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Type: Round Table clear filter
Friday, September 18
 

8:00am CDT

Addressing Misdiagnosis in Diagnostic Assessment Through Clinical, Cultural,& Experiential Training
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 @ [email protected]
This presentation aims to bridge the gap between basic DSM5-TR knowledge and the advanced diagnostic skills required for ethical clinical practice. The session focuses on improving diagnostic accuracy and confidence among counselor trainees by addressing common misdiagnoses such as bipolar disorder, PTSD, and ADHD and the influence of cultural bias. Participants will learn to integrate structured decision making models and culturally responsive frameworks through experiential teaching strategies
Speakers
avatar for Erica Pouncie
Speakers
avatar for Erin Kaszynski
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 [email protected]
  Round Table, 18

8:00am CDT

Anger and Grief in University Honors Students: Assessing and Treating the Phenomenon
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 @ [email protected]
Recent research points to the significance of studying anger, the impact on individuals and communities, and how measuring anger could help us better understand this human experience (Umbra & Fasbender, 2025). While anger is present across groups, the study of anger in the gifted population has a presence in history yet remains understudied. This session presents the preliminary results and implications from a study addressing anger and disenfranchised grief in university Honors students.
Speakers
MR
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 [email protected]
  Round Table, 11

8:00am CDT

Assessing Agentic Identity Pathways in Autism: Implications for Counseling Practice
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 @ [email protected]
This session introduces a theory-driven approach to assessing autistic identity as a dynamic, agentic process. Using a preliminary item pool, we conduct item-level exploration through exploratory factor and network analyses to examine three identity pathways grounded in Bandura's human agency theory and their links to well-being. Attendees will gain practical strategies for assessing identity processes and applying these insights in neurodiversity-affirming counseling practice.
Speakers
KZ

Kaiqi Zhou

Assistant Professor, University of North Texas
Speakers
avatar for Sang Qin
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 [email protected]
  Round Table, 10

8:00am CDT

Assoc Btwn Pornography Consumption & Romantic Relationship Outcomes with Exploration of Genre
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 @ [email protected]
Researchers have evaluated pornography's relational impacts; few studies explore animated genres high consumer interest. To address this gap, our team is validating the Pornography Use in Romantic Relationships Scale among college students via anonymous snowball sampling. We include pilot questions assessing animated pornography's perceived impact on relationships. Full results will be discussed in roundtable at the AARC Conference in September 2026.
Speakers
SM
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 [email protected]
  Round Table, 14

8:00am CDT

Beyond the Paper: Transforming Counselor Education Through Experiential Research
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 @ [email protected]
The study presented explores master ’s-level counseling students’ experiences in a high-stakes experiential research activity embedded within a research methods course. Grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Model and Interpretative Phenomenological method, students engaged in applied learning, reflection, and meaning-making. Findings of this study illuminated how experiential engagement deepens research competence, emotional awareness, and the development of research practitioner identity.
Speakers
AJ
Speakers
MS
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 [email protected]
  Round Table, 4

8:00am CDT

Effects of Parental Motivations and Stress in Perceived Outcomes of Child's Play Therapy Treatment
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 @ [email protected]
What factors contribute to parents seeking mental health support for their child, and how do those factors impact how parents perceive their child’s play therapy outcomes? Using quantitative data from play therapy training clinics, this presentation will discuss how 1) parental motivation to seek treatment for their child, 2) parental competence, and 3) parent-child attachment predict pre- and post-treatment scores on measurements of parental stress and perceptions of their child’s behaviors.
Speakers
avatar for Mario Sobrino
Speakers
NP
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 [email protected]
  Round Table, 9

8:00am CDT

Exploring Wellness and Identity Transition in New Counselor Educators: A Methodological Dialogue
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 @ [email protected]
This roundtable introduces a proposed research agenda examining how early‑career counselor educators make meaning of wellness during the transition to new or junior faculty roles. Grounded in phenomenological and constructivist perspectives, the session emphasizes collaborative inquiry. Participants will discuss conceptual frameworks and qualitative methods (e.g., IPA, photo‑elicitation) to study wellness, identity transition, and context in counselor education.
Speakers
avatar for Mihee Woo

Mihee Woo

Doctoral Candidate, Pennsylvania State University
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 [email protected]
  Round Table, 8

8:00am CDT

Faith-Based REBT May Reduce Posttraumatic and Discrimination Stress in Justice-Involved BIPOC Adults
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 @ [email protected]
This session presents empirical results from a four-week, faith-based, group REBT intervention for justice-involved BIPOC adults with probable PTSD. Participants demonstrated significant reductions in PTSD symptoms and discrimination stress, with large effect sizes observed in total scores and most subscales. Attendees will learn how culturally responsive REBT may improve engagement, address avoidance, and support poly-stress management in underserved populations.
Speakers
KP
Speakers
avatar for Erin Kaszynski
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 [email protected]
  Round Table, 13

8:00am CDT

From Stories to Concepts: Guiding Grounded Theory Dissertations
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 @ [email protected]
This presentation offers practical strategies for teaching grounded theory (GT) and mentoring students through the research process. It clarifies GT’s core logic and the iterative relationship between data collection and analysis. Participants engage in a brief coding activity and are introduced to a five-phase timeline for structuring GT dissertations.
Speakers
DH
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 [email protected]
  Round Table, 6

8:00am CDT

Initial Psychometric Evaluation and Applied Utility of the Counselor Self-Discrepancy Inventory
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 @ [email protected]
This session presents the development and initial psychometric evaluation of the Counselor Self-Discrepancy Inventory, a measure assessing discrepancies between counselors’ professional and personal selves. Grounded in self-discrepancy theory, results from EFA and CFA support a multidimensional structure with reliability and validity evidence. Implications for counselor training, supervision, and assessment practices will be discussed.
Speakers
SR

Seth Robinson

Doctoral Student, University of Texas at San Antonio
CD
DL
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 [email protected]
  Round Table, 15

8:00am CDT

Mapping Peace: A Conceptual Exploration of Embodied Anxiety and Christian Integration in Counseling
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 @ [email protected]
This conceptual presentation explores peace as an embodied and spiritually integrated construct in the context of anxiety. Drawing from evidence-based anxiety treatment, evolving literature, and Christian integration, the presentation examines how anxiety disrupts nervous system regulation, presence, and agency, and how cultivating embodied peace may support healing. Participants will leave with implications for counseling practice, supervision, and spiritually integrated care are discussed.
Speakers
BK
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 [email protected]
  Round Table, 5

8:00am CDT

Needs Assessment of Older Adults: Implications for Ethical and Evidence-based Practice
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 @ [email protected]
Screening and proper assessment of the needs domains of older adults represents a critical component of ethical, multicultural and evidence-based practice. This program will overview specific older adults areas of need and identify specific assessment instruments for use.
Speakers
EI
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 [email protected]
  Round Table, 3

8:00am CDT

Pilot study for the MARS Group: Preliminary findings and practical challenges
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 @ [email protected]
The Mindful Awareness and Relational Skills (MARS Group) was designed to help new counselors enhance their relationships with clients by fostering in-session mindful awareness. This presentation will introduce the MARS Group to attendees and share preliminary findings of the pilot study. Practical challenges of conducting a pilot study for a group-based intervention with practicing counselors will be discussed.
Speakers
DJ

David Johnson

Associate Professor and Chair, Wake Forest University
The presenter is a licensed professional counselor, board approved supervisor, and counselor educator who currently works as an assistant professor. They have experience teaching and researching mindfulness and meditation practices in counselor training. They have conducted and published... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 [email protected]
  Round Table, 16

8:00am CDT

Students’ perceptions of School Counselors' Helpfulness and Accessibility: From the Source
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 @ [email protected]
Rarely we receive feedback from students on how helpful our actions and initiatives are!This session presents findings from a survey of rural middle school students’ perceptions of school counselor helpfulness and its impact on academic and career decision-making. Attendees will gain insights into measuring counselor support, key factors influencing student evaluations, and potential implications for supporting students’ academic and career interests.
Speakers
JH
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 [email protected]
  Round Table, 1

