Counseling Commons^™

Beyond Acculturation And Resilience: International Students Navigating Shame And Self-Concept, Shauna Thompson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

This study highlights the unique experiences of international students while they pursue higher education, manage adjustment issues, and navigate internal struggles. To explore whether English proficiency and family expectations correlate with self-concept and acculturation resilience, this study focused on the acculturation process, incorporating aspects of shame and self-concept that contribute to a student’s motivation and resilience. International students commonly face academic and personal challenges while adjusting to an environment that requires fluency in English. Additionally, many experience the pressure of high expectations from their families in their countries of origin. This study used a sociocultural approach to explore how international …

A Phenomenological Study Of The Effects Of Unresolved Sexual Trauma On Intimacy In African American Women Relationships, Gianna Latrice Jackson

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) has multifaceted effects on survivors. The psychological distress stemming from CSA often leads to the development of abnormal cognitions and behaviors that persist throughout a survivor's lifetime. While substantial research has focused on the long-term consequences for women who have experienced childhood sexual assault, there is still a need to explore the experiences of African American (AA) women who have encountered CSA and how it shapes their ability to engage in intimate sexual relationships. This phenomenological study aims to investigate the lived experiences of AA women who have endured CSA, with a particular focus on the …

The Impact Of Shame On Medication-Assisted Therapy Treatment Outcomes For Individuals With A Severe Opiate Use Disorder, Cameron Davis Mcclure

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Shame has a significant impact on various psychopathologies including depression (Pinto et al., 2012), anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder (Bryan et al., 2013). The gap in this research is the quantitative impact of shame on the relapse cycle in individuals with a severe opioid use disorder. This research study will demonstrate the impact of shame on the expression of addictive behavior in patients that have a diagnosed opiate use disorder and are currently actively enrolled in a medication-assisted therapy treatment program. This research study will illustrate how the presence of increased therapeutic alliance strength can result in the reduction of …

A Phenomenological Study Exploring An Infertile Christian Woman's Experience From Clergy Counseling In A Local Church, Laura Lasek

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover the perceptions of infertile women’s perceived experiences with receiving counseling from their local church pastor. The theories guiding this study were identity theory and narrative identity theory, as an infertile woman often feels a loss in their identity due to not being able to become a mother. This study explored how an infertile woman had hope to identify as a mother perceived counseling from her local church. The central research question for this transcendental phenomenological study was: How does a Christian woman who is coping with infertility describe the impact of …

Sisters In Harm: A Phenomenological Study Examining Active-Duty Military Women’S Lived Experiences Of Military Sexual Assault And Trauma, Brandy R. Preston

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

There has been a plethora of research studies conducted on the staggering statistics surrounding military sexual trauma (MST) and how the armed forces have systematically failed to provide appropriate protections for women who experience military sexual assault (MSA). However, firsthand experiences from active-duty women who experienced MSA and the possible secondary trauma they experienced have very little documentation besides that from a quantitative research point of view. Studies surrounding survivors’ personal experiences are even more limited. Within this body of research, a phenomenological approach is used to describe the contextual and perceptual experiences surrounding active-duty women who are survivors of …

The Cost Of Creating Therapeutic Relationships: A Phenomenological Study, Robert D. January

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe how licensed counselors address vicarious trauma and burnout when working with individuals exposed to trauma. This study involved ten licensed professionals from diverse settings including clinics, private practices, and non-profit organizations. Constructive Self-Development Theory guided this study, which defines how traumatic experiences influence a person’s sense of identity. This theory is particularly relevant to this qualitative study because it explains the challenges faced by professional counselors who interact with trauma survivors and acts as a guide toward solutions for preventing counselors from experiencing vicarious trauma and burnout. Snowball sampling was used …

A Phenomenological Approach Of Foster Parent Factors That Predict Placement Disruption Of Children In Foster Care, Latoya Ebony Moore

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to discover foster parent factors contributing to foster care disruptions. Disruptions of foster care children are detrimental to the safety and well-being of the children. There are implications of foster care disruptions producing short- and long-term negative outcomes for children and families. Research indicates the emotional trauma effects of placement instability negatively impact the child’s relationships, ability to form attachments, educational outcomes, and mental and developmental stability. Foster parent factors have been identified that predict the likelihood of the parents disrupting the child’s placement and strategies for increasing placement stability in various studies. …

