My Story

In the fall of 2003, I was appointed to a tenure-track position as an assistant professor in school counseling in the School of Education of Seattle Pacific University. I teach a variety of courses, conduct an active research program, and supervise school counseling interns.

After earning a bachelor’s in English Literature from Wheaton College and master’s degrees in counseling and guidance from University of Missouri, Kansas City, I earned a second master of art in marriage and family therapy and a Ph.D. in family and child ecology from Michigan State University.

My clinical training covers the complete age span of children and youth as demonstrated by two years work with children in an elementary school (1997-1999), four years of clinical work with teens and their families at the Family & Child Clinic in East Lansing, MI (1998-2001), and one year counseling college students at SPU’s Student Counseling Center (2003-2004).  Additionally, I completed an academic and clinical pre-doctoral internship at the University of Oregon (2001-2002) where I worked with children, youth, and families.

I previously was on faculty at Seton Hall University in their Marriage and Family Therapy Program, where I taught theory, child and adolescent development, and assessment/technique.  I also conducted group supervision for masters, educational specialists, and doctoral students, and coordinated off-campus placements.  I have also taught at the University of Michigan, Flint in their Nursing Program (1999-2001).  I taught family theories for nurses and guided students through a practicum where they would conduct home visits using a bio-psych-soc model of care.

 My Classes

v     EDCO 6600: Introduction to Systems Thinking

v    EDCO 6671: Counseling Theory and Practice 1

v    EDCO 6930: Counseling Theory and Practice 2

v    EDCO 6931 Counseling Theory & Practice 3

v    EDCO 6670: Career Counseling in the Schools

v    EDCO 6940: School Counseling Internship

v    EDCO 6681: Family Advocacy in the Schools

v    EDU 7974: Doctoral Research Design & Analysis 3 (Qualitative)

 

I utilize Blackboard (www.http://learn.spu.edu/?bbatt=Y):

 My Research

My current research interests include:

*  Protective factors for school aged children at-risk (e.g., loss of a parent): implications for school counselors

*  Using participatory action research in the school settings

*  Family Systems within the School Context

 

As a doctoral candidate at Michigan State University, I worked on the Both/And team for community collaboration and asset development..  Additionally, I piloted a survey to assess elementary school student’s perception of their assets.  I presented findings at conferences and to administration and staff in the school district where I conducted the assessment. 

   

My Clinical Involvement

 

*  From 2003-2005, I supervised two marriage and family practicum groups. In 2002-2003 I was a Mental Heath Counselor at SPU’s Student Counseling Center.

*  I work from a narrative approach.  My goal is to establish a collaborative relationship by hearing the student's clinical stories.  I seek to empower in order that my students and their clients may live a strength-based life.

   

Professional Organizations

 

*  Clinical Member and Approved Supervisor, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (www.aamft.org)

*  Member, Washington Counseling Association (www.wacounseling.org)

*  Member, National Association of School Counselors (www.nasc.org) & Washington School Counseling Assoc.

My Publications

Eppler, C. (in press). Family assessment. In Martin, W.E. & Kulstad, J.S. (Eds.), Assessment in Counseling and Human Services.

Igelman, C.N., & Eppler, C. (2006). Groups for students of color: Multicultural considerations. In Sink, C.A. & Littrell, J.M. (Eds.), School-based Group Counseling—Foundations and Best Practice. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Eppler, C., & Carolan, M.T. (in press). Biblionarrative:  A narrative technique uniting oral and written life-stories. Journal of Family Psychotherapy.

Eppler, C., & Walker, E.K. (2005).  Electronic Ecosystems: The ecological dynamics of sisters communicating via e-mail.  Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 16(1), 19-37.

Eppler, C. (2004).  Hearing the caged bird sing.  Journal of Feminist Family Therapy, 15 (1), 89-92.

Igelman, C. & Eppler, C. (2003). School counselors working to promote cultural awareness. CSJ Activist, 4(1), 3.

Eppler, C. & Latty, C. (2002).  Using cinema therapy to facilitate discussion in the post-divorce family. Journal of Clinical Activities, Assignments & Handouts, 2 (3), 31-37.

Eppler, C. & Kendal, N. (2001). Dividing the emotional house: The psychological power of money and other “stuff.”  Michigan Family Law Journal, Special Edition, 64-66.

