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Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

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Counselors' Lived Experiences Of Moral Injury: A Social Ecological Perspective, Lisa M. Belknap Jan 2026

Counselors' Lived Experiences Of Moral Injury: A Social Ecological Perspective, Lisa M. Belknap

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores the lived experiences of counselors who encountered moral injury when sociopolitical, institutional, and organizational conditions constrained their ability to practice in alignment with their personal morals, professional values, and the counseling profession’s code of ethics. Participants (N = 15) included licensed counselors who self-identified as having experienced moral injury in response to directives from legitimate authorities that conflicted with professional ethics, social justice commitments, or client welfare. Grounded in social ecological systems theory, this phenomenological study employed a confidential, cross-sectional online survey. Reflexive thematic analysis identified seven themes: (a) Profit Over People, (b) Structural Forces Contributing to …


Bridging Worlds Of Care: A Qualitative Exploration Of Integrating Non-Western Healing Modalities With Mental Health Counseling, Douglas Valdez Jan 2026

Bridging Worlds Of Care: A Qualitative Exploration Of Integrating Non-Western Healing Modalities With Mental Health Counseling, Douglas Valdez

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The aim of the study is to explore the experiences of practitioners who treat individuals presenting with depression and anxiety using culturally integrative non-Western healing modalities. Participants included 15 experienced practitioners (minimum five years of practice) who identified as Traditional Chinese Medicine providers (e.g., acupuncturists, herbalists) and/or Curandero/x/as. The approach was qualitative, utilizing open-ended survey responses collected electronically and analyzed with thematic analysis. Results indicated six primary themes: (a) Philosophies in Healing, highlighting culturally grounded conceptualizations of depression and anxiety; (b) Traditional Chinese Medicine Interventions, including acupuncture, botanical, nutritional, manual, and movement-based practices; (c) Curanderismo Pláticas and Integrative Western Healing …


A Delphi Study Of Ethical Best Practices For Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, Alyssa K. Griskiewicz Jan 2026

A Delphi Study Of Ethical Best Practices For Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, Alyssa K. Griskiewicz

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this Delphi study was to establish areas of ethical consensus regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) from the perspectives of an expert panel of practitioners, with attention to issues of equity and access. Participants (N = 29) include individuals with two or more years of experience in one or more of the following domains of psychedelic expertise: clinical/professional practice, scholarly/research contributions, or guided community/ceremonial facilitation. In Round 1, qualitative data were collected through open-ended questions and analyzed using thematic analysis to generate Delphi statements. In Round 2, panelists (N = 24) rated these statements using a Likert-type scale to …


"Why Don't I Talk To A Therapist?": Motivations And Reflections Of Female-Identifying Chinese Immigrants Seeking Psychotherapy For Depression, Qiuyi Wei Jan 2026

"Why Don't I Talk To A Therapist?": Motivations And Reflections Of Female-Identifying Chinese Immigrants Seeking Psychotherapy For Depression, Qiuyi Wei

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Chinese immigrants and temporary residents struggling with depressive symptoms and their process of seeking and accepting psychotherapy support. The study aimed to describe the factors that motivated participants to enter therapy for depression while also addressing their internal concerns about treatment. Nine female-identified Chinese immigrant adults with such experiences were recruited. Participants’ perceptions of their depressive symptoms and the factors contributing to their decision to seek professional therapy were explored through in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews conducted in Mandarin. The interview transcripts were analyzed in Mandarin using interpretative phenomenological analysis, through which four …


Illuminating Secrets Of Harmful Supervision: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Lived Experiences Of Marriage And Family Therapy Supervisees Of Color During Clinical Supervision And The Effects On Their Personal And Professional Identity, Danielle Garcia Gomez Jan 2026

Illuminating Secrets Of Harmful Supervision: A Narrative Inquiry Into The Lived Experiences Of Marriage And Family Therapy Supervisees Of Color During Clinical Supervision And The Effects On Their Personal And Professional Identity, Danielle Garcia Gomez

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Harmful supervision is a critical yet often underexamined issue for supervisees of color (SOC), whose lived experiences are underrepresented in clinical supervision literature. Given the hierarchical and evaluative nature of clinical supervision, power dynamics are placed at the center of professional training, thereby creating conditions where unchecked supervisory power can lead to harm. Within Marriage and Family Therapy (MFT), research on harmful supervision is limited, despite the profession’s emphasis on relational dynamics. This qualitative study aimed to amplify the voices of SOC victim-survivors of harmful supervision and to answer the research question: How have harmful supervision experiences affected the personal …


