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Kaitlynn Cornell-Mullane, PhD, is a 2025 graduate of the PhD program in Counseling Education and Supervision, Antioch University, Seattle.

Dissertation Committee:

Stephanie Thorson-Olesen, PhD, Committee Chair

Dana Trottier, PhD, LCAT, RDT/BCT, Committee Member

Keiko Sano, PhD, LMHC, NCC, Committee Member

Keywords

social media, ethics, counseling, social cognitive theory, qualitative

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2025

Abstract

Social media has become deeply integrated into both personal and professional lives, yet the use by counseling professionals remains underexplored. This study investigated how various roles within the counseling field experience and utilize social media in their professional development, identity formation, and ethical practice. A qualitative online survey was utilized to collect data from counseling professionals (N = 20). Findings revealed 6 themes: (a) Conflicting Perspectives on Client Social Media Use and Engagement, (b) Personal Discomfort and Ethical Ambiguity, (c) Counselors’ Varied Approaches of Social Media Use, (d) Social Media Use for Professional Development, (e) Mixed Perspectives on Social Media Marketing and Content Creation, and (f) Artificial Intelligence. These results could be utilized in the development of the revised American Counseling Association Code of Ethics and by counseling professionals who desire an understanding of how other professionals are navigating the nuances of social media.

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Kaitlynn Cornell-Mullane, 2025

ORCID Scholar ID# 0009-0009-9974-6171

Dr. Kaitlynn Cornell-Mullane, PhD, LCAT, RDT, is a Counselor Educator, Supervisor, Licensed Creative Arts Therapist, Registered Drama Therapist, and Executive Functioning Coach based in New York City. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University and her Master’s in Drama Therapy from New York University. She also holds certificates in Child and Family Therapy and Transcultural Counseling. Dr. Cornell-Mullane specializes in working with neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD, as well as individuals experiencing anxiety, trauma-related concerns, and relationship challenges. Her research explores the ethics of social media in counseling and the use of embodiment in self-supervision. As an educator, she emphasizes experiential learning, critical thinking, and the integration of theory and practice to prepare students for ethical and effective work in the counseling field. She is a full-time faculty member in The College of New Jersey's Online Counselor Education Master’s program.

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