Counseling Psychology Commons^™

Acculturation Experiences Of International Students In The U.S. Cacrep-Accredited Counselor Education Programs: Challenges, Support Systems, And Systemic Barriers, Nargiza Amirova

Counseling & Human Services Theses & Dissertations

International students significantly enrich U.S. counselor education and supervision programs by contributing diverse cultural perspectives that inspire teaching, research, and professional growth. Yet, these students often face complex challenges including cultural adjustment, language barriers, social isolation, and the academic demands of counseling academic programs that impact their educational outcome s and psychological well-being. Systemic barriers, such as visa restrictions and institutional unawareness, further complicate their experiences. This study explored acculturation experiences of international students enrolled in CACREP-accredited counselor education programs in the United States.

Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), in-depth interviews were conducted with seven international students on J1/F1 visas, …

Fostering Interconnectedness And Belonging Within Diverse Communities Through Humanistic And Afro-Centered Perspectives, Courtney Cabell, Jasmine Perin

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

In today’s increasingly diverse yet fragmented society, individuals with traditionally marginalized identities face pervasive disconnection that profoundly affects psychological well-being. This roundtable explores culturally relevant therapeutic interventions rooted in Humanistic and Afro-centered principles, underscoring the critical need for community-oriented strategies that promote belonging and resilience by examining barriers to connection.

Career Adaptability In Asd: Investigating The Influence Of Social Self-Efficacy, Logan E. Ankeney

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study will investigate how social communication challenges affect career adaptability in young adults on the autism spectrum. Data from 250 participants will examine measurement equivalence of the Career Futures Inventory (CFI; Rottinghaus, 2005) and test relationships between social self-efficacy, social communication impairment, and career adaptability. Guided by social cognitive career theory (SCCT; Brown & Lent, 2014), this study will use CFA and mediation analyses.

Systematic Review Of Arab American Emerging Adults Mental Health, Sahar Al-Tweej, Sarah Kiperman

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This systematic review examines psychosocial factors influencing mental health in Arab American emerging adults, identifying both protective and risk factors. Utilizing minority stress theory, it highlights key determinants such as ethnic identity, religious involvement, and discrimination. Findings emphasize the need for culturally sensitive interventions to address mental health disparities

Religiosity And Spirituality In Emerging Adults: A Cluster Analysis, Hannah M. Lamack, Ingrid Weigold Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This topic explores religiosity and spirituality among a sample of emerging adults, looking at how individuals naturally group in a person-centered analysis compared to how individuals are sorted through a variable-centered analysis.

Dbt-Art Telehealth Skills Groups With Black Women, Karisse Callender, Callie Koziol

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study piloted a culturally relevant, integrative DBT-Art intervention via telehealth with two Black women using a single-case research design. Findings showed increased mindfulness, self-compassion, and emotion regulation. Participants discussed telehealth's accessibility benefits, emphasizing the need for innovative, multidisciplinary approaches to improve mental health services for marginalized groups.

The Role Of Coping Strategies On Acculturative Stress, Depression, And Anxiety In An Arab Community, Laura Torio, Khadeja Najjar, Ilya Yaroslavsky

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study explores acculturative stress (AS), coping strategies (CS), and mental health in Arab immigrants (N=68). Results show that avoidant-CS are linked to depression and anxiety, while problem-focused-CS are protective. Age correlated with CS and mental health outcomes. Interventions addressing avoidant-CS could improve mental health in minority populations.

R.E.A.C.T.: Relationship Efficacy And Complex Trauma, Mandilyn Graham

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Research on complex trauma has expanded our understanding of the impact of repeated exposure to maltreatment and adversity in childhood or adolescence on adult mental health outcomes. Despite this expansion of knowledge, there is still much to explore on the impact of complex trauma throughout the lifespan as researchers and clinicians work to craft interventions that address the impacts of complex trauma. Given the notable and heightened impact of childhood exposure to adversity among African Americans, this population may be especially prone to experience relational difficulties later in life. The proposed phenomenological study seeks to further explore the impact of …