Beyond The Rabbit Hole: Dmt, Death, And The Hereafter, Abby Molina Jan 2026

Beyond The Rabbit Hole: Dmt, Death, And The Hereafter, Abby Molina

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This dissertation explores a proposed relationship between death and N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) within the context of contemporary clinical psychology and the current psychedelic renaissance. Building on Rick Strassman’s hypothesis that DMT may be released at the moment of death and Imants Barušs’ conceptualization of death as an altered state of consciousness, this project examines the phenomenological similarities between DMT-induced experiences (psychedelic “trips”) and near-death experiences (NDEs). Through review of neurobiological research, psychedelic-assisted therapy literature, religious and cultural ceremonial practices, and documented DMT trip and NDE reports, this work evaluates the plausibility that endogenous DMT contributes to altered states of consciousness observed …


Impact Of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games (Ta-Rpg) For Individuals At The Intersection Of Sexual And Gender Minorities (Sgm) And Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Alexander S. Gelernter Jan 2026

Impact Of Therapeutically Applied Role-Playing Games (Ta-Rpg) For Individuals At The Intersection Of Sexual And Gender Minorities (Sgm) And Autism Spectrum Disorder (Asd), Alexander S. Gelernter

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) who also identify as sexual and gender minorities (SGM) may experience intersecting challenges related to communication, social belonging, masking, identity development, and access to affirming clinical spaces. Although role-play and therapeutically applied role-playing games (TA-RPGs) have been described as promising experiential approaches, limited research has examined how ASD/SGM individuals themselves understand role-playing games (RPGs) or evaluate their possible therapeutic use. This qualitative study explored how young adults with ASD level 1 who identify as SGM describe their experiences with RPGs and how they appraise the potential usefulness, risks, and conditions of TA-RPG. Five participants …


Navigating Family, Culture, And Well-Being: A Qualitative Study Of First-Generation Adult Children Of Middle Eastern Immigrants In The United States, Ramona Amely Jan 2026

Navigating Family, Culture, And Well-Being: A Qualitative Study Of First-Generation Adult Children Of Middle Eastern Immigrants In The United States, Ramona Amely

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of first-generation adult children of Middle Eastern immigrant parents/caregivers living in the United States. This was a phenomenological study with reflexive thematic analysis. Participants (N=10) were interviewed via Zoom, and transcripts were analyzed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis (RTA). The results included four themes: (1) Migration Contact and Cultural Formation, (2) Bicultural Identity Development, (3) Family System Adaptation, and (4) Emotional Socialization and Psychological Impact. This study highlights how first-generation adult children of Middle Eastern immigrants navigate complex, interwoven processes of bicultural identity development, family adaptation, and emotional socialization shaped …


The Effects Of Meditation On Compassion And Cultural Humility In Mental Health Professionals, Jamie Kostek Jan 2026

The Effects Of Meditation On Compassion And Cultural Humility In Mental Health Professionals, Jamie Kostek

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a brief, secular, Buddhist-inspired meditation program on self-compassion, compassion for others, and cultural humility on mental health professionals. Using a single-group pretest-posttest design, licensed clinicians (N = 13) participated in a five-week Anytime Anywhere Meditation (Tergar International, 2024) program. Results indicated statistically significant increases in mindfulness, self-compassion, and cultural humility. Additionally, strong positive correlations were found between mindfulness and self-compassion, and between self-compassion and compassion for others. Findings suggest that brief, secular meditation programs rooted in traditional Buddhist practices may support both clinician well-being and culturally responsive practice.


