RESEARCH PROJECTS
Active Research Projects
CAST Internship Program
The purpose of this sex trafficking focused program is to increase clinical placements for counselors-in-training in medically underserved communities. This program is funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.Through the CAST Internship program, we train counselors-in-training to work with individuals who have experienced Sex Trafficking.
Projects stemming from this effort include:
- Counselor Advocacy Identity Development: Perceptions of Counselor Trainees Following the CAST Training and Internship Experience
- Developing Intellectual Humility, Quiet Ego, and Emotional Intelligence in Counselors-in-training through the CAST Training and Internship Experience
- Developing Sex Trafficking Counseling Competency in Counselors-in-training through the CAST Training and Internship Experience
Counselors fight against modern day slavery: A sex trafficking project
The purpose of this grant-funded project is to engage in qualitative research to obtain a diversity of voices from survivors and multidisciplinary stakeholders (e.g., mental health professionals, first responders) that are currently missing in our existing research and training efforts. By amplifying voices currently absent in research, the project seeks to inform the creation of targeted training materials tailored to identify and support survivors and victims of sex trafficking effectively.
Revision and Validation of the Child Sex Trafficking Competencies Scale for Mental Health Professionals
The purpose of this study is to revise and validate the Child Sex Trafficking Competency Scale for use with mental health professionals (e.g., psychiatrists, psychologists, counselors, social workers, marriage and family therapists).
Self-Care Practices of Counselors Working with Sex Trafficking Survivors
The purpose of this study is to expand on the current literature by examining the self-care practices of counselors working with survivors of sex trafficking in hopes of learning more about how their self-care practices have helped combat experiences of vicarious trauma, burnout, and compassion fatigue.
Research on the Mental Health Experiences of Sex Trafficking Survivors
The purpose of this project is to understand the mental health experiences of individuals who have experienced sex trafficking in the United States. To accomplish this, we interviewed 10 counselors and 10 survivors to understand their individual experiences through phenomenological analysis. Additionally, we are exploring from a grounded theory approach how post trauma growth manifests in the lives of survivors and how social determinants of health may impact the lives of survivors.
Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., Harrichand, J. J. S, Martin, J., & Thompson, D. (accepted). Unveiling the multidimensional impact of sex trafficking: Insights from survivors. Trauma and Resilience Counseling.
*3 additional manuscripts in progress
Closed Research Projects
Research Labs in Counselor Education: Promoting Research Engagement and Identity.
The purpose of this article is to present an example of a pilot research lab initiative, including the components, processes, and considerations in developing a research lab in counselor education.
*Publication Alert
Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., & Prasath, P. (2024). Research labs in counselor education: Promoting research engagement and identity. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2024.2415934
A Phenomenological Investigation of Research Identity Among Counseling Students in a Research Lab
This qualitative case study explores the overall experience of master’s counseling students as they develop a research identity within a counseling research lab.
*Publication Alert
Stevens, M. M., Strohl, S., Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., & Prasath, P. R. (2024). A phenomenological investigation of research identity among counseling students in a research lab. Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy. https://doi.org/10.1080/2326716X.2024.2419638
A Scoping Review of Theoretical Frameworks and Models in Serving Clients Impacted by Sex Trafficking: Implications for Training Mental Health Professionals
The purpose of this scoping study is to identify and examine the theoretical frameworks and models in existing ST literature and utilize the overview of the research findings to inform the development of the training program.
*Publication Alert
Prasath, P. R., Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Rich, W., & Whiting, M. (2025). A scoping review: Implications for the development of sex trafficking interventions and training programs for mental health professionals. Journal of Human Trafficking. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322705.2024.2441631
Child Sex Trafficking and Professional School Counselor Preparedness in Texas
This study examines training and the perceived ability of PSCs to recognize and/or provide service and care to youth who may be victims or at-risk for sex trafficking in Texas.
*Publication Alert
Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., McVay, K., & Jones, B. (2024). Child sex trafficking and professional school counselor preparedness in Texas. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 18(2), 1-12. https://research.library.kutztown.edu/jcps/vol18/iss2/5/
“A Learning Curve”: Counselors’ Experience working with Sex Trafficking
To understand the experiences of counselors working with clients who have experienced sex trafficked in the United States.
*Publication Alert
Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., McVay, K. E., Satel, E., & Smith, K. (2024). “A learning curve”: Counselors’ experience working with sex trafficking. The Professional Counselor, 13(4), 385-403. https://doi.org/10.15241/cgis.13.4.385
PI – Dr. Interiano-Shiverdecker
Development of Child Sex Trafficking Competencies for Counselors: A Delphi Study
The purpose of this study was to develop an initial list of CST competencies for counselors based on several rounds of data collection with experts.
*Publication Alert
Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Romero, D. E., & Elliot, J.(2022).Development of child sex-trafficking competencies: A Delphi study. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. https://doi.org/10.1177/08862605221090569
A Content Analysis of Sex Trafficking Instruments
The purpose of this study was to quantify and analyze the presence of content areas and psychometric properties of available ST instruments.
*Publication Alert
Interiano-Shiverdecker, C., Romero, D. E., Anderson, A., & Castellon, N. E. (2022). A content analysis of sex trafficking instruments. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-021-09463-9
A Review of Child Sex Trafficking Instruments
The purpose of this study was to review existing assessment tools designed to screen or identify CST that are available and applicable for counseling practices.
*Publication Alert
Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Castellon, N. E., & Strentzsch, J. (2021). A review of child sex trafficking instruments. Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling, 7(1), 56-69. https://doi.org/10.1080/23727810.2020.1835421
Counselors Against Sex Trafficking 