Mindfulness For The Reduction Of Anxiety, Stress, And Depression In The Preservice Teacher Community, Shelley R. Crampton

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

Teachers and students alike suffer from anxiety, stress, and depression. Mindfulness-based strategies have been indicated to help teachers and students deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. Teachers often report not wishing to add more learning strategies to their packed schedules and workload. Education in mindfulness is not easily accessible due to the time constraints of this overworked population. The criteria for participation in the study required the college students in preservice education classes to be over 18 years old, enrolled in the teacher education program, and not have participated in any mindfulness in the last six months. The study is …

Teachers’ Referral Practices: Opportunities For School Counselor Advocacy, Maggie Parker, Alex Ostrander, Emily Decker, Sarah Ray

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

Using Consensual Qualitative Research, researchers examined teachers’ experiences in the student referral process, specifically how they determined when and to whom a referral should be made. Results indicate that teachers actively work to engage students and families in strong relationships to avoid referrals and that certain behaviors are more likely to result in specific referrals (e.g., externalizing to discipline). Implications for school counselors and school counseling advocacy and limitations of this study are discussed.

Examining Indiana’S State-Recognized Comprehensive School Counseling Programs, Caseload, And Academic Outcomes Of Diverse Student Populations, Marsha L. Rutledge, Melanie Burgess, Kenya G. Bledsoe, Jaimie Stickl Haugen

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

In the age of accountability, school counselors are responsible for ensuring that their services are effective for all students by providing evidence of the impact of comprehensive school counseling programs (CSCPs) on student academic outcomes. Numerous studies provide empirical evidence of the impact of RAMP on student outcomes; however, none have disaggregated outcome data by race/ethnicity. Reviewing disaggregated scores will aid in how CSCPs and school counselor caseloads support specific student populations and assist in closing student opportunity gaps. Using an archival dataset from Indiana DOE (n=264), we sought to understand the impact of a state-recognized CSCP and …

Ecological Barriers To Comprehensive School Counseling Program Implementation, Kristi D. Kratsa, Derron Hilts, Jered B. Kolbert, Matthew Joseph, Matthew L. Nice, Laura M. Crothers

Journal of School-Based Counseling Policy and Evaluation

According to the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), schools designated as Recognized American School Counselor Model Programs (RAMP) demonstrate, through evidence, an alignment with the ASCA National Model, widely recognized as the standard for comprehensive school counseling programs (CSCPs). Empirical investigations of the barriers to achieving the RAMP-designation have primarily focused on the intra- and interpersonal characteristics of the schools’ counselors, with little attention to macro-systemic factors. Grounded in McMahon et al.’s (2014) ecological school counseling framework, we investigated whether macro-systemic characteristics including region, institution type, community setting, and program funding significantly and uniquely predict RAMP-designation above and beyond school …

Is Digital Altruism The Same As Offline Altruism?: An Exploration Of Strength-Based Determinants Among Generation Z During Covid-19 Pandemic, Nair Shravya Sunil, Surekha Chukkali

Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and Practice

Digital altruism is a new form of altruism on social media platforms. Social media has been a vital tool for sharing and seeking information for day-to-day situations, enabling people to seek and render help. Engaging in helping behaviour could be purely out of altruism or can be traced back to their professional requirements. Social media platforms have brought out people’s altruistic side on multiple occasions. The present study looked at the altruism levels of Indian Generation-Z social media users and how it is influenced by the users’ strength-based determinants, i.e. empathy, compassion, social justice, optimism, social intelligence, and personality, compared …

Using A Three-Dimensional Theoretical Orientation Matching Model To Predict Therapeutic Outcomes, Daniel Rhodes

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Matching helpers and clients in a therapeutic setting is inefficient and ineffective. So far, there are no significant and enduring variables that reliably match helpers and clients that lead to positive therapeutic outcomes. This study attempts to match helper and client using theoretical orientation. It uses a quantitative methodology to predict therapeutic outcomes given match quality in the therapeutic dyad. Participants were 30 dyadic pairs—consisting of one helper and one client—who had a pre-existing therapeutic relationship. Each was given an assessment tool, used to measure their theoretical orientation to psychotherapy. Results showed no statistically significant relationships between theoretical orientation match …

Integrated Behavioral Health Training In Counselor Education: A Call To Action, Nicholas Schmoyer, Lisa Corbin, Lauren Robins

