The International Issues in Counseling Psychology team focuses primarily on social justice research related to gender and identity development or disruption in that development due to experiences such as external and internal displacement, war, persecution, gender discrimination, or human trafficking. However, the team may also complete projects on cultural identity and adjustment and readjustment issues as these relate to displaced people as well as humanitarian aid workers, advocates, and students who study or work with social justice issues abroad.

Several team-members have participated on international trips, but it is not a requirement to be a part of the team! We do believe in being globally aware and educated and we attempt to develop an international perspective on research and practice both domestically and abroad. The team started in 2011 and has already presented at several national conferences. We are in the process of writing up a couple of manuscripts and developing research connections in Norway and Thailand. Team and team member projects have focused on human trafficking; re-entry for long term international students returning to their home countries; self-care among people working with sexually abused children internationally; barriers to study abroad for African American students; mental health costs and rewards for women pursuing higher education in the U.S., Norway, and Thailand; and the development of a cultural identity scale. The team is currently planning a larger study focusing on career counseling needs among culturally displaced refugees with disrupted careers and/or disrupted education.

Current team members include:

Elin Ovrebo, Ph.D.

Brian Bruijn, B.A.

Angela Izmirian, B.S.

Richelle McGhee, B.S.

Jessie Smith, M.A.

Jessica Sobieski, B.A.