Exploring Relational Leadership And Psychological Safety During Ai Integration In The Workplace, Solmaz Kaynama Jan 2026

Exploring Relational Leadership And Psychological Safety During Ai Integration In The Workplace, Solmaz Kaynama

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores employee psychological safety, or its lack, during artificial intelligence (AI) integration in the workplace through a relational leadership lens. The population included employees of for-profit business corporations currently integrating or adopting AI technologies (N = 14). Participants completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Results showed eight themes: relational leadership creates a psychologically safe workplace climate; unsupportive and dysfunctional leadership erodes trust and psychological safety; psychological safety determines whether employees speak up openly or hold back; employees’ experience daily work through workplace culture, pace, and remote or hybrid conditions; AI may delivers immediate productivity benefits while introducing new psychological and …


The Lived Experience Of Survivors Of Narcissistic Abuse, Jessica Williams Jan 2026

The Lived Experience Of Survivors Of Narcissistic Abuse, Jessica Williams

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study is to explore the lived experiences of narcissistic abuse survivors through a grounded theory approach to generate a model that can assist people in recognizing patterns and traits of narcissistically abusive relationships. Guided by relational-cultural theory, this study further seeks to examine the ways narcissistic abuse damages relational connections and to highlight elements of healthy, growth-fostering relationships. The population of focus included self-selected narcissistic abuse survivors who are adults over the age of 18 (N = 8). The results indicated three themes, each with additional subthemes, which include: (a) early behavior – performative displays and …


Hiding In Plain Sight, Gayle M. Perreault Jan 2026

Hiding In Plain Sight, Gayle M. Perreault

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Some autistic individuals reach adulthood without receiving a diagnosis, and the processes contributing to delayed recognition are not yet fully understood. This study explored how contextual conditions across development related to the emergence and use of camouflaging behaviors in late-diagnosed autistic adults from groups historically underrepresented in autism research. Using an inductive collective case study design, narrative interviews were conducted with seven autistic adults diagnosed after age 15. The analysis examined how participants described learning, maintaining, and interpreting camouflaging behaviors across childhood through early adulthood within social, environmental, and institutional contexts, with attention to how participants experienced environmental expectations and …


The Lived Experience Of Tenders Of Community Grief Rituals, Margaret Y. Wilson Jan 2026

The Lived Experience Of Tenders Of Community Grief Rituals, Margaret Y. Wilson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this research study is to gain an understanding of the lived experience of tenders of community grief rituals, and how tenders make meaning of their experiences. This study utilized photo elicitation and a reflexive thematic analysis. Participants (N = 11) provided one to three photographs that captured their experience of grief and/or tending grief rituals. The results identified 10 themes supported by subthemes: (a) Grief Tender Wisdom About the Nature of Grief, (b) Life’s Many Experiences are Sources of Grief, (c) The Multifaceted Impacts of Grief-Body, Anger, Compassion, Empathy, Resilience, Gratitude, Joy, and Love, (d) The Nuances …


The Caregiving Experience: Comparing Stress And Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mona Khayal Jan 2026

The Caregiving Experience: Comparing Stress And Quality Of Life Among Caregivers Of Children With And Without Autism Spectrum Disorder, Mona Khayal

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This comparative cross-sectional study investigated caregiving burden, quality of life, and anxiety among primary caregivers of children with autism spectrum disorder compared to caregivers of typically developing children. Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory, 66 caregivers (31 autism, 35 comparison) of children aged 6-18 completed the Zarit Burden Interview-12, WHO Quality of Life-BREF, and GAD-7. According to the results, autism caregivers reported substantially higher burden (M = 31.26 vs. 13.23, d = 2.42) and anxiety (M = 9.13 vs. 4.63, d = 1.04), with 90% exceeding clinical burden thresholds compared to 26% of comparison caregivers. Quality of life was lower across …


The Impact Of The Covid-19 School Shutdown On Standardized Test Scores In Rural And Nonrural Areas, Cory Laflamme Jan 2026

The Impact Of The Covid-19 School Shutdown On Standardized Test Scores In Rural And Nonrural Areas, Cory Laflamme

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The novel Coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19; Gillings School of Global Public Health, n.d.) caused an extensive disruption of education systems worldwide. Elementary and secondary schools began to close to students and staff to protect them from potential exposure to the virus (Masonbrink & Hurley, 2020). Nearly 1.6 billion students in over 200 countries had their learning impacted on some level, causing changes in traditional educational practices (Pokhrel & Chhetri, 2021). One profound change in educational practice was the shift from face-to-face learning to online learning alternatives. Using the State of New Hampshire data allowed for a unique analysis of how …


The Effect Of Paternal Engagement On The Sexual Self-Concept Of Black Female Adolescents, Amelia Flynn Jan 2026

