Counseling Psychology Commons^™

Black Adolescents' Understanding Of Racial Trauma: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis, Winifred Wilson

Dissertations

Over the past two decades, scholars have increasingly recognized that chronic stress from racism can cause racial trauma in Black individuals. However, research on the impact of racial trauma on Black adolescents remains limited. Understanding the language and experiences of Black adolescents is essential for identifying and addressing the biopsychosocial effects of racial trauma. This study used interpretive phenomenological analysis to examine how 12 Black adolescents (9 boys, 3 girls, aged 14-17) from the Midwest conceptualize, experience, and cope with racial trauma. Participants completed two interviews: an initial session exploring their understanding and experiences, and a member-checking interview (completed by …

A Quantitative Exploration Of Public School Teachers’ Colorblind Racial Attitudes And Their Teaching Practices, Lindsey Dopheide

Dissertations

Teachers play a significant role in shaping student’s academic experiences, social development, and understanding of race and diversity within school settings. Because schools function as important sites of racial socialization, teachers’ beliefs about race may influence how they interpret student behavior, respond to inequities, select instructional practices, and engage with culturally diverse classrooms. One framework that has received increasing attention within psychological and educational research is colorblind racial ideology (CBRI) which reflects the minimization or denial of the continuing significance of race and racism in society. Colorblind racial ideology has been identified in prior literature as a dominant framework for …

Three Funny Things: A Multicultural Validation, Jon Hook

Dissertations

This dissertation evaluated the efficacy of Three Funny Things, a humor-based positive psychology intervention (PPI) designed to enhance subjective well-being (SWB) and reduce depressive symptoms. Subjective well-being was operationalized through self-reported happiness, measured by the Authentic Happiness Inventory (AHI), and depressive symptomatology, measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). A repeated-measures design was employed across three time points: baseline (Time 1), post-intervention (Time 2), and one-month follow-up (Time 3). Participants (N = 126) represented a racially diverse community sample, including individuals identifying as White (61%), Black or African American (18%), Hispanic or Latino/a (11%), Asian (6%), and …

How Was Rehab? A Follow-Up To A Randomized Effectiveness Control Trial Of A Brief Acceptance And Commitment Therapy Protocol For Inpatient Detoxification Patients, Alexander J. Twohy

Dissertations

Residential treatment for Substance Use Disorders (SUD) is a common treatment modality. However, the literature is sparse on modifiable predictors that affect change during the residential treatment stay. Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) has been shown to be an effective treatment for SUDs. Weststrate et al. (2023), in a randomized controlled effectiveness trial, compared ACT plus medication management to medication management during detoxification. The addition of ACT increased consumer satisfaction and ACT skills use, while decreasing psychological inflexibility and reducing withdrawal symptoms.

This study explored whether the brief ACT intervention had impacts during participants' subsequent residential stay. Forty out of …

Fostering Interconnectedness And Belonging Within Diverse Communities Through Humanistic And Afro-Centered Perspectives, Courtney Cabell, Jasmine Perin

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

In today’s increasingly diverse yet fragmented society, individuals with traditionally marginalized identities face pervasive disconnection that profoundly affects psychological well-being. This roundtable explores culturally relevant therapeutic interventions rooted in Humanistic and Afro-centered principles, underscoring the critical need for community-oriented strategies that promote belonging and resilience by examining barriers to connection.

Career Adaptability In Asd: Investigating The Influence Of Social Self-Efficacy, Logan E. Ankeney

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study will investigate how social communication challenges affect career adaptability in young adults on the autism spectrum. Data from 250 participants will examine measurement equivalence of the Career Futures Inventory (CFI; Rottinghaus, 2005) and test relationships between social self-efficacy, social communication impairment, and career adaptability. Guided by social cognitive career theory (SCCT; Brown & Lent, 2014), this study will use CFA and mediation analyses.

