Counseling Commons^™

"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

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 …

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 …

A Qualitative Exploration Of Counselor Traits And Wellness Practices, Emily Velidow

Antioch University Dissertations & Theses

This study is a qualitative thematic analysis of counselor wellness practices as well as how selfidentified personal traits are part of how a counselor practices and prioritizes wellness. Theoretical underpinnings of the study integrate trait activation theory (Tett & Burnett, 2003), Martin Seligman’s wellbeing theory (Seligman, 2011), and Urie Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory (Bronfenbrenner, 1977). Participants included nineteen licensed counselors (N=19). Analyzed responses lead to four main themes, each with two to four subthemes. Resulting themes included (1) intentional caseload and workday structure, (2) deliberately emphasizing physical wellness, (3) setting boundaries attending to mental and emotional energy, and (4) the …

The Forgotten Carers: A Study Of The Lived Experiences Of Chinese Canadians Caring For A Family Member With Borderline Personality Disorder (Bpd/Fbpd), Judy Y.F. Wu

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

There is a fair amount of literature on Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD); however, it still lags behind research on other major mental illnesses such as depression and schizophrenia (Furnham et al., 2015). Similarly, while there has been ample research on caring from various perspectives; little has been explored regarding caring for individuals with BPD. Research on Chinese Canadian families caring for patients with BPD is even more scarce. This study explored the lived experiences of Chinese Canadians caring for family members diagnosed with BPD (FBPD) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), Ontario, Canada. BPD is characterised by “interpersonal hypersensitivity, affective …

Exploring Religious-Spiritual Struggles Among Muslim Immigrants In The Canadian Context, Ayse Erenay

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

Migration to a new culture and adaptation to a different lifestyle may cause emotional and psychological stress. In some cases, immigrants may experience religious and/or spiritual (R/S) struggles due to challenges to their beliefs and practices in the country they have immigrated to. Based on Pargament (2007, 2013)’s R/S struggle framework, these struggles may include questions about the ultimate meaning of life, one’s relationship with God, or doubt about one’s belonging within a religious or spiritual community. Muslim immigrants face unique struggles since Islamic teachings require Muslims to visibly practice their faith and reflect on God’s presence as a central …

The Influence Of Black African American Fathers’ Parenting Styles On Young Adult Children’S Attachment Styles: The Roles Of Gender And Fathers’ Residence, Robert Baptiste Thompson

Dissertations

Parenting

Black African American (BAA) fathers in the United States are frequently mischaracterized as absent or uninvolved, reinforcing deficit-based narratives rooted in historical and systemic racism. Such portrayals obscure the meaningful and sustained roles many BAA fathers play in their families and fail to account for the cultural, structural, and contextual conditions that shape paternal involvement and parenting practices. Although a growing body of research has documented the importance of father involvement for child development, comparatively limited empirical attention has been given to how BAA fathers’ parenting styles influence their children’s attachment—particularly as a function of fathers’ co-residency histories. This …

More Than Just Multiculturally Competent: Doctoral Student Competency And Preparedness To Work With Individuals With Disabilities, Kristen N. Dickens, Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson, Synthia Best

Georgia Educational Researcher

Phenomenological inquiry was used to interview counselor education doctoral students about their experiences and perceived competency and preparedness to counsel individuals with disabilities. Three overarching themes emerged: (1) continuous self-directed learning, (2) disability is multifaceted, misunderstood, and evolving, and (3) influential learning factors. Implications and recommendations for counselor educators and training programs are provided.

Unveiling Othering Experiences In Multiethnic Families: Narratives Of Identity And Belonging Among White/Hispanoamerican Women, Maria-Esther Wood

Theses and Dissertations (Comprehensive)

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of multiethnic Hispanoamerican women as they navigate identity, belonging, and familial othering within the context of multiethnic family systems. Using qualitative narrative inquiry, the study centres the voices of nine women residing in Ontario, each with one white parent and one Hispanoamerican parent, ranging in age from 19 to 65. Guided by Dewey’s three-dimensional model of narrative analysis, the research explores how personal stories reflect broader patterns of othering and belonging, the central research question asks: What specific forms of othering related to identity and belonging—inclusive of discrimination and racist treatment—do multiethnic Hispanoamerican women …

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.

