Never lose your curiosity.
—Dr. John C. Dagley
Featured Publications
The usefulness of tattoo narratives for expressing life-story constructs
In our study, people used tattoo narratives as a way to build and mold their narrative identity. Our research also brought into view dynamic interactions between different parts of one's narrative identity.
Assessing the Adlerian lifestyle through tattoo narratives
The purpose of this qualitative study was to see how participants’ tattoo narratives reflect their lifestyle as conceptualized in Adlerian theory. We believe we can see views of self, others, and the world expressed through their tattoo narratives. We included enough participant quotes for you to see for yourself. I consider this article a companion article to "Social interest and the purposive nature of tattoos," both being based on different aspects of my dissertation.
Student experiences of an adventure therapy mountain bike program during the COVID-19 pandemic
Middle-school students in 2020 were randomly assigned to one of two mountain bike groups to assess student perceptions of a recreational and an adventure therapy mountain bike group through their lived experiences which included training and developing mountain bike skills and knowledge. Qualitative results show that the pandemic negatively affected their well-being and school performance, (this led to more isolation and less motivation)—but that the mountain bike program increased their focus, competency, physical and mental well-being, and connection to the environment.
Social interest and the purposive nature of tattoos
This narrative inquiry is the first research to connect tattoos with the Adlerian concept of social interest. The findings show seven themes related to social interest. The narratives also highlight how participants often used courage to meet life tasks. Counselors can use tattoo narratives as a creative way to assess clients’ level of social interest, track progress, and build the therapeutic relationship.
Adlerian-informed supervision: Protecting counselors from burnout and improving client outcomes in the juvenile justice system
Mental health professionals in the juvenile justice system are at high risk of burnout, which in turn negatively affects client outcome. This article describes how supervisors in these settings can protect supervisees from burnout by strengthening a supervisee’s sense of belonging, significance, self-efficacy, and courage. The integrated model of supervision described in this article can be used by mental health supervisors in any setting.
Navigating adventure therapy: Using Adlerian theory as a guide
We explain how Adlerian theory can guide and ground adventure therapy (AT), an active intervention that uses experiential techniques to foster client growth. You can use Adlerian theory to conceptualize AT participants and facilitate activities.
Experiential education during the COVID-19 pandemic: A reflective process
In what is now the Journal of Constructivist Psychology's third-most-read article, the authors outline how educators can use a model that integrates the adventure wave and experiential learning cycle to guide online instruction. The model is useful for enhancing the learning process and promoting well-being by providing students the needed time to construct new knowledge about course content within the context of the pandemic. The article includes case examples demonstrating the application of the proposed model in a counseling theories course and basic skills course.
Published Articles
McCarty, D. L., Christian, D. D., & Henderson, R. R. (2023). The usefulness of tattoo narratives for expressing life-story constructs. Journal of Constructivist Psychology. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/k86x
McCarty, D. L., & Christian, D. D. (2023). Assessing the Adlerian lifestyle through tattoo narratives. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 248-267. https://doi.org/jrx2
Brown, C. L., Smarinsky, E. C., McCarty, D. L., & Christian, D. D. (2022). Student experiences of an adventure therapy mountain bike program during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Adventure Education & Outdoor Learning, 22(4), 313–341. https://doi.org/jmnp
McCarty, D. L., Christian, D. D., & Stefurak, T. (2022, March 21). Adlerian-informed supervision: Protecting counselors from burnout and improving client outcomes in the juvenile justice system. Psychological Services. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/hmzm
McCarty, D. L., & Popejoy, E. K. (2021). Social interest and the purposive nature of tattoos. Journal of Individual Psychology, 77(4), 461-475. https://doi.org/g79t
Christian, D. D., McCarty, D. L., & Brown, C. L. (2021). Navigating adventure therapy: Using Adlerian theory as a guide. Journal of Individual Psychology, 77(3), 374-388. https://doi.org/gxnf
Christian, D. D., McCarty, D. L., & Brown, C. L. (2020). Experiential education during the covid-19 pandemic: A reflective process. Journal of Constructivist Psychology, 264-277. https://doi.org/f9mr
McCarty, D. L., & Christian, D. D. (2020). Using an adventure therapy activity to assess the Adlerian lifestyle. