical supervisors to be aware of and address multiculturalism’s role in the supervisory relationship. Because of this mandate, doctoral student supervisors of counselor trainees in CACREP-accredited programs are responsible for integrating multicultural considerations through broaching to ensure racially and culturally responsive counseling to clients from diverse backgrounds (Bayne & Branco, 2018; Jones et al., 2019). …

Toward A Co-Working Posture In Global Mental Health: A Literature Review On The Use Of Photovoice In Partnership With Forcibly Displaced Populations, Bethany Randolph

Expressive Therapies Capstone Theses

Abstract

As of 2020, the number of forcibly displaced people in the world numbered 82.4 million. This radically diverse population, approximately one in every 95 people, only continues to burgeon as wars and conflicts send millions fleeing for their lives. Sadly, on top of the massive allostatic load endured by the forcibly displaced, many are then doubly harmed by global mental health professionals who lack insight into the culture and worldview of the fellow humans they serve. In an effort to support meaningful therapeutic work in the cross-cultural milieu, this paper presents a literature review inquiry into the purpose and …

Trauma Healing With The Neurosequential Model Of Therapy And Bal-A-Vis-X, Becky Johnston

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Stigma related to childhood trauma is shifting with the help of advancements in the understanding of neurobiology and interventions that are proving to be effective for healing. There are immense costs and consequences for survivors of childhood trauma and their loved ones that were not so long ago considered irrelevant and the notion that kids bounce back from adversity was previously popular in the psychological community (Perry & Szalavitz, 2017). The broad strokes of Dr. Bruce Perry’s clinical intervention model, The Neurosequential Model of Therapy (NMT) describes a trauma-sensitive, sequential approach to changing the stress response within mental health counseling. …

Black Girl Magic: The Endurance Of Enslaved Mothers’ Lessons, Briana G. Gaines

Dissertations, 2020-current

Intergenerational trauma involves a traumatic event that began years prior to the current generation and has impacted the ways in which individuals cope with and heal from trauma. Intergenerational trauma can negatively impact families and individuals as a result of unresolved emotions and thoughts about a traumatic event. Motherhood has always been an important role for Black women (Green, 1990) and although all women face challenges in their role as mothers, Black women are faced with unique tasks that their White counterparts are not. Black women are often the transmitter of culture to their children and frequently set the example …

Complex Thought For Complex Work: Preparing Cognitively Complex Counselors For Work In Diverse Settings, Alexandra C. Gantt

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

Counselor education researchers have explored the need for high levels of cognitive complexity (CC) in mental health counselors due to its relationship with high quality counseling skills and counselor ways of being (e.g., Castillo, 2018; McAuliffe & Lovell, 2006; Ridley et al., 2011; Welfare & Borders, 2010b). In these studies, researchers have called for continued study of means of enhancing CC in counselors in training (CITs) through andragogical efforts (e.g., Castillo, 2018; Duys & Hedstrom, 2000; Welfare & Borders, 2010a). However, we do not have an understanding of minimally acceptable CC for graduating CITs. In this study, I explored counselor …

Understanding Factors Associated With Clinician Confidence To Identify And Treat Ptsd And Complex Ptsd, Parad Meier

Counseling and Psychology Dissertations

ABSTRACT

This dissertation explores mental health clinicians’ experiences and self-identified confidence to identify and treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and Complex PTSD. PTSD is a highly prevalent mental health condition that impacts an estimated 24.4 million individuals in the United States (PTSD United, 2019). Complex PTSD has just emerged for the first time with official diagnostic criteria in the publication of the ICD-11 in 2019 for use beginning in January 2022 (WHO, 2019). There is very little existing research that considers the experience or confidence of clinicians who work with clients who have PTSD and Complex PTSD, which is troubling …

The Factor Structure Of The Positive And Negative Affect Schedule In Multiethnic Adults, Allison Crowe, Patrick R. Mullen, Rachelle Redmond Barnes

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

The following research used factor analyses to test the PANAS with a diverse sample. Results revealed a 10-item, two-factor model that was verified using internal replication analysis. Positive and negative affect according to ethnic group revealed significant differences between groups. Findings from this study offer counseling researchers and practitioners a modified version of the PANAS for diverse clients.

Mental Health Professionals Serving The Military: Who Has Access?, Nicole Marie Arcuri Sanders, Kellie Forziat-Pytel

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Licensed counselors are underrepresented as mental health professionals (MHPs) servicing military-connected clients (service member/Veterans and their families). Mixed-methods research, conducted by the authors, highlights key viewpoints of MHPs (counselor, psychologist, and social worker) interested in working with the military and on their level of confidence in working with this population. MHPs’ experiences, perspectives of their profession’s responsibilities to military clients, and their role in comparison to other MHPs is explored. Findings aid in advocacy efforts for the military population to receive counseling from qualified providers and support counseling program development to increase counselor employability among this group.

