SPC Centers, Institutes, Research, Special Projects
Child Health Research Team
While we mainly focus on child and health related issues, we also look at issues related to adolescence and grief. Current projects are looking at: spirituality and health in teenagers and nursing and patient related grief.
Meeting Time: Every other Monday at 12:15pm
Contact Information: Lynn Olson at lolson@regent.edu, 757.352.4432, or CRB PSC Suite 188, Room 183
Trauma Training and working with PTSD
Dr. Keyes recently returned from the country of Sudan, where, in cooperation with Global Aid Network and Dr. George Rhoades from Hawaii, conducted a series of trainings for community leaders, pastors, and social workers in Psychological First Aid, Trauma Responses, Sexual Abuse, Domestic Violence, and Parenting. These seminars were used to disseminate information in the local villages and to impact the severe trauma most people of this nation have had to endure due to 21 years of violent conflict. A First Response Team of Graduate students is in development currently and will return to Sudan in the Summer to continue the effort.
Training: Trauma Certification Training
Contact Information: Dr. Benjamin Keyes
can be reached by email at bkeyes@regent.edu or 757.352.4284.
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 free sessions of marriage counseling and are sometimes paid 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. Results from the study have been presented at the American Psychological Association national Conference and the Psychology of Religion division mid-winter meeting. The Hope approach will continue to be available through the clinic, with ongoing research.
Earn continuing education hours for the Hope Focused Approach to Couples Counseling.
http://www.mmatecenter.com
Contact Information: Interested parties can email the principal
investigator and supervisor Dr. Jennifer Ripley or co-investigator Dr. Vickey Maclin at marriage@regent.edu or 757.352.4296.
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, professor of psychology, heads a team of doctoral students who provide
the support for a thriving Center both in community outreach and research.
http://www.mmatecenter.com
Contact Information: Interested parties can email the principal investigator and supervisor Dr. Jennifer Ripley or co-investigator Dr. Vickey Maclin at marriage@regent.edu or 757.352.4296.
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 topics 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 mission of ISSI 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 opportunities 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; they participate in outreach to the community; and they may participate in clinical service delivery and consultations in the area of sexual identity.
The most recent study to reach completion is the Ex-Gays? study, a longitudinal study of attempted change in sexual orientation through involvement in religious ministries. Results from the first three years of that study were published in the book Ex-Gays? A Longitudinal Study of Religiously Mediated Change in Sexual Orientation. The six year follow-up was recently presented at the American Psychological Association’s annual meeting.
Other projects focus on the conflicts that occur between a person’s religious and sexual identities, as well as research on persons in mixed sexual orientation marriages. The projects are ongoing with more advanced research team members completing dissertations on aspects of them, as well as joining Dr. Yarhouse in making presentations in a wide variety of venues.
http://www.sexualidentityinstitute.org/
Join the group and fan page on Facebook.
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 757.352.4829 or by email at markyar@regent.edu.
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 or 757.352.4828.
Differential Diagnosis: Schizophrenia and Dissociative Disorders
Dr. Keyes has been involved in on-going studies with the Ross Institute in Richardson, 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 5 papers with plans for one or two more in the next 1-2 years. Talks continue between all parties to expand the study to examine Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Borderline Personality Disorder.
Contact Information: Dr. Benjamin Keyes
can be reached by email at bkeyes@regent.edu or by phone at 757.352.4284.
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 & Counseling.
Contact Information: Dr. Amy Dominguez can be reached by email at awdominguez@regent.edu or by phone at 757.352.4349.
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.
Contact Information: Dr. LaTrelle Jackson can be reached by email at latrjac@regent.edu or by phone at 757.352.4292.
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 757.352.4292
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 & 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 Information: For more information, please contact Glen Moriarty, Psy.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at Regent University and the director of the God Image Research Team. Dr. Moriarty can be reached by phone at 757.352.4341 or by email at glenmor@regent.edu. His office is located in the Psy.D. suite of the Classroom Building (CRB 161).
http://www.missionaryoutreach.net/
Ph.D.
