Psychological Impact Of Career Roles On African American Women: A Qualitative Study On The Long-Term Effects On Behavioral Health Providers' Field,
2026
Liberty University
Psychological Impact Of Career Roles On African American Women: A Qualitative Study On The Long-Term Effects On Behavioral Health Providers' Field, Yolanda Seals-Stewart
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
There is an untold narrative regarding the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This leaves a gap in researchers understanding systemic, cultural, and social factors that shape mental health outcomes in a unique way. There is also a deeper need for exploration of resiliency and coping skills strategies utilized by African American women in the behavioral health field, as well as how behaviors such as discrimination, workplace dynamics, and microaggression impact the overall psyche. By addressing these gaps, a more thorough understanding of the long-term psychological effect can be addressed, and these women can receive support mechanisms and interventions that …
A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Nigerian Christian Clergy Of Persecution And Insecurity In Nigeria,
2026
Liberty University
A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Nigerian Christian Clergy Of Persecution And Insecurity In Nigeria, John Ekwoanya
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Nigerian Christian clergy and persecution and insecurity in Nigeria using an online site. The central research question was: How do Nigerian Christian clergy describe their experiences in meeting the expectations of their congregants and communities amidst persecution and insecurity? Interviews were conducted to collect data from 10 participants and an analysis was performed. The results showed that Nigerian Christian clergy, under threats of fear, still meet the needs of their congregants, and that the congregants continue to seek support from their clergy. It was also found that …
Korean Pastors’ Lived Experiences Of Their Congregants’ Mental Health Issues In The Philadelphia Suburbs: A Phenomenological Study,
2026
Liberty University
Korean Pastors’ Lived Experiences Of Their Congregants’ Mental Health Issues In The Philadelphia Suburbs: A Phenomenological Study, Guiyoung Kim
Doctoral Dissertations and Projects
The purpose of this phenomenological study is to describe Korean pastors’ lived experiences of dealing with their congregants’ mental health issues in the suburban areas of Philadelphia. The theory guiding this study is ecological systems theory, which helps explain the mental health issues of Korean Americans and the factors influencing their help-seeking behaviors within the major ecological systems unique to this population. Data was collected through in-depth interviews with 10 Korean pastors serving Korean American churches in suburban Philadelphia. The collected data was analyzed and aggregated into themes through coding.
Exploring Intimate Partner Relationship Satisfaction Among Women Who Have Experienced Discrimination And Childhood Trauma,
2026
University of Missouri-St. Louis
Exploring Intimate Partner Relationship Satisfaction Among Women Who Have Experienced Discrimination And Childhood Trauma, Rachel L. Gaglio
Dissertations
Objective: Connections may exist between intimate partner relationship satisfaction outcomes and experiences of childhood trauma and discrimination among women. The majority of existing research highlights individual trauma impacting relationship satisfaction that includes military experience, childhood trauma, domestic violence, and sexual assault, yet there is a gap in research which expands on both childhood trauma and discrimination endured among women in relation to intimate partner relationship satisfaction outcomes, as they relate to intimacy and closeness and resolving conflict and arguments. The present study explored the links between childhood trauma and discrimination experienced by women and their connection in intimate partner relationship …
From Body Positivity To Body Power: How Music Therapy And Body Liberation Intersect To Address Body Oppression In The Therapeutic Space–A Literature Review,
2026
Lesley University
From Body Positivity To Body Power: How Music Therapy And Body Liberation Intersect To Address Body Oppression In The Therapeutic Space–A Literature Review, Katherine M. Perkoski
Expressive Therapies Theses
