2015 TPC Outstanding Scholar Award Winner – Quantitative or Qualitative Research

Mary-Catherine McClain and Robert C. Reardon

Mary-Catherine McClain and Robert C. Reardon received the 2015 Outstanding Scholar Award for Quantitative or Qualitative Research for their article “The U.S. Workforce from 1960 to 2010: A RIASEC View.”

Dr. McClain is a licensed psychologist and adjunct professor at Mercer University, in Macon, Georgia. She currently works full-time at her private practice and teaches two courses at the university. Dr. McClain completed her pre-doctoral internship at the Johns Hopkins University Counseling Center and graduated with her MS, EdS, and PhD from Florida State University. She also holds the National Certified Counselor (NCC) certification. Dr. McClain’s areas of professional and research interest include career counseling, eating disorders treatment, crisis intervention and suicidality, self-care, and coping with symptoms of ADHD.

Dr. Reardon held full-time counseling and teaching positions at Florida State University from 1966 to 2007. He is now professor emeritus in the Department of Educational Psychology and Learning Systems and Senior Research Associate in the Career Center at FSU. Dr. Reardon has published more than 120 articles in professional journals, focusing on the research and development of innovative career interventions for college students and adults, and featuring the use of educational and occupational information. He received the Eminent Career Award from the National Career Development Association in 2003.

Read more about the TPC scholarship awards here.

2015 TPC Outstanding Scholar Award Winner – Concept/Theory

Seth C. W. Hayden, Derick J. Williams, Angela I. Canto, and Tyler Finklea


Seth C. W. Hayden, Derick J. Williams, Angela I. Canto, and Tyler Finklea received the 2015 Outstanding Scholar Award for Concept/Theory for their article “Shelter From the Storm: Addressing Vicarious Traumatization Through Wellness-Based Clinical Supervision.”

Seth C. W. Hayden is assistant professor of counseling at Wake Forest University. Dr. Hayden has provided career and personal counseling in community agencies, secondary school and university settings. Dr. Hayden’s research focuses on the career and personal development of military service members, veterans and their families. In addition, he explores the connection between career and mental health issues and integrated models of clinical supervision designed to facilitate positive growth in counselors’ ability to formulate interventions. Dr. Hayden is a licensed professional counselor in North Carolina and Virginia, a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. He is former president of the Military and Government Counseling Association (MGCA), a division of the American Counseling Association.

Derick J. Williams is assistant professor and program area director of the Counselor Education program at the University of Virginia. He has taught full-time in Counselor Education for the past 10 years. He has been a faculty supervisor for students in clinical mental health counseling, student affairs and higher education, and school counseling. He coordinates the practicum and internship placements for pre-service school counselors and consults with site and fellow faculty supervisors to ensure effective delivery of supervision and optimal student learning. Dr. Williams has presented on the topic of supervision at state, regional and national conferences. He was a member of the 2016 CACREP Standards Revision Committee focusing on training and counselor preparation, including the integration of counselor training standards, professional practice and counseling supervision.

Angela I. Canto is assistant professor in the Psychological and Counseling Services program within the College of Education at Florida State University. Her program of research and clinical focus involves working with youth and families affected by trauma and crisis to identify malleable factors that impact social, behavioral and academic outcomes as well as developing effective interventions and training approaches to support professionals’ work with this population. She has provided group, family and individual mental health services in multiple settings and has supervised graduate students in counseling and school psychology. Her publication record includes 22 peer-reviewed articles and one book chapter.

Tyler Finklea is a doctoral candidate in combined counseling psychology and school psychology at Florida State University. She is currently completing a doctoral internship at American University’s Counseling Center, in Washington, DC. Her research interests include the intersection of career difficulties and mental health concerns, and her dissertation is a qualitative study looking at what psychopathologies are present in those with high levels of dysfunctional career thinking as measured by the MMPI-2 and Career Thoughts Inventory.

Dr. Hayden and Dr. Williams are National Certified Counselors (NCCs).

Read more about the TPC scholarship awards here.