8:00am CDT

Teaching Program Evaluation: Challenges, Resources, and Innovations
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Research and Program Evaluation has long been one of CACREP’s foundational curriculum areas for counselor training. How can counselor educators teach program evaluation effectively to both master’s and doctoral counseling students? This session will explore the challenges, strategies, and resources that support the successful teaching of program evaluation.
Speakers
avatar for Qu Chen
Speakers
JR
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
  Round Table, 18

8:00am CDT

Using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to Examine Trauma Teaching in Counselor Education
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 @ [email protected]
This 50-minute session presents findings from an interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) study examining counselor educators’ and doctoral students’ lived experiences of teaching trauma in CACREP-accredited programs. Findings highlight perceived needs, preparedness, supports, and barriers. This session will present the IPA method, key findings, and discuss implications for improving trauma education in counselor education.
Speakers
avatar for Yoon Suh Moh

Yoon Suh Moh

Associate Professor, Thomas Jefferson University
avatar for Yu Pan

Yu Pan

Assistant Professor, Kent State University
LD
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 [email protected]
  Round Table, 15

8:00am CDT

Using Q Methodology to Examine Subjectivity: A Dissertation Study as an Illustrative Example
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 @ [email protected]
Q methodology offers counselor education researchers a rigorous yet underutilized approach for investigating subjectivity in ways traditional qualitative or quantitative methods cannot. This session provides a practical, step-by-step walkthrough of conducting a Q methodology study, from developing a Q sample to interpreting factor solutions, using a completed dissertation on basic skills instructors' perspectives on practicum unreadiness as a case example throughout.
Speakers
avatar for Renyi Huang

Renyi Huang

Assistant Professor, University of North Florida


Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 [email protected]
  Round Table, 2

8:00am CDT

Visualizing Cultural and Identity Transition: Photovoice with Japanese Expatriate Wives
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 @ [email protected]
The Japanese expatriate wives (JPNEW) often face multiple challenges with limited access to mental health resources, which impacts their gender identity after they moved internationally, accompanying their partners. In this presentation, the attendees will learn about the challenges among JPNEW and the use of photovoice, which helps to overcome the cultural barriers by allowing participants to express themselves freely. Participants learn how to conduct an ethical cross-cultural study.
Speakers
avatar for Yuima Mizutani

Yuima Mizutani

Assistant professor, University of Cincinnati
Dr. Yuima Mizutani (she/her) is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services - IT, University of Cincinnati. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from J.F. Oberlin University in Japan and her Master's in Clinical Mental... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Hanyun Li

Hanyun Li

Assistant Professor, University of Cincinnati
Hanyun Li is an Assistant Professor in Counseling and serves as the Track Coordinator for the School Counseling Program at the University of Cincinnati. Her research agenda includes multicultural counseling, counseling leadership and advocacy, and professional identity development... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 [email protected]
  Round Table, 7

8:00am CDT

Who Tells Our Stories when We're Both In and Out? Insider-Outsider Research with Black Women
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 @ [email protected]
This presentation will provide insights and implications for Black women counselor researchers as insider-outsider researchers conducting research with Black women. Two Black women counselor researchers will discuss the value and challenges of being an insider-outsider researcher, including implications for sharing intersectional identities, standpoints, and experiences of marginalization with their research participants, gaining information from participants, and producing critical conclusions.
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Altidor

Kathy Altidor

Doctoral Candidate, Florida Atlantic University
avatar for Linzy Andre

Linzy Andre

Doctoral Lecturer, Hunter College (CUNY)
Hello Everyone, I am Dr. Linzy Sunshine Andre (She/Her/Hers), a doctoral lecturer at Hunter College in New York City. I have 10 years of post-graduate clinical mental health practice, including 6 years in private practice. My research interest is vast: I have conducted research regarding... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 8:00am - 8:50am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 [email protected]
  Round Table, 19

9:05am CDT

A Relational-Cultural Perspective to Research Identity
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 @ [email protected]
This session examines researcher identity development through a Relational-Cultural Theory lens, emphasizing vulnerability, connection, and authenticity in scholarly growth. Participants will explore relational influences on research identity, critically reflect on barriers to authenticity, and identify strategies to cultivate a connected, meaningful scholarly voice. Attendees will gain tools to support sustainable and relationally grounded research trajectories.
Speakers
EC
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 [email protected]
  Round Table, 1

9:05am CDT

Anti-Fat Bias and the Diagnosis of Anorexia Nervosa in Fat Clients
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 @ [email protected]
Weight bias is a well-documented yet under addressed concern in counseling. Research confirms it impairs clinical judgment, damages therapeutic alliance, contributes to misdiagnosis, and increases care avoidance among fat clients. This presentation will discuss previous weight bias literature, current gaps in research, and the intended use of experimental analogue research to identify where anti-fat bias is impacting diagnostic decision making of anorexia nervosa in the counseling process.
Speakers
avatar for Cassandra Pilcher
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 [email protected]
  Round Table, 8

9:05am CDT

Body Art in Higher Education: Tattoos, Piercings, Outcomes Among African American Female Students
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 @ [email protected]
African American female college students, particularly those attending rural institutions, remain underrepresented in this literature. The present study examined perceptions and practices surrounding tattoos and body piercings and their relationships with alcohol use, drug use, and sexual activity among African American female undergraduate students at a rural university.
Speakers
LH
Speakers
DS
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 [email protected]
  Round Table, 5

9:05am CDT

Bridging Disciplines: Designing and Implementing Interdisciplinary Outcome Research in Counseling
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 @ [email protected]
This session explores how to design and implement interdisciplinary outcome research in counseling, using a trauma and chronic pain intervention as a model. Attendees will learn strategies for collaborating across disciplines, developing inclusion criteria, selecting assessments, structuring interventions, and integrating qualitative analysis within mixed-methods designs.
Speakers
KS
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 [email protected]
  Round Table, 17

9:05am CDT

Curating the Stories of CES Doctoral Student Identity: A Pilot Dramaturgical Narrative Inquiry
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 @ [email protected]
This session presents a pilot dramaturgical narrative inquiry exploring how CES doctoral students construct and revise professional identity within academic culture. Attendees will gain insight into identity as a dynamic, relational process shaped by institutional norms, power, and belonging, and consider implications for creative, arts-based narrative methods in researching and supporting doctoral student development.
Speakers
LR
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 [email protected]
  Round Table, 10

9:05am CDT

Do We Really Know what Burnout is? Examining Conceptual and Methodological Challenges of Burnout
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 @ [email protected]
Burnout among counselor educators is a growing concern, yet the field’s understanding is stalled by a "crisis of definition" and reliance on limited measurement tools. This session provides a foundational deconstruction of the burnout construct, challenging the status quo of current literature. Participants will evaluate the methodological "blind spots" in CE research and explore the JD-R model as a rigorous framework for advancing more nuanced, systemic inquiry in the field.
Speakers
SY

Shing Yee Bay

Assistant Professor, University of Toledo
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 [email protected]
  Round Table, 3

9:05am CDT

Exploring the Relationships Between Parental Support & Mental Health of Black College Aged Women
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 @ [email protected]
This correlational study design explores the relationship between levels of parental support, academic motivation, and mental health in African American women in college. More specifically, the impact of parental support on academic motivation and mental health. This sample (N=235) was recruited through an online survey panel of participants who met the inclusion criteria. Results, implications, and suggestions for future research will be shared during this session.
Speakers
avatar for Jessica Barnes

Jessica Barnes

University of South Carolina
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 [email protected]
  Round Table, 2

9:05am CDT

Forgiveness and Political Reconciliation
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 20 @ [email protected]
This study explores the impacts of political trauma to identify the association of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Speakers
RB
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 20 [email protected]
  Round Table, 20

9:05am CDT

From Couch to Campus: Clinical Counselors Engering School Counseling Through Alternative Licensure
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 @ [email protected]
School counselor shortages continue to challenge K–12 schools (ASCA, 2018; ASCA, 2023; Goodman-Scott et al., 2022). Alternative licensure pathways are one strategy for strengthening the school counselor pipeline (ASCA, 2023). This roundtable explores the findings and implications of a study examining how clinical mental health counselors perceive their preparation when transitioning into school counseling through an alternative licensure program.
Speakers
avatar for Leanne Campbell