With the rise of overt fascism, anti–fat bias, anti–intellectualism, anti–multiculturalism, anti–diversity, equity, and inclusion, and the persistence of white, capitalist, cisheteropatriarchy narratives around bodies, music therapists need to recognize how client and therapist bodies show up in practice. In this critical literature review, bodies will be sociopolitically and culturally contextualized, and the intersections of music therapy, body liberation, and body power will be discussed. Music therapists need to address the body oppression faced by sociopolitical identities such as race, gender, disability, age, body size, sexuality, neurodiversity, class, ethnicity, nationality, housing status, and immigration status. The music therapy field needs to …
Dance Movement Therapy Enhances Experiential Master Play In Child Centered Play Therapy: Literature Review,
2026
Lesley University
Dance Movement Therapy Enhances Experiential Master Play In Child Centered Play Therapy: Literature Review, Fallon M. Walsh
Expressive Therapies Theses
This literature review examines the use of Dance movement therapy to enhance trauma processing during Experiential mastery play in Child centered play therapy. The purpose of this review is to evaluate existing research on trauma in adolescents, Dance movement therapy, and Child centered play therapy to understand the support and effectiveness of combining these interventions. The paper discussed research on the following topics: Adverse childhood experiences, Dance movement therapy, Child centered play therapy, Experiential mastery play, and kinesthetic empathy. As this is a growing topic, the discussion section explores the overlap of Dance movement therapy and Child centered play therapy, …
Between Cultures: An Expressive Arts Community Engagement Project On Identity, Belonging, And Cultural Transition Among International Students,
2026
Lesley University
Between Cultures: An Expressive Arts Community Engagement Project On Identity, Belonging, And Cultural Transition Among International Students, Shilpa Ivaturi
Expressive Therapies Theses
International students navigating cultural transition often experience disruptions not only in social adjustment but also in their sense of identity, belonging, and meaning-making. Grounded in expressive arts therapy, cross-cultural psychology, and mythopoetic frameworks of transformation, this thesis explores how creative processes can support international students in reflecting on and integrating their evolving identities during periods of cultural transition. A four-hour trauma-informed expressive arts workshop, structured around the Hero’s Journey arc of departure, initiation, and return, was facilitated across two sessions at a university in the northeastern United States. Seven international students from diverse cultural backgrounds engaged in multimodal practices including …
Embodied Identity In Dementia: Art Therapy As A Pathway To Selfhood,
2026
Lesley University
Embodied Identity In Dementia: Art Therapy As A Pathway To Selfhood, Sarah E. Southwick
Expressive Therapies Theses
Older adults living with dementia have often been erroneously perceived as inhabiting a singular lived experience marked by degeneration in cognitive functioning and considerable losses in self-identity. There is substantial literature to suggest that multisensory stimulation and art therapy are well-positioned as conduits for self-expression. However, a gap exists related to artistic media and how they may be implemented and tailored for people with dementia. This capstone explores the paradigm of selfhood as a subjective essence of being that may be accessed through creative expression and sensory engagement. Arts-based directives were implemented through a person-centered expressive arts therapy framework. Two …
Exploring The Potential For Meaning-Making In Expressive Art Therapies Interventions In Treatment Of Complicated Grief For Gun Homicide Survivors: A Literature Review,
2026
Lesley University
Exploring The Potential For Meaning-Making In Expressive Art Therapies Interventions In Treatment Of Complicated Grief For Gun Homicide Survivors: A Literature Review, Ash Landrein
Expressive Therapies Theses
Research shows that the violent nature of homicide and the extreme lethality of firearms in conflict lead to increased psychological impairment for survivors and communities affected. Black and Latinx communities are disproportionately affected by gun violence, yet are historically underresearched and underserved. Social constraints and systemic negligence complicate and stigmatize the bereavement process. This literature review examined culturally relevant grief practices, theories and components of meaning-making (MM) post-loss, and Expressive arts interventions for facilitating meaning, safety, and reconnection for survivors, through an intersection of race, ethnicity, gender, and age. Cumulative research shows that MM can help individuals experiencing complicated grief …