Professional Development Needs In A Predominantly Rural State, Amanda C. Dediego, Kara Hurt-Avila, Andrea Mcgrath

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

Mental health professionals working in rural states experience significant challenges in supporting the mental health needs of their community members. Thus, it is imperative for the professional organizations that serve these practitioners to understand their professional development needs. Members of professional organizations seek to ensure a competent and healthy workforce. In the present study, the researchers focused on identifying the training needs, interests, and preferences of mental health professionals, including professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and social workers in Wyoming. A statewide needs assessment completed by 258 participants indicated a strong need for ethics, trauma, and addictions training using …

Media And Technology In Counseling: Emerging Practices And Ethical Considerations In Response To Covid-19, Vikram Surya Chiruvolu, Justin Jacques

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

COVID-19 has ushered in a new chapter of counseling in the United States and throughout the world. Counselors’ responses to the pandemic have been fundamentally reshaped by universal elements of the information age, including high-speed internet, smartphones, and computerbased technologies such as synchronous meeting software and collaboration tools. Now, clinicians can use technology to ally with clients, deliver psychoeducational media, and open new categories of intervention and engagement that alter the size, shape, and availability of the “counseling room” by extending it into a virtual space. The immediate investment in information technology demanded by the pandemic highlights an increasing need …

Women In Online Science Fiction Fandoms: Psychological Well-Being, Chrisha Anderson, Kathryn Watkins Van Asselt, Bradley Willis

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

A qualitative research design was used to listen to the experiences of women who engaged in science fiction fandom activities through online social media and how these experiences impacted their psychological well-being. The study targeted a specific population of science fiction fandom users who engaged in social media activities for at least one hour per week and had done so for at least one year. The sample consisted of 12 participants. Thematic analysis was used with the qualitative software program ATLAS.ti to analyze, code, and categorize data obtained via the transcripts. Five themes appeared from the data: nonjudgmental fandom culture, …

We Set The Climate: Implications For Rural School Counselors In Creating Lgbtqia-Affirming Schools, Valerie Couture, Erin O. Shaw, Bonni Behrend

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

This phenomenological qualitative study examined a Southern regional sample (N=9) of rural school counselors’ perspectives of the procedures and processes that contributed to their ability to create safe zones in an effort to make their schools more LGBTQIA-affirming. The researchers identified five key themes and twelve subthemes. The key themes were: (a) organized support system, (b) collaborations with school leadership, (c) addressing challenges, (d) utilization of professional development resources, and (e) adherence to professional ethics.

Does Adherence To The Asca National Model Predict Job Satisfaction Among School Counselors?, Annette C. Riddle, Mary Bess W. Pannel

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

The purpose of this quantitative study was to examine the relationship between the services regularly offered by school counselors and their level of job satisfaction. The School Activity Rating Scale, the Job in General Scale, and a demographic questionnaire were implemented. Descriptive statistics described participant's demographic data and determine how school counselors rate their level of job satisfaction. Results indicated that school counselors reported an overall high level of career satisfaction. Inferential statistics determined whether adherence to the ASCA National Model predicts job satisfaction. Results showed a statistically significant difference existed between school counseling activities and job satisfaction.

Experiences Of School Counselor Trainees In Group Supervision During Practicum: A Phenomenological Study, Jill Minor, Neil Duchac

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

In this phenomenological study, we explored experience of students (N=6) in group supervision within a practicum field experience course. Using a narrative-focused approach for data analysis and interpretation of journal entries, were created a thematic structure of the participants’ lived experiences using the Critical Incident Questionnaire (CIQ). Discussion and implications of this journal writing activity are offered to help reveal and understand the instructional effectiveness of a field practicum counseling course.

An Analysis Of School Counselors Time Spent On Asca Aligned Activities, Jacob Olsen, Sejal Parikh Foxx, Claudia Flowers, Kaeleigh Hayakawa

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

The high prevalence of youth aging out of the foster care system and the numerous poor outcomes they experience during the transition to emerging adulthood has been well documented. Although addressing the complex needs and concerns of this distinct population can be difficult, mental health counselors maintain the philosophical tenants and training strengths necessary to successfully serve youth aging out of foster care. This article aims to provide counselors with the historical context, developmental framework, and specific challenges needed to better understand this population, as well as suggested counseling implications to address their unique needs by reviewing relevant literature.

