Clinical Counseling - Research Emphasis

Clinical Counseling faculty profiles

Kathy Dowell - The Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents Research Effectiveness (P-CARE) Lab  

The Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents Research on Effectiveness (P-CARE) lab studies factors that impact the effectiveness of child psychotherapy, including caregiver engagement, economic factors, ethnicity and family history, and presenting problems for children ages birth to 18 and their families. Through community-based research, our lab collaborates with mental health professionals as partners to create shared initiatives that inform practice and access to care for regional families. Previous research studies in our lab have covered topics such as the role of caregiver strain and engagement in residential mental health service outcomes for children, predictors of prescription patterns among children in partial hospitalization programs including diagnoses and psychosocial stressors, and treatment outcomes of partial hospitalization programs by entry point. 

Interested in learning more about how psychotherapy works for children and adolescents, and their families? Interested in learning about the different ways mental health services are provided to children and families in our community? Interested in learning about empirical, community-based research, quantitative analysis, and leveraging research results to improve mental health services for children and families? Then visit the P-CARE website, and contact Dr. Kathy Dowell ([email protected]) for more information on how to get involved.

Dr. Lara LaCaille & Dr. Rick LaCaille - The Healthy Living and Learn (H2L) Lab

The Healthy Living and Learning (H2L) lab at UMD examines the intersection of psychology with health and learning.  A primary emphasis within the lab is placed upon how self-regulation affects mental and physical health.  In particular, we examine how various motives for the health behaviors of eating and physical activity are associated with weight management, well-being, and quality of life.  A corollary of this work has been to study attentional focus during exercise and sports.  Our research employs a variety of populations and approaches, including delivery of interventions to encourage healthy living.  More recently, we have begun to also investigate how pedagogical strategies and self-regulation influence student learning.

A goal of the H2L lab is to train students interested in becoming scholars and critical thinkers. Past members of the lab have gone on to doctorate programs in psychology as well as graduate training in public health.  Opportunities exist for both undergraduate and graduate students who have interests in clinical, health, or sport psychology. If you are interested in joining the H2L lab, please contact Drs. Lara or Rick LaCaille.

Dr. Viann Nguyen-Feng - Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab

The Mind-Body Trauma Care Lab aims to increase access to holistic, embodied, and trauma-informed psychotherapeutic care.

This research addresses access to care issues in two main ways:

1. Sharing wellbeing-focused, trauma-conscious, and embodied healing interventions (e.g. trauma-sensitive yoga, body-based and movement therapies, mental-physical healthcare integration, context-inclusive approaches) with individuals who might not otherwise access them.
2. Developing and implementing interventions that broaden psychotherapy's reach (e.g. technological, community-based) while evaluating what works best for whom.

We aim to serve at-risk and underrecognized groups, such as those who have been exposed to interpersonal traumas (e.g. emotional abuse, race-based stressors), have disabling life experiences, and/or may be experiencing psychosociocultural oppression. For more information, visit our lab website.

Dr. Rhea Owens - Shine Research Team 

The Shine Research Team studies applications of positive psychology across a variety of contexts, with a focus on the well-being of underrepresented, underserved, and economically disadvantaged children and youth. In particular, the team focuses on research involving the assessment, development, and use of strengths and positive psychological interventions. In addition to the research conducted, the Shine Research Team aims to disseminate knowledge and evidence-based practices in positive psychology to help improve the lives of others.  

Students who are a strong fit for the Shine Research Team are: 

• Interested in positive psychology
• Enthusiastic about conducting and learning more about research
• Conscientious, organized, hard working, and eager to learn

Questions or interested in getting involved? Please contact Dr. Owens ([email protected]).

Dr. Catherine Reich - Psychotherapy and Trauma Research Lab

The Psychotherapy and Trauma Research Lab includes two separate lines of research. The primary line of research investigates why therapy/counseling "works." In other words, what mechanisms are responsible for client change. We often examine verbal and nonverbal behaviors of the therapist for their impact on psychotherapy process and outcome. The second line of research primarily centers around self-blame cognition held by trauma survivors and aims to learn more about the development, function, maintenance, and process of change for these types of thoughts. 
 

Scott Carlson

Registration for PSY 8094 Directed Research is by instructor consent based on match of interests and openings in the lab. Students may find overlapping interests with some faculty from the Experimental Psychology track as well.

Full listing of Experimental research labs.

Example Schedule

Fall First Semester (9 cr.):

PSY 8103 - Introduction to Graduate Studies in Psychology (0 cr.)
PSY 8021 - Research Methods and Evaluation (3 cr.)
PSY 5121 - Psychopathology (3cr.)
PSY 8324 - Foundations in Clinical Counseling Psychology (3 cr.)

Spring Second Semester (9 cr.):

PSY 5052 - Advanced Statistics I (3 cr.)
PSY 8221 - Individual Adult and Group Therapy/Counseling (3 cr.)
Elective (3 cr.)*

Fall Third Semester (9 cr.):

PSY 8099 - Research Project in Psychology (Plan B) (3 cr.)
PSY 8052 - Advanced Statistics II (3 cr.)
PSY 8301 - Multicultural Foundations in Clinical Counseling Psychology (3 cr.)

Spring Fourth Semester (9 cr.)