Counseling Psychology In Action: Community-Rooted Solutions For Mental Health Equity In Lmics, Madeleine Reardon Ms, Kali Rickertsen Bs, Mackenzie Jenuwine Ms, Francesca Pernice Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Mental health disparities in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are driven by systemic inequities, limited access to care, and pervasive stigma. This is evident in Bungoma County, Kenya, where in 2023, one psychiatrist served over 1.6 million people, and 78.2% of residents experienced a psychotic or mood disorder in their lifetime (Kisiang’ani et al., 2023). Despite this prevalence, access to consistent treatment and medications remains limited, leaving families to take on caregiving roles without adequate resources or support. The World Health Organization (WHO) has emphasized the need for accessible, community-based mental health solutions to bridge these gaps, particularly in underserved …

Police Brutality Online: Allies’ Movement Towards Anti-Racist Behaviors, Halle Letizio M.A., Casey Hinger Ph.D

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

The proposed study will explore how exposure to police brutality via digital media platforms influences allies’ empathy towards BIPOC and drives them to challenge racist behaviors. Additionally, the study seeks to understand the role of psychological flexibility in sustaining these efforts, with respect to the psychological toll that witnessing police brutality can impose.

How Racial Socialization Shapes Dating Experiences For Black/White Biracial Women, Alexis M. Briggins Bs, James E. Brooks Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This study examines how racial socialization affects dating experiences and partner choices among 150 biracial (Black/White) women. Through surveys and thematic analysis, findings revealed that participants face challenges in Black and White spaces, experiencing discrimination and identity invalidation from romantic partners while simultaneously encountering both fetishization and exclusion in dating.

Substance Use And Ipv In Sexual And Gender Minority Relationships, Marissa S. Dongarra

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

The proposed study aims to test whether substance use moderates the association between SGM stress and IPV within LGBTQ+ relationships. By examining alcohol and drug use, the study intends to identify risk factors for IPV in SGM relationships, informing prevention and treatment efforts to reduce IPV occurrence and support victims.

Strong Black Women Schema: Sexual Assault, Identity, Mental Health Outcomes, Ishara Jean-Francois, Cassandra Hinger, Kelly Yu-Hsin Liao

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Sexual violence is a significant issue that is affecting the Black community, and it is leading to negative mental health outcomes for Black women (Zounlome et al., 2019). The proposed study will examine on the Strong Black Women Schema and aspects of identity following sexual violence.

The Psychological And Clinical Implications Of Digital Media Consumption, Julianna Carpenetti M.Ed.

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

With digital media, technology, and the Internet becoming staples of daily life, it is critical for counseling psychologists to better understand problematic digital media usage and “Internet addiction.” I investigated the psychological implications of digital media usage, provided recommendations for clinical practice, and identified future directions for empirical study.

Analyzing Accessible Mental Health Resources For Black Americans In Rural Communities And The Benefits Of Utilizing Telehealth, Jordan Woods

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This systematic literature review was conducted to assess mental health resources available for rural Black Americans. Numerous databases were used to collect articles published between the years 2009 and 2024, with the majority of findings suggesting improvement in mental health outcomes among the population with the inclusion of telehealth.

Exploring Non-Disabled Disability Allyship Development: A Qualitative Exploration Of Motivation, Identity, And Action, Sara J. Conley M.A.

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Research regarding allyship is crucial to understand helpful ways individuals can participate in social change. One way counseling psychology can be effective contributors to social justice aims is through allyship. This study aims to investigate allyship in non-disabled people with a specific focus on allyship for intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mindful Journaling With Women Health Science Graduate Students, Callie Koziol, Karisse Callender

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

This N=1 study explored the effects of mindful journaling on stress, mindfulness, and self-compassion with one woman enrolled in a health-science graduate program. A single case research design was conducted to observe the efficacy and impact of a 4-week mindful-journaling intervention for changes across levels of mindfulness, self-compassion, and stress.

Trauma From A Distance, Katelyne Griffin-Todd, Katherine Mcraven, Casey Hinger

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Exposure to suffering, combined with emotional contagion and empathic concern, has been studied as leading to Secondary Traumatic Stress (STS) in clinicians. This study proposes the development of STS examined in college-aged social media users who view human rights violations and what implications this has on their intention to be an activist.

Invited Keynote Speaker: Feeling Like A Fraud: The Impostor Phenomenon And Mental Health, Kevin Cokley

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Dr. Kevin Cokley's Keynote Address

Division 17 President Conversation Hour With Students, Mel Wilcox Phd

Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference

Division 17 President Conversation Hour with Students