There are many initiatives currently in place to increase representation in STEM in K-12 schools, however there is still a lack of representation in STEM courses and STEM careers. The purpose of this multi-strand parallel sequential mixed method study was to provide insight into the barriers and perceptions of STEM held by educators, counselors,…

This generic qualitative research study examined licensed professional counselors' (LPC) experiences with advocacy engagement in the rural school setting. Urie Bronfenbrenner's ecological systems theory provided the theoretical foundation to describe the experiences of LPC advocacy engagement for varying systemic level needs of clients. The sample…

The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of 10 professional school counselors' usage of child-centered play therapy (CCPT). Research participants holding the CCPT credential means that they possessed former training to utilize play therapy in schools. At the time of this study, limited research existed about the experiences of…

This qualitative study explored the experiences of vocational rehabilitation counselors (VRC) serving racially diverse clients and how VRCs are trained and educated to work with racially diverse clients. VRCs are typically employed by federally funded state or federal rehabilitation agencies. In their role, they aim to provide individualized tools…

Guided by Knoster's (1991) Model for Managing Complex Change, this qualitative study explored implementing mental health focused MTSS and addressing mental health support within schools. This study focused on the experiences and perspectives of five principals and six school counselors implementing mental health MTSS within a rural Central…

Advising is an important resource for students in higher education, helping them to select a major, find connection to university resources, and meet degree requirements. Contact with an academic adviser has also been found to improve students' academic performance. Recent research suggests that students approach academic advising for different…

This research study aimed to understand academic advisors' (AAs) perspectives on their preparedness to address students' mental health concerns during advising sessions. AAs encounter various student challenges ranging from academic and social stressors related to attending college to more serious mental health concerns. These difficulties have…

Overall, the United States' population continues to substantially increase in cultural diversity (NCES, 2018; NCES, 2020a; NCES, 2020b), therefore increasing the overall diversity of students in school settings. Children from minoritized groups have a higher risk of experiencing poverty (US Census Bureau, 2017), problem behaviors (Post et al.,…

The number of emergent bilingual students in the United States increased by over half a million students between 2010 and 2020, and Texas' school counselor ratios do not reflect the minimum ratio recommended nationally, nor do they reflect the recommended ratio by The Texas Counseling Association, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals,…

This study examined the extent school psychologists reported pre-service training programs addressed involvement in transition programming (e.g., planning, monitoring, and evaluation); their involvement in it; their desire to be involved in transition; possible factors influencing school psychologists' involvement in it; and if pre-service and…

School counselors play a crucial role in U.S. education. In recent years, their student caseloads have increased as more students are diagnosed with a mental health disorder. With additional stressors from providing social/emotional counseling, school counselors are vulnerable to secondary traumatic stress, vicarious trauma, and compassion…

Mindfulness is a practice that has the potential to help counseling students build a variety of skills that are necessary for clinical efficacy, including therapeutic presence, attunement, empathy, cognitive flexibility, and non-reactivity. However, mindfulness is rarely taught to students in mental health training programs, which makes it an…

Vulnerable students in North Carolina secondary schools are dropping out, contributing to the widening of the opportunity and achievement gaps. School counselors are placed in public schools to help vulnerable student populations who are at risk for academic failure. The multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) can be used as an intervention to help…

This phenomenological investigation examined the experiences and knowledge of high school counselors in advising student-athletes on the NCAA college transition process. The study sought to gain a deeper understanding of the challenges, successes, and experiences of school counselors in supporting student-athletes during a critical transition…

This study utilized a qualitative approach to understand how school counselor and teacher dispositions toward and relationships with newcomer students shaped their educational practices. A total of five high school counselor and teacher participants shared their personal insights and lived experiences for this qualitative study. Findings from the…