Counselor Education Commons^™

Exploring Play: Counselor Education Strategies, Online Community Fantasy Play, And Sexuality In The Counseling Space, Nattalie Wolff-Tseng

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation examines the ways that play is constructed and understood in a variety of settings. Using Relational Cultural Theory as a guiding theoretical influence, each portion examines how play influences relationships and how engagement in play and conversations about play can enhance student–teacher relationships, social connection, and the therapeutic relationship. The first section of this dissertation, the conceptual article, explores how play can support counselor education as it encourages creative engagement and discourages perfectionism, which is often noticeable in novice counselors. Play may take many forms in the classroom and offers counselor educators the opportunity to tailor activity to …

Quality Care For Neurodivergent Youth, Emily V. Bogaev

Dissertations, 2020-current

Neurodivergent youth are becoming increasingly present in counseling settings, yet many counseling approaches have historically been shaped by deficit-oriented frameworks that conceptualize neurodivergence as something to be corrected. These perspectives may overlook the lived experiences and strengths of neurodivergent individuals. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine neurodivergence in counseling through three complementary manuscripts addressing conceptual foundations, youth perspectives, and counselor preparation. The first manuscript is a conceptual article that explores neurodivergent-affirming counseling and contrasts affirming frameworks with traditional deficit-based approaches. The second manuscript utilized a qualitative narrative inquiry design to explore neurodivergent youths’ perceptions of neurodivergence and the …

Professional Dispositions In Counselor Education: Building Consensus, Examining Lived Experience, And Advancing Relational Gatekeeping, Jina Yang

Dissertations, 2020-current

The purpose of this dissertation is to investigate how Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP)-accredited programs identify, implement, and assess essential professional dispositions among master’s-level counselors-in-training (CITs). The dissertation includes three components that examine conceptual, experiential, and consensus-based perspectives on professional dispositions within counselor education. The first component presents a conceptual framework for implementing gatekeeping practices that reflect the values of the counseling profession. Drawing on Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT), the article proposes gatekeeping strategies that emphasize mutuality and connection while accounting for sociocultural contextual factors and fostering psychological safety within the hierarchical dynamics inherent in evaluative …

Enhancing Access Through Integrated Behavioral Healthcare: Expanding Counselor Identity And Social Determinants Of Health Competency, Tiffany N. Snow

Dissertations, 2020-current

Abstract

The counseling profession has historically differentiated its identity by emphasizing a wellness-oriented approach. However, this has often led to the exclusion of counselors from integrated behavioral healthcare (IBH). With the 2024 enactment of the Mental Health Access Improvement Act, counselors now have unprecedented opportunities to serve as behavioral health providers in federal medical settings. This three-manuscript dissertation explores the intersection of counselor professional identity, social determinants of health (SDoH) competency, and interprofessional collaboration within IBH.

Manuscript 1 presents a conceptual framework for reconciling traditional counselor identity with the "medical model" of Primary Care Behavioral Health (PCBH), arguing that this …

The Lived Experiences Of Clinical Mental Health Counselors Returning To Clinical Work After Becoming A New Mom: A Phenomenological Study, Kathryn Bohn

Dissertations

The experience of transitioning back to work postpartum can be an emotional rollercoaster for women. One that is often filled with identity tensions and sweeping emotions that range from guilt to relief, anxiety to confidence (Dod, 2025; Franzoi et al., 2023; Garcia-Lorenzo et al., 2023). Postpartum can be an emotionally raw and vulnerable time for new mothers as they navigate physical and emotional changes, maternal stress, and the pressures and demands of new motherhood (LeBlanc, 2023; Maylott, 2023). Professional counselors in a clinical setting, also known as clinical mental health counselors, encounter occupationally specific responsibilities that create unique experiences for …

Understanding Myself As A Helping Professional, Mia Duncan

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This paper reflects on my own personal experiences that have shaped the person I am both personally and professionally. The purpose of this paper is to showcase the emotional, mental, and physical events I have gone through as well as the work I have done to overcome these challenging events to better serve my future students and clients. I have identified pivotal relationships in my life, therapeutic approaches that have worked for my own development, as well as what I use to help my students as a school counselor, and what my plans are after I graduate to continue as …

A Moment For Pause, Jared J. Saunders

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

This essay outlines the life of Jared Saunders, from his birth in 1995 to the day this was written in 2026. Born, raised, and educated in Minnesota, he grew up in a stable household with a moderate sized family. Trained to be an educator, he has recently redirected his career path towards becoming a school counselor in the hopes that he can better serve his students. Throughout the process of researching and writing for this essay, the author reflected on his life and the mechanisms that steadily sculpted him into the person he is today. After chronologically reflecting on his …

From Innovation To Interaction: Processes Shaping Animal Assisted Therapy Implementation In Outpatient Settings In The United States, Rachel Rachlinski

LSU New Orleans Theses and Dissertations

Animal assisted therapy (AAT) is an emerging mental health specialty marked by rapid growth, inconsistent training pathways, and the absence of regulatory oversight. Although professional organizations have published competencies and guidelines, no regulatory body ensures that educational programs or licensed practitioners adhere to these standards, leading to wide variability in practice and potential risks to clients and animals. This constructivist grounded theory study examined the processes shaping how licensed mental health providers understand and implement AAT in outpatient settings across the United States, with attention to the influence of training, supervision, and prior clinical experience.