Dual-Enrollment, Peer Relationships, And Internalized. Variables: A Comparative Analysis Among Adolescents, Mary Bess W. Pannel, Christine D. Lewis Pugh, Valarie A. Morgan

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

While the importance of dual enrollment programs has been demonstrated, the potential impact of completing college level courses during high school has on the emotional and mental wellbeing of adolescents has not been explored. This study used a nonexperimental, comparative, research design to explore the impact of completing college level courses during high school and the relationship to emotional and behavioral well-being of adolescents. Findings indicated self-esteem levels were statistically significant, specifically, dual enrolled students reported lower levels of self-esteem. School counselors are in a unique position to foster a successful, academic environment that also enhances emotional and mental wellness.

Refugees In Counseling Journals: A 20-Year Content Analysis, Mina Attia, Hanyun Li, Yuquing Qiu, Shiyu Tang

Journal of Counseling Research and Practice

This article is a 20-year content analysis of counseling journals exploring refugees and refugee issues from 1998-2018. The investigation intended to identify publication trends in counseling journals and the field’s responsiveness to the refugee crisis and global climate. An exhaustive analysis of American Counseling Association (ACA) and ACA division journals was conducted. Themes of the publishing trends, gaps in the literature, and recommendations for future research are presented for the counseling field.

Pornography: Social, Emotional And Mental Implications Among Adolescents, William K. Canady

National Youth Advocacy & Resilience Conference

This presentation will explain the historical development of pornography. It will highlight four segments: 1- Porn’s impact on brain development of reward pathways, ultimately increasing the appetite for more porn. 2- Porn can be a false substitute for real intimacy, resulting in decreased sexual satisfaction with a real person and increased verbal and physical aggression. 3- Porn promotes sex trafficking, promotes multiple sex partners and reduced STD prevention. 4- A review of interventions available to assist clients in navigating a lifestyle away from pornography.

Testing Barriers To Non-Suicidal Self-Injury With College Students: Narcissistic Traits As Moderators, Philip Stoner

Dissertations

Research on non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) has produced mixed findings, resulting in a lack of clarity regarding these behaviors (Klonsky & Meuhlenkamp, 2007). To address this, Hooley and Franklin (2018) developed the Benefits and Barriers Model (BBM) to provide a comprehensive understanding of NSSI, in which they identified the barriers that commonly prevent people from engaging in these behaviors (e.g., self-esteem, shame, and peer-bonding motivations/social norms). They also identified adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) as a distal predictor of NSSI, which aids people in overcoming the barriers to engaging in these behaviors. Recent NSSI literature has shown that college women in the …

Learning From The Standpoints Of Minoritized Students: An Exploration Of Multicultural And Social Justice Counseling Training, Julie A. Cohen, Anusha Kassan, Kaori Wada

The Qualitative Report

The results of a feminist research endeavour that explored multicultural (MC) counselling and social justice (SJ) training experiences from the standpoint of eight culturally non-dominant doctoral students are presented. Participants represented students within the five counselling psychology programs accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association. Specifically, the research aimed to address the following research question: How do counselling psychology doctoral students who self-identify with non-dominant cultural identities perceive their experiences of MC and SJ training? This research adopted a feminist standpoint theory epistemology to guide an interpretative phenomenological analysis to reflect the culturally rich, complex, and situated experiences of participants, while …

Rural Pregnant Women’S Experiences With Substance Use Disorder: A Qualitative Study, Cami Weber

Dissertations

Rural pregnant women with substance use disorder (SUD) are an understudied vulnerable population that often experiences poor pregnancy outcomes (Higgins et al., 2019; Jumah, 2016; Kramlich et al., 2018; Shaw et al., 2015). Despite the high prevalence and high burden associated with SUD, rural women are less likely than non-pregnant women to seek addiction treatment and complete an outpatient treatment program during pregnancy (Shaw et al., 2015). This study aimed to give voice to rural Missouri women with SUD. The research questions explored the life experiences and motivations for seeking treatment using a qualitative, descriptive research design with grounded theory …

The Gender Freedom Model: A Framework For Helping Transgender, Non-Binary, And Gender Questioning Clients Transition With More Ease, Rae Mcdaniel, Laurel Meng

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

Transgender/non-binary experiences and identities are often represented in academic literature through narratives of distress and are often pathologized through a medical lens. This holds implications for the field of psychotherapy, as interventions aimed to support transgender/nonbinary individuals often focus solely on risk mitigation. This article presents a therapeutic framework that rests on three pillars—Play, Pleasure, and Possibility—as the focal points for reimagining work with transgender/non-binary clients. This model aims to help this population explore gender transition with more ease through building practical skills, cultivating personal and collective pride, and centering pleasure equity.

