Phenomenological Research

Phenomenological research has value and resonance for our work as professionals in the area of psychotherapy and related professions as well as to our personal lives. Since 1985, students and graduates of the MAP program have been engaged in qualitative research, some in collaboration with faculty.

In support of this, faculty and alumni of the Graduate Program present an annual conference to showcase research conducted by Seattle University graduates in a public forum of learning and dialogue and to think about our own possible research questions and interests. On this site, we will post events and opportunities in support of qualitative and phenomenological research for professionals among alums and their colleagues.

Ongoing Qualitative Reserach Group

We meet quarterly to discuss various topics related to qualitative research especially within a clinical practice.  Meetings are in the evening on the Seattle University campus and all interested people are welcome to attend.  For more information or to be added to our mailing list, please send an email to shalling@seattleu.edu or marie@mariemcnabb.com

Our next meeting is Wednesday October 19 2011 at 7 pm in Casey 200 

Annual Giving Voice to Experience Conference

The Fifth Annual Giving Voice to Experience Conference: Gathering Experiential Data
Presenter: Various
When: Saturday, 4/28/12
Where: Casey Commons
Fees: TBD, includes Lunch and Continuing Education Credits

6 CEU's.

As in prior years, this conference provides an opportunity to consider qualitative research, particularly within a clinical or professional practice and connect with other clinicians and researchers. This year we are thinking about the various forms of "data" in qualitative research - interviews, self reflections, and the wide variety of events that make up experience and that we try to capture for deeper understanding.

For more information, coming in late March, please send an email to shalling@seattleu.edu and we will add you to our emailing list.

2011 Conference: Sitting in the Client's Chair

• At this year’s one day conference we explore the therapist-client relationship by incorporating the experience of the physical space of the therapy room.
  
  We begin with a keynote by Professor Bob Mugerauer, faculty in the College of Built Environments at the University of Washington and an adjunct in anthropology, speaking on "Making Room for Each Other: Spatial and Relational Openings." His specialties are applying phenomenology and complexity theory to study our embodied consciousness and bio-cultural environments, and his publications include Dwelling, Place and Environment (2000). Krieger Press.
  
  The remainder of the day we work in small groups, reflecting on therapist descriptions using two different phenomenological approaches. Toward the end of the day, we discuss our findings and conclude with wine, refreshments and cheese, a great opportunity to connect with other clinicians and researchers.
  

2010 Conference:  Why and how to add qualitative research to clinical practice

• The 2010 conference is geared to mental health practitioners and graduate students who are interesting in learning more about the principles and practice of qualitative research and how it can inform clinical practice as well as everyday life. We also see this gathering as providing an opportunity for people who are considering doing qualitative research (even if they have no idea how to start) to meet like-minded people and look at the possibility of collaborating. There will be a display of relevant books and other resources at the conference.
  
  The presenters include Professor Ted Fortier who teaches cultural anthropology at Seattle University and has done extensive ethnographic research with Native American tribes and George Sayre, PsyD a practicing family psychologist and lecturer in the MAP graduate program.  

2009 Conference:  Phenomenology, Research and Clinical Practice

• Intuitive Moments: A Phenomenological Study of the Experience of Intuition during Psychotherapy. Melissa J. Kennedy and Kathleen Pape 
• A Phenomenological Exploration of Difficult Conversations, Kevin Krycka 
• The Emperor’s New Clothes: What You See Depends upon How You Look—An Emerging Paradigm in Multicultural Competency Training, Liang Tien, Jude Bergkamp, Ariel Caspe-Detzer 
• A Prostitutes’ Lived Experiences of Stigma, Miyuki Tomura
• Reclaiming the Aesthetic, Joanne Halverson and Adair Hinds
• Capstone Presentation: Art and Phenomenology - Barbara Fugate
  
  

2008 Conference 

• Jackie L. Grimesey: The Impact of Combat Trauma on the Veteran’s Family Members: Preliminary Findings of an Empirical – Phenomenological Study
• Gloria Gage, Matt Goldenberg, Daniel Luis, Sean Ryan, Molly Viers: Healing Relationships: A Dialogal Approach
• Kathleen M. Pape: Death, Grace and Transformation: A Social Constructivist Lens on the Loss of a Sibling in early to Mid-Adulthood
• Melissa J. Kennedy: Experiencing Interpersonal Grace: Transformation Following Disgrace
• Jennifer Schulz: Pointing the Way to Discovery: Using Creative Writing Practice in Phenomenological Research
• Cynthia Price, Brittney McBride, Lynne Hyerle, Daniel Kivlahan: The experience of touch and bodily self awareness: What female veterans tell us about body-oriented psychotherapy for chronic pain and PTSD