Becoming A Body-Centered Psychotherapist: Developing A Reflective Method For Navigating Dual Professional Identity In Dance/Movement Therapy Training,
2026
Lesley University
Becoming A Body-Centered Psychotherapist: Developing A Reflective Method For Navigating Dual Professional Identity In Dance/Movement Therapy Training, Emma Rose Barbosa
Expressive Therapies Theses
The field of mental health counseling frequently prioritizes verbal modalities, often leaving dance/movement therapists (DMTs) in training to navigate clinical environments that diverge from their primary movement-first modality. Without adequate preparation for this tension, emerging DMTs risk losing access to their primary treatment modality at a critical stage of professional development. The literature review highlights the mind-body connection as a theoretical foundation for somatic integration in clinical practice, examines the development of the internal witness through authentic movement practice, and explores selected current perspectives on DMT within individual counseling contexts. To investigate further themes, a heuristic study was conducted during …
Arts-Based Violence Prevention For Youth: A Literature Review,
2026
Lesley University
Arts-Based Violence Prevention For Youth: A Literature Review, Amber Lynn Isaac
Expressive Therapies Theses
This narrative literature review examines arts-based approaches to violence prevention and trauma-related support among school-aged children and adolescents in school and community settings. Violence is conceptualized as both interpersonal and structural, encompassing physical, emotional, relational, and systemic harms that arise through unequal access to safety, opportunity, and resources. The review then explores how these conditions increase vulnerability to trauma exposure, particularly among youth in marginalized and underserved communities, and considers the psychological impacts of violence on youth development. Centering the resilience of children and adolescents through relational strengths, adaptive coping strategies, and creative capacities, this review then examines the benefits …
Exploring Color-Blind Racial Attitudes And Critical Race Theory - Informed Beliefs Among School Social Workers,
2026
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Exploring Color-Blind Racial Attitudes And Critical Race Theory - Informed Beliefs Among School Social Workers, Faith E. King
Social Work Doctoral Dissertations
Black Americans face unequal rates of psychological distress and misdiagnosis primarily due to systemic racism embedded in institutions. Despite these alarming realities, current mental health frameworks often cling to biased perceptions of wellness facilitated by White, Eurocentric norms that pathologize communal resilience and cultural expressions of healing. In clinical spaces, these realities are too often erased by the biased meanings and individualistic norms that render Black grief pathological and Black resistance dysfunctional. Dominant therapeutic modalities labeled “evidence-based” remain rooted in racially neutral, individualist assumptions that exclude the lived experiences of Black clients, as they were developed for them. The National …
The Academic Workplace Climate Measure: A New Instrument To Measure Counselor Education Faculty Climate,
2026
Tarleton State University
The Academic Workplace Climate Measure: A New Instrument To Measure Counselor Education Faculty Climate, Ryan Holliman, Ryan D. Foster, Pedro Blanco
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Research indicates that between 32% and 62% of faculty in higher education have experienced some form of incivility (Cassell, 2011; Fox, 2010; Heffernan & Bosetti, 2020; Hollis, 2012; Keashly & Neuman, 2008; McKay et al., 2008). Incivility among faculty can be associated with declining health, decreased faculty retention, diminished self-esteem, and lowered psychological well-being (McClendon et al., 2021; Miner et al., 2012; Raskauskas & Skrabec, 2011). Although counselor educators are presumably experts in effective communication and conflict negotiation, anecdotal reports of conflict in counselor education departments are frequent. This study developed an instrument called the Academic Workplace Climate Measure. In …
Marginalization Experiences Of Chinese International Counseling Students In Social And Cultural Diversity Courses,
2026
The Johns Hopkins University
Marginalization Experiences Of Chinese International Counseling Students In Social And Cultural Diversity Courses, Hsin-Ya Tang, Caiwei Tang, Hexin Bi, Qingyue Zhang
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
No abstract provided.
