Information and Consent

The purpose of this research study is to discover ethical and affirming counseling practices from the perspectives of neurodivergent and erotically marginalized cisgender women. The researcher strives to create a safe and brave space to engage in dialogue with participants. The researcher hopes to explore ethical and affirming counseling practices that aim to validate this population’s needs based on their own personal accounts of lived experiences.

By answering and submitting the following survey questions, you will be considered a potential study participant. Cisgender females of all backgrounds, identities, and experiences that might intersect with the study’s eligibility criteria are encouraged to apply. There are no financial incentives for completing this screening survey or the full interview process. If you are invited to become a participant in this study, you will be asked to provide answers to questions that may feel personal and/or intimate in nature through an audio and/or video interview.

During the interview, participants will be asked about neurodivergence, diagnoses, sexual expression, sexual practices, and past and/or current counseling experiences. The interview will be approximately 45-90 minutes in duration. A follow up interview might be requested. Your participation in this study will be completely voluntary and can be withdrawn at any time, for any reason.

Take the survey here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/C28VHBJ. If you have further questions about this study, you may contact Robyn L. Flores, the researcher and doctoral candidate at University of the Cumberlands, at rflores@therapysecure.com. If you have any questions regarding the rights of research participants, you may contact the University of the Cumberlands Institutional Review Board (IRB) at IRB@ucumberlands.edu

Thank you!

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* 1. Please type your full name and date to acknowledge that you have read and understand the information above.

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* 2. Current age range:

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* 3. Please check the option(s) that pertain to your identity:

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* 4. Race/Ethnicity (check all that apply):

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* 5. Sexual orientation (check all that apply):

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* 6. Sexual practice and/or expression descriptors (check all that apply to your lived experience):

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* 7. Ability (check all that apply):

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* 8. In what state do you reside? 

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* 9. Age range of initial ASD and/or ADHD diagnosis:

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* 10. Most recent counseling session attendance (check the most recent):

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* 11. Do you identify as a cisgender female/woman?

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* 12. Are you 25 years of age or older?

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* 13. Can you easily understand English through verbal and written communication?

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* 14. Do you identify as erotically marginalized (engage in kink-oriented practices and/or expressions)?

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* 15. Do you identify as neurodivergent (iterations of Autistic and/or ADHD)?

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* 16. Are you willing to speak openly and honestly about your lived experiences with neurodivergence, diagnoses, sexual expression, sexual practices, and engagement in counseling?

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* 17. In no less than two years ago, have you been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and/or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)?

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* 18. Within the past year, have you engaged, or you are currently engaging, in counseling with a licensed professional counselor (LPC, or various state-specific iterations of the license name)?

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* 19. Have you attended at least three counseling sessions, lasting 50 minutes or longer for each session within the past year?

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* 20. Do you have reliable Internet, have access to a confidential space, and are willing to participate in the interview process at a day/time that is convenient for you and the researcher?

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* 21. Please provide contact information if you are interested in being a participant in this study.

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