Guided by the Consolidated Framework …

Ai-Assisted Case Conceptualization: Enhancing Ethical Decision-Making In Graduate Counseling Education, Thang S. Tran, Praveen K. Rudra, Justin Jacques

Journal of Educational Leadership in Action

As artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly integrated into counselor education, a significant gap exists between the rapid adoption of technology and the development of structured pedagogical frameworks for ethical decision-making. This article introduces a multi-component framework to support ethical AI integration in graduate counseling education, comprising three key elements: (1) a case conceptualization model with AI assistance, (2) Morgan (SC), an intentionally imperfect AI school counseling thought partner trained on ethical standards and decision-making models, and (3) structured protocols for ethical decision-making aligned with American Counseling Association and National Board for Certified Counselors guidance. The framework is designed to center …

Trauma-Informed Approaches In Correctional Settings, Mahlet T. Habtemeskel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Trauma‑informed care (TIC) has become an important framework for understanding and responding to the needs of incarcerated individuals, who experience disproportionately high rates of childhood adversity, interpersonal violence, and systemic trauma. Research has shown that adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) early victimization shapes individual behavior patterns, justice system involvement, and emotional regulation (Ratcliff et al., 2025; Marotta, 2022). Traditional correctional models rooted in punishment, control, and surveillance often repeat the dynamics of past trauma, exacerbating emotional dysregulation, behavioral challenges, and recidivism (Desai, 2019; Slovinsky, 2023). This thesis examines the theoretical foundations, implementation strategies, and outcomes of trauma‑informed approaches in correctional settings …

Dialectical Behavior Therapy In Managing Emotional Dysregulation And Self-Injurious Behaviors: Assessment, Intervention, And Clinical Applicability, Farhana Sabri, Andika Ari Saputra

Buletin Konseling Inovatif

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) is an empirically supported intervention initially designed for individuals diagnosed with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) who present with self-injurious behaviors. The present article aims to evaluate the utility of DBT in addressing emotional dysregulation and maladaptive behavioral patterns across a range of clinical populations. The analysis encompasses assessment and case conceptualization, intervention strategies, evaluation of therapeutic outcomes, and termination protocols. Consideration is also given to the implementation of DBT in group settings and the influence of cultural factors on its effectiveness. Evidence from previous studies demonstrates that DBT contributes to significant reductions in self-harm, emotional distress, …

Starting With Story, Not Symptom: Narrative Collapse And Cultural Repair In Appalachia, Wayne Coombs Ph.D.

Journal of Appalachian Health

Appalachia’s opioid crisis reflects uneven burdens, especially in distressed coalfield counties, and it cannot be solved by symptom tracking alone. This commentary argues for a narrative shift, starting with story and cultural repair alongside clinical care. Narrative collapse is defined here as the loss of shared, dependable public meaning across groups, not the absence of storytelling in families, churches, and recovery circles. Trauma science suggests that chronic threat reshapes nervous systems across generations, making safety a prerequisite for renewed trust. Drawing on narrative identity research, the piece proposes peer story work as infrastructure that can reduce shame, support treatment engagement, …

Our Stories: Black Parents’ Experiences At K-12 Predominantly White Institutions, Jason Thompson

Dissertations

Black parents of Black children attending K–12 predominantly White institutions (PWIs) often experience stress as they navigate school environments where they may be perceived as uninterested, combative, or “token” members of the school community. These deficit-based perceptions can cause Black parents to limit school interactions, question whether their perspectives will be valued, and develop distrust toward school personnel. Although research has examined Black students’ experiences in PWIs, fewer qualitative studies have centered on Black parents’ stories. Capturing these experiences in parents’ own words helps challenge harmful stereotypes and offers schools, especially school counselors, deeper insight into strengthening relationships with Black …

Growing Up Muslim In America: Discrimination And Religious Identity In Emerging Adulthood, Samira Saleh

Dissertations

This study examined the impact of depression and discrimination on religious identity development among emerging adult Muslims (ages 18–29) in the United States, with attention to religious visibility and gender. Using a cross-sectional survey design, participants completed validated measures including the Perceived Islamophobia Scale, Everyday Discrimination Scale, Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Centrality of Religiosity Scale. Grounded in Arnett’s Theory of Emerging Adulthood and Social Identity Theory, the study addresses gaps in research on Muslim mental health and identity within Western sociopolitical contexts. Participants were recruited via university listservs, Muslim Student Associations, social media, and community organizations, and completed a brief …