Eppler, C. & Latty, C. (2001).  Filial therapy with co-therapists.  Journal of Family Psychotherapy, 12 (3), 89-96.

Lee, R. E., Eppler, C., Kendal, N., & Latty, C. (2001). Critical incidents in the professional lives of first year MFT students. Contemporary Family Therapy, 23 (1), 51-61.

Villarruel, F.A., Carolan, M., Youatt, J.P., Onaga, E., Griffore, R.J., Carter, S., Eppler, C., Griffin, A., Hahn, A. H., Lumpkin, C., Rivera Vazquez, O., Faiver, R.T., Jones, L., Campbell, L., & Kostelnik, M.J. (2001).  The 32nd annual National Council on Family Relations Award Media Competition. Family Relations, 50, 99 - 108.

Villarruel, F.A., Faiver, R.T., Onaga, E, Youatt, J.P., Eppler, C., Carter, S, Carolan, M., Griffore, R.J., Morrison, K., Kostelnik, M.J., & Jones, L (2000).  Literature and resource review essay:  Thirty-first annual national council on family relations media awards competition.  Family Relations, 49, 107-114.

My Conference Presentations

Eppler, C. (2004). Working with families in school learning communities. Presented at the Conference on Issues in the Social and Moral Fabric of the Learning Community in Beverley, United Kingdom.

Igelman, C.N., Leinbaugh, T., Eppler, C., & Bhat, C.S. (2004). Infusing cultural awareness, knowledge, and skills into school counselor preparation programs.  A Presentation at American Counseling Association (ACA) 2004 Conference.

Miller, J.K., Todhal, J., Platt, J. & Eppler, C. (2002).  Pre-professorial internships: Recruiting the next generation.  A Poster Presentation at American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s (AAMFT) 60th Annual Conference.

Eppler, C. (2000).  Life before adolescence: assets school-age children need to succeed.  A Presentation at Asset Strategies in Action: How to Walk the Talk.  Michigan State University Outreach Partnerships.

Eppler, C. (1999).  Books galore!  A Presentation at Education for the 21st Century.  Michigan State University Extension.

Lee, R.E., Eppler, C., Kendal, N., & Latty, C. (2000).  Critical incidents in the professional lives of first year MFT students.  A Poster Presentation at American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy’s (AAMFT) 58th Annual Conference.

Vazquez-Rivera, O., Griffin, A., Eppler, C., Lumpkin, C. & Keith, J. (2000).  Developmental assets and social capital: Critique of the literature and integration of concepts.  A paper presented to Social Capital: Bridging Across Disciplines.  A conference at Michigan State University.

My Community Presentations

Focus on Strengths.  A poster presentation at Stress-Less Fest, Seattle Pacific University, sponsored by the Student Counseling Center. March 19, 2004.

Expressive Journaling. A presentation at Stress-Less Fest, Seattle Pacific University, sponsored by the Student Counseling Center. March 19, 2004.

“To Journey Forth When All Seems Lost: The Resiliency of Frodo” a presentation at The Lord of the Rings: Seattle Pacific University Film and Lecture Event. January 17, 2004.

“Homework Skills” a presentation to the Syre Elementary School Parent Teacher Association.  Shoreline, WA.  November 25, 2003.

“Family Strengths” a presentation to the South Orange Library, South Orange, NJ. January 23, 2003.

“Healthy Families” a presentation to Michigan State University’s Seminar in Youth Development: An Asset Based Approach. February 2, 2000

“Bibliotherapy:  Children’s Literature as Intervention in Family Therapy” A Presentation to the Department of Family and Child Ecology, Michigan State University. December 11, 1998

My Funded Grants

ü      Seattle Pacific University’s Faculty Research Grant, 2005

ü      Student Award Program Grant from the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan Foundation, 2001

My Volunteer Experience

From 2003-2005 I was a “big” through the big Brothers/Big Sisters school-based program

I support Q café, a not-for-profit community outreach community center & a great place to grab an iced-mocha!

My Cross-cultural Experience

I have studied in England, Ireland, & Israel.  I have traveled throughout Europe and North America (including driving across country four times in four years!). I also attended the Black Hills Science Station in the Black Hills of South Dakota.

 

Questions?  Contact me at eppler@spu.edu