Please consider participating in the following dissertation study:
 
Title of Project: Empathy and Compassion as Predictors of Counselor Burnout and Resilience 

Participants Needed: 74

Investigator Name: Carrie L. Elder, Ph.D. Candidate 
Co-Investigator Name: Dr. M. Kiper-Riechel
E-mail Contact Information: Carrie.Elder@live.mercer.edu 

You are invited to participate in a self-report survey as part of a quantitative research study conducted through Mercer University. The purpose of this study is to understand how empathy and compassion may predict counselor burnout and resilience. Your participation in this study will contribute to a better understanding of the consequences of empathy and compassion in counselors. Participants who fully complete the study will be given the option of entering into a drawing for one $100.00 Amazon gift card.

To participate in this study, you must meet at least one the following criteria AND be seeing at least one client a week at the time of participation in this study: 

·        Licensed as a Professional Counselor (or state equivalent)

·         Associate Professional Counselor (or state equivalent)

·        State or National Certified School Counselor

·        Professional OR School counseling student (Masters or Doctoral)

Follow this link (copy and paste into browser) to begin the Survey:

https://merceruniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1YRN0gRYB9SDJoF

You will need to copy the password STUDY2020 and enter it to access the survey.

If you agree to participate
The survey items will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete. Not everyone will be compensated for participation. An option will be given to provide an email address to be entered into, and notified if selected, for one $100.00 Amazon gift card. Only participants that have completed all the survey items and provided an email address will be entered into the raffle for the gift card.

Use of Data 
The results of the study may be used in a dissertation, published, or used in presentations.

Risks/Benefits/Confidentiality of Data

The only known risk is the potential breach of information and / or privacy. Efforts will be made to retain the privacy of the information shared. There are no known discomforts which could cause distress. There will be no costs for participating. Although your participation in this research may not benefit you personally, it will help us better understand the consequences of varying levels of counselor empathy and compassion with implications for clinical practice, training, and counselor education. A limited amount of research team members will have access to the data during the data collection and analyzing phase. 

Participation or Withdrawal 
Your decision to participate or decline participation in this study is voluntary. You may decline to answer any questions and you have the right to withdraw from participation at any time. Withdrawal will not affect your relationship with Mercer University in any way. Withdrawals are limited to the duration of the survey. 

Contacts 
If you have any questions about the study or are interesting in participating, please contact the primary investigator Carrie L. Elder at (404) 310-3394 or send an email to Carrie.Elder@live.mercer.edu. Mercer University's Institutional Review board (IRB) reviewed this study and approved on 11/23/2020.

Questions about your rights as a research participant 
If you have questions about your rights or are dissatisfied at any time with any part of the study, you can contact, anonymously if you wish, the Institutional Review Board (IRB) by phone at (478) 301-4101 or email at ORC Research@Mercer.edu. You may also contact the co-investigator. Dr. Morgan Kiper-Riechel at riechel_me@mercer.edu or by phone at 678-547-6047. Mercer’s campus address is 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341.

Thank you in advance for your time and participation! 

Please feel free to forward this call for participation and informed consent to anyone that you think meets the inclusion criteria.

 Follow this link (or copy and paste into your browser) to begin the Survey:

 https://merceruniversity.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1YRN0gRYB9SDJoF

 You will need to copy the password  STUDY2020  and enter it to access the survey.