Using Graphic Memoirs in a Counseling Children and Adolescent Course: A Phenomenological Arts-Based Study

Authors

Timothy Schoonover, Northern Illinois UniversityFollow
Emily Horton, University of Houston, Clear LakeFollow
Kailey Bradley, Ohio UniversityFollow

Author ORCID Identifier

Timothy “T.J.” Schoonover: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3804-4901

Emily Horton: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7084-4853

Kailey Bradley: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0795-939X

Author Biographies

Timothy “T.J.” Schoonover, PhD, LPC (AR, IL), RPT, PEL:SC, LSC, NCC, is an assistant professor at Northern Illinois University. Their research interests include play therapy, trauma, and creative pedagogy.

Emily Horton, PhD, LPC, RPT, is an assistant professor at University of Houston-Clear Lake. Their research interests include play therapy, eating disorders, and creative pedagogy.

Kailey Bradley, MA, LPCC-S, NCC, FT is a third year PhD student at Ohio University. Their research interests are on grief and dying, and bibliotherapy.

DOI

https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07wkvq

Abstract

Graphic memoirs in learning environments can facilitate deep educational processes, such as dismantling stigma and biases. There is limited research on the use of graphic memoirs in counselor education. This arts-based phenomenological investigation explored 26 CITs’ experiences with a graphic memoir assignment in a counseling children and adolescent course. There were four themes and one subtheme identified: (a) understanding the Deaf experience and advocacy, (b) professional growth and counseling insights, (c) personal reflection and connection, and (d) educational impact and engagement and one subtheme of using bibliotherapy and creative activities in counseling practice. Discussion and implications for counselor educators are provided.

Public Significance Statement

Bibliotherapy is often used as a counseling intervention, specifically with children; however, there is limited literature on how it impacts counselors-in-training. This study explored the experiences of 26 counselors-in-training who read a graphic memoir as an assignment in a children and adolescent counseling course.

Recommended Citation

Schoonover, Timothy; Horton, Emily; and Bradley, Kailey (2025) "Using Graphic Memoirs in a Counseling Children and Adolescent Course: A Phenomenological Arts-Based Study," Teaching and Supervision in Counseling: Vol. 7 : Iss. 1 , Article 8.
https://doi.org/10.7290/tsc07wkvq
Available at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/tsc/vol7/iss1/8