Counseling Commons^™

The Impact Of Policing On Female Police Officer’S Parenting Styles, Debbie Michelle Chambers

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of female police officers with children in rural Georgia. For years, women have been proving themselves in this profession only to face gender inequality, discrimination, harassment including physical, emotional, and sexual, and skepticism from the community. Despite these barriers, females have achieved high-ranking positions in local and state agencies and federal law enforcement. This achievement has come with a price that could impact how the female officer parents her children. Several studies have been conducted on a variety of factors impacting the female police officer, such as rank, position, …

Exploring The Lived Experience Of Women Seeking Treatment For Genito-Pelvic Pain And Penetration Disorder: A Phenomenological Study, Emily M. Lacy

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study explored the lived experiences of women seeking treatment for genito-pelvic pain, aiming to identify how each person experiences barriers and facilitators toward obtaining treatment as well as their outlook on the future regarding treatment. The research sought to provide an understanding of their experiences, with implications for minimizing current barriers and building accessibility and awareness. A qualitative phenomenological design was utilized to obtain the data from participants through semi-structured individual interviews. Nine individual interviews were completed with women between the ages of 27 and 44-years-old who have experienced symptoms of genito-pelvic pain for at least 1 year and …

A Phenomenological Study Of Middle School Teachers Implementing Social-Emotional Learning, Post Covid-19 At A Predominantly Hispanic School, Kutana Nichol Parrish

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study is to understand the lived experiences of the ten middle school teachers implementing social and emotional learning, post COVID in a predominately Hispanic suburban school in Gwinnett County School District in Georgia. The theory guided by this study is emotional intelligence by psychologist Daniel Goldman but was first used by Peter Salovey and John Mayer in 1990. Daniel Goldman defines emotional intelligence as having the ability to identify nonverbal cues, using emotion to guide one’s thinking, understanding information that is communicated, and actions of emotions, and the capability to self-regulate emotions. Collaborative for …

Military Members Mental Health And Adverse Childhood Experiences: The Mediating Role Of Mental Toughness, Maureen Kenyon James

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Military members’ mental health has been in the spotlight for many years. Although Australia and the United States have strong, robust forces, exposure to this high-stress environments can take its toll. This study is important to keep our armed forces in top mental and physical health and look after them post-service. We need to know what can protect mental health and how to minimize the risks to health and well-being. The purpose of this study is to ask the question, “To what extent are Adverse childhood experiences related to military members' mental health status, and is this relationship mediated by …

Perceived Parental Narcissism: The Adult Child's Search Of Romantic Attachment Through Self-Compassion, Deanna A. Bishop

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Narcissistic personality disorder is defined by a strong desire for admiration and apathetic responses to others’ emotional needs making bonding in any relationship difficult (American Psychiatric Association, 2022). Healthy bonding within a family environment can be hindered by the lack of empathetic response and agentic behaviors that are characteristic of this personality type (Shaw, 2014). By virtue of innocence and dependency, children are the most vulnerable. The literature illustrates that emotional abuse and neglect, like parental narcissistic abuse, disrupts secure attachment between the parent and the child and can also prevent the child from learning healthy coping mechanisms, such as …

Parents' Perceptions On The Impact Of Recreation On Emotion Regulation In At-Risk Youth, Latasha Harvey

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to examine the thoughts, attitudes, experiences, and beliefs of parents of at-risk youth participating in inner-city neighborhood programs regarding the use of fitness, sports, and cultural arts in recreation to attain emotion regulation. The self-determination theory, developed by Ryan and Deci (2017), guided this study. The theory is based on the principle that individuals possess the ability to think logically, manage their emotions, and judge optimistically. The central research question for this case was How do parents view involvement in recreation for at-risk youth as it pertains to emotional development? The study design …

A Phenomenology Of Post-Adoption Experiences Of Adoptive Parents, Omowunmi Omotade Ehikhametalor

