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

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

Abstract

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

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

Dissertations, 2020-current

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

Serving Minority Women Survivors Of Intimate Partner Violence, Consuelo Valentina Riso

Educational Specialist, 2020-current

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a widespread public health concern that disproportionately affects women, particularly those belonging to minorities. In the United States, the prevalence of IPV among Latina women is influenced by intersecting factors such as immigration status, socioeconomic stressors, cultural values, and systemic barriers. Research and community initiatives addressing IPV among Latina women have included crisis hotlines, domestic violence shelters, advocacy programs, and bilingual services within community health centers. Research also highlights that culturally tailored services yield better outcomes than trauma-informed approaches alone.

Additionally, online interventions are emerging as promising tools to expand safe, accessible, and bilingual support, …

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

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

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

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

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

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

Faculty Publications and Presentations

No abstract provided.

Integrating Positive Psychology And Spirituality To Foster Meaning And Well-Being In Older Adults, Crystal Morris

Adultspan Journal

This perspective article explores the integration of positive psychology interventions (PPIs) and spirituality in therapy to foster meaning and well-being in older adults. It highlights exercises such as the positive introduction, positive legacy, character strengths, mindfulness, mindful-based yoga, and a manifestation prayer journaling. The interventions presented are tools to support older adults that may experience depression, difficult life transitions, and the search for renewed meaning. Therapists who integrate PPIs and spirituality into therapy can promote a holistic, non-pathological approach to treatment.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Collage As A Facilitator Of Connection And Belonging: An Application Of Art Therapy With Sgm Clients, Noa L. Shems

Expressive Therapies Theses

This research explored themes of connection and belonging in SGM clients in individual art therapy sessions through the medium of collage. An arts-based research method was developed utilizing the medium of collage in session with clients, followed with reflective response collages and journaling to analyze the data observed. Across 5 art therapy sessions, clients engaging in collage facilitated deeper therapeutic rapport and safety, enhanced a sense of connection with the self, and helped to process barriers and desires around clients’ close relationships.

Counseling Guided Manual: Using Cbt To Reduce Media Addiction And Depression Symptoms, Grace Halverson

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This group manual is focused on media addiction, which is defined as the excessive and compulsive need to use any form of media despite negative consequences to people’s social, academic, and work life (Sherer, 2024). The focus of this group will be on people with internet and social media addiction. However, members will be able to self-report any form of media addiction. The members will self-report their depression symptoms. These symptoms will be assessed using Young’s Internet Addiction Test and Beck’s Depression Inventory-II on the first and last sessions to measure treatment effectiveness (Young, 2016) & (Beck et al., 1996). …

Dying Young, Brianne L. Overton

Dissertations

Death, often perceived as a disruption to daily life, is an inevitable part of the human experience. While older adults may develop familiarity with mortality through the collective experience of personal and familial losses, young adults generally have limited exposure to death. Despite this, young adults, defined as individuals aged 20 to 34, represent approximately 20% of the U.S. population (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020), and the mortality rate within this age group has been rising over the past decade (Woolf & Schoomaker, 2019). Death among young adults is often overlooked in societal narratives and medical research, which primarily focus on …

A Tobacco Treatment Training Program Expands The Number Of Healthcare Providers Trained To Use Evidence-Based Practices And Methods, Alex Hurst, Maher Karam-Hage, Jennifer Cofer, Mehwish Javaid, Diane Beneventi, Janice Blalock, Tiffany Winter, Paul M. Cinciripini, Ernest Hawk

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Tobacco-use disorder remains a global health challenge, despite declining rates, and is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, especially among special populations that disproportionally do not have access to comprehensive treatment services. The lack of trained providers and slow dissemination of new tobacco treatment knowledge are obstacles to accessing comprehensive evidence-based treatments. Less is known about the impact of specialized training programs on healthcare professionals' ability to effectively treat tobacco use. This paper reports on the evaluation of the tobacco treatment training program, training methodology, and the demographics of the specialists trained.

MD Anderson’s Tobacco Treatment Training Program (TTTP) …