By Tyler Forrest
In October, Old Dominion University student Chi Li received recognition for her research into counselor education and supervision at the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) Conference held in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Li and faculty mentor Dr. Gulsah Kemer, assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services, received a $500 reward for their project: Supervisory Working Alliance and Supervisee Disclosure in Supervision: Supervisee Role Ambiguity as a Mediator. Their proposal was one of only six awards honored at the annual event.
The research focused on broadening the understanding of supervisee disclosure in supervision, and specifically focused on answering the question of whether the uncertainty of a supervisee's role can act as a moderator in the relationship between them and the supervisor. The role of communication between the supervisee and supervisor can be complex sometimes, and if not handled efficiently can lead to a breakdown in effective communication which can lead to unwanted outcomes.
"As a supervisee and supervisor, I have learned the importance of supervisee disclosure in supervision," said Li. "I want to find out other potential predictors for supervisee disclosure in supervision."
Li, a doctoral candidate in the Department of Counseling and Human Services, has been the principal investigator for three successfully funded graduate student research grant from both regional and state associations including SACES, the Virginia Counselor Association (VCA), and the Virginia Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (VACES), and she has provided material for two published articles; she was the lead author on one which was an article published in the International Journal of Advanced Counseling.
Li was awarded the 2018 Outstanding Research Award from Chi Sigma Iota, an international honor society for counseling students.
When asked what drew Li to the program, she said, "ODU's counseling program has a national reputation and the faculty have different specialties, which played a critical role in my decision making."
"I also believe in the importance of mentorship and Dr. Kemer has been a wonderful educator, mentor, and role model."