2026 Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling Conference: Full Schedule

We appreciate our sponsors for their contributions to AARC!
If you are interested in sponsorship, please reach out to Leigh Holman, [email protected].

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

Diane Smedley

Assistant Professor of Counseling, Texas State University

Speakers

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

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

Ashley McGee

Speakers

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

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

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

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

Yun-Ru Huang

Assistant Professor, Arkansas State University

Ashley Williams-Whitley

Speakers

Patrice Parkinson

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

Round Table, 12

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

Afroze Shaikh

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 →

Hannah Martinson

Volunteer Research Assistant, University of Texas at Austin

Speakers

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

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