2016 Dissertation Excellence Award

TPC received entries for the third annual Dissertation Excellence Award from across the United States. After great deliberation, the TPC editorial board committee selected Viki P. Kelchner to receive the 2016 Dissertation Excellence Award for her dissertation, titled The Effect of a School Based Youth Intervention Program on At-Risk Youth’s School Attitudes and Behavior Returning from an Alternative School Setting to a Traditional School Setting.

Viki Kelchner is assistant professor at the University of Central Florida in the College of Education and Human Performance in the Child, Family, and Community Sciences Department in the Counselor Education and School Psychology Program. Dr. Kelchner completed her doctoral studies at the University of South Carolina, under the supervision of Dr. Kathy Evans. Dr. Kelchner’s research interests and publications focus on families, couples and supporting high-needs youth and families through school-based counseling services and intervention programs.

Dr. Kelchner is a National Certified Counselor and a certified school counselor, licensed professional counselor and licensed professional counselor supervisor in South Carolina.

TPC looks forward to recognizing outstanding dissertations like Dr. Kelchner’s for many years to come.

Read more about the TPC scholarship awards here.

2015 Dissertation Excellence Award

TPC received entries for the second annual Dissertation Excellence Award from across the United States. After great deliberation, the TPC editorial board committee selected Lindsey M. Mitchell to receive the 2015 Dissertation Excellence Award for her dissertation, titled Bereavement Experience of Female Military Spousal Suicide Survivors: Utilizing Lazarus’ Cognitive Stress Theory.

Dr. Mitchell completed her doctoral studies at the George Washington University, in Washington, D.C., under the supervision of Kenneth C. Hergenrather. According to Dr. Hergenrather, “Dr. Mitchell’s dissertation is exemplary of student commitment to research, demonstrated through prior dissertation involvement with the research topic and population addressed, to further empower people and enhance the life quality of the persons served.”

Dr. Mitchell is a National Certified Counselor and a licensed counselor in both Texas and Washington, D.C. She is currently seeking a faculty position at a university.

TPC looks forward to recognizing outstanding dissertations like Dr. Mitchell’s for many years to come.

Read more about the TPC scholarship awards here.

2014 TPC Outstanding Scholar Award Winner – Concept/Theory

Kristi A. Lee, John A. Dewell, and Courtney M. Holmes


Kristi A. Lee, John A. Dewell, and Courtney M. Holmes received the 2014 Outstanding Scholar Award for Concept/Theory for their article “Animating Research with Counseling Values: A Training Model to Address the Research-to-Practice Gap.”

Dr. Lee is an assistant professor of community counseling at Seattle University. Her research focuses on the use of service learning in counselor education, as well as on how to best prepare counselors as social justice advocates.

Dr. Dewell is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at Loyola University New Orleans. His research interests include counselor trainee education and development and adolescent aggression.

Dr. Holmes is an assistant professor in the Department of Rehabilitation Counseling at Virginia Commonwealth University, in Richmond. Her research interests include a wide variety of issues related to counselor training, supervision, and the integration of technology into both clinical practice and teaching.

All three authors are National Certified Counselors (NCCs).

Read more about the TPC scholarship awards here.

2014 TPC Outstanding Scholar Award Winner – Quantitative or Qualitative Research

Lisa D. Hawley, Todd W. Leibert, and Joel A. Lane


Lisa D. Hawley, Todd W. Leibert, and Joel A. Lane received the 2014 Outstanding Scholar Award for Quantitative or Qualitative Research for their article “The Relationship Between Socioeconomic Status and Counseling Outcomes.”

Dr. Hawley is an associate professor and department chair at Oakland University, in Rochester, Michigan. Her research includes socioeconomic status and counseling implications, clinical training, and professional identity issues.  In addition, she advocates for counselors on equity issues.

Dr. Leibert is an associate professor and coordinator of the doctoral program at Oakland University, in Rochester, Michigan. His research and scholarly passion center on factors that facilitate or impede change in counseling among adult clients.

Dr. Lane is an assistant professor at Portland State University, in Portland, Oregon, where he also serves as coordinator of the clinical mental health counseling program. His research and scholarly agenda focus on emerging adult life transitions and their impact on mental health and well-being.

All three authors are National Certified Counselors (NCCs).

Read more about the TPC scholarship awards here.