Christen Connor, MA
I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Masters Limited Psychologist, and I have been practicing in the field for 15 years. My background includes providing: crisis interventions, risk assessments, collaborative treatment planning, individual, couples, group, and family therapy. My scope of practice includes evidence-based and trauma informed therapeutic approaches including CBT, DBT, interpersonal therapy, motivational interviewing, and others as clinically indicated to treat mood and anxiety disorders, personality disorders, ADHD, PTSD, and co-occurring (mental health and substance use) disorders among individuals, groups, and families.
MA in Counselor Education/Counseling Psychology, Western Michigan University, 2009.
BBA in Business Administration, Western Michigan University, 2005.
Successfully completed five years of doctoral courses, advanced practicums, research and trainings, Western Michigan University.
Able to provide LPC supervision in the State of Michigan.
Lifespan and Development Psychology
Cognitive Behavioral Psychology
Counseling Psychology
Counselor training, supervision, education, and research.
Professional Development including interviewing and communication skills, relationship building and networking.
Work – Life Balance.
Group Therapy.
Consulting and Team Building to Cultivate Healthy Relationships Within the Workplace.
Stress Management.
Research Proposal of Interest: Examining the Moderating Effects of Job Experience and Education with Moral Injury and Resilience among Emergency Department (ED) Nurses.
The purpose of this research proposal is to evaluate the relationship between ED nurses’ self-reported psychological symptoms of moral injury and their perceived levels of resilience from a counseling psychology, scientist-practitioner framework. The goal of this study is to determine the significance of this relationship, using a hierarchical regression, as moderated by ED nurses’ self-reported years of work experience and/or level of educational attainment. The theoretical framework of this study is grounded in U.S. Military research and is aimed at understanding the characteristics, behaviors, and resilience of ED nurses, post COVID-19 era.
Approaches include:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
- Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Motivational Interviewing
- Person Centered Therapy
- Emotionally Focused Therapy
- Brief Solution Focused Therapy
- Interpersonal Therapy
- Psychoeducation
- Positive Psychology
- Imago Couples Therapy
- Family Therapy
- Lifespan Development
First Responders and Healthcare Personnel, including issues such as Moral Injury/Burnout, and/or Work-Life Balance. Trained in Critical Incident Stress Management.
Life Adjustments and Transitions, including changes related to Career/Vocation, College students, or recent discharge from a higher level of care such as inpatient or partial hospitalization programming.
- Professional Consultants and Clinicians https://counselingpcc.com/
- American Psychological Association; Society of Counseling Psychology, Division 17.
- Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society, Western Michigan University (Former Treasurer).
- Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology Alumni Scholarship Recipient, 2014.
State of Michigan Judicial Institute Conference, Keynote Presenter. Topic: Contemporary Diversity in the Juvenile Court System.
Clinical Behavioral Health Trainer/Psychotherapist, Bronson HelpNet Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
Emergency Department and Fieldstone Behavioral Health Access Clinician (During COVID-19 Pandemic).
Inpatient Group Facilitator, Bronson, and Borgess Behavioral Health Units.
Outpatient Therapist and Doctoral Associate positions including providing training to MA students on psychotherapy techniques, and proper administration and interpretation of psychological assessments and evaluations.
Home-Based Children and Adolescent Therapist, Elizabeth Upjohn Community Healing Center.
I have facilitated the following educational seminars, presentations, and speaking engagements:
- Behavioral Health and Wellness Training Session
- Wellbeing In Service “Mind and Wisdom”
- Mental Health in the Workplace/Returning to work after COVID-19
- Stress Management Skills & What to expect in Counseling
- Strategies for Fostering Mental Wellbeing
- Cultivating an Organizational Culture of Mental Wellness
- Supporting Self and Others: When to Seek Counseling
- Evidence-Based Tips for a Healthy Work/Life Balance
- Positive Psychology: Resilience, Reframing & Boundaries
- The Path to Physical Wellness through Mental Wellbeing
- The Care Providers’ Guide to Mental Health and Wellness
- Managing Mental Health following Exposure to Trauma(s) Mental
- Coping with Change/Grief
- Cultivating a Culture of Mental Wellness in the Workplace
- Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference, Cleveland State University, Poster Presentation: Self Objectification and Biracial Women.
- Great Lakes Regional Counseling Psychology Conference, Western Michigan University, Poster Presentation: Increasing Confidence in Parenting Biracial Adolescents.
- Garrison, A. G., Sauer, E. M., & Howard-Connor, C. (2014, June). Optimizing the therapeutic alliance: A closer examination of client and therapist factors. 45th International Meeting, Society of Psychotherapy Research, Copenhagen, Denmark.
- Facilitated Students Navigating Campus with Mental Health Issues, a panel discussion, Western Michigan University.
- Co-facilitated: Mental Health in a Cultural Context, Western Michigan University.
