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Priscilla Prasath, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Counseling

Priscilla Prasath, Ph.D.

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Bio

Dr. Priscilla Rose Prasath (Ph.D., LPC, MBA, MSc, GCSC) graduated with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University, Athens, Ohio. The overarching focus of Dr. Prasath’s research is to augment counselor competence in the promotion of mental health and well-being by leveraging a strengths-based positive psychological lens, spanning three interrelated research pathways: (a) group interventions, (b) training programs and leadership development, and (c) creative and innovative practices. The overall objective of Dr. Prasath’s research is to make a meaningful impact, empower individuals and communities, and foster transformative change through empirically tested, culturally responsive, strengths-based relational practices and programs that contribute to enhanced multi-faceted well-being. She has written/co-written over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and 10 books/book chapters and has presented at several international, national, and regional professional conferences on these topics. At UTSA, since 2020, Dr. Prasath directs the Strengths and Wellbeing - Innovation Research Lab (SW-IRL) for graduate students in the Counseling Department. As a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, she offers clinical mental health counseling to individuals and couples through her private practice. She is also a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach. Dr. Prasath currently serves as the President-Elect and Secretary of ASGW-the Association for Specialists in Group Work, which is a national professional division of the American Counselors Association.

Teaching

  • COU 5213 Counseling Theories
  • COU 6153 Career Development and Choice
  • COU 7213 Advanced Counseling Theories

Research Interests

  • College Student Mental Health
  • Group Work
  • Training and Development
  • Leadership Development
  • College Student Development
  • Technology and Innovative Practices

 

Degrees

  • Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision, Ohio University, 2015
  • M.S., Applied Psychology - Specialized in Clinical and Organizational Psychology, Bharathiar University, 2012
  • M.B.A., Specialized in Human Resource Management, Bharathiar University, 2012
  • B.S., Psychology, Human Development, and Family Resource Management, University of Mysore, India, 2010
  • Career and Educational Counseling Certification; Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Mother Teresa Women's University, 2008

 

Recent Media and Clips

Honors and Awards

  • Outstanding Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2024 
    • Governing Organization: Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma International Iota University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Outstanding Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2023
    • Governing Organization: Sigma Alpha Chi Chapter of Chi Sigma International Iota University of Texas at San Antonio
  • Texas Counseling Association Research Award
    • Year Awarded: 2023
    • Governing Organization: Texas Counseling Association (TCA)
  • George E. Hill Memorial Award
    • Year Awarded: 2023
    • Governing Organization: Ohio University Counselor Education program
  • Professional Advancement Award
    • Year Awarded: 2023
    • Governing Organization: Association for Specialists in Group Work (ASGW)
  • Professional Writing Award
    • Year Awarded: 2021
    • Governing Organization: Texas Counseling Association (TCA)
  • Outstanding Teaching Award
    • Year Awarded: 2021
    • Governing Organization: Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES)

Presentations

  • Prasath, P. R., Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Harrichand, J. J. S., & *Garza Mendoza, L. (2024, June; Accepted). Uncovering Post Traumatic Growth Among Survivors of Sex Trafficking: What Counselors Need to Know? [Poster Presentation]. International Association of Counseling 2024 Conference. Naples, Italy.
  • Prasath, P. R., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., & Romero, D. E., *Rich, W. Z., & *Whiting, M. (2023, March). A “how-to” training guide for effectively serving sex trafficking clients [Education session]. The American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference and Expo, Toronto, Canada.
  • Prasath, P. R., Prasanna Kumaran, A. J., & *Spears, J. R. (2022, October 17-21). Creativity + Research = Systematic content analysis to explore creative teaching [60-min education session]. The American Counseling Association. ACA 2022 Virtual Conference Experience.
  • Prasath, P. R., & Bhat, C. S. (2022, March). Mental health status of college students in US before and during pandemic: Comparative analysis [Research session]. American Counseling Association. Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Prasath, P. R., & Bhat, C. S. (2022, February). Psychological capital development group training [Education session]. Association for Specialist in Group Work (ASGW) Conference at Jacksonville, FL.
  • Prasath, P. R., *Lockhart, J., & *Daou, C. (2023, March 3). Perceptions on counselor training: Voices of professionals with counseling degrees in administrative leadership roles outside of traditional counseling settings [Oral Presentation]. Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Georgetown, Texas.
  • Prasath, P. R. (2020, February 27-28). Enhancement of personal and professional development of supervises through the use of expressive arts modalities [Paper presentation]. 2020 Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES) Mid-Winter Conference. San Antonio.