Designing Eco-Islamic Memory Palace Media To Reduce Math Anxiety And Enhance Academic Resilience, Annas Solihin, Neni Mariana, Budi Purwoko

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Math anxiety continues to hinder students' performance and emotional well-being in elementary mathematics education. This study aimed to develop and test the effectiveness of Eco-Islamic Memory Palace Media in reducing math anxiety and strengthening academic resilience. Employing the Plomp development model, the study involved three phases: preliminary research to identify psychological needs, prototyping of the media design, and a formative evaluation with expert validation and empirical testing on students (N = 24). The media integrated environmental imagery and Islamic values into visual-spatial mnemonic structures to create meaningful, calm, and emotionally safe learning experiences. Quantitative data analysis showed a significant decrease …

Mindset Transformation In School Counseling Services After The Training Program 7 Jurus Bk Hebat: A Mixed Method Study, Mulawarman Mulawarman, Farida Aryani, Aldila Dyas Nurfitri, Najma Sana Nadhirah Hilman, Galuh Nadhita, Erna Dwi Nugraini, Abi Fa’Izzarahman Prabawa, Eni Rindi Antika

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

School counseling services have shifted from a remedial approach to one of development and prevention, requiring school counselors to possess a reflective and adaptive professional mindset. This study aims to analyze the transformation of counseling mindsets among guidance and counseling teachers after participating in the 7 Jurus BK Hebat training program, as well as to identify supporting and inhibiting factors. Using a mixed methods approach with a convergent design, the study involved 411 participants selected through convenience random sampling. Data were collected using a mindset transformation scale (α = .939) and open-ended questionnaires, then analyzed descriptively and thematically. The …

Parental Awareness And Response To Cyberbullying: A Qualitative Study Of Nigerian Parents, Adaobi Jennifer Iloakasia, Nneka Anthonia Obumse

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

The problem of cyberbullying has been gaining momentum in modern society because of the dynamic development of digital technologies and the extensive use of social media by adolescents. This paper thus examined the parental cognition and reaction to cyberbullying of Nigerian parents with a particular emphasis on Anambra State. The research design in the study was a qualitative one, based on a phenomenological approach to reflect the experiences of parents. Purposive selection of parents with children in secondary schools was done (30 parents). The collection of data was done via semi-structured interviews, and thematic analysis was used to analyze the …

Adapting As Pioneers: A Phenomenological Study Of First-Batch Medical Students In A New Medical Faculty, Hilma Tsurayya Ifitahurroza, Tisnalia Merdya Andyastanti, Anditri Weningtyas, Rosalie Aurellie Wibowo, Callysta Neysa Yusangka

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Entering medical faculty is inherently demanding for first year student and the challenges are amplified for first-batch students in newly established faculties. These students must navigate academic, social, and professional adaptation simultaneously with evolving institution systems. Understanding their adaptation is essential to support success and resilience. This study aimed to explore the adaptation experiences of first-batch medical students in their first year in a new medical faculty. A descriptive phenomenological approach was employed. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted in September 2024 with seven first-year students at the Faculty of Medicine, State University of Malang, established in 2023. Participants …

Career Adaptability Of Prospective Teachers With Disabilities In Indonesia: A Phenomenological Study, Rr Dwi Umi Badriyah, Erfan Ramadhani, Ramtia Darma Putri, Syska Purnama Sari, Amândio De Araújo Sarmento, Kadek Suhardita

Jurnal Kajian Bimbingan dan Konseling

Pre-service teachers with disabilities face career transitions shaped by personal aspirations, accessibility barriers, stigma, and limited role models. In Indonesia, little is known about how they build career readiness for teaching within inclusive unequal educational contexts. This study explores the career adaptability of pre-service teachers with disabilities in Indonesia. Grounded in Career Construction Theory, it examines concern, control, curiosity, and confidence, while extending the framework by considering resilience and flexibility as relevant dimensions. A qualitative phenomenological design was used. Twenty-five students with disabilities enrolled in Primary School Teacher Education and Special Education programs at an Indonesian university participated in semi-structured …

A Trial Of Resilience: From A Work Of Art To A Work Of Heart, Elizabeth Marie Sundquist

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

In A Trial of Resilience: From A Work of Art to a Work of Heart, I will be exploring my growth as both an ever evolving human and as a school counselor. During my time in graduate school I have had many opportunities to reflect on my own journey through my learning through literature and my hands-on working experience with my students who I lovingly refer to as my kids. Through hope, determination, resilience, and a splash of creativity I reflect on my life journey to the present day. I chose the title to reflect on my own mental health …