Analyzing Outcome Research In Aca Counseling Journals: A Content Analysis,
2026
University of Central Florida
Analyzing Outcome Research In Aca Counseling Journals: A Content Analysis, Lisa Rickman, Marangelie Velez, Serene Hasan, Elizabeth Lugo, Sejal Barden
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
To assess the current state of evidence-based practices within counseling and counselor education, researchers conducted a comprehensive content analysis of outcome research published in counseling journals. Using quantitative methods to examine publication trends and frequency, the study reviewed 5,266 articles across 21 journals over a ten-year span (2013–2023), identifying 405 outcome studies for inclusion. Findings revealed a substantial gap in outcome research within professional counseling, particularly with respect to methodological diversity and representation of diverse populations. The authors emphasize the need for counselor educators and practitioners to prioritize outcome research to enhance clinical effectiveness and strengthen the profession. Furthermore, the …
Negotiating Professional Identity Development Across Contexts: A Collaborative Autoethnography,
2026
Oakland University
Negotiating Professional Identity Development Across Contexts: A Collaborative Autoethnography, Clark D. Ausloos, Rebecca J. Vannest, Hayley Ostlund
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
This collaborative autoethnography (CAE) explores how two counselor educators and one doctoral student navigate professional identity formation across three intersecting contexts: school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and counselor education. Through critical reflection and collaborative analysis of focus-group data and individual reflections, we identify four themes: Career Flexibility & Adaptability, Identity Formation in Supportive and Restrictive Systems, Role Strain & Stigma, and Values-Driven Practices. Implications call for counselor education programs and higher education systems to embrace multiplicity, non-linear careers, redefine mentorship structures for doctoral students and faculty, and revise promotion criteria to value relationality, and creative, student- and community-engaged …
Understanding Counselor Burnout From An Ecological Systems Perspective,
2026
Antioch University
Understanding Counselor Burnout From An Ecological Systems Perspective, Stephanie Thorson-Olesen, Lisa Belknap, Emily Velidow, Jessica Gaul, Phoenix Rosewood, Nayara Aparecida Da Costa Silva Beall
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Using Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Systems Theory as a guiding framework, this study explored the experiences of licensed counselors who self-identified as having recovered from burnout. Burnout was conceptualized as a prolonged response to chronic occupational stress, while participants were invited to describe their experiences based on their own lived understandings of the phenomenon. A qualitative thematic analysis was conducted using data collected through an anonymous online survey featuring open-ended prompts. Participants included 32 licensed counselors who graduated from CACREP-accredited programs and reported previously experiencing burnout and no longer identifying as currently burned out. Thematic analysis yielded nine interrelated themes encompassing contributors, …
Predicting Counseling Student Well-Being: The Role Of Faculty And Stress,
2026
Denver Seminary
Predicting Counseling Student Well-Being: The Role Of Faculty And Stress, Kendall G. Woods, Elizabeth K. N. Harper, Michell L. Temple
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Approximately one-third of Americans live in areas with limited access to mental health services, with only one mental health provider for every 350 people (Health Resources and Services Administration [HRSA], 2024; Reinert & Nguyen, 2022). The shortage of mental health providers persists as the need for services grows, a challenge compounded by the 40-60% attrition rate among counseling trainees (Chrzanowski, 2018). Improving counseling program completion is essential to address the mental health workforce shortage. While previous research has emphasized the importance of faculty support for graduate students (Estrada et al, 2019), little research has examined how faculty-student interactions and academic …
Counseling Supervision In Vocational Rehabilitation: An Integration And Extension Of The Discrimination Model And Critical Disability Theory,
2026
The George Washington University
Counseling Supervision In Vocational Rehabilitation: An Integration And Extension Of The Discrimination Model And Critical Disability Theory, Nichole Tichy, Harvey C. Peters
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
As a specialized counseling discipline, vocational rehabilitation aims to support individuals with disabilities in obtaining integrated and competitive employment within their communities. Within the rehabilitation counseling profession, the practice of clinical supervision is considered an essential function of the job; however, most professionals report inadequate or nonexistent supervision within their professional settings. Research on this topic is scarce, and few clinical supervision models exist specific to the needs of rehabilitation counselors. In this manuscript, we present an adaptation of the discrimination model for counselors that incorporates vocational rehabilitation and critical disability theory to encourage the challenging and dismantling of ableism. …
Experiences Of Perceived Sexism Among Female Doctoral Counselor Education Students,
2026
Walden University
Experiences Of Perceived Sexism Among Female Doctoral Counselor Education Students, Laura Smestad, Keiko Sano
Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
This phenomenological study examined the lived experiences of sexism among female counselor education and supervision doctoral students. Fourteen participants completed a semi-structured interview. The following themes were identified: in-class experiences of sexism, intersection of gender and other identities, power differentials, exclusion, female networks, silence, lack of university support, and self-minimization.
