Georgia State University

Department of Counseling Psychological Services 

Informed Consent 

Title:  Toward Trauma Competency: Experiences of Trauma-Competent Mental Health Practitioners

Principal Investigator:    Catherine Y. Chang, PhD

Student Principal Investigator:   Melinda Paige, Ed.S, LMHC, LPC, CPCS, NCC 

I. Purpose:  

You are invited to participate in an on-line research study.  The purpose of the study is to investigate trauma counseling competency grounded in the experiences of expert trauma therapists to support trauma counselor education. You are invited to participate because you are either a counselor, counselor educator, social worker or a psychologist (or a combination) who is an expert in trauma.  Approximately 25 participants will be recruited for this study. Participation will require 30-45 minutes of your time in one sitting.

II. Procedures: 

If you decide to participate, you will be asked to take an on-line survey once for 30-45 minutes involving questions about trauma counseling specifically related to developing competency-based trauma counselor education.

At the end of the survey, you will be asked if you would be willing to be contacted via email to answer follow-up questions about the answers you provided on the on-line survey. If you chose to participate in the follow-up portion of this study, it will require 30-45 minutes.

We ask that you take this survey in a private room on a computer with no one else present, and please make sure to close your browser upon completion of the survey to ensure that your information is kept as private as possible. 

III. Risks: 

In this study, you will not have any more risks than you would in a normal day. 

IV. Benefits: 

Participation in this study may not benefit you personally. Overall, I hope to explore expert trauma clinicians' experiences related to providing trauma-competent mental health care.

VI. Voluntary Participation and Withdrawal: 

Participation in   research is voluntary.  You do not have to participate in this study.  If you decide to begin the survey and change your mind, you have the right stop taking the survey at any time.  You may skip questions or stop participating all together at any time.  

VII. Confidentiality: 

I will keep your records private to the extent allowed by law.  Melinda Paige and her research team will have access to the information you provide. Information may also be shared with the GSU Institutional Review Board and the Office for Human Research Protection (OHRP). We will use a study number rather than your name on study records. The information you provide will be stored in a password and firewall protected computer that will be behind a locked door. The findings will be summarized and reported in group form. You will not be identified personally. 

VIII.    Contact Persons: 

Contact Melinda Paige at mpaige4@student.gsu.edu or 404.218.4953 if you have questions, concerns, or complaints about this study. 

Melinda Paige is supervised by Dr. Catherine Y. Chang (Catharina) and can be reached at cychang@gsu.edu or 404-413-8196. 

Contact Susan Vogtner in the Georgia State University Office of Research Integrity at 404-413-3513 or svogtner1@gsu.edu if you feel that you have been harmed in any way by this research. Susan Vogtner is not part of the study team.  You can talk about questions, concerns, offer input, obtain information, or suggestions about the study.  Susan Vogtner can also discuss your rights related to this research.  

IX. Copy of Consent Form to Subject: 

If you agree to participate in this research, please continue with the survey.  You may print a copy of this form for your records.  

If you wish to participate in this research study, please click the continue button below.