Retirement: Broaching Intersectional Identities And Aging, Nichole Tiggs Angieri, Ericka Cables, Mary Martha Abernathy

Adultspan Journal

Broaching intersectional identities in retirement is a crucial counseling skill that fosters trust and connection with older adults as they navigate this major life transition. Using Person-Centered, Trauma-Informed (PCTI) and Relational-Cultural Theory (RCT) as complements to broaching, these theories provide both relational and cultural attunement to facilitate healing and well-being in this specialized population. Through didactic information and case studies, the purpose of this conceptual paper is to provide counselors and counselor educators with insight into broaching intersectional identities in retirement and to advocate for further research on aging and identity. The implications for clinical practice include providing an integrated …

A Wellness Approach To Aging, Retirement, And Suicide Risk: Gerontological Considerations, Seth T. Robinson, Derek J. Lee

Adultspan Journal

Suicide risk in older adulthood represents complex interactions between developmental transitions; changing social contexts; and interactions between ecological context and individual perceptions of belongingness, burdensomeness, and hope. This paper presents an integrative,developmentally appropriate framework for conceptualizing and addressing suicide risk in older adulthood, which is grounded in the Indivisible Self model of wellness. Drawing on current empirical knowledge of wellness, suicidality, and older adulthood, this paper presents risk and protective factors associated with older adulthood through life transitions, changing social contexts, and other relevant factors. We present a novel integration of suicide intervention, wellness, and holistic care as a suitable …

Full-Time Career Retirement: A Black Man’S Narrative Of Survival And Protecting His Peace, Demetrius Cofield, Amaya Rakes

Adultspan Journal

Full-time career retirement is a major developmental transition that is often examined through race-neutral frameworks, leaving Black men’s experiences underexplored in counseling and aging scholarship. This perspective article centers the narrative of a retired Black man veteran who transitioned into full-time career retirement after decades of state employment. Using a narrative interview approach, this manuscript examines the factors that shaped his retirement decision and adjustment to later adulthood. The interview frames retirement as a process of self-preservation, continuity, and intentional living rather than identity loss or disengagement. Findings highlight the role of disciplined wellness practices and selective disengagement in promoting …

Structural And Intersectional Factors In Full Retirement: Insights For Black Men, Waleed Sami

Adultspan Journal

This interview centers the full retirement experience of Anthony Crawford. This perspective highlights the complex interplay between social determinants, intersectional identity, the psychology of working, and social class/social mobility, as key factors in his lived experiences. The relationship between structural factors and interpersonal factors continues to be a growth edge in counseling, as counselors frequently report lack of knowledge or comfort in their relationship with counseling. This interview seeks to fill the gap and demonstrate a concrete way to develop clinical insights. The full interview is transcribed and provided, along with practical and research implications for counselors working with populations …

Retirement As A Psychosocial Transition: A Social Determinants Of Mental Health Framework For Counseling Practice, Janelle L. Jones, Lauren Robins, Melanie Calhoun, Aaliyah Bond-Richardson, Latesha S. Holloman, Zoe N. Stuckey

Adultspan Journal

Retirement is commonly framed as a normative and voluntary developmental milestone; however, access to a psychologically healthy retirement is unevenly shaped by social, economic, and structural conditions. This conceptual article applies a social determinants of mental health (SDMH) framework to retirement, conceptualizing it as a complex psychosocial transition involving identity change, shifts in purpose and meaning, relational adjustment, and emotional variability. Drawing on interdisciplinary scholarship, the manuscript examines how socioeconomic status, race and ethnicity, gendered work histories, caregiving responsibilities, health status, and access to benefits influence both the ability to retire and the experience of retirement itself. Particular attention is …