PSY 8099 - Research Project in Psychology (Plan B) (3 cr.)
PSY 5021 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 cr.)
Elective (3 cr.)*

Examples of Electives:

• PSY 5024 - Principles of Psychometrics (3 cr.)
• PSY 5130 - Evolutionary Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5131 - Mind-Body Connection (3 cr.)
• PSY 5155 - Forensic Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5215 - Psychology of Human Sexuality (3 cr.)
• PSY 5301 - Political Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5401 - Advanced Social Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5550 - Health Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5621 - Cognition and Emotion (3 cr.)
• PSY 5631 - Biological Bases of Behavior (3 cr.)
• PSY 5701 - Advanced Personnel Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5702 - Advanced Organizational Psychology (3 cr.)
• PSY 5721 - Cognitive Neuroscience (3 cr.)
• PSY 8094 - Directed Research (1-3 cr.) - requires instructor consent
• PSY 8991 - Graduate Applied Projects in Psychology (1-2 cr.)
• SW 5144 - Grief, Loss and Coping in Social Work Practice (3 cr.) - typically online
• SW 5215 - Trauma-Informed Social Work Practice (3 cr.) - typically online
• SW 5280 - Substance Use Trends and Interventions in Social Work (3 cr.) - typically online
• ENED 5997 - Professional Practicum in Environmental Education (3 cr.) - requires instructor consent

Course Descriptions

PSY 5021 - Advanced Developmental Psychology (3 cr.) Course format involved reading and discussion of reviews and journal articles about theories, research methodology, and topics central to the scientific study of human development from conception through adulthood. The role of theory as a guide for research and practice, and classical as well as contemporary theories will be examined. Normative changes and individual differences will be examined. Theoretical frameworks in the domains of social, cognitive, language, and temperament/personality development will be examined.

PSY 5024 - Principles of Psychometrics (3 cr.) Concepts, issues, and statistical procedures for evaluating the reliability and validity of psychological measures.

PSY 5052 - Advanced Statistics I (3 cr.) Advanced statistics used for experimental and correlational research in psychology; analyze data from simple and complex research designs analysis of variance and linear regression techniques; hypothesis testing; nonparametric statistics; assumptions of tests and diagnosis of assumption violations; interpretations of results; use of common statistical software (e.g., SPSS or R).

PSY 5121 - Psychopathology Over the Lifespan (3 cr.) Psychopathology from integrative biopsychosocial and developmental psychopathology perspectives; adult and child psychopathologies including symptomatology, prevalence, etiological evidence, typical course and prognosis, associated features, cultural and social considerations, comorbidity and differential diagnosis.

PSY 5155 - Forensic Psychology (3 cr.) Examines the application of psychology to the judicial system in such diverse areas as criminal diversion and rehabilitation, expert testimony, jury selection, police training, divorce mediation, and custody evaluations.

PSY 5401 - Advanced Social Psychology (3 cr.) Examination of core content areas and topics within experimental social psychology with a focus on application within both clinical and industrial/organizational psychology. Topics include attitude formation and attitude change, attribution theory, the self, conformity, prejudice, aggression, and prosocial behavior.

PSY 5550 - Health Psychology (3 cr.) Concepts, issues, and methods of health psychology; health maintenance and illness prevention integrating biological, psychological, and social factors; utilization of health behavior change strategies and psychological assessments; and interdisciplinary aspects of health psychology.

PSY 5631 - Biological Bases of Behavior (3 cr.) Understanding how communication within the body (neuronal, endocrinological, immunological) affects behavior and psychological processes and how these systems interact to influence these processes. Examining how perturbations within these systems lead to mental illness and/or problematic behaviors. How psychoactive drugs affect these systems, with respect to clinical treatment and abuse. The neurological mechanisms of reward and drug dependence (withdrawal, cravings) will be investigated. 

PSY 8021 - Research Methods and Evaluation (3 cr.) Examination of quasi-experimental and experimental designs within psychological science. The course will provide comprehensive coverage of the assessment of reliability and validity of measures, methods, and research designs to facilitate the development of a research proposal. A wide variety of quantitative and qualitative research designs, measurement techniques, and methods will be described and evaluated in terms of internal, external, construct, and statistical conclusion validity.

PSY 8052 - Advanced Statistics II (3 cr.) Advanced statistics used for experimental and correlational research in psychology; analyze data using advanced univariate, basic multivariate, and meta-analytic techniques; assumptions of test; diagnosis of assumption violations; interpretation of results; use of common statistical software (e.g., SPSS or R).

PSY 8094 - Directed Research (1-3 cr.) Students work with department faculty in planning, implementing, and/or reporting empirical psychological science research.

PSY 8103 - Introduction to Graduate Studies (0 cr.) This course will orient new students to key facets of graduate studies in the Master's in Psychological Science Program. Program expectations, requirements, and timelines will be clarified to enable students to make progress in formulating goals in their chosen tracks. This course will provide students with a basis for academic collaboration and professional development by facilitating student interactions with peers and the faculty in psychology.

PSY 8221 - Individual Adult and Group Therapy/Counseling (3 cr.) This course provides an overview of a variety of individual and group therapy models and techniques utilized with adults. Evidence-based techniques and empirically supported treatments will be emphasized along with their application to specific psychological diagnoses.

PSY 8301 - Multicultural Foundations in Clinical/Counseling Psychology (3 cr.) This course explores the complexities of culture in practice. The focus is on becoming culturally responsive counselors and therapists. Within evidence-based practice, this course provides guidelines for integrating cultural considerations into the theory and practice of assessment, diagnosis, and therapeutic interventions.

PSY 8324 - Foundations in Clinical Counseling Psychology (3 cr.) Training and practice of foundational counseling skills. Introduction to key concepts relevant to psychological assessments, counseling, and psychotherapy including mental health professions, major theoretical models, evidence-based practices, common therapeutic factors, client preferences, developmental and multicultural considerations, ethics, professionalism, and self-care.