The Journal of Integrated Primary Care

The American healthcare system is beginning to adopt an integrated behavioral health model as a way to meet the ever-changing and holistic needs of patients by creating opportunities for collaboration among medical and behavioral health professionals. Professional counselors play a vital role in integrative behavioral health through their meaningful participation on interdisciplinary healthcare teams. Professional counselors are key to any interdisciplinary team because they embrace a biopsychosocial wellness perspective and have undergone clinical and academic training. However, many counseling programs do not specifically educate or train counselors in how to work in integrated care settings. As such, counselor educators must …

Body Positivity: A School Counseling Group For Adolescents, Zoe Justine Hess

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

An eating disorder is a mental illness characterized by severe, unhealthy changes in appetite and dysphoric body image. One main indicator that an eating disorder is likely to occur is the person having a perfectionistic personality type. Another major factor is having an intense consciousness of body image, often with this being very skewed and negative. Both, when brought to extremes, have dangerous consequences for the person’s mental and physical health. Eating disorders typically first appear in adolescence or young adulthood, most markedly for females; thus, it is pertinent that school counselors are aware of the signs of an eating …

Resilience Small Group: A Small Group For Upper Elementary Students, Devyn Stenzel

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Resilience is important for a child’s ability to persevere, as well as their physical health. Parental influence, connection, cultural identity and coping skills are some factors that can help build resilience within a child. Teaching and surrounding the child with positive connections can help children overcome and persevere when faced with stressful and traumatic events. Children need opportunities to learn skills to reduce the impact of severe stress on their bodies (Sciaraffa, et al, 2018). The resilience small group will help children receive the chance to practice these skills in a group of 4-6 of their peers. Children will be …

Analysis Of Self, Peace Peter

Dissertations, Theses, and Projects

Abstract

This self-analysis paper explores the author's personal growth and development over a specific period. The paper begins with an overview of the author's background and experiences of immigration that have shaped their identity. Next, the author reflects on their personal relationships with family and friends, discussing areas in which they have made progress and areas in which they still need improvement. The paper also explores the author's theoretical orientation and aspirations, outlining the steps they are taking to achieve them. Through this self-analysis, the author gains a deeper understanding of themselves, their motivations, and their potential for growth. Overall, …

Covid, Church, & Cuts: A Single Narrative Case Study Of Pandemic Impacts On A Bi-Vocational Pastor & Barber, A. D. Hooker, Camille S. Talbert

The Journal of Faith, Education, and Community

This narrative case study provides an in-depth look into the impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic from the perspective of an assistant pastor with a small African American church in an urban city. His story indicates that the pandemic had both positive and negative effects on the pastor’s ability to carry out his role of pastoral care and ministry. Some positives were the results of new technological adaptations that helped to improve members’ consistency in attending and participating in weekly services. Some negative effects imposed by COVID-19 was the revelation of imbalanced relationships and a lack of trust in God. The …

How Animal Assisted Therapy With Dogs Is Understood And Perceived Among Health Care Providers And The General Public In Canada, Healey Gardiner Dr., Jill Singleton-Jackson Dr.

Journal of Counseling and Psychology

When a dog is included in treatment to meet an individual’s therapeutic goal it is known as Animal-Assisted Therapy (AAT). Although AAT has increased in popularity, limited research exists regarding its efficacy. According to the diffusion of innovation theory an innovation must be properly communicated to all appropriate channels before it may be adopted into practice. Little is known about how AAT is understood and perceived among healthcare professional and public populations in Canada. In the present study, health care professionals and the general public in Canada were surveyed. Attitude toward dogs, openness to experience, agreeableness, and subjective distress were …

The Overture! Then Is Here-And-Now: Hindsight Is Twenty, Twenty?, Elena Kydd

Music Therapy Theses

My existence and presence as a Black woman and graduate scholar in music therapy have allowed me to share my experience of racial trauma and oppression in the hallways of GCSU’s music therapy program. Autoethnography is the method I use to write my thesis on the relationships between Blackness, pedagogy, and music therapy. Thus, I perform an evocative autoethnographic study that allows me to share my personal experience of racial trauma and oppression within the culture of music therapy and to critique the larger social structures of whiteness that disenfranchise and dominate me and other Black student music therapists (SMTs). …