Call To Action: A Telebehavioral Health Framework For Counselor Development, Brittany G. Suggs, Brittany J. Bice-Urbach, Marlene M. Maheu, Kenneth P. Drude, Donna Ford, Jocelyn Novella, Bradford Felker, Donald M. Hilty

Counseling & Human Services Faculty Publications

The widespread implementation of telebehavioral health (TBH) services, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, created an urgent need for standardized competencies in counselor education. Many practitioners report minimal formal training, leading to significant variability in competence and a concerning gap between their confidence and actual preparedness. This article issues a call to action for counseling programs to adopt the interprofessional TBH competency framework from the Coalition for Technology in Behavioral Science (CTiBS). This structured, evidence-based roadmap outlines knowledge and skills for competent, ethical TBH practice across seven domains and three progressive levels: novice, proficient, and authority. Adopting this framework will enhance …

Breaking The Cycle: Substance Use Disorders, Recidivism, And The Role Of Reentry Programs, Sophia R. Veloz

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This Honors Research Paper examines the relationship between substance use treatment and recidivism among justice-involved individuals, gathering from my academic background as a dual major in psychology and national security and my internship at Oriana House in Akron, Ohio. Oriana House is a private nonprofit organization that provides inpatient and outpatient services for adults with substance use disorders, including detoxification, motivational interviewing (MI), Substance Use Disorder (SUD) counseling, telehealth, and 12-step facilitation. Their mission emphasizes reducing recidivism by addressing substance use and supporting long-term recovery. The main research question in this study is whether taking part in structured, community-based treatment …

Moving Positively: A Review Of Positive Psychology Interventions In Counseling, Spencer M. Fleming, Ingrid Weigold Ph. D

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Positive psychology is a relatively new and developing subfield of psychology which examines the machinations and roles of various character strengths and traits such as growth, well-being, meaning, life satisfaction, character strengths, and more. Positive psychology holds various implications for counseling, therapy, individual growth, and self-determination. However, current literature on positive psychology interventions (PPIs) are scattered, nuanced, and lack overall consensus. Thus, encompassing research is necessary to identify common trends, areas for improvement, and a clear direction moving forward. The present review analyzes positive psychology interventions (PPIs) within psychology and counseling. This review examined forty-eight articles, including fifteen meta-analyses, on …

The Effectiveness Of Behavioral Skills Training In Improving Digital Fraud Identification Among Older Adults In Low-Income Housing, Catharine Mohar

Masters Essays

Older adults, particularly those residing in low income housing facilities, are increasingly targeted by digital scams via text and email. This study evaluated the effectiveness of Behavioral Skills Training (BST) in improving fraud identification skills among this vulnerable population. BST is a structured method involving instructions, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback. A checklist was utilized in individual BST sessions with five participants aged 60 or over living in a low-income senior residential facility in the Midwest of The United States. The intervention aimed to increase participants’ ability to accurately discriminate between legitimate and fraudulent digital communications. A single case design was …

An Evaluation Of Teaching Emotion Identification And Regulation Skills Through Behavioral Skills Training On Tantrum/Challenging Behaviors In A Preschool-Aged Child With Autism Spectrum Disorder, Julia Petty

Masters Essays

Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience challenges in regulating their emotions, which can present as challenging behavior, aggression, tantrum, and more. This research aimed to teach individuals coping skills/mindfulness techniques, using aspects of behavioral skills training (BST) to help regulate their emotions and reduce challenging behaviors. The use of behavioral skills training includes instruction, modeling, rehearsal, and feedback to teach the skills. The intervention included the Incredible Five Point Scale for indicating emotions with mindfulness techniques to promote emotion regulation. The outcome was an increase in engagement with mindfulness techniques/coping skills, mastery of emotion identification, and a decrease …