Below are descriptions of my research projects that are currently underway.  Completed research projects can be located on my cv.

Community-Based Participatory Research with LGBT Communities

This is a collaborative project with local LGBT service providers and community members. Members of this research team are Tania Israel, Laury Oaks, Yen-Jui (Ray) Lin, Michael Rogers, Catherine Saunders, and Sholeh Mireshghi.

photo coming

Qualitative Investigation of Variables that Affect LGBT Clients' Experiences and Outcomes in Therapy

The aim of this study is to identify a wide range of variables that may be related to counseling experiences and outcomes for LGBT clients. We are conducting phone interviews with LGBT individuals who use counseling services, counselors who work directly with LGBT clients, and administrators from agencies that provide mental health services to LGBT clients. Ultimately, this project will identify counselor, client, and contextual variables to include in investigations of counseling processes, outcomes, and services. Members of this research team are Tania Israel, Ted Burnes, Raya Gorcheva, & Drew Walther

Contribution of Counselor Knowledge and Attitudes to LGB Clients' Satisfaction and Perceptions of Counseling
 

The aim of this project is to determine the contribution of counselor knowledge and attitudes regarding LGB clients to client perceptions of the counselor and the counseling relationship and to client satisfaction. Participants for this study are LGB clients and their counselors who are beingrecruited from agencies that provide counseling to LGB clients. Counselors are completing measures of knowledge and attitudes regarding LGB clients. Clients are completing measures of their perceptions of the counselor and the counseling relationship and their satisfaction with counseling. Ideally, the results of this study will provide guidance for therapist training and, ultimately, improve the quality of mental health services for LGB clients. Members of this research team are Tania Israel, Ted Burnes, & Raya Gorcheva.

Training Counselors to Work with LGB Clients: A Qualitative Study
 

This research team is analyzing qualitative data from a series of interviews conducted with graduate students enrolled in a semester-long course in counseling LGB clients. We are investigating the impact on the students of various pedagogical approaches and various topics. Members of this research team are Tania Israel, John Mark Krejci, Ted Burnes, Raya Gorcheva & Shihwe Wang.

Increasing College Students' Math Self-Efficacy
 

This study is examining an intervention designed to increase math/science self-efficacy among college students. We are comparing a treatment combining belief perseverance and personal accomplishment techniques to a treatment involving only personal accomplishment. We hypothesize that the combined treatment will effect greater increases in math/science self-efficacy than the control treatment and that these effects will be sustained at a 6-week follow-up. Members of this research team are Beth Cordero, Sarah Porter, Tania Israel, Michael Brown, & Alison Brown.

Health Education Program Evaluation
 

This is a collaborative team comprised of faculty and graduate students from CCSP and staff from the Health Education program in UCSB’s Department of Student Health. This team is evaluating a program to infuse alcohol and other drug material into academic courses. In addition, the team is evaluating the impact of peer health education on the heath-related knowledge, attitudes, and behavior of undergraduate students. Members of this research team are Annie Ahn, Beth Cordero, Tania Israel, Maria Mahoney, &Sabina White.