A. Consent for Participation in Study

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I, , acting for myself, agree to take part in the research entitled An Exploration of Aspects of Changed Faith Beliefs in Christian Psychotherapists’ Post-Traumatic Experiences.

This work will be carried out by Teresa Barnes under the supervision of Dr. John Ridings.

This work is conducted under the auspices of the Institute for Clinical Social Work; At Robert Morris Center, 401 South State Street; Suite 822, Chicago, IL 60605; (312) 935-4232, info@icsw.edu.

The purpose of this study is to understand the changed aspects of faith beliefs of Christian psychotherapists following a traumatic experience. The goal of this study is to capture the essence of what these changes mean in terms of faith practice and clinical practice. By exploring this phenomenon, the hope is to illuminate the significance of how Christian psychotherapists’ post-traumatic experiences informs their beliefs about themselves, their clinical practice approaches, and their faith practices.

This study will contribute to the mental health field for three reasons. First, there is limited research on Christian psychotherapists’ faith beliefs and their impact on clinical work. Second, how Christian psychotherapists experience, perceive, and live their faith beliefs has clinical implications. Although supporting a client’s religious material is proven to contribute to health maintenance and recovery, attention can also be given to the psychotherapists’ beliefs and feelings about their faith, especially after their own experience of trauma (Van Dover & Pfeiffer, 2007; Blanch, 2007; MagaldiDopman, Park-Taylor, Ponterotto, 2011). Furthermore, it will be worthwhile to examine how these events change their approach to professional practice. According to others (Sorenson, 1994; Moriarty & Hoffman, 2007), this exploration is necessary. Since Christian psychotherapists’ beliefs, biases, and values influence their clients’ representations of God, it is important for them to be aware of how their perceptions and meaning making impacts the clinical relationship (Sorenson, 1994). Third, Christian psychotherapists play an important role in mental health. For example, people tend to rely more on their faith based institutions during their time of need than government or human service organizations (Cnaan, Sinha, & McGrew, 2004). When deciding to pursue psychotherapy, Christian clients tend to prefer Christian psychotherapists who share their worldview over their secular counterparts (Post & Wade, 2009).

First, participants will be contacted to schedule an interview at a time and place that is convenient for them. Next, participants will be asked to read the consent form or have it read to them. The researcher will ask them questions to ascertain their knowledge of the consent form and ensure informed consent. The participant will then participate in an hour interview. Subsequently, the researcher will transcribe the interview and analyze it before scheduling another interview with the participant. Up to two followup interviews may be scheduled after the initial interview. In the last interview, the researcher will share the results of the study that have been acquired to by that point in the study. This final interview will also utilize a member check in which the interviewer will solicit informant feedback to ensure the credibility, validity, and accuracy of the information collected as well as the conclusions drawn from the information provided. Participants will be paid $20 at the completion of the final interview.

The purpose of this study is to inform Christian psychotherapists about how faith beliefs and trauma impact the professional self and the clinical relationship. Hopefully, this will benefit participants’ self-reflections regarding their approaches to clinical work and their relationship with their clients.

There are no costs to you for participating in this research study.

This research has the following risks:

You may find that discussing your feelings, thoughts, and beliefs about your traumatic experience may illicit distressing emotions. If this happens, you may skip any questions that you don’t want to answer, take a break, or end the interview.

Loss of confidentiality may be another concern. The information you share will only be used by the researcher. However, to ensure that the research is conducted ethically, data will be reviewed by dissertation committee and professional transcriptionist. Necessary steps will be taken to ensure you confidentiality. You will be assigned an identification number and your name will be removed from the survey. The list connecting your name with the identification number will be stored separately from the survey data. It will be destroyed once we have completed data collection.

The only people who will know that you are a research subject are members of the research team. No information about you, or provided by you during the research, will be disclosed to others without your written permission, except:

- if it is necessary to protect your rights or welfare (for example, if you are injured and need emergency care, or when the ICSW Institutional Review Board monitors the research or consent process); or

- if required by law, for example, if you indicate plans to harm yourself or others.

When the results of the research are published or discussed in conferences, no information will be included that would reveal your identity. Any information that is obtained in connection with this study and that can be identified with you will remain confidential and will be disclosed only with your permission or as required by law.

Only the researcher and professional transcriptionist will have access to the interview transcripts. Only the researcher will have access to the computer data files. In order to protect your confidentiality, we will not write your name on the interviews. Instead, we will assign you an identification number (e.g. 001, 002). We will store the interview transcripts and audio data in a locked briefcase separate from any papers that have your name on them. The list that connects your name and identification number will be kept in a password protected computer file. This file will be destroyed after the completion of data collection. All interview transcripts will be destroyed five years after the results of the study are published. Electronic data will be kept in a

password-protected file on a password-protected computer. After five years, the password-protected file will be destroyed.

The following is the format that should be followed in creating the assurances:

By signing this consent form, I agree to take part in this study. I have not given up any of my rights (my child’s rights) or released this institution from responsibility for carelessness.

I may cancel my consent and refuse to continue in this study (or take my child out of this study) at any time without penalty or loss of benefits. My relationship with the staff of the ICSW will not be affected in any way, now or in the future, if I (or my child) refuse to take part, or if I begin the study and then withdraw.

If I have any questions about the research methods, I can contact Teresa Barnes, at this phone number 719-425-9366(day), 719-425-9366(evening). Email: tbarlow@icsw.edu or 21stcenturymom.tb@gmail.com

If I have any questions about my rights – or my child’s rights – as a research subject, I may contact Dr. John Ridings, Chair of Institutional Review Board; ICSW; At Robert Morris Center, 401 South State Street; Suite 822, Chicago, IL 60605; irbchair@icsw.edu.

I have read this consent form and I agree to take part in this study as it is explained in this consent form.

Signature of Participant Date

I certify that I have explained the research to and believe that they understand and that they have agreed to participate freely. I agree to answer any additional questions when they arise during the research or afterward.

Signature of Researcher

Revised 14 Oct, 2015 Date