Leanne Campbell

Assistant Professor, Northeastern State University
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 [email protected]
  Round Table, 19

9:05am CDT

Integrative Sandtray Supervision with CITs: A Single-Case Research Design
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 @ [email protected]
This roundtable reviews the implementation of integrative sandtray supervision with CITs who worked at trauma-based internship sites. The study discussed in this roundtable used a single-case research design to examine the effectiveness of the intervention on reducing secondary traumatic stress over the course of an academic semester. In addition to the results, this roundtable discusses limitations of the study, recommendations for future research, and the implications for counselor education.
Speakers
VS
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 [email protected]
  Round Table, 13

9:05am CDT

International and Cultural Understanding of the Social Determinants of Mental Health
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 @ [email protected]
This roundtable session is intended to discuss how different cultures and countries conceptualize the Social Determinants of Mental Health (SDMH). Some key topics of this roundtable discussion include how counseling research outside of the United States can utilize the SDMH model, what specific cultural factors should be considered when using the SMDH model for research, and how research of the SDMH model may have already been conceptualized internationally.
Speakers
avatar for Parker Short
Speakers
avatar for Megan Thrasher

Megan Thrasher

Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Masters Student, Auburn University

Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 [email protected]
  Round Table, 14

9:05am CDT

Is Dieting an Evidence-Based Practice? Measuring What Matters Most in Size-Inclusive Counseling."
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 @ [email protected]
Most counselors will encounter clients pursuing weight loss, yet dieting is associated with low success rates, physical, and mental health risks. This roundtable highlights findings from a recent Delphi study in which panelists addressed dieting and weight loss when determining competencies for providing size-inclusive counseling. Attendees will engage in a discussion of these findings, translating them into best practices for navigating assessment and goal setting while reducing weight stigma.
Speakers
avatar for Kari Slater

Kari Slater

Assistant Professor, Wilmington University
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 [email protected]
  Round Table, 11

9:05am CDT

Keeping the Humanity in Human Subjects: Prison Research and Ethics
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 @ [email protected]
Incarcerated individuals with mental illness (IIMI)experience live with the well-documented double stigma of criminality and mental illness by mental health professionals. This stigma can bleed into research with IIMI, despite Human Subjects protections. Research design can address ethical risks early and set researchers up for success. An experienced prison researcher will discuss risks grounded in her 30 years' experience and provide resources for preventing errors that can cause problems.
Speakers
avatar for Leigh Holman

Leigh Holman

Professor & Department Chair, Sam Houston State University
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 [email protected]
  Round Table, 6

9:05am CDT

Relational Approach to Ethical Decision-Making: A Content Analysis of Counseling Literature
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 @ [email protected]
Professional counseling approaches ethical decision-making from a power-over individualist framework, downplaying the importance of the client and the counseling relationship, and placing the counselor in an isolated position. In this session, presenters will share data from a content analysis of professional counseling literature on relational cultural therapy (RCT) and ethical decision-making. Attendees will discuss an RCT grounded approach to ethical decision-making and future research plans.
Speakers
DS

Diane Smedley

Assistant Professor of Counseling, Texas State University
Speakers
avatar for Ross Spears

Ross Spears

Assistant Professor of Counseling, University of Texas at Tyler

Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 [email protected]
  Round Table, 12

9:05am CDT

Student Outcomes and School Counselor Perspectives on the Hope Intervention: A Mixed Methods Study
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 @ [email protected]
This mixed methods study evaluated Hope Matters, a school counselor–led group intervention grounded in Snyder’s hope theory. Using a pre–post–follow-up test design with 135 students (grades 3–7), results showed significant increases in hope, but no improvements in attendance, grades, or discipline referrals. Interviews with six counselors identified key themes that influenced implementation. Participants will learn the hope intervention and how to apply a mixed methods approach to evaluation.
Speakers
avatar for Sangeun Lee

Sangeun Lee

Post Doctoral Scholar, The Ohio State University
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 [email protected]
  Round Table, 7

9:05am CDT

The Impact of Trauma Work: Counselors’ Lived Experiences of Witnessing, Strain, and Growth
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 @ [email protected]
This session presents findings from a hermeneutic phenomenological study of counselors working with multilayered complex trauma. Results highlight trauma work as a dialectical process involving strain, embodiment, institutional pressures, and meaning-making. Attendees will gain practical strategies to support counselor well-being, supervision, and sustainable trauma-informed practice.
Speakers
avatar for Lin Chiu, PhD, LCPC, LPC, NCC

Lin Chiu, PhD, LCPC, LPC, NCC

Mental Health Counselor, Kansas State University
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 [email protected]
  Round Table, 4

9:05am CDT

Using Rasch Analysis to Strengthen Assessment Tools in Counselor Education
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 @ [email protected]
Assessment tools are widely used in counselor education to evaluate counseling competencies and professional development of counselors in training and in higher education. However, many assessments rely on traditional validation method that such as the Multicultural Counseling knowledge and Awareness Scale that relied on Classical Test Theory (Lu, 2016). This presentation introduces Rasch Analysis as a measurement approach that can strengthen tools by improving overall measurement validity.
Speakers
SS
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 [email protected]
  Round Table, 16

9:05am CDT

Virtual Reality in Counselor Education: Experiential Learning and Multicultural Competence
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 @ [email protected]
Counselor educators prepare the next generation of counselors, making their perspectives on virtual reality (VR) essential. This roundtable shares a phenomenological study using interviews with counselor educators in CACREP-accredited programs. Attendees will gain insight into VR’s potential for experiential learning, multicultural competence, innovative teaching, and barriers to implementation.
Speakers
CO
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 [email protected]
  Round Table, 9

9:05am CDT

When Ideas Outrun Evidence: Accelerating Counseling Research Translation Responsibly
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 @ [email protected]
Counseling research is shifting as ideas spread quickly through trainings, podcasts, and social media while traditional publishing moves slowly. This session examines how to get trustworthy findings to clinicians and counselor educators sooner through rapid but rigorous publication pathways, living evidence products, and clinician-friendly translation tools, using a recent theory dispute to illustrate how counseling can reduce knowledge lag without sacrificing rigor, equity, or ethics.
Speakers
avatar for Donna Sheperis

Donna Sheperis

Professor, Dept. Chair, Director eClinic@PAU, Palo Alto University
Dr. Donna Sheperis is Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Counseling, as well as the Director of the wClinic@PAU, at Palo Alto University. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Mississippi and has taught for land based and online programs since 2000. Dr... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 9:05am - 9:55am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 [email protected]
  Round Table, 15

10:10am CDT

A Reckoning with Gender, Race, and Objectification: Immigrant Women’s Body Image in Turbulent Times
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 @ [email protected]
This session examines how contextual factors, including societal gender roles, cultural body ideals, and attitudes toward immigrants, contribute to maladaptive and harmful behaviors among young immigrant women. Attendees will gain insights into key protective factors, such as cultural identity and community support, and how research can inform culturally responsive care. Implications for addressing mental health disparities and fostering resilience in diverse populations will also be discussed.
Speakers
CG
avatar for Dr.ClaireMartin

Dr.ClaireMartin

Assistant Professor, Webster University
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 [email protected]
  Round Table, 10

10:10am CDT

Assessing Covert Trauma: Does technology have a role?
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 @ [email protected]
Covert trauma is chronic, relational, and psychosocial in nature, yet it remains an inadequately assessed and underdiagnosed phenomenon in the counseling literature. This session explores covert trauma and emerging AI, telehealth, and virtual technologies that are transforming the way we conduct covert trauma assessments, while also examining ethical imperatives around bias, confidentiality, and clinical validity.
Speakers
CG
CB
avatar for Kelly Emelianchik-Key

Kelly Emelianchik-Key

Professor, Florida Atlantic University
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 [email protected]
  Round Table, 2

