The Hope Marriage Project
The HOPE marriage project is a clinical trial study examining
the effects of the Hope approach to marital therapy on different aspects
of couples relationship. This means that couples are receiving a specific
approach to marriage therapy called Hope focused therapy. The approach
is tailored to the specific goals and needs of each couple, while following
this approach. Couples receive 8 free sessions of marriage counseling
and are paid $75.00 for completing assessments of their marriage. Assessments
include questions about their agreement on important issues, their beliefs
about their marriage, their commitment and other questions. We also
measure heart rate and blood pressure during a communication exercise
and have couples review their own videotape and rate it. This project
uses cutting edge techniques and methods to significantly add to the
literature on marital therapy.
Previous research has found the Hope approach to be effective. Current research
is still collecting data on couples with a goal of completing 50 couples' treatment
by July of 2007. After that date the Hope approach will continue to be available
through the clinic, although this study will be complete.
Contact Information: Interested parties can email the principal
investigator and supervisor Dr. Jennifer Ripley at marriage@regent.edu
The MMate Center
The mission of the MMATE Center is to support and empower churches in
building a successful marriage ministry. This support creates
the opportunity for churches to support mature and Godly marriages. The
MMATE Center provides internet resources for marriage ministry leaders
and consultations with church leaders. Dr. Jennifer Ripley, associate
professor of psychology, heads a team of doctoral students who provide
the support for a thriving Center both in community outreach and research.
Sexual Identity Institute
Dr. Mark Yarhouse directs the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity (ISSI),
a scholarly institute for the study of issues related to sexual identity and
for the training of students to be leaders in the discussions that are shaping
the culture. There are many topcs that are viewed as critical for Christ and
culture today, and the topics of homosexuality and the broader construct of sexual
identity, are certainly among them.
Our vision is to further our understanding of sexual identity, its development
and synthesis, and to be a resource to students in training and those in the
community who are stakeholders in these discussions. ISSI provides a comprehensive
approach to research, training, and clinical services/consultations related to
sexual identity. Student members of ISSI have opportunitites throughout the year
to participate in research projects that are presented at national conferences
and published in scholarly journals; they attend monthly trainings on a
range of topics related to sexual identity; and they may participate in
clinical service delivery and consultations in the area of sexual identity.
The Sexual Attitudes and Behavior Study is a national, longitudinal study of sexual attitudes and behavior that has been ongoing for 5 years. Dr. Mark Yarhouse has been conducting this study with the assistance of Psy.D. and Ph.D. students in the School of Psychology and Counseling. The Psy.D. and Ph.D. students have an opportunity to receive training in conducting an extensive, structured interview on sexual attitudes and behavior. The results of the study are expected to be published in 2008
Contact Information: Interested parties can contact Mark A. Yarhouse, Psy.D., Professor of Psychology and director of the Institute for the Study of Sexual Identity (www.sexualidentityinstitute.org). Dr. Yarhouse can be reached by phone at (757) 226-4829 or by email at markyar@regent.edu.
http://www.sexualidentityinstitute.org/
Personality and Forgiveness: Theoretical and Applied Aspects
This team has been involved in theoretical studies establishing that the personality factor of Negative Emotionality (NE) is strongly predictive of a tendency to be unforgiving towards oneself. Further, the aspect of NE that is most predictive of lack of self-forgiveness is depression. Agreeableness, another personality factor, is strongly related to tendencies to not forgive others and to seek revenge for perceived wrong-doing. A dissertation study is ongoing to establish which aspect of Agreeableness best predicts other-forgiveness. The research team has also had dissertations examining motivations to forgive and the effect of father-absence on forgiveness in their children. For example, a major motivation to forgive is to preserve relationships, including those with God. Finally, the relationship between forgiveness, God-Image, and gratitude is currently being examined through a doctoral dissertation.
The research team also focuses on applied aspects of forgiveness through examination of efficacy of forgiveness interventions with prison samples. One study has established that a group forgiveness intervention resulted in less revenge and greater other-forgiveness among prison inmates. A dissertation follow-up study is underway to extend this finding within a different prison sample. We have also examined forgiveness within a school-based program designed to decrease aggressive behavior. It was found that the program did result in increases of other-forgiveness.
All of the completed studies have been presented at professional conferences such as the American Psychological Society, Christian Association of Psychological Studies, and Virginia Psychological Association. Several of the studies are also being submitted to professional journals.
