As a Reseracher

Death by suicide is the second leading cause of death for individuals aged 10-24 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 2023). Research suggests that in addition to this population, suicide is one of the leading causes of death for clients with traumatic backgrounds, including individuals within a marginalized population (such as LGBTQIA+ and Foster Care Youth (FY)). The Adoption and Foster Care Analysis and Reporting System (AFCARS) reported 407,493 children entering the foster care system in 2020 (AFCARS, 2021). As research in trauma has been established, neuroscience has been integrated even more so over the past twenty years. The body of interpersonal neurobiology research addresses the effect of trauma on the brain and nervous system of all individuals. If the issue of childhood trauma is not addressed, the U.S. stands to lose lives through death by suicide more than it already is. The counseling field is negatively affected not only by the death of more individuals through death by suicide but also by the impact of vicarious trauma on counselors, supervisors, and educators after a client’s death by suicide.

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Suicide Assessment and Prevention

The primary focus of my research is on the role of childhood trauma across the lifespan within various systemic lenses. The goal of this line of research is to support further the continued education of play therapists throughout the state regarding suicide assessment. Throughout the development of play therapists in their training, there is a lack of required specific training in crisis and suicide for children, even more so for those children who have experience in the foster care system or identify as LGBTQIA+. After the completion of this research study, further research will be completed on curriculum to further support therapists throughout the state in their professional development within the role of suicide assessment of children in the playroom. Other personal current research includes conceptual pieces surrounding FY, including Surviving LGBTQ+ … and Serving Clients with Suicidal Ideations Formerly or Currently in the Foster Care System: Advocacy, Counseling Strategies and Interventions. In addition to conceptual articles, I am currently submitting for review a phenomenological study Holding Safety Through Play: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis of Suicide Assessment Among Play Therapists

“t”rauma’s Relational Impact

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The secondary focus of my research focuses on the role of “T”rauma and “t”rauma within the Counselor Education Supervision literature. Research suggests a difference in “t”rauma and “T”rauma, I aim to bridge the relational gap in research related to little “t” trauma within the supervision setting. This focus aims to highlight the role that trauma has on the relational aspect of supervision. Specifically, I focus on the role of suicide assessment and prevention within the supervision setting for both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling students. The impact that “t”rauma has on the relational systems of individuals within marginalized populations is of interest of me and how this impacts the working alliance with counselor/ client, supervisor/ supervisee and program/ site coordinator.

Animal Assisted Therapy in Counseling (AAT-C)

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AAT-C has had an increase in presence within the literature over the past several years. Currently, my research trajectory aims to support the development of the use of AAT-C with marginalized populations. Throughout service as an Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning I aim to conduct future research with adults who have survived childhood trauma and their lived experience throughout a curriculum that includes the incorporation of equine (horse) interactions throughout their experience. Other creative modalities such as sand tray are also useful within this modality, and my current research aims to utilize sand-tray as an intervention in the integration piece after the incorporation of equine interactions with counseling. I also hope to provide a contribution to the field in mixed methods of studies surrounding the incorporation of AAT-C strategies in the development of future counselors.

Conclusion

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My research trajectory aims to impact the lives of marginalized individuals who have experienced childhood trauma and those that have experienced both passive and active suicidal ideations. The use of creative interventions and the impact on relational systems is of specific interest to me. Throughout this research the field of counseling will be impacted on the clinical level, school counselor level, and advocacy for special populations and future counselors. Throughout this research, my roles in university, state, and national organizations are supported through my service.