10:10am CDT

Becoming a Researcher: Doctoral Students’ Journeys in Researcher Identity Development
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 @ [email protected]
This roundtable explores how doctoral students develop researcher identities through the challenges, uncertainties, and growth inherent in research training. Drawing on participants’ lived experiences and scholarly frameworks, attendees will examine common barriers, supports, and turning points in the development of researchers. Participants will leave with practical strategies to foster confidence, resilience, and ethical research practices in doctoral education.
Speakers
avatar for Ashley McGee
Speakers
avatar for Sarah Streitmatter

Sarah Streitmatter

Doctoral Student, Georgia State University
Sarah Streitmatter (she/her) holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and Ed.M in School Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as an advanced certificate in College Advising from Columbia University. She has been a professional school counselor in both New York... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 [email protected]
  Round Table, 12

10:10am CDT

Behind the Walls: Conducting Community Engaged Research in Correctional Settings
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 @ [email protected]
Community engaged research is challenging in any setting, but in prison settings there are additional barriers to entry that researchers should be aware of. Based on the presenter's decades of working and conducting research in prisons, she will provide real-world considerations for establishing partnerships, understanding potential confounding variables, recruiting subjects, and collecting data, all of which researchers should consider prior to submitting an IRB. Case examples and Discussion.
Speakers
avatar for Leigh Holman

Leigh Holman

Professor & Department Chair, Sam Houston State University
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 [email protected]
  Round Table, 7

10:10am CDT

Capturing Complexity and Centering Equity: Single Case Design for Practice-Based Counseling Research
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 @ [email protected]
Single case research design (SCRD) in counseling is a powerful tool for advancing client outcome counseling research that is practice based and equity focused. This session will focus on the use of mixed methods in SCRD to transform routine clinical practice data into meaningful client centered research. Participants will learn how to enhance the measurement of complex client outcomes and center the clients voice by integrating qualitative and quantitative data into their research.
Speakers
avatar for Olivia Lewis
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 [email protected]
  Round Table, 14

10:10am CDT

Data Collection with College Students and Emerging Adults: Best Practices and Sampling Strategies
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 @ [email protected]
Emerging adults (ages 18–29) are the most likely age group to begin counseling services and receive mental health therapy, which underscores the need for counseling research on this population. This session will describe the differences between sampling college students from an educational setting and emerging adults through a developmental lens. Participants will learn creative recruitment strategies for both college and non-college settings, as be able to evaluate research results and implicat
Speakers
avatar for Matthew L. Nice

Matthew L. Nice

Associate Professor, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Matthew L. Nice, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS, is an associate professor with the Department of Counseling and Human Development at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and chapter faculty advisor for IUP’s Chi Sigma Iota Chapter, Iota Upsilon Pi. He is a licensed professional counselor, a... Read More →
Speakers
TS
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 [email protected]
  Round Table, 11

10:10am CDT

Disrupting Objectivity: Positionality-Conscious Activism as Reflexive Praxis in Counselor Education
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 @ [email protected]
This session explores positionality-conscious activism in counselor education research in response to national and global humanitarian crises (e.g., genocide in Gaza, violence against immigrant communities, anti-DEI executive orders). Positionality-conscious activism, grounded in anti-oppressive leadership frameworks, calls researchers to leverage their power and privilege to take an anti-oppressive stance in all stages of the research process and enact social change using research as advocacy.
Speakers
SG
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 [email protected]
  Round Table, 5

10:10am CDT

Does Mental Health Service Use Moderate Risk for Youth Violence Involvement?
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 @ [email protected]
Youth violence is a major public health and school counseling concern. Here, we used the data from 20,745 adolescents in 145 schools to examine the structure of youth violence, test effects of risk factors on involvement, and examine whether use of mental health services moderated risk. Results suggest counseling moderated depressive, but not other types, of risk for violence involvement. Implications for counseling practice, threat assessment, and early intervention in schools are identified.
Speakers
avatar for George Richardson

George Richardson

Professor, University of Cincinnati
Dr. Richardson is an interdisciplinary researcher focused on evaluating the validity of developmental theories as well as theoretical constructs and scores used to measure them. He has tested theories suggesting that early stressful experiences (or adversity) and family structure... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 [email protected]
  Round Table, 12

10:10am CDT

Examining Mothers’ Ability to Recognize Sexual Grooming Behaviors of Child Sexual Abusers
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 @ [email protected]
Research acknowledges the importance of parents’ role in the prevention of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), yet there are few prevention programs that target parents. During the 50-minute round table session, presenters will briefly discuss preliminary findings, explore methodological challenges, invite feedback on CSA prevention curriculum development, and facilitate discussion on trauma-informed parenting strategies.
Speakers
LM
Speakers
DB
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 [email protected]
  Round Table, 13

10:10am CDT

From ABD to PhD: Rewriting the Dissertation Journey Through Connection, Culture, and Sisterhood
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 @ [email protected]
The dissertation phase is isolating, and for Black women navigating PWIs while managing multiple roles, that isolation carries the risk of staying ABD. This session explores how three Black women doctoral candidates reframed completion through immersive writing retreats rooted in connection, culture, and sisterhood. Grounded in research on identity-affirming spaces and peer support, presenters share what made the difference. Attendees leave with a framework for underrepresented doctoral writers.
Speakers
LW
Speakers
avatar for Denise Hawkins
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 [email protected]
  Round Table, 1

10:10am CDT

From Value to Practice: Consensus-Based Supervisory Strategies for Cultivating Cultural Humility
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 @ [email protected]
In this session, we present findings from a Delphi study that examined expert consensus on supervisory best practices for cultivating cultural humility in supervisees. Attendees will learn about the study’s rationale and Delphi methodology, and engage in discussions about how the resulting guidelines may inform counselor training, clinical supervision, and future research on culturally responsive practice.
Speakers
avatar for Mashal Bilal

Mashal Bilal

Ph.D. Student and Graduate Assistant | Old Dominion University
Mashal Bilal, M.S., M.A., NCC, is a second year Ph.D. student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Old Dominion University. Her research focuses on cultural humility, and culturally responsive counseling and supervision. She has clinical and teaching experience across her home... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for Gülşah Kemer

Gülşah Kemer

Associate Professor, Old Dominion University

Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 [email protected]
  Round Table, 3

10:10am CDT

Making Coding Work: Practical Strategies for Team-Based Analysis in Counseling Research
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 @ [email protected]
Coding and team-based analytic processes are central to many counseling research approaches (e.g., content analysis, CQR), yet researchers often struggle with implementation. This session provides practical strategies for developing coding systems, training teams, managing discrepancies, and maintaining rigor. Attendees will leave with concrete tools to support transparent, systematic, and credible analytic processes.
Speakers
avatar for Lena Salpietro

Lena Salpietro

Assistant Professor, Kent State University
Dr. Salpietro is an Assistant Professor at Kent State University. Her scholarly work focuses on gatekeeping and remediation in counselor education, the mental wellness and counseling experiences of LGBTQ+ people, and counselors who have lost a client to suicide.
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 [email protected]
  Round Table, 18

10:10am CDT

Mapping as a Qualitative Research Method: Counseling Implications for Adult Third Culture Kids
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 @ [email protected]
This presentation explores the Adult Third Culture Kids (ATCKs) who have received college counseling sessions. ATCKs have unique international childhood backgrounds with mental health challenges, but they have been understudied, leading to limited resources. The participants will learn about the unique experience of ATCKs in the college settings. Additionally, the participants will learn about the Mapping activity in our ongoing study and how the activities can be used in cross-cultural studies.
Speakers
avatar for Yuima Mizutani

Yuima Mizutani

Assistant professor, University of Cincinnati
Dr. Yuima Mizutani (she/her) is an Assistant Teaching Professor at the College of Education, Criminal Justice, and Human Services - IT, University of Cincinnati. She received her Bachelor's degree in Psychology from J.F. Oberlin University in Japan and her Master's in Clinical Mental... Read More →
AB
avatar for Aisha Khorana

Aisha Khorana

Ph.D. Student, Pre-License Professional Counselor, & Graduate Research Assistant, University of Missouri - St. Louis

avatar for Fatima Rafiq
Speakers
avatar for Meredith Moore

Meredith Moore

Assistant Teaching Professor, University Of Missouri- Saint Louis
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 [email protected]
  Round Table, 8