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This transcendental phenomenological study aimed to describe the post-adoption experiences of adoptive parents in Jamaica. Studies carried out in other jurisdictions are valuable but do not capture the unique experiences of adoptive parents in Jamaica; therefore, this current study sought to fill the research gap. This study's theoretical framework comprises Schlossberg’s transition theory, attachment theory, and parent effectiveness training (PET). Data were collected from a stratified purposive sample of twelve participants using a brief demographic survey, in-depth interviews, and participant journaling. The data were analyzed using Moustakas’ model, and four themes emerged, namely: the inception of adoptive parenthood, the journey …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Experience Of Institutional Betrayal And Help-Seeking Behaviors Of Military Sexual Trauma, Victoria Sheree Tolbert

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe military sexual trauma survivors' experiences of military institutional betrayal and help-seeking behaviors. The study was grounded in Jennifer Freyd’s institutional betrayal theory. Using institutional betrayal as a framework was useful in illuminating the effects of institutional betrayal on survivors' perceptions of trust, safety, and decision-making regarding seeking support. The study aimed to understand the complex dynamics between institutional responses, perceived betrayal, and subsequent support-seeking actions among MST survivors within military contexts. Data collection included in-depth interviews, journaling, and cognitive representations with purposively sampled MST survivors. The study used thematic analysis to …

Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling For Bereavement, Wayne A. Benner

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The topic of this action research is Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling for grief and bereavement. The need for the research completed is for hospice chaplains to have a workable tool to use for grief and bereavement. The problem is that many hospice chaplains do not have a framework to use for counseling in grief. The action researcher worked on the thesis of if chaplains use Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling for grief they will be more effective. The research was completed using Solution-Focused Pastoral Counseling to counsel six participants in grief. Each participant completed a pre-counseling questionnaire and a post-counseling questionnaire to assess …

Stopping The Transference: Family Resilience Concerning High Adverse Childhood Experience Through A Genogram Study Of Southern Appalachian Storytelling Culture, Brittany Shay Teague

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to explore the experiences of multi-generational Appalachian storytellers and their culture to discover if there was a decrease in Adverse Childhood Experiences and increase resilience across generations. Vygotsky's Communication Theory, which emphasizes child development through language and communication, and Masten’s Resilience Theory, which emphasizes that children can develop resilience with the assistance of their caregivers, guided this study. The research questions asked were as follows: How do they describe the impact of storytelling and genograms on resilience and intergenerational transference?  How do they describe the importance of storytelling? How would they describe …

Investigating Effective Treatments Of Ocd And Related Disorders In Women, Madeline L. Mccarthy

Counselor Education Capstones

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an under-researched mental health disorder, and many studies predominantly include male participants. Therefore, many existing treatments are based on the symptoms and results of male participants. Of the studies targeting women with OCD, much of the reliable research regards pregnancy, hormones, or phases of the menstrual cycle. While these studies have shown connections between OCD symptoms and hormones, particularly regarding pregnancy and the menstrual cycle, there is a lack of general research on effective OCD treatments for women. Additionally, many of the treatment options and medications included in these studies are those discovered through studies with …

Exploring The Complexities Of Suicide Loss: Evaluating Bereavement Experiences, Survivor Needs, And Implications For Counselors, Kristen O. Piringer, Kristen O. Piringer

Counselor Education Capstones

Suicide exposure is common and affects a plethora of people including family members, friends, and coworkers. Suicide bereavement is intricate and involves a variety of symptoms that are not common with all types of grief including: shame, guilt, isolation, rejection, trauma, and suicidal ideation. The complexities of suicide bereavement may lead to the development or exacerbation of mental health disorders such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The grieving period is often extended for years. Suicide bereavement is frequently complicated by stigma and changes in relationships due to insensitivity or avoidance. Suicide survivors express the need for recognition …

Trauma-Informed Care Within Neurodivergent Populations, Adrianna Black

Counselor Education Capstones

The recognition and understanding of what is commonly viewed as neurodivergent diagnoses have broadened significantly in recent years. However, the process of diagnosing individuals who may be considered both neurodivergent and have experienced a traumatic event has presented issues for people in the neurodivergent community. Applying trauma-informed care approaches in counseling will highlight the importance of considering how traumas influence clients’ past and current behaviors and their impact on access to services and meeting milestones within developmental stages. This paper will explore the minimal research on and the need for more research to be done on trauma-informed interventions used with …