Mapping Sex Therapy Across The United States: An Exploratory Study, Frances L. Mcclain, Dylan M. Amlin

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

The primary purpose of this study was to determine what someone who was interested in obtaining a provider for sex therapy would find if they simply searched for sex therapy using the Google search engine. The goal was to ascertain how someone might access providers in each state, what types of information someone seeking treatment for sexuality issues might find on provider websites, who is providing the services, what types of services are being provided, and whose services might appeal to given the content of the website. Once all of the data was compiled, the resulting data would include a …

Adverse And Positive Childhood Experiences Of Clinical Mental Health Counselors As Predictors Of Compassion Satisfaction, Burnout, And Secondary Traumatic Stress, Eric M. Brown, Kristy L. Carlisle, Melanie Burgess, Jacob Clark, Ariel Hutcheon

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

Despite an emphasis on self-care to avoid burnout and increase compassion satisfaction within the counseling profession, there is a dearth of research on the developmental experiences of counselors that may increase the likelihood of burnout. We examined the impact of mental health counselors’ (N = 140) experiences of adverse childhood experiences and positive childhood experiences on their present rates of compassion satisfaction, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress. We used a cross-sectional, non-experimental correlational design and reported descriptive statistics as well as results of multiple regression models. Results indicated significant relationships among counselors’ rates of adverse childhood experiences, positive childhood experiences, …

The Impact Of Creative Arts On Meaning Reconstruction And Loss Adaptation In Widowed Adults, Dani Baker-Cole

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

In counseling, helping grieving clients find meaning after significant loss is a unique, multidimensional, and lengthy process. This is particularly true in Western societies, where antithetical linear grief models, supported by hegemonic expectations to move on after loss, add exhausting pressure to speed up an individual’s natural grieving process. For that reason, this study examined how creative arts interventions such as using traditional art media and expressive writing, combined with postmodern, nonlinear, culturally sensitive bereavement models, help individuals explore their loss narrative to make meaning and adapt to loss. Specifically, this study examined the impact of a switch from traditional …

Examining Face-To-Face And Online Supervisee Disclosure Within The Supervisory Alliance, Letitia D'Aria Unger Johnson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research was to examine face-to-face and online supervisee disclosure within the supervisory alliance. Just as client care pivoted to online platforms, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, so did clinical supervision, which was uncharted territory for many, including those familiar with online counseling. The methodology used was consensual qualitative research (CSR). Eight participants were recruited as a sample of convenience, and semistructured interviews were conducted via Zoom. Results indicated domains such as important characteristics of the supervisory relationship, importance of communication, supervisor characteristics related to self-disclosure, positive aspects and negative aspects of online supervision, and …

Attachment And Creativity Focused Counseling Intervention For Parents And Adolescents Presenting With A Trauma History, Leah Merle Batty-Hibbs

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The central research question that informed this study asks: How do attachment and creativity focused counseling interventions encourage connection between an adolescent and their parent or caregiver? The research study centered on two mother and son dyads that participated in six weeks of a therapeutic intervention. The modality utilized an attachment and creativity focused approach created by the author. Data was collected through a post intervention semi-structured interview with the parent (adult). Data was transcribed and evaluated with an interpretive phenomenological approach. Six themes were identified by a team of researchers. The findings have implications for clinical practice with parents …

Social And Cultural Considerations In Accessing Mental Health Treatment In The Gambia, West Africa, Safiya Njai

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the social and cultural considerations in accessing mental health treatment in The Gambia, West Africa. Participants were recruited from The Gambia for a qualitative study that included semistructured interviews (N = 17). A team of analysts identified five themes. The results highlighted social and cultural conceptualizations of mental health and mental illness, sociocultural determinants of health, interventions, barriers to care, and the legal framework to support mental health change. These findings are important for counselors to understand different perceptions of mental health and mental illness and the associated stigma. Furthermore, several opportunities for advocacy in The Gambia …

Imposter Phenomenon And Ces Doctoral Students, Michael Drane

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of the study was to explore the lived experience of counselor education and supervision students who reported experiencing symptoms of imposter phenomenon (IP). The population included counselor education and supervision students in their first year of their program, with a sample of convenience (N = 4). The method used in this study was an interoperative phenomenological analysis. Data analysis revealed four major themes: (a) counselor education students express self-doubt, lack of confidence and concern about competence, (b) students rate different levels of competence in counselor education and supervision roles, (c) instructor feedback impacts student perceptions of competence, and …