Contact Information: Interested parties can email the principal investigator and supervisor Dr. Judy Johnson at judijo2@regent.edu.
Differential Diagnosis: Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders
Dr. Benjamin Keyes is involved in an ongoing series of
studies with the Ross Institute in Texas (www.rossinst.com )
and the Shanghai Mental Health Center in China. This team has been involved
in researching differential diagnosis between Schizophrenia and Dissociative
Disorders. To date they have published five papers with plans to publish
five more in the next eighteen months.
The team hopes to expand the areas to Borderline Personality
Disorder and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in the coming year. Dr Keyes
will be in Shanghai in September 2007 to present the most recent statistics
and results at the World Psychiatric Association Regional Conference and
Annual Congress of the Chinese Society of Psychiatrists.
Dr. Keyes is an Associate Professor and Program Director for the School of Psychology and Counseling at the Alexandria, VA Campus near Washington D.C.
Contact Information: Dr. Benjamin Keyes
can be reached by email at bkeyes@regent.edu.
Collaboration between Mental Health and the Church
Each year, one or more research project(s) will focus on an aspect of the interface of mental health and the church. The vision is to use research to increase ministry effectiveness and mobilize church-based resources.
Dr Dominguez is interested in creating research groups with students from all the programs in the School of Psychology and Counseling.
Contact Information: Dr. Amy Dominguez can be reached by email at awdominguez@regent.edu or by phone at (757)226-4349
Health Education and Assessment Research Team (H. E. A. R. T)
The Health Education and Assessment Research Team (H.E.A. R. T) provides psychoeducation and group therapy services to cardiac rehabilitation patients at Sentara Leigh hospital. Services are geared towards enhancing lifestyle choices for overall health and wellness. Dr LaTrelle Jackson is currently working with a team of ten students and will be accepting new students in 2008.
Contact Information: Dr. Latrelle Jackson can be reached by email at latrjac@regent.edu or by phone at (757)226-4292
Consultation and Assessment Services Team (C. A. S. T)
The Consultation and Assessment Services Team (C.A.S. T) provides consultation and assessment services to university departments and community agencies that desire continuous quality improvement feedback or program evaluation. Dr LaTrelle Jackson is currently working with a team of four students and will accept new students as projects are highlighted.
Contact Information: Dr. Latrelle Jackson can be reached by email at latrjac@regent.edu or by phone at (757)226-4292
Missionary Outreach Support Services (M.O.S.S.)
Missionary Outreach Support Services (MOSS) is an online consultation
site designed to provide mental health services to missionaries
throughout the world. It was founded in the fall of 2002 in the
School of Psychology and Counseling at Regent University. It is a
student run organization that is serviced by the second year students
in the Doctor of Psychology program in the Psychological Services
Center. The website has a list of common struggles humans experience
as well as ways to help cope with these struggles. Private email
consultations are also available to missionaries and their families.
Contact: For more information, please contact Dr. Glen Moriarty, Psy.D. at
glenmor@regent.edu.
http://www.missionaryoutreach.net/
Discovering God
Discovering God is a clinical trial of a manualized group therapy
aimed at helping people emotionally experience God as congruent with
their cognitive beliefs about God. Many individuals believe God to be
loving, caring, and forgiving, but struggle to consistently experience
Him as such in their personal walk.
Each semester one or two groups meet out of the Regent University Psychological Services Center led by
several Doctor of Psychology students. The group generally meets once
per week for 8 weeks.
Contact: For more information, please contact Dr. Glen Moriarty, Psy.D.
at
glenmor@regent.edu.
Ph.D.
Research Projects
Dr. Agatha Parks-Savage is involved with several research
projects with current Ph.D. CES students. These studies involve children
and families, counselor education/supervision, and technology.
One of the research projects consist of an investigation to evaluate the performance indicators and personality types of students who graduate from CACREP and non-CACREP counseling programs. This study is being funded through two grants: CACREP/ACES and Regent University’s faculty research grants.
There are complementary studies investigating the relationship of wellness and ego-development of adults who were raised within a step-family as well as one investigating the relationship of wellness and ego-development of adults who are step-parents.
Several other studies focus on clinical counseling and counselor education. These current studies involve personality development, emotional intelligence, the concept of hope, compassion fatigue, integration of technology into education, and burn-out.
Contact: For more information, please contact Dr. Agatha
Parks-Savage, Ed. D. at
aparkssavage@regent.edu. |