The Effect Of Paternal Engagement On The Sexual Self-Concept Of Black Female Adolescents, Amelia Flynn

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Black women in the U.S. continue to experience disproportionately high rates of unintended pregnancies, with a 64% rate reported in 2011 (Finer & Zolna, 2016). Positive sexual self-concept (SSC) is linked to healthier sexual behaviors, yet research on SSC development has largely overlooked the role of fathers and systemic influences, particularly within Black families. Grounded in an ecological framework, this study examines the impact of father-daughter engagement on SSC among Black female adolescents, considering paternal residential status and socioeconomic class as key contextual factors. The study revealed that when middle class father-daughter engagement is high, daughters’ sexual self-esteem is lower. …


A Qualitative Study Of Existential Paralysis As A Pathway To Meaning And Purpose Among Generation Z, Oksana V. Panchenko Jan 2026

A Qualitative Study Of Existential Paralysis As A Pathway To Meaning And Purpose Among Generation Z, Oksana V. Panchenko

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the lived experiences of emerging adults from Generation Z (N = 26) with a qualitative reflexive thematic analysis. Data was collected with an online survey and open ended prompts. Twelve themes were identified as part of data analysis: (1) Feeling Lost, Immobilized, Isolated and Overthinking, (2) Feeling Depressed and Experiencing Identity Erosion and Functional Disruption, (3) Anxiety, the Struggle for Authentic Connection, and Fear About the Future, (4) Social Media, Comparison, and Fear of Missing Out, (5) Cultural and Sociopolitical Pressures on Self-Expression, (6) Ambiguous Loss and Disconnection in Social Presence, (7) Social Skills, Self-Confidence, and Adaptation …


Bipoc Supervisors And Their Cross-Ethnoracial Supervisees: An Exploratory Dyadic Interdependence Study On Cultural Humility, Ethnocultural Empathy, Supervisory Alliance And Ethnoracial Identity Development, Karen Andal Neri Jan 2026

Bipoc Supervisors And Their Cross-Ethnoracial Supervisees: An Exploratory Dyadic Interdependence Study On Cultural Humility, Ethnocultural Empathy, Supervisory Alliance And Ethnoracial Identity Development, Karen Andal Neri

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

There is an ongoing need for more relational, process-oriented multicultural supervision training models and research to address multicultural issues through a sociocultural perspective in cross-ethnoracial supervision. BIPOC therapists have often reported inadequate multicultural education and training as well as responsiveness from their White supervisors. As supervisors themselves, BIPOC therapists are often overlooked and understudied in the couple/marriage, family therapy (C/MFT) field, which remains predominantly Eurocentric. As a process-oriented model, multicultural orientation (MCO), especially its primary organizing pillar, cultural humility, appears highly relevant to BIPOC supervisors working across ethnoracial and cultural lines with their supervisees. However, neither the MCO nor broader …


Doctoral Trainees’ Experiences Of Vicarious Trauma Within Inpatient Settings: An Exploratory Study, Melissa Neitlich Jan 2026

Doctoral Trainees’ Experiences Of Vicarious Trauma Within Inpatient Settings: An Exploratory Study, Melissa Neitlich

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Vicarious trauma (VT), first coined by Irene Lisa McCann and Anne Pearlman, is described as a pervasive and cumulative impact of working with survivors of trauma, resulting in changes to the therapist’s identity, worldview, psychological needs, beliefs, and memory. In spite of the unique vulnerabilities of doctoral trainees for experiencing VT, there is limited research on the impact of VT among doctoral trainee populations, as most of the extant literature focuses on the impact of VT in middle- to late-career psychological practice. In this primarily qualitative dissertation, I examined trainees’ experiences of vicarious trauma within various inpatient settings using the …


How Marriage And Family Therapy Graduate Programs Awaken, Develop, And Teach Clinical Intuition: A Hermeneutic Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Jessica Fountas Jan 2025

How Marriage And Family Therapy Graduate Programs Awaken, Develop, And Teach Clinical Intuition: A Hermeneutic Qualitative Phenomenological Study, Jessica Fountas