10:10am CDT

Novel Eye-Movement Intervention: Repeated Measures Analyses of PTSD, Depression, and Anxiety Scores
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 @ [email protected]
Elements of the novel eye-movement protocol will be shared, followed by results of this quantitative clinical trial, meant to help confirm results of the pilot study. This quasi-experimental design had no control group but included pretest, midway, and posttest scores for PTSD frequency and severity, depression, anxiety, and ER using repeated measures analyses. Results showed significant reductions in depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms, along with significant improvement in ER.
Speakers
DC

Deanna Chrones

Chrones Counseling, Division of Veduta Consulting
Speakers
avatar for Kristin Lee

Kristin Lee

Doctoral Student, Counselor Education and Supervision, Northern Illinois University

Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 [email protected]
  Round Table, 4

10:10am CDT

Policy on Paper, Silence in Practice: Black Student-Mothers in CACREP Doctoral Programs
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 @ [email protected]
Black student-mothers navigate a unique intersection of academic rigor and systemic misogynoir, yet institutional policy evaluation centering their lived experiences is critically scarce. This session presents a multiple-case study grounded in Black Feminist Thought and Intersectionality, triangulating Title IX mandates with lived narratives. Attendees will explore findings on policy-practice gaps and receive evidence-based recommendations for faculty training and standardized support.
Speakers
SC
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 [email protected]
  Round Table, 19

10:10am CDT

Research Gaps in Exercise-Based Trauma Interventions for Data-Driven Counseling
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 @ [email protected]
This session examines research gaps in exercise-based interventions as complementary approaches for trauma recovery. Participants will review current evidence and consider emerging research priorities related to optimal exercise types, dose-response relationships, population differences, measurement strategies, and mechanisms of change. Practical, low-cost study designs for counseling settings will be discussed to support data-driven practice.
Speakers
avatar for Analysia Holguin
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 [email protected]
  Round Table, 6

10:10am CDT

Team Research Development: 15 Essential Practices Described and Discussed
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 @ [email protected]
This session presents 15 essential practices for relational, culturally responsive, and high-impact team research in counselor education. Participants will explore strategies to build inclusive, collaborative partnerships, clarify roles, uphold ethical standards, and navigate team complexities, fostering trust, mutual accountability, and culturally grounded approaches that enhance both team functioning and scholarly impact.
Speakers
PL
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 [email protected]
  Round Table, 16

10:10am CDT

Voice, Perception, and Relational Process: Audio-Based Approaches in Counseling Research
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 @ [email protected]
This session explores the use of voice as a method for studying relational process in counseling research. Focusing on audio-based designs, it considers how voice recordings can be used to examine perceptions of communication and relational qualities. Discussion will center on methodological considerations and implications for culturally responsive research.
Speakers
JK
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 [email protected]
  Round Table, 17

10:10am CDT

Who Is Most Likely to Report Postpartum Depressive Symptoms? Insights From the PRAMS
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 @ [email protected]
Participants will learn how data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) can be used to examine postpartum depression across sociodemographic groups and social conditions. This session highlights how understanding social drivers of mental health may help identify those who are more likely to report postpartum depressive symptoms, with implications for screening, assessment, and follow-up in counseling.
Speakers
SK
Friday September 18, 2026 10:10am - 11:00am CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 [email protected]
  Round Table, 18

11:05am CDT

Critical Incident Technique and Enhanced Critical Incident Technique: Methodological Applications an
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:00pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 @ [email protected]
Explore how the Critical Incident Technique (CIT) and Enhanced Critical Incident Technique (ECIT) can strengthen qualitative research in education and counseling. This session highlights key differences, credibility strategies, and practical applications through case examples, helping participants determine when and how to use each method in their own research.
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:00pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 [email protected]
  Round Table

11:05am CDT

Are Participants Using AI? Implications for Qualitative Research Practice
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 @ [email protected]
Rapid developments in large language models raise growing concerns about participants’ AI use in research relying on subjective responses, which may undermine the validity and authenticity of research data. Drawing on emerging scholarship and researchers’ experiences, this roundtable explores implications for qualitative research, potential indicators of AI use in interviews, and strategies researchers can employ to enhance data integrity during research design and data collection.
Speakers
avatar for Yun-Ru Huang

Yun-Ru Huang

Assistant Professor, Arkansas State University
avatar for Ashley Williams-Whitley
Speakers
PP
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 [email protected]
  Round Table, 12

11:05am CDT

At the top of the evidence hierarchy: Advancing randomized controlled trials in counseling
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 @ [email protected]
Randomized control trials (RCTs) are considered the gold standard of empirical intervention research, yet these studies are rarely conducted in counseling research. In this roundtable, you will explore designing and conducting RCTs in counseling. We will discuss strengths and limitations in existing RCTs in counseling, priorities for future RCTs, and strategies for designing, implementing, and publishing RCTs in alignment with professional counseling identity.
Speakers
YX

Yixin Xu

Doctoral student, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 [email protected]
  Round Table, 10

11:05am CDT

Conjoint relationship interventions' spillover effects on co-parenting: A Systematic Review.
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 @ [email protected]
Coparenting represents a salient relational context for children’s functioning and development. Beyond the influence the parent-child and marital relationships have, the coparenting relationship uniquely contributes to children’s social and emotional adjustment. A systematic review was conducted to examine if couple relationship education and couples therapy have coparenting spillover effects. The final review contains 18 studies. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.
Speakers
avatar for Carrie Hunt
Speakers
avatar for Palmer Gudmundson

Palmer Gudmundson

University of South Carolina
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 [email protected]
  Round Table, 11

11:05am CDT

Designing and Refining Culturally Responsive Scales: Applications of IRT and Measurement Invariance
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 @ [email protected]
Developing and refining assessment instruments that are both psychometrically sound and culturally responsive is a critical skill for counseling researchers. This session provides practical strategies for designing, evaluating, and refining counseling instruments using advanced psychometric techniques, including Item Response Theory (IRT) and measurement invariance testing.
Speakers
avatar for Ching-Chen Chen

Ching-Chen Chen

Associate Professor, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dr. Ching-Chen Chen earned her doctoral degree in counselor education, with an emphasis in measurement and assessment, from University of Cincinnati. Her research interests include cross-cultural measurement development, multicultural counseling, integrative approaches to substance... Read More →
Speakers
D
T
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 [email protected]
  Round Table, 18

11:05am CDT

Dismantling Barriers to ADHD Assessment:Is Intensive Training of Pre-licensed Clinicians the Answer?
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 @ [email protected]
How do we dismantle systemic barriers and increase client access to competent and affirming ADHD assessments? Providing intensive assessment training to pre-independently licensed clinicians is an avenue to addressing this issue in Oregon, increasing access to care and treatment for clients.
Speakers
KH
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 [email protected]
  Round Table, 15

11:05am CDT

Enhancing Counselor Trainee Crisis and Trauma Competency Through Artificial Intelligence Simulations
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 @ [email protected]
Graduate counseling programs struggle to provide consistent, ethical training in crisis and trauma care. This mixed-methods study evaluates AI-based simulations versus role-play in a CACREP course. Findings examine impacts on self-efficacy, decision-making, and preparedness, positioning AI simulation as a scalable, trauma-informed training tool.
Speakers
AJ
Speakers
avatar for Seneka Gainer
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 [email protected]
  Round Table, 1

11:05am CDT

From Imposter to Practitioner: Measuring Counselor Confidence Across Training Stages
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 @ [email protected]
Counselor self-efficacy plays a central role in the development of competent practitioners. Although research highlights the importance of self-efficacy in predicting counseling performance and skill development, counselor education programs often lack clear, structured approaches for assessing confidence across training stages. This conceptual presentation introduces a comprehensive framework for measuring counselor confidence from early coursework through practicum and internship.
Speakers
SA
Speakers
JS
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 [email protected]
  Round Table, 3

11:05am CDT

How Do We Measure Group Skills? Rethinking Assessment in Counselor Training
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 @ [email protected]
Group counseling is required in CACREP-accredited programs at multiple points, yet assessment practices rarely capture group-specific competencies. This session proposes a multidimensional approach to evaluating group counseling skills and engages participants in discussion of challenges and strategies for assessing skills through live observation and recordings.
Speakers
avatar for Lisa Hedden