Systematic Review Of Arab American Emerging Adults Mental Health, Sahar Al-Tweej, Sarah Kiperman

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This systematic review examines psychosocial factors influencing mental health in Arab American emerging adults, identifying both protective and risk factors. Utilizing minority stress theory, it highlights key determinants such as ethnic identity, religious involvement, and discrimination. Findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address mental health disparities

Religiosity And Spirituality In Emerging Adults: A Cluster Analysis, Hannah M. Lamack, Ingrid Weigold Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This topic explores religiosity and spirituality among a sample of emerging adults, looking at how individuals naturally group in a person-centered analysis compared to how individuals are sorted through a variable-centered analysis.

Dbt-Art Telehealth Skills Groups With Black Women, Karisse Callender, Callie Koziol

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study piloted a culturally relevant, integrative DBT-Art intervention via telehealth with two Black women using a single-case research design. Findings showed increased mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotion regulation. Participants discussed telehealth's accessibility benefits, emphasizing the need for innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to improve mental health services for marginalized groups.

The Role Of Coping Strategies On Acculturative Stress, Depression, And Anxiety In An Arab Community, Laura Torio, Khadeja Najjar, Ilya Yaroslavsky

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study explores acculturative stress (AS), coping strategies (CS), and mental health in Arab immigrants (N=68). Results show that avoidant-CS are linked to depression and anxiety, while problem-focused-CS are protective. Age correlated with CS and mental health outcomes. Interventions addressing avoidant-CS could improve mental health in minority populations.

R.E.A.C.T.: Relationship Efficacy And Complex Trauma, Mandilyn Graham

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Research on complex trauma has expanded our understanding of the impact of repeated exposure to maltreatment and adversity in childhood or adolescence on adult mental health outcomes. Despite this expansion of knowledge, there is still much to explore on the impact of complex trauma throughout the lifespan as researchers and clinicians work to craft interventions that address the impacts of complex trauma. Given the notable and heightened impact of childhood exposure to adversity among African Americans, this population may be especially prone to experience relational difficulties later in life. The proposed phenomenological study seeks to further explore the impact of …

Counseling Psychology In Action: Community-Rooted Solutions For Mental Health Equity In Lmics, Madeleine Reardon Ms, Kali Rickertsen Bs, Mackenzie Jenuwine Ms, Francesca Pernice Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Mental health disparities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are driven by systemic inequities, limited access to care, and pervasive stigma. This is evident in Bungoma County, Kenya, where in 2023, one psychiatrist served over 1.6 million people, and 78.2% of residents experienced a psychotic or mood disorder in their lifetime (Kisiang’ani et al., 2023). Despite this prevalence, access to consistent treatment and medications remains limited, leaving families to take on caregiving roles without adequate resources or support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for accessible, community-based mental health solutions to bridge these gaps, particularly in underserved …

Police Brutality Online: Allies’ Movement Towards Anti-Racist Behaviors, Halle Letizio M.A., Casey Hinger Ph.D

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

The proposed study will explore how exposure to police brutality via digital media platforms influences allies’ empathy towards BIPOC and drives them to challenge racist behaviors. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the role of psychological flexibility in sustaining these efforts, with respect to the psychological toll that witnessing police brutality can impose.

How Racial Socialization Shapes Dating Experiences For Black/White Biracial Women, Alexis M. Briggins Bs, James E. Brooks Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study examines how racial socialization affects dating experiences and partner choices among 150 biracial (Black/White) women. Through surveys and thematic analysis, findings revealed that participants face challenges in Black and White spaces, experiencing discrimination and identity invalidation from romantic partners while simultaneously encountering both fetishization and exclusion in dating.

Substance Use And Ipv In Sexual And Gender Minority Relationships, Marissa S. Dongarra

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

The proposed study aims to test whether substance use moderates the association between SGM stress and IPV within LGBTQ+ relationships. By examining alcohol and drug use, the study intends to identify risk factors for IPV in SGM relationships, informing prevention and treatment efforts to reduce IPV occurrence and support victims.

Strong Black Women Schema: Sexual Assault, Identity, Mental Health Outcomes, Ishara Jean-Francois, Cassandra Hinger, Kelly Yu-Hsin Liao

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Sexual violence is a significant issue that is affecting the Black community, and it is leading to negative mental health outcomes for Black women (Zounlome et al., 2019). The proposed study will examine on the Strong Black Women Schema and aspects of identity following sexual violence.