Grants, Patents and Clinical Trials

  • Prasath, P. R., Romero, D. E., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., Harrichand, J. J. S., & *Garza Mendoza, L. (2024, June; Accepted). Uncovering Post Traumatic Growth Among Survivors of Sex Trafficking: What Counselors Need to Know? [Poster Presentation]. International Association of Counseling 2024 Conference. Naples, Italy. 
  • Prasath, P. R., Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G., & Romero, D. E., *Rich, W. Z., & *Whiting, M. (2023, March). A “how-to” training guide for effectively serving sex trafficking clients [Education session]. The American Counseling Association (ACA) Conference and Expo, Toronto, Canada.
  • Prasath, P. R., Prasanna Kumaran, A. J., & *Spears, J. R. (2022, October 17-21). Creativity + Research = Systematic content analysis to explore creative teaching [60-min education session]. The American Counseling Association. ACA 2022 Virtual Conference Experience.
  • Prasath, P. R., & Bhat, C. S. (2022, March). Mental health status of college students in US before and during pandemic: Comparative analysis [Research session]. American Counseling Association. Atlanta, Georgia.
  • Prasath, P. R., & Bhat, C. S. (2022, February). Psychological capital development group training [Education session]. Association for Specialist in Group Work (ASGW) Conference at Jacksonville, FL.
  • Prasath, P. R., *Lockhart, J., & *Daou, C. (2023, March 3). Perceptions on counselor training: Voices of professionals with counseling degrees in administrative leadership roles outside of traditional counseling settings [Oral Presentation]. Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Georgetown, Texas.
  • Prasath, P. R. (2020, February 27-28). Enhancement of personal and professional development of supervises through the use of expressive arts modalities [Paper presentation]. 2020 Texas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES) Mid-Winter Conference. San Antonio.
  • 2024 Counselors fight against modern day slavery: A sex trafficking project. ($5,000). Internal Research Awards (INTRA program). Funded. 2024. [Research]. 
  • 2023 The Brain Health Institute for TEachers (BRITE) (Co-PI, $30,000). Brain Health Consortium- Collaborative Seed Grant. Bonner, E. P., (33.34%), Prasath, P. R., (33.33%), and Wicha, N. (33.33%). 10/02/2023 – 8/1/2024 [Research].
  • 2023 Evaluation of Project Worth’s DreamSA Youth Engagement Initiative and Website. (Co-PI, $59,993). City of San Antonio Metro Health Project Worth. Meca, A. (50%) & Prasath, P. R. (50%). 5/15/2023-11/12/2023. [Research].
  • 2023 UTSA Thrive: A Strengths-Based Approach to Student Success. (Role- Faculty Research Consultant, $242,859). Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Accelerating Student Success Grant (THECB). End date 9/30/2023. [Research].
  • 2022 El HERO que lleva dentro - Validation of the Spanish version of the revised Compound PsyCap Scale (CPC-12R). INTRA Seed Grant Program. By the Office of the Vice President for Research, Economic Development, and Knowledge Enterprise (VPREDKE). (PI, $5,000). Oct 1, 2022-July 21, 2023. [Research]. 
  • 2021 Counselors Against Sex Trafficking. (Role: Other Collaborator; $396,705). Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, Minority Health Research and Education Grant Program. Romero, D. E. (40%), Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. (40%), Prasath, P. R. (20%). [Service].
  • 2020 A Mindfulness-Based Acculturation Group for International Students: A Pilot Study. (PI, $5,000). College of Education and Human Development Faculty Research Award. the University of Texas at San Antonio. Nov 30, 2020. [Research].

Under Review and Not Funded

  • Strengths-based trauma-informed approach and resilience services in schools (STARSS) project. (Co-PI, approx. $5,000,000). Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant Program. Under Review. 2024.
  • Counselors fight against modern day slavery: A sex trafficking publication project. (Co-PI, $247,293). National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Collaborative Research Program. Romero, D. E. (34%), Interiano-Shiverdecker, C. G. (33%), & Prasath, P. R. (33%). Submitted 11-22-2022. [Research].