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This research explored how marriage and family therapy graduate programs awaken, develop, and teach clinical intuition. Using criterion-based sampling and snowball sampling, six licensed marriage and family therapists participated in a two-step hermeneutic phenomenological study consisting of individual semistructured interviews and a follow-up focus group. Requirements for participation were licensed marriage and family therapists who were in clinical practice, had experienced the phenomenon of clinical intuition and awakening of clinical intuition, and used clinical intuition in therapy with clients and in systemic supervision with supervisees. The research findings highlighted 14 themes: Reflection of the Experience of Clinical Intuition; Bodily Knowing, …


Reality Shock And Systemic Strain: Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Sara Al-Khedairy Jan 2025

Reality Shock And Systemic Strain: Understanding The Lived Experiences Of Pre-Licensed Mental Health Counselors, Sara Al-Khedairy

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The counseling profession is struggling to meet the rising demand for mental health care due to a growing workforce shortage driven by burnout, inadequate support, and low compensation—pressures that disproportionately impact pre-licensed clinicians. Despite their critical role in sustaining the field, pre-licensed counselors often face systemic barriers with little structural support. This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of pre-licensed clinical mental health clinicians through social-ecological and reality shock theories. Participants included 14 pre-licensed clinical mental health counselors who had graduated from CACREP-accredited programs within the last five years. Individual interviews were conducted to gain a deeper understanding of participants’ …


Intersectional Opportunities For Drama Therapy And Counseling, Erica Craig-Mann Jan 2025

Intersectional Opportunities For Drama Therapy And Counseling, Erica Craig-Mann

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The purpose of this study was to explore the intersectional possibilities between the fields of drama therapy and mental health counseling through the lens of transformative learning theory. Specifically, the research sought to understand the lived experiences of professionals trained in both disciplines to identify how these fields might mutually inform, strengthen, and enhance one another through collaboration and/or dual training. Data were collected through a qualitative online survey and analyzed using thematic analysis. Five themes emerged: (a) Theoretical and Practical Overlaps and Distinctions; (b) Drama Therapy-Informed Counseling: Embodiment, Creativity, and Experiential Practice; (c) Counseling-Informed Drama Therapy: Frameworks for Practice, …


Humane Education And Animal Assisted Interventions To Reduce Trauma Impacts: A Scholarly Personal Narrative, Nina Wiebalk Jan 2025

Humane Education And Animal Assisted Interventions To Reduce Trauma Impacts: A Scholarly Personal Narrative, Nina Wiebalk

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The burgeoning fields of trauma-informed therapy and humane education are increasingly incorporating Animal Assisted Intervention (AAI). Given the growing understanding of trauma’s impact on developing brains, implementing humane education and AAI programs, such as the one I created, is crucial. This study will detail my efforts establishing and managing this program at a small non-profit within a major metropolitan city located within the Eastern United States, an agency dedicated to preventing and treating child abuse and trauma. To support this mission, I collaborated with our Executive Director to launch an AAI and humane education program, training and partnering with two …


Exploring The Perceptions Of Technology Use Of Clinicians And Their Clients, Chase M. Torbergson Jan 2025

Exploring The Perceptions Of Technology Use Of Clinicians And Their Clients, Chase M. Torbergson

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

The research question guiding this study was: What is the perceived understanding of technology use by clinicians for their work with clients? Fourteen participants completed an online qualitative survey exploring their experiences with technology and media in clinical practice. A thematic analysis revealed four primary themes. The first theme, variations in counselor online media usage, highlighted differences in how counselors engaged with online platforms for education, client connection, and self-care. The second theme, counselor assessment of, and dialogue around, online media use, captured varying levels of intentionality in exploring clients’ digital habits, ranging from minimal inquiry to regular, structured discussions. …


Initial Validation Of The Measure Of Practical Existential Wellbeing, Bryant L. Moore Jan 2025

Initial Validation Of The Measure Of Practical Existential Wellbeing, Bryant L. Moore

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

According to the theory of existential psychology, all humans experience existential anxiety, a negative feeling that results from the understanding of certain unavoidable truths. If left unchecked, existential anxiety can lead to symptoms of mental illness. Much work has been done to explore and measure existential anxiety, but little has focused on protective factors within existential theory. This dissertation proposes the construct of existential wellbeing, representing protective factors corresponding to different existential domains. To assess this construct, a new instrument, the Measure of Practical Existential Wellbeing (MPEW), was developed, distributed, and analyzed in relation to other established measures. The MPEW …