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy For Social Anxiety In Adolescents, April Fohrman

Counselor Education Capstones

Exposure therapy has been around for decades and is still proving to be a robust, evidence-based treatment modality for several psychological issues. Imaginal exposure (vividly imagining a feared object, situation, or activity) and in vivo (directly experiencing the real fear or situation) are the traditional modes of exposure intervention. Although these treatments have shown that they work, they can also be time-consuming, expensive, or even impossible to replicate. A newer exposure therapy combines traditional imaginal therapy with in vivo therapy, but virtually.

This combination creates a middle ground where exposures to situations or fears can be increased or decreased virtually …

Horticulture Interventions Impact On Eating Disorder Symptoms, Taylor Kline

Counselor Education Capstones

Nature-based counseling offers a wide variety of options that counselors could incorporate into their session as a complementary form of counseling paired with another theory. Specifically, horticulture interventions have been found to increase clients’ self-efficacy and self-esteem, as well as reduce anxiety, which are all common symptoms of eating disorders. With the lack of research on horticulture interventions and the idea of utilizing them within the treatment of eating disorders, the contents of this paper aim to point out the variety of benefits of said interventions on common symptoms that are often related to eating disorders. Future research should focus …

A Personal Journey Of Self-Reflection, Brooke Heil

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

In this analysis, I investigate the different layers that make up who I am, exploring my personal experiences, relationships, academic pursuits, career path, mental and physical health, cultural background, coping mechanisms, strengths, and aspirations. Coming from a family deeply impacted by alcoholism, mental health struggles, and loss, I navigate through life's challenges, drawing insights from various psychological theories to understand my own journey. Through self-reflection and insights from those around me, I explore themes of resilience, independence, and how my past shapes my present. This analysis was constructed with personal stories, reflections, and observations, providing a holistic view of …

Unveiling Resilience: An Exploration Of Relational Cultural Theory, Prevalence Factors, And Emdr’S Impact On Injury And Performance Anxiety In Collegiate Student-Athletes, Brian T. Lusk

Dissertations, 2020-current

This dissertation delved into the mental health challenges encountered by collegiate student-athletes, with a specific focus on injury and performance anxiety. The research is presented in a three-manuscript format. The first manuscript is a conceptual exploration of Relational Cultural Theory [RCT] and its application in supporting student-athletes during injury recovery. By integrating the Five Good Things framework, the study demonstrates how growth-promoting connection and a strong therapeutic alliance can enhance holistic recovery, addressing the physical and emotional impacts of injury. The second manuscript investigated performance anxiety among student-athletes, with an emphasis on gender, sport type, and Adverse Childhood Experiences [ACEs] …

Space And Context: Exploration Of Information Experience And Document Experience, Carrie A. Boettcher

Proceedings from the Document Academy

This paper explores documents that are recorded and cataloged, but the original is a one-of-a-kind phenomenon that only exists once. It ponders where information ends, and document begins and the concepts of space and context that contribute to the shape or structure of the document. Specifically, the confidential counseling session, only experienced by the individuals present during the session, repeated but not duplicated, and how information and documents contribute to understanding of the counseling session.

Msw Portfolio, Melissa Sue Wells

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

This portfolio showcases examples of the work I have completed throughout my master's program.

Adolescent Dieting And Eating Disorders: Considerations For Counselors, Josephine Sticha

Counselor Education Capstones

A crucial time for an individual’s development is during adolescence. During this developmental stage, the media, social influences, and cultural pressures contribute to a teenager’s body dissatisfaction and disordered eating habits. Nearly 22% of adolescents engage in unhealthy weight-loss behaviors such as skipping meals, fad diets, excessive exercise, and dangerous purging practices due to experiencing weight and body dissatisfaction (Whyte & Findlay, 2004). Other factors such as low self-esteem, peer pressure, and the desire for increased social status have been known to exacerbate these behaviors. Dieting practices intensify these risks and increase the likelihood of developing nutritional deficiencies and eating …