Publications

  • Prasath, P. R., & Lorenz, T. (2024). Role of psychological capital and gratitude in the association between stress and well-being among college students in the U.S. Journal of Counselor Practice, 14(1), 55-74. http://doi.org/10.22229/aws8975025 **
  • Prasath, P. R., James, J. K., Bhat, C. S., *Samuel, A. R., & Paramasian, M. K. (2023). Psychological capital as a moderator in the relationship between depression, anxiety, stress, and wellbeing among college students in India. Journal of Asia Pacific Counseling, 13(2). 1-19. http://doi.org/10.18401/2023.13.2.1 **
  • Impact Factor (2023): 0.4 Prasath, P. R., Bhat, C. S., & Manyam, S. (2023). Psychological distress, wellbeing, and marital satisfaction of Asian Indians in the USA on H-1B and H-4 visas. International Journal of Advancement in Counselling. 11:1-19. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-023-09512-5 ** Impact Factor (2022): 1.91
  • Prasath, P. R., *Lohmar, S., *Rich, W. Z., *Dalan, E. E., & James, J. K. (2023). Mental health disparities among cisgender, transgender, and gender non-conforming college students in the United States. Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 45(2), 129–146. https://doi.org/10.17744/mehc.45.2.03 ** Impact Factor (2021): 0.9
  • Prasath, P. R., Xiong, Y., & *Zhang, Q. (2023). A practical guide to planning, evaluating, and implementing the Mindfulness-Based Well-being Group for International Students (MBWIS). Journal of Humanistic Counseling. https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.12200 ** Impact Factor (2023): 0.78
  • Steen, S., & Prasath, P. R. (2023). Black doctoral student research participants: A mixed-method systematic literature review. Counselor Education and Supervision, 62(2). 1-17. http://doi.org/10.1002/ceas.12262 ** Impact Factor (2023): 1.90
  • Lorenz, T., Hagitte, L., & Prasath, P. R. (2022). Validation of the revised Compound PsyCap Scale (CPC-12R) and its measurement invariance across the US and Germany. Frontiers in Psychology, 13:1075031. http://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.1075031 ** Impact Factor (2021): 4.232
  • Xiong, Y., Prasath, P. R., *Zhang, Q., & Jeon, L. (2022). Mindfulness-based Wellbeing Group for International Students: A Pilot Study. Journal of Counseling and Development, 100(4), 374-385. http://doi.org/10.1002/jcad. 12432 ** (19 citations) Impact Factor (2022): 2.3
  • Prasath, P. R., Xiong, Y., *Zhang, Q., & Jeon, L. (2022). Self-efficacy development of graduate student leaders in facilitating groups for international students. International Journal of Group Psychotherapy. 72(4). 331-357. https://doi.org/10.1080/00207284.2022.2107529 ** (8 citations) Impact Factor (2022): 0.59
  • Prasath, P. R., Xiong, Y., *Zhang, Q., & Jeon, L. (2022). Psychological capital, well-being, and distress of international students. International Journal of Advancement in Counselling, 44, 529-549. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10447-022-09473-1 ** (12 citations) Impact Factor (2022): 1.91 
  • Prasath, P. R., *Lim, A., & Steen, S. (2021). A strengths-based support group for international students: A pilot study. Journal for Specialist in Group Work, 47(1). 63-82. https://doi.org/10.1080/01933922.2021.2000085 ** (7 citations) Impact Factor (2023): 0.603
  • Prasath, P. R., Chandrika Prasanna Kumaran, A., *Spears, J., & Jackson, K. L. (2021). Creativity in the classroom: A content analysis of The Journal of Creativity in Mental Health from 2005 to 2020. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 1-22. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2021.1983493 ** (2 citations) Impact Factor (2022): 1.0
  • Prasath, P. R., Bhat, C. S., Mather, P. C., Foreman, T., & James, J. K. (2021). Well-being, psychological capital, and coping of university employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Professoriate, 12(1), 1-30. https://caarpweb.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Wellbeing_psychological_capital_Prasath-121.pdf ** (10 citations) Impact Factor (2022): 1.0
  • Prasath, P. R., *Morris, C., & MacCombs, S. (2021). Mindfulness-Based Strengths Practice (MBSP) group intervention: A systematic review. Journal of Counselor Practice, 12(1), 1-23. https://doi.org/10.22229/asy1212021 ** (10 citations)
  • Prasath, P. R., Lindinger-Sternart, S., & Duffey, T. (2021). Counselors as organizational leaders: Exploring parallels of servant leadership and professional counseling, Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, 8(2). 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1080/2326716X.2021.1904460 (13 citations) Impact Factor (2022): 1.16 · Awarded Professional Writing Award (2021). Texas Counselors Association (TCA).
  • Prasath, P. R., Mather, P. C., Bhat, C. S., & James, J. K. (2021). University student well-being during COVID-19: The role of psychological capital and coping strategies. The Professional Counselor, 11(1), 46-60. https://doi.org/10.15241/prp.11.1.46 ** (54 citations) Impact Factor (2023): 1.4