The Psychological And Clinical Implications Of Digital Media Consumption, Julianna Carpenetti M.Ed.

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

With digital media, technology, and the Internet becoming staples of daily life, it is critical for counseling psychologists to better understand problematic digital media usage and “Internet addiction.” I investigated the psychological implications of digital media usage, provided recommendations for clinical practice, and identified future directions for empirical study.

Analyzing Accessible Mental Health Resources For Black Americans In Rural Communities And The Benefits Of Utilizing Telehealth, Jordan Woods

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This systematic literature review was conducted to assess mental health resources available for rural Black Americans. Numerous databases were used to collect articles published between the years 2009 and 2024, with the majority of findings suggesting improvement in mental health outcomes among the population with the inclusion of telehealth.

Exploring Non-Disabled Disability Allyship Development: A Qualitative Exploration Of Motivation, Identity, And Action, Sara J. Conley M.A.

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Research regarding allyship is crucial to understand helpful ways individuals can participate in social change. One way counseling psychology can be effective contributors to social justice aims is through allyship. This study aims to investigate allyship in non-disabled people with a specific focus on allyship for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mindful Journaling With Women Health Science Graduate Students, Callie Koziol, Karisse Callender

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This N=1 study explored the effects of mindful journaling on stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion with one woman enrolled in a health-science graduate program. A single case research design was conducted to observe the efficacy and impact of a 4-week mindful-journaling intervention for changes across levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress.

Trauma From A Distance, Katelyne Griffin-Todd, Katherine Mcraven, Casey Hinger

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Exposure to suffering, combined with emotional contagion and empathic concern, has been studied as leading to Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in clinicians. This study proposes the development of STS examined in college-aged social media users who view human rights violations and what implications this has on their intention to be an activist.

Invited Keynote Speaker: Feeling Like A Fraud: The Impostor Phenomenon And Mental Health, Kevin Cokley

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Dr. Kevin Cokley's Keynote Address

Division 17 President Conversation Hour With Students, Mel Wilcox Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Division 17 President Conversation Hour with Students

Remembrance Of Dr. Suzette L. Speight, Colleagues Of Dr. Speight

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Remembrance of Dr. Suzette L. Speight

Invited Keynote Speaker: Division 17 Presidential Keynote Address: Advancing A Critical Counseling Psychology, Mel M. Wilcox Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Dr. Mel Wilcox's Invited Keynote Speech

Lunch Begins At St. Andrews Hall, Lunch Time

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Lunch begins at St. Andrews Hall

Conference Moves To St. Andrews Hall Via Anthony Wayne Drive For Mid-Day Activities, Including Lunch., Transition To St. Andrews Hall For Mid-Day Activities, Including Lunch

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Conference moves to St. Andrew's Hall via Anthony Wayne Drive for Mid-Day Activities, including Lunch.

Campus transportation available to and from St. Andrews Hall by request.

Exploring The Challenges And Benefits Of Working At A Latinx Cultural Center, Jessica Alonso B.S, Berenice Sanchez Ph.D

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Scholars who have looked at university Latinx cultural centers have focused exclusively on the students attending the spaces. This paper explores the experiences of the students who work in these campus spaces, specifically the challenges and benefits they encountered in their roles. Recommendations for administrators will be discussed.

Embodiment As Activism: Movement-Based Approaches To Collective Healing, Devon Kardel, Courtney Cabell

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This session introduces somatic and movement-based approaches to foster community healing and critical consciousness. Presenters will explore embodiment practices that enhance connection, resilience, and social awareness, offering practical strategies to integrate body-centered techniques into therapeutic and communal settings for transformative healing and empowerment.

Belonging On The Field: Racial Identity, Inclusion, And Challenges Of Athletes Of Color In Predominantly White Sports, Mikaila Ealum, Madeline Koch

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Despite past research exploring the relationship between racial and athletic identities in Black American athletes, there remains a significant gap in literature regarding the impact of sports social environments on the salience of these identities, highlighting the need for further investigation.