Psych & Counseling

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Faculty Research

Dr. Allison Stewart presented on "Creative Therapeutic Techniques for Sexually Reactive Children" at the Council on Sex Offender Treatment conference in March and is working on an article with her co-presenter based on this presentation.  Dr. Stewart will be co-presenting with a colleague from Georgia on "Teaching Healthy Relationships to Adolescents with Sexual Behavior Problems" at the National Adolescent Perpetration Network conference in Atlantic City in April.  Dr. Stewart is working in conjunction with Dr. Julie Merriman as well as faculty from nursing and animal science on a research project combining Child Center Play Therapy Techniques and Therapeutic Riding.  This project is being implemented at Tarleton's TREAT program.  In addition, Dr. Stewart is designing a research project in conjunction with students at the new counseling center on our Waco campus.

Dr. David Weissenburger and Dr. Robert Newby are currently working on a manuscript entitled "The Relationship Between Religious Orientation and Political Conservatism".

Dr. Linda Duncan is preparing a text entitled, The Phases and Basic Skills of a Counseling Session for publication by Amazon.

Dr. Linda Duncan will present research at the Eleventh International Congress on Ericksonian Approaches to Hypnosis and Psychotherapy in Phoenix in December.

Dr. Julie Merriman is serving as President-Elect, Conference Chair for the Texas Association of Play Therapy and is on the waiting list to deploy to Japan to help with compassion fatigue issues.

Dr. Thomas Burdenski is working on several journal articles:

Burdenski, Jr., T.K. & Wubbolding, R.E. (in press).  Extending reality therapy with focusing:  A humanistic road for the total behavior care.  International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, 31(1).

Parish, T.S. & Burdenski, Jr., T.K. (in press).  Pathways to employment and personal happiness can be found by attending to employers' and our own "quality worlds."  International Journal of Choice Theory and Reality Therapy, 31(1).

Robey, P.A., Burdenski, Jr., T.K., Britzman, J.J., Cisse, G.S., & Crowell, J. (2011). Systemic applications of choice theory and reality therapy: An interview with Glasser Scholars, Family Journal, 19(4).

Dr. Burdenski is writing a book chapter -- Burdenski, Jr., T.K. (2012). Recovering from substance misuse. In P.A. Robey, R.E. Wubbolding, and J. Carlson (Eds.), Contemporary issues in couples counseling: A choice theory and reality therapy approach. New York: Routledge.

Dr. Thomas Burdenski and Ms. Brenda Faulkner will present on Reality therapy techniques that work! Empowering students to meet love, power, freedom, and fun needs.  The workshop will be presented at the Texas Counseling Association Professional Growth Conference in Fort Worth, Texas, in November.

Ms. Jamie Borchardt, Graduate Advisor, is conducting research on Impulsivity and the effects of combining alcohol and energy drinks.

Student Research

Proposed Correlations of Substance Abuse Behavior.  Researcher:  Brett Atkinson

Auditory and Visual Learners:  Examining the Existence and Differentiation of Learning Styles.  Researcher:  James Benton

Examining the Effects of Color on Performance on a Word Recall Task.  Researcher:  Megan Buck

The Relationship Between Memory Recall and Chewing Gum Amongst College Students.  Researcher:  Michael Kaminski

Classical Music and Its Effect on Short-Term Memory.  Researcher:  Colton Kurth

The Effects of Facebook on Jealousy Within Relationships.  Researcher:  Krystal Morgan

Nonverbal Behavioral Study of Student Conformity.  Researchers:  Chelsea Airheart, Maria O'Brien, Jennifer Ross, and Stacey Yancey

Effects of Positive Word Usage on Self Worth.  Researchers:  Amie Brierley, Kelsie Cozby, and Alexis Polizzi

The Effects of Classical Music on Test Taking Performance.  Researchers:  Cassie Burkholder and Hannah Morehouse

Appearance and First Impressions.  Researchers:  Elaina Crumpler, Amber Edens, Chelsea Odom, and Olivia Pieroni

The Effects of Mobile Devices on Reaction Time.  Researchers:  Emma Cruttenden, Kyle Millsap, and Kristen Payne

The Relationship Between Environment and Stigma of Women With Tattoos.  Researchers:  Andrew Cummins, Pamela Gonzales, Shelby Green, and Callie Price

State-Dependent Learning Using Aromas.  Researchers:  Madi Gardner, Alex Huse, Amanda Kimmel, and Craig Warren

Exposure to Barbie Dolls Effects Girls Self-Esteem, Image and Food Intake.  Researchers:  Mary-Ashleigh Johnson and Angela Payne

The Effects of Sexually Explicit Materials on Sexual Behaviors, Preferences, and Satisfaction.  Researchers:  Meredith Kaufman, Tiffany Lata, and Will McClammy

Factors that Affect College STudent Attitudes Towards Abortion.  Researchers:  Laurin Krumnow and Deborah Rutledge

The Correlation Between Sexual Partners and Self-Esteem.  Researchers:  Paige Parks, Chase Reynolds, John Sobczyk, and Clint Tomlinson