Lisa Hedden

Clinical Assistant Professor, University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB)

Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 [email protected]
  Round Table, 14

11:05am CDT

Pain and Pressure: the need for bidirectional assessments for chronic pain clients
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 @ [email protected]
This presentation will examine the impact of mental health on clients with chronic pain from a counseling perspective. The presenters will review the current assessment tools available for chronic pain. Furthermore, the presenters will discuss the impact of mental health on chronic pain. Finally, the presenters will provide implications related to the assessment of mental health factors with chronic pain clients.
Speakers
avatar for Alexis Croffie
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 [email protected]
  Round Table, 4

11:05am CDT

Providing Tools to Protect Children from Internet Dangers (Education Session)
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 @ [email protected]
The following presentation will discuss specific themes and play behaviors in play therapy that may indicate a child's dangerous use of technology. These themes were gathered from an extensive questionnaire sent to Association for Play Therapy members. Therapists will be able to identify strategies for addressing therapeutic themes that emerge during sessions. Resources to support parents will also be provided.
Speakers
avatar for Kimberly King

Kimberly King

Clinical Associate Professor, University of North Texas
Dr. King is a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of North Texas. She is also the director of the Counseling and Human Development Center at UNT. She has a specialty in play therapy and group counseling. 
Speakers
LS
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 [email protected]
  Round Table, 6

11:05am CDT

Qualitative Findings of a School Counselor-Led Mindfulness Intervention with Middle School Teachers
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 @ [email protected]
This session presents the qualitative findings of the experiences of middle school teachers who participated in a five-week, school counselor-led, mindfulness-based professional development intervention program. The presenters will share the themes of the teachers' reflections that influenced their well-being, classroom climate, and relational practices with students in order to create more emotionally responsive learning environments.
Speakers
NC
avatar for Dominique Hill
CM
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 [email protected]
  Round Table, 19

11:05am CDT

Relational Consequences of Traumatic Brain Injury: Implications for Counseling Research and Practice
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 @ [email protected]
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) disrupts communication, emotional regulation, and relationship functioning, placing strain on romantic partnerships. This session presents dyadic research on help-seeking stigma, motivation, and relationship satisfaction in TBI-affected couples. Attendees will explore implications for counseling research, including the value of dyadic methods and strategies to better understand and support relational processes in clinical and research contexts.
Speakers
VH
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 [email protected]
  Round Table, 13

11:05am CDT

Research Self-Efficacy Beyond Skills: Interpersonal and Systemic Influences in Doctoral Training
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 @ [email protected]
This session shares findings from a concept mapping study on counselor education doctoral students’ research self-efficacy (RSE). Results highlight that mentorship, feedback, and collaborative learning strongly influence RSE. Participants will explore how these interpersonal and environmental factors shape research confidence and discuss strategies to create supportive training environments that foster doctoral students’ research self-efficacy and researcher identity development.
Speakers
ZS
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 [email protected]
  Round Table, 9

11:05am CDT

Teaching Research & Assessment: Creative approaches to making the material relatable and relevant.
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 @ [email protected]
Teaching research and assessment can be daunting, especially when students are unenthusiastic about learning the material. In this session, we will discuss creative and innovative teaching approaches counselor educators can use to meet CACREP student learning objectives in a fun and approachable manner. We will include a discussion of teaching both research methods and assessment. This will be an interactive session, and participants will leave with usable teaching tools.
Speakers
MH
Speakers
JW
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 5 [email protected]
  Round Table, 5

11:05am CDT

The Integration of Popular Culture into Counselor Education Andragogy: A Phenomenological Inquiry
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 @ [email protected]
Counselor Educators across the country are integrating popular culture media into their andragogical practices in counselor education preparation programs. The research team aimed to explore the lived experiences of counselor educators who are weaving their teaching practices with popular culture mediums such as tv shows, films, novels/books, social media, etc. to help develop the next generation of counselors.
Speakers
avatar for Shelby Gonzales

Shelby Gonzales

Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University

Speakers
ML

Melissa Lafayette

Doctoral Candidate, The Ohio State University
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 [email protected]
  Round Table, 17

11:05am CDT

Using Machine Learning to Analyze Data: Trauma and Social Determinants to Predict Mental Health
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 @ [email protected]
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to grow, counselor educators and researchers are jumping into AI and machine learning (ML) in exciting ways. In this session, we’ll share recent work using ML to predict mental health outcomes from adverse childhood experiences and social determinants of mental health. We’ll also demystify ML, walk through practical strategies for working with datasets, and open the floor for questions and discussion.
Speakers
avatar for Eunae Han

Eunae Han

Assistant Professor, Syracuse University
Dr. Eunae Han is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and an Assistant Professor in the Unit of Counseling and Human Services at Syracuse University. Before pursuing her doctoral studies in the United States, she worked as a professional... Read More →
avatar for Alex Gantt-Howrey

Alex Gantt-Howrey

Assistant Professor, Syracuse University
Friday September 18, 2026 11:05am - 12:05pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 [email protected]
  Round Table, 16

2:35pm CDT

A Two-Phase Qualitative Design for Mapping ChatGPT Adoption Trajectories
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 @ [email protected]
This session presents a two-phase qualitative design for examining counseling students’ ChatGPT adoption over time. Integrating Critical Incident Technique and Constructivist Grounded Theory, the study maps developmental stages and explains underlying processes. Emphasis is placed on methodological rigor, data integration, and application of this design to process-oriented research in counselor education.
Speakers
avatar for Fan Fan

Fan Fan

Doctoral Candidate, The Pennsylvania State University
Fan Fan (樊璠) is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education with a dual title in Comparative and International Education at Penn State. As an international scholar, Fan is passionate about blurring methodological and disciplinary boundaries and fostering cross-disciplinary communication... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 3 [email protected]
  Round Table, 3

2:35pm CDT

Between Conviction and Practice: Religion, Counselors, and LGBTQ+ Clients
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 @ [email protected]
This presentation examines how Christian counselors navigate the tension between religious beliefs and ethical obligations when working with LGBTQ+ clients. Using self-report measures and the Implicit Association Test (IAT), we compare counselors' stated attitudes with their implicit biases and broaching behaviors. Findings carry implications for research on religiosity and clinical bias, as well as practice-level guidance for supervisors, training programs, and ethical standard development. 
Speakers
KV
Speakers
SS
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 [email protected]
  Round Table, 15

2:35pm CDT

Centering Haitian Women’s Voices: A Phenomenological Study of Racial Trauma
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 @ [email protected]
Grounded in research, this session centers Haitian women's experiences in the United States with racial trauma. It examines how these experiences are shaped by their intersectional identities, their coping mechanisms, and key protective factors. The session concludes with recommendations for culturally responsive care for this population and a call to action for allies to engage in advocacy efforts that support communities impacted by racial trauma.
Speakers
avatar for Dr.ClaireMartin

Dr.ClaireMartin

Assistant Professor, Webster University
Speakers
avatar for Kathy Altidor

Kathy Altidor

Doctoral Candidate, Florida Atlantic University
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 7 [email protected]
  Round Table, 7

2:35pm CDT

Confirming Servant Leadership’s Role in SUD Counselor Burnout and Turnover Prevention
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
The session examines how attributes of servant leadership in clinical supervisors relate to counselor burnout and turnover intention in substance use disorder (SUD) treatment. After introducing ecological challenges of SUD care and servant leadership theory, we present a new study of data collected from a national sample of practicing SUD counselors (n = 1,805). Results suggest supervision interventions that may reduce burnout and turnover at the individual and organizational levels.
Speakers
avatar for George Richardson

George Richardson

Professor, University of Cincinnati
Dr. Richardson is an interdisciplinary researcher focused on evaluating the validity of developmental theories as well as theoretical constructs and scores used to measure them. He has tested theories suggesting that early stressful experiences (or adversity) and family structure... Read More →
avatar for Amy Ross

Amy Ross

University of Cincinnati & Chi Sigma Iota
Amy Ross is earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Cincinnati, with an emphasis in the Substance Use cognate. She received her master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a graduate certificate in Addictions Education from Western... Read More →
Speakers
avatar for George Richardson