Research Projects
PhD faculty are involved in 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 consists 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 Information: For more information, please contact Dr. Jim Sells, at
jsells@regent.edu or 757.352.4368
God Image Research Team (GIRT) and the Clinical Psychology of Religion
Research Project (CPRRP)
Dr. Glen Moriarty directs the God Image Research Team (GIRT), a team of Regent doctoral psychology students who are dedicated studying God images and God concepts. "God images" are the mental representations of God that underlie a person's emotional experience of Him. In comparison, "God concepts" are the doctrinal understandings of God that underlie a person's cognitive beliefs about Him. Often Christians struggle with significant God-image/God-concept disparities--that is, the God they experience with their heart (God images) and the God they know about with their head (God concepts). For example, they may cognitively believe that God is loving, but actually emotionally experience Him as harsh; or, they may believe that God is mercifully forgiving, but they actually emotionally experience Him as mercilessly punitive.
Our vision is to further our understanding of God images and God concepts, particularly the development, maintenance, and potential resolution of maladaptive emotional experiences of God. We seek to accomplish this goal via the avenues of cutting-edge research, therapy/consultation services, scholarly publications, and professional presentations.
At present, one of our most exciting research endeavors is our Clinical Psychology of Religion Research Project (CPRRP), a research partnership between Regent University's GIRT and the University of Cambridge's Psychology and Religion Research Group. Under the umbrella of this partnership, are conducting a grant-funded, multi-site, interdisciplinary research project which utilizes traditional survey measures and a> computerized reaction time test to directly and indirectly assess the God images of depressed and non-depressed evangelical Christians. We are also developing a God image treatment protocol for use in either an individual or a group therapy setting, and we are developing a psychoeducational God image curriculum for use in either a church or a pastoral care setting. In the near future, we plan to begin developing a psychoeducational website that> includes downloadable God-image-related resources. We will also be conducting a multi-site research project studying the interrelationships among authenticity/inauthenticity, attachment, and God image tendencies among adult evangelical Protestant Christians.
At our monthly training meetings, student members on the GIRT receive comprehensive training in God-image-related scholarship, including emphases on theory, research, and practice in this area. Further, throughout their participation on the team, they gain valuable experience conducting cutting-edge research, providing therapy/consultation services, submitting scholarly publications, and making professional presentations.
Meeting Time: Last Tuesday of every month, from 12pm until 1:45pm
Contact Information: For more information, please contact Glen Moriarty, Psy.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at Regent University and the director of the God Image Research Team. Dr. Moriarty can be reached by phone at 757.352.4341 or by email at glenmor@regent.edu. His office is located in the Psy.D. suite of the Classroom Building (CRB 161)
Discovering God: A Group Therapy Experience
Discovering God is a clinical trial study of a manualized group therapy that addresses God-image-related difficulties. The group is designed for individuals who have significant disparities between the God they know about with their head (God concepts) and the God they experience with their heart (God images). Participation in the group is meant to facilitate a more adaptive, rewarding, and fulfilling emotional experience of God, via cognitive-behavioral, Gestalt-existential, and interpersonal-experiential interventions. In other words, the goal is to help participants achieve increasing God-image/God-concept congruence. Each Fall and Spring academic semester, Regent doctoral psychology students lead these time-limited Discovering God groups, meeting once per week in the Regent Psychological Services Center (PSC), located in Classroom Building Suite 188.
Contact Information: For more information, please contact Glen Moriarty,
Psy.D., Associate Professor of Psychology at Regent University and the director of the God Image Research Team. Dr. Moriarty can be reached by phone at 757.352.4341 or by email at glenmor@regent.edu. His office is located in the Psy.D. suite of the Classroom Building (CRB 161).
Substance Abuse Research: Web-Based Alcohol Prevention Program
Assessing effectiveness of a web-based award winning prevention program targetting college age population. Attitudes towards drinking behaviors are assessed both before and after the applied information based program. Meeting times are on an as needed basis.
Contact Information: For more information, please contact Dr. Amy Dominguez at awdominguez@regent.edu or (757) 352.4349.
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