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Lisa M. Belknap, PhD, is a 2026 graduate of the PhD program in Counselor Education & Supervision, Antioch University, Seattle.

Stephanie Thorson-Olesen, PhD, Committee Chair

Angela Mensink, EdD, Committee Member

Nayara Aparacida da Costa Silva Beall, PhD, Committee Member

Keywords

moral injury, counselors, social ecological systems theory, moral repair, counseling ethics

Document Type

Dissertation

Publication Date

2026

Abstract

This study explores the lived experiences of counselors who encountered moral injury when sociopolitical, institutional, and organizational conditions constrained their ability to practice in alignment with their personal morals, professional values, and the counseling profession’s code of ethics. Participants (N = 15) included licensed counselors who self-identified as having experienced moral injury in response to directives from legitimate authorities that conflicted with professional ethics, social justice commitments, or client welfare. Grounded in social ecological systems theory, this phenomenological study employed a confidential, cross-sectional online survey. Reflexive thematic analysis identified seven themes: (a) Profit Over People, (b) Structural Forces Contributing to Moral Injury, (c) Moral Injury Undermining Professional Identity, (d) Sociopolitical Influence on Ethical Practice, (e) Cultural Humility, Advocacy, and Systemic Change, (f) Moral Repair and Protective Action, and (g) Personal Well-Being Strategies. This dissertation is available in open access at AURA (https://aura.antioch.edu) and OhioLINK ETD Center (https://etd.ohiolink.edu).

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Lisa M. Belknap, PhD, 2026

ORCID iD  0009-0007-2424-6848

Dr. Lisa Belknap (she/her), PhD, LPC-S, LMHC, earned her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University Seattle, where she was recognized with a research fellowship in 2023. Her professional work spans over a decade of clinical practice, counselor education and supervision, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Her research examines the factors that influence the well-being of mental health professionals and the systemic barriers they encounter. Dr. Belknap authored and was awarded two professional association research grants and is an active member in the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Chi Sigma Iota, and Psi Chi. By integrating research with practical advocacy, her work supports clinicians in navigating the complex demands of the mental health field.  

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