Counselor Expertise and Military Cultural Competency Study |
Informed Consent – Online Survey
You are being asked to participate in an online survey for a research study being conducted by Maria G. Giuliana, a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision Program at National Louis University. The study is titled: Exploring the Relationship Between Counselor Expertise and Self-Reported Military Cultural Competency Among Mental Health Counselors: A Mixed-Domain Analysis. This study will be conducted from 16-June-2025 to 16-June-2026.
Purpose of the Study
As veterans and service members increasingly rely on civilian mental health providers, it is critical to understand how professional expertise influences a counselor’s ability to provide culturally responsive care. This study examines how specific indicators of expertise—including formal education, postgraduate supervision, continuing education, licensure, years of experience, and military affiliation—relate to military cultural competency among licensed mental health counselors, counselor educators, and qualified clinical supervisors.
As veterans and service members increasingly rely on civilian mental health providers, it is critical to understand how professional expertise influences a counselor’s ability to provide culturally responsive care. This study examines how specific indicators of expertise—including formal education, postgraduate supervision, continuing education, licensure, years of experience, and military affiliation—relate to military cultural competency among licensed mental health counselors, counselor educators, and qualified clinical supervisors.
Competency is assessed across three domains: attitudinal awareness, basic knowledge, and clinical preparedness. In addition to these measured domains, the study also asks participants to self-rate their overall counseling and military cultural competency. By comparing these self-perceptions with structured domain scores and responses to brief clinical vignettes, the study seeks to better understand how professional development aligns with actual preparedness to serve veterans and military-connected clients. Findings may inform training curricula, licensure standards, and continuing education programs aimed at strengthening culturally competent mental health care.
Risks and Benefits
Participation in this study involves minimal risk. While you may be asked to reflect on professional competencies and military cultural topics that are occasionally sensitive, no physical, psychological, or legal risks beyond those encountered in daily professional life are anticipated. You may skip any question or exit the survey at any time.
While you will not receive direct compensation for participating, the information gathered may benefit the counseling profession by contributing to a better understanding of how military cultural competency is developed among mental health professionals.
Procedures and Time Commitment
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey includes demographic questions, professional experience items, self-assessment scales related to military cultural competency, and brief clinical vignettes.
Procedures and Time Commitment
If you agree to participate, you will be asked to complete an anonymous online survey. The survey includes demographic questions, professional experience items, self-assessment scales related to military cultural competency, and brief clinical vignettes.
Your participation is expected to take approximately 15–20 minutes. You may skip any question and can stop the survey at any time without penalty.
Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal
Your participation in this study is entirely voluntary. You may decline to answer any question or discontinue your participation at any time without penalty or bias.
Confidentiality and Data Security
This survey is anonymous. No identifying information will be collected, and IP addresses will not be tracked. All responses will be stored securely in a password-protected digital folder accessible only to the primary researcher. Data may be used in academic presentations or publications but will be reported in aggregate form, with no information that could identify individual participants. Survey data will be retained for five years after the completion of the study and then permanently deleted from all storage systems.