Cultivating Empathy: A Content Analysis Of Empathic Themes In Best-Selling Children's Books, Elnaz J. Afousi Jan 2025

Cultivating Empathy: A Content Analysis Of Empathic Themes In Best-Selling Children's Books, Elnaz J. Afousi

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study examines the presence and nature of empathic content in best-selling children’s picture books, with a focus on developmental relevance for preschool-aged readers. Using a modified version of the iEPIC empathy coding system, 10 titles from the New York Times best-seller list were analyzed to assess the frequency and complexity of three empathy-related constructs: Emotion or State Description (ESD), Exploring Emotion or State (EES), and Empathic Understanding or Concern (EUC). Results indicate that while all books contained some empathy-related content, ESD3 (self-reflective emotional descriptions) and EUC2/EUC4 (understanding and helping others) were most prevalent, suggesting an emphasis on both intrapersonal …


The Lived Experiences Of Trauma In Autistic Adults: A Thematic Analysis, Briana Trageser Jan 2025

The Lived Experiences Of Trauma In Autistic Adults: A Thematic Analysis, Briana Trageser

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

A qualitative research study focused on Autistic adults explored the lived experiences of trauma. Participants included Autistic adults who have either been professionally diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder or who self-identify as Autistic. Data was collected through a survey with 12 open-ended questions. A thematic analysis revealed six themes: (a) adverse childhood experiences, (b) exposure to violence and loss, (c) difficulty relating to others, (d) complex mind and sensory experiences, (e) medical and mental health challenges, and (f) autistic identity. The themes revealed instances of Autistic people experiencing trauma in ways that differ and vary in clinical presentation from their …


Mental Heath Experiences Of Transracial Adoptees Of The Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color - Bipoc)., Phebe Brako Jan 2025

Mental Heath Experiences Of Transracial Adoptees Of The Global Majority (Black, Indigenous, And People Of Color - Bipoc)., Phebe Brako

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This qualitative hermeneutic phenomenological study explores the lived experiences of transracial adoptees of the global majority (BIPOC), focusing on their bicultural identity integration and its impact on mental health. During semi-structured interviews, nine participants shared their stories of navigating cultural and racial dynamics as adoptees in predominantly White adoptive families and communities. The findings revealed six core themes: (1) the Quest for Bicultural Identity Formation, (2) Cultural Integration and Adaptation, (3) Navigating Racial and Cultural Tensions, (4) the Role of Family in Cultural Integration, (5) the Importance of Community and Support Systems, and (6) Mental Health and Therapeutic Experiences, addressing …


A Phenomenological Study Of How Parents Of Lgbtqia+ Youth Experience School-Based Sex Education, Alisha Bachman Jan 2025

A Phenomenological Study Of How Parents Of Lgbtqia+ Youth Experience School-Based Sex Education, Alisha Bachman

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

Empirical research on LGBTQIA+ youth and Comprehensive Sex Education is scarce and now, due to the current political climate, is under threat. Utilizing an interpretive phenomenological approach applying ecological systems and queer theory, this study explored the lived experiences of how parents of LGBTQIA+ youth perceive school-based comprehensive sex education. By isolating the phenomenon of comprehensive sex education, this study focused on the immediate context of influence that comprehensive sex education makes on LGBTQIA+ youth and families. This research used data collected through semi-structured interviews with nine different parents. Four themes emerged from the data: Communication and Education about Sexuality …


Exploring The Use Of Somatic Skills And Techniques In Clinical Supervision, Areka D. Foster Jan 2025

Exploring The Use Of Somatic Skills And Techniques In Clinical Supervision, Areka D. Foster

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study explores the lived experiences of clinical supervisors who engage in somatically oriented supervision. Informed by relational-cultural theory and polyvagal theory, the research employs a grounded theory methodology to investigate the potential development of a somatic supervision framework. Eleven participants completed semi-structured interviews and data were analyzed using both thematic analysis and grounded theory techniques. Eleven core themes emerged: (a) conceptualizations of somatic supervision, (b) integration of somatic techniques in supervisory practice, (c) theoretical foundations for somatic supervision, (d) attunement to countertransference, (e) the supervisory relationship, (f) trauma-informed approaches, (g) somatic techniques and practices, (h) initiating and structuring somatic …