Research

The Christian Association of Psychological Studies (CAPS) is a non-profit professional organization comprised of Psychologists, Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Professors, Social Workers, Pastoral Counselors, and Students. CAPS mission is to encourage in-depth consideration of therapeutic, research, theoretical, and theological issues. Each year CAPS holds an annual national conference, and this year’s conference titled “Transformed: Emerging Trends in Training and Practice” was held in Dallas, Texas (March 21-23, 2019).

Richmont Graduate University is proud to have five (5) faculty members and two (2) students presenting at this year’s CAPS conference. The 2020 CAPS annual conference will be held in Atlanta, Georiga and eight (8) Richmont faculty members will be serving on the CAPS administrative team. The involvement of Richmont administration, faculty, and students with CAPS represents Richmont’s continued commitment to research and leadership in the field of counseling and integration.

The following is a list of presentations by Richmont faculty and students at the 2019 CAPS conference:

Breakout Sessions

MINDFUL COMMUNICATION IN INTEGRATION EDUCATION – RELATIONSHIPS THAT TRANSFORM

Cara Cochran, PhD, Richmont Graduate University

PROMOTING WELLNESS IN GRADUATE STUDENTS: UTILIZING THE ADVISORY RELATIONSHIP TO FOSTER STUDENTS’ ONGOING COMMITMENT TO WELLNESS

Amanda Blackburn, PsyD, Jama White, PsyD & Mary Plisco, PhD, Richmont Graduate University

Richmont faculty: Dr. Dan Sartor, Dr. Amanda Blackburn, Dr. Jama White, Dr. Cara Cochran, and Dr. Mary Plisco

THE ROLE OF ATTACHMENT IN PROMOTING SPIRITUAL FORMATION IN ONE GRADUATE CLINICAL MENTAL HEALTH PROGRAM

Dan Sartor, PhD, Cara Cochran PhD, Amanda Blackburn, PsyD, Mary Plisco, PhD, & Jama White, PsyD, Richmont Graduate University

TO BRACKET OR BROACH: DISCERNING HOW TO ENGAGE VALUE DIFFERENCES

Dan Sartor, PhD, Jama White, PsyD, Richmont Graduate University, Cayla Bland, PhD, Biola Univeristy, & Jill Bruce, PhD, Grace College

TO TWEET OR NOT TO TWEET: SOCIAL MEDIA, ONLINE PRESENCE, AND PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Cara Cochran, PhD & Meredith Kerley, BS, Richmont Graduate University

Poster Session

Richmont student Nicole Vernon and Dr. Mary Plisco

THE EFFECTS OF SELF-COMPASSION AND MINDFULNESS ON FLOW AND PERFORMANCE ANXIETY IN ELITE ATHLETES

Nicole Vernon, B.S. and Mary Plisco, PhD, Richmont Graduate University

CAPS Conference 2018

The Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS) encourages in-depth consideration of therapeutic, research, theoretical, and theological issues. The association is a forum for creative new ideas.  CAPS members serve as psychologists, counselors, educators, marriage and family therapists, social workers, psychiatrists, professional and lay counselors, researchers, pastoral counselors, and students.   https://www.caps.net/about/

Each year at the CAPS Annual Conference, hundreds of professionals gather to share ideas, present research, and learn from each other.  This year’s conference was held in Norfolk, Virginia April 12th – 14th.

Richmont was proud to be well represented by faculty members and students at this year’s conference.  The following is a list of Richmont presenters along with their research topics:

Kelsie Bowman McGlothin (student)

Promoting Healthy Spiritual Development in Children Through Parent-Child Interaction Therapy

Sonja Sutherland, Ph.D. (faculty)

Cultural Competence Development in Christian Counselors-In-Training

Daimi Shirck (student) *3rd Place Winner, Student Category

Clergy’s Perceptions of Their Training and Competence in Regards to Pastoral Counseling Compared to Professional Counselors

Amy Kenney (student) and Amanda Blackburn, Psy.D. (faculty)

Perception, Value, & Practice of Wellness in CACREP-Accredited Counseling Programs

Amanda Hindson (student) and Mary Plisco, Ph.D. (faculty)

Mental Health Treatment for Refugees: Exploring Ways to Address Barriers and Enhance Therapeutic Care

Dan Sartor, Ph.D. (faculty) and Jama White, Psy.D. (faculty)

Beyond Bracketing: Exploring Alternative Paradigms in Values Conflicts

Amanda Blackburn, Psy.D. (faculty), Jama White, Psy.D. (faculty), and Mary Plisco, Ph.D. (faculty)

Promoting Wellness in Graduate Students: Evidence-Based Interactive Activities to Engage Students