*Please note, this request is not affiliated with USD, and the Counseling & MFT Department does not have any knowledge about or involvement in this study.

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Dear Colleagues,

My name is Mark Karris and I am PsyD CFT student at Alliant International University. I am writing to invite you to participate in my research study exploring MFT trainees’ threefold lived experiences of shame, self-criticism, and self-compassion when they are beginning their practicums in graduate school.

Criteria for participation:

• Over the age of 18
• Required to be a graduate student trainee in a counseling program with an emphasis in MFT 􀀀
• Currently in practicum with no previous experience conducting therapy 􀀀
• Access to Zoom, a free application that can be downloaded at https://zoom.us.
• Comfortable discussing the dynamics of shame and self-criticism

Participants will be asked to participate in a 45-60 minute video via Zoom. If you decide to participate in this study, you will receive a $20 gift card to Amazon.

If you are interested in participating, or if you have any questions, please contact the primary investigator, Mark Karris, at mkarris@alliant.edu or (619) 786-6508. Additionally, please feel free to forward this e-mail to any individuals whom you think may be a good fit for this study.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in furthering the knowledge base of counseling and counselor education and supervision!

Sincerely,

Mark Karris