George Richardson

Professor, University of Cincinnati
Dr. Richardson is an interdisciplinary researcher focused on evaluating the validity of developmental theories as well as theoretical constructs and scores used to measure them. He has tested theories suggesting that early stressful experiences (or adversity) and family structure... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
  Round Table, 17

2:35pm CDT

From Classroom to Change: Research as Advocacy in Non-Research-Focused Counseling Programs.
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 @ [email protected]
Join this roundtable hosted by counselors with experience working in community collaboration focused on community mental health to: 1) explore your perceptions about the role of counselors in collaborative community mental health initiatives; 2) review and debate the relevancy of counseling advocacy competencies related to this domain; and 3) identify opportunities to use community collaboration as an advocacy tool in your work.
Speakers
MC
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 [email protected]
  Round Table, 16

2:35pm CDT

Increasing Well-Being Among Veterans Using Psychoeducation and Mindfulness: Preliminary Data
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 @ [email protected]
The most recent suicide prevention annual report from the VA provides data from 2022 and indicates that in 2022 there were 6,407 suicides among Veterans, equating to 17.6 Veteran suicides each day (Miller, 2024). Professional counselors need to know what the current research in professional counseling literature states about Veteran suicide. We provide preliminary data examining the use of psychoeducation, exploration of anger, and mindfulness in a 6-week intervention with Veterans.
Speakers
MR
Speakers
VH
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 10 [email protected]
  Round Table, 8

2:35pm CDT

No Policy Background? No Problem, Bestie! An Introduction to Policy Analysis for Counseling Research
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 @ [email protected]
Counseling researchers addressing systemic mental health challenges need rigorous tools for policy analysis. Drawing on perspectives from education, public health, and public administration, this session offers a well-rounded introduction to policy analysis for counseling researchers at any experience level. Attendees will learn how this multi-framework approach enhances analytical depth, supports equity-centered inquiry, and produces policy recommendations grounded in counseling research.
Speakers
avatar for Saiber Shaikh

Saiber Shaikh

Doctoral Student / Mental Health Counselor and Educator, The Pennsylvania State University

SK
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 6 [email protected]
  Round Table, 6

2:35pm CDT

Priming a Neurocognitive Memory Mechanism to Augment Traditional Mental Health Counseling
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 @ [email protected]
Little attention has been paid to neuropsychological mechanisms-of-change in counseling. A pilot study (test n=50; control n=47) tested memory priming to transform clinical mental states into real/sham antidote forms, added to psychodynamic, CBT, and humanistic counseling. Real priming significantly sped up depression reduction (SMD 1.01) and wellbeing increase relative to sham (SMD 0.95, ps<.001), showing the value of targeting core memory systems within traditional mental health counseling.
Speakers
avatar for Oliver Boxell
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 8 [email protected]
  Round Table, 8

2:35pm CDT

Reconnecting Under Constraint: Can Family Therapy Repair Attachment in Juvenile Justice Settings?
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 20 @ [email protected]
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 20 [email protected]
  Round Table, 20

2:35pm CDT

Self-Esteem & Body Dysmorphia: Exploring the Role of Social Media
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 @ [email protected]
This session examines relationships among self-esteem, social media use, and subclinical body dysmorphia in emerging adult women. Specifically, social media use will be examined as a moderator that exacerbates existing construct relationships. Findings highlight self-esteem as a key predictor, along with multiple other critical correlations. Attendees will gain insight into assessment, prevention, and counseling strategies to address body image concerns and maladaptive media engagement.
Speakers
RD
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 2 [email protected]
  Round Table, 2

2:35pm CDT

Starting Where You Are: Using Backcasting to Build a Research Agenda from a Local Practice Idea
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 @ [email protected]
Counselor educators often begin their research careers with a practice-based idea: a population they know, a problem they see, an intervention they believe could work. Backcasting inverts conventional research planning by beginning with a desired future state and working backward to map the research steps required to achieve it. This session bridges assessment and research with practice by modeling how to get started without waiting for perfect conditions to begin.
Speakers
avatar for Erin Mason
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 9 [email protected]
  Round Table, 9

2:35pm CDT

The Post-Dissertation Pivot: Establishing Your Research Agenda as New Faculty
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 @ [email protected]
New faculty face a variety of challenges in transitioning from dissertation completion to building a sustainable research agenda, with literature highlighting identity shifts, collaboration demands, and tenure pressures (Gibson et al., 2015; Gosling et al., 2020). The presenters address this transition by offering practical strategies for reframing dissertation work into a coherent research program, cultivating mentorship and collaboration, and aligning with long-term goals.
Speakers
avatar for Lara Strate

Lara Strate

Assistant Professor, Austin Peay State University
Speakers
LN
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 1 [email protected]
  Round Table, 1

2:35pm CDT

The Stories Behind the Stats: Using Mixed Methods to Holistically View Student-Athlete Mental Health
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 @ [email protected]

Speakers
TS
Speakers
WJ
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 19 [email protected]
  Round Table, 19

2:35pm CDT

Transforming Trauma Assessment: Unifying the Clinical and Creative Lens in IPV Work with Families
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 @ [email protected]
Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) is a public health issue affecting adults and children across multiple levels of family and social functioning, yet disclosure is often limited by fear, safety concerns and systemic barriers. This session examines the Kinetic Family Drawing (KFD) as a trauma‑ and violence‑informed art therapy tool to identify family dynamics, trauma indicators, and unspoken IPV experiences within a comprehensive assessment, while supporting rapport‑building and treatment planning.
Speakers
avatar for Syreeta Wright

Syreeta Wright

EdS, LPC-S, CSAC, NCC
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 4 [email protected]
  Round Table, 4

2:35pm CDT

Using Anonymous Questionnaires to Collect Sensitive Information: A CQR Case Study
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 @ [email protected]
The traditional dissertation format faces criticism for low publication rates and limited utility in assessing doctoral competency. This presentation examines how Multiple Manuscript Dissertations (MMDs) in counselor education can be used to effectively evaluate CACREP standards, serve as a meaningful competency assessment tool, and facilitate publishable scholarship. We share emerging assessment frameworks, trends, and implementation recommendations for programs considering this shift.
Speakers
AS
avatar for Daniel Dosal-Terminel

Daniel Dosal-Terminel

Doctoral Student, Georgia State University
Daniel (El/He/Him/His) is an immigrant from Mexico. He received his master's from St. Edward's University and is a doctoral student in counselor education and practice at Georgia State University. He is a researcher, educator, supervisor-in-training, nationally certified counselor... Read More →
avatar for Hannah Martinson

Hannah Martinson

Volunteer Research Assistant, University of Texas at Austin
Speakers
avatar for Jordan Westcott

Jordan Westcott

Assistant Professor, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Dr. Jordan Westcott (she/her) is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research focuses on LGBTQIA+ health equity across the lifespan, with emphases on structural factors contributing to health outcomes and counselors' roles in... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 [email protected]
  Round Table, 12

2:35pm CDT

Using Data to Support Professional Counseling Programs and Rationalize Access to Resources
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 @ [email protected]
This roundtable explores clinical language proficiency in counselor education, highlighting its relationship to language discrimination and counselor self-efficacy among international students. The session introduces a three-facet model to support teaching and supervision. Attendees will receive practical strategies for promoting linguistically and culturally responsive training and will discuss future approaches to assessing clinical language proficiency.
Speakers
avatar for Rui Ding

Rui Ding

Doctoral Candidate, Universtiy of Iowa
Rui Ding is a Doctoral Candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Iowa, with an expected graduation date of 2027. He holds an M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy (2021) from Auburn University and a prior master’s degree in Applied Psychology... Read More →
Speakers
KM
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 [email protected]
  Round Table, 14

2:35pm CDT

Utilizing measures of Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, and Counselor Self-Efficacy to Evaluate Professional Wellness and Functioning
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 @ [email protected]
Data-Driven Prep for School Counselors Serving Students with Disabilities,” is the current inaccurate title of my roundtable focused on Mindfulness, Executive Functioning, and Counselor Self-efficacy.
Speakers
avatar for David Duany
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 [email protected]
  Round Table, 13

2:35pm CDT

When Is It Participatory? Navigating the Tensions of Participatory Action Research
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 @ [email protected]
This presentation invites counselors and researchers to collaboratively explore community-engaged research in counseling settings. Drawing on a case example from rural addiction counseling, facilitators will prompt dialogue on building authentic partnerships, navigating ethical complexities, and adapting methodologies to community contexts. Participants will share challenges and solutions from their own experiences, generating collective insights that bridge research and
Speakers
avatar for Ashley McGee
avatar for Sarah Streitmatter

Sarah Streitmatter

Doctoral Student, Georgia State University
Sarah Streitmatter (she/her) holds an MA in Counseling Psychology and Ed.M in School Counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University, as well as an advanced certificate in College Advising from Columbia University. She has been a professional school counselor in both New York... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 [email protected]
  Round Table, 17

2:35pm CDT

Writing as a Psychological Process: Managing Resistance, Emotions, and Identity in Academic Writing
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 @ [email protected]
This session explores academic writing as a psychological process shaped by emotions, beliefs, and identity. Participants will examine common barriers such as avoidance and perfectionism and learn practical, evidence-informed strategies to build more consistent and sustainable writing practices through reflection and application.
Speakers
avatar for Dania Fakhro

Dania Fakhro

Assistant Professor, University of North Carolina
Speakers
MZ
Friday September 18, 2026 2:35pm - 3:25pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 [email protected]
  Round Table, 11

3:40pm CDT

AI in Assessment: Ethical, Clinical, and Educational Applications
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 @ [email protected]
This session explores the integration of AI in clinical mental health and educational assessment. Participants will analyze current research, debate AI’s role through theoretical and pedagogical lenses, and apply ethical and cultural competencies to real-world scenarios. Attendees will leave with practical frameworks for evaluating responsible AI use in assessment contexts.
Speakers
avatar for Laura A. Bailey Smith

Laura A. Bailey Smith

Director of Research, Associate Professor, Lindsey Wilson University
Speakers
SJ
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 15 [email protected]
  Round Table, 15

3:40pm CDT

All the single cases, all the single cases. Now [students] put your hands up!
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 @ [email protected]
Single case research design (SCRD) is a growing methodology across behavioral disciplines to establish evidence for treatment and intervention effectiveness. SCRD offers a more feasible, practical method to assess intervention effectiveness, using smaller samples to infer clinical significance (Lenz, 2015; Mirza et al., 2017). This Q&A session will support students and researchers by exploring how to apply SCRD in current or future studies based on presenters' ongoing scholarship.
Speakers
avatar for Cian Brown

Cian Brown

Assistant Professor, University of Arkansas
avatar for Olivia Lewis
avatar for Evan Smarinsky

Evan Smarinsky

Assistant Professor, Johnson & Wales
Evan C. Smarinsky, PhD, LPC-S, LMHC, NCC is an Assistant Professor of Mental Health Counseling at Johnson & Wales University. As a counselor educator and supervisor, he has researched and presented on a variety of topics related to research in counseling and counselor education.
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 13 [email protected]
  Round Table, 13

3:40pm CDT

Closing the Competency Gap: The TRACA for Transracial Adoption Counseling
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 @ [email protected]
This session presents research validating the Transracial Adoption Counseling Assessment (TRACA), an instrument measuring counselor competencies for supporting transracial adoptees. Attendees will examine psychometric validation findings to identify specific competency gaps in counselor preparation, gain evidence-based assessment strategies for counselor education programs, and explore curriculum integration approaches to enhance clinical practice with transracial adoptees and their families.
Speakers
avatar for Lisa Ali

Lisa Ali

Assistant Clinical Professor, Adams State University
Dr. Lisa Ali is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and National Certified Counselor serving as Clinical Assistant Professor at Adams State University's School of Counselor Education. With over 20 years of clinical experience, her work centers trauma-informed... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 14 [email protected]
  Round Table, 14

3:40pm CDT

Content and Connotation: An Analysis Protocol to Center Student Participant Perspectives
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 @ [email protected]
How do we engage our participants’ unique perspectives, especially when research involves children and adolescents? Presenters will guide a roundtable discussion to present the analysis protocol used for a photovoice intervention in an elementary school setting. Positioning our participants as experts and artists of their own experiences, we examined the content and connation of student artifacts produced before a play therapy intervention.
Speakers
avatar for Alexandra Frank

Alexandra Frank

Assistant Professor, Program Coordinator, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

DD
avatar for Katelyn Lee

Katelyn Lee

Assistant Professor, SUNY Brockport

Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 18 [email protected]
  Round Table, 18

3:40pm CDT

Demystifying Institutional Review Boards (IRB) Through an Equity Lens
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 @ [email protected]
Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) play a critical role in protecting human participants, yet the process is often experienced as opaque and intimidating, especially for equity-focused counseling and assessment researchers. This interactive session introduces the purpose of IRBs, categories of review, and key protocol components while centering issues of power, vulnerability, and social justice. Attendees will gain practical strategies for navigating IRB processes ethically and confidently.
Speakers
CC

Catharina Chang

Professor, Georgia State University
Catherine Y. Chang, PhD, LPC, NCC, CPCS, is a professor at Georgia State University, where she is also director of International Programs for the College of Education and Human Development. She has published and presented in the areas of social justice and advocacy, multicultural... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 11 [email protected]
  Round Table, 11

3:40pm CDT

Examining a Polyvagal Trauma Intervention: A Single-Case Study of the Safe and Sound Protocol
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 @ [email protected]
This session presents findings from a single-case research study examining the Safe and Sound Protocol (SSP), a polyvagal-informed intervention for trauma. Results indicate meaningful reductions in trauma symptoms and improvements in autonomic regulation. Attendees will gain insight into integrating nervous system-informed approaches to enhance treatment engagement, safety, and retention in trauma counseling.
Speakers
avatar for Rebecca Nelson

Rebecca Nelson

Counselor & Clinical Director, Rebecca Nelson Psychotherapy, LLC
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 16 [email protected]
  Round Table, 16

3:40pm CDT

Research as Advocacy: Mentoring Counselors-in-Training From Competent Consumer to Competent Research
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 @ [email protected]
This roundtable will discuss strategies for mentoring master’s-level counselors-in-training through the full research process, from developing research questions to publication and conference presentation. Framing research as client advocacy, presenters will share practical approaches for engaging students in meaningful research experiences that build competence as both consumers and producers of research.
Speakers
JG
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 17 [email protected]
  Round Table, 17

3:40pm CDT

Self-Report vs. Simulation-Based Assessment of Suicide Gatekeeping Competence among Youths
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Suicide gatekeeping trainings are often evaluated with self-report measures, which capture perceived confidence but provide limited evidence of performance. This session will present a pilot study (n = ~30) examining suicide gatekeeping competence among high school students across pre-, post-, and 6-week follow-up. We will compare self-reported gatekeeping self-efficacy with performance on an AI-simulated risk assessment module to show how simulation-based assessment can complement self-report i
Speakers
IK
avatar for Minjoo Kang

Minjoo Kang

Doctoral Student, Grant Activities Coordinator, University of Iowa
Minjoo Kang, MEd is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Iowa and brings extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and their families across school, hospital, and community settings. Her research focuses on strengthening... Read More →
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
  Round Table, 5

3:40pm CDT

The Personal is Empirical: A Co-Autoethnographic Exploration of Research Identity Development in WOC
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 @ [email protected]
This session explores the research identity development of women of color in a Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral program. The presenters use autoethnography for reflexive inquiry into their experiences. Attendees will discuss the utility of autoethnography as a method in CES, identify important factors in research identity development, and consider the influences of cultural identity and social support.
Speakers
avatar for Patrice Bryan

Patrice Bryan

Doctoral Candidate, Duquesne University
Speakers
avatar for Emily Lee-Chong

Emily Lee-Chong

Assistant Professor, Niagara University
Friday September 18, 2026 3:40pm - 4:30pm CDT
Trinity 2 Table 12 [email protected]
  Round Table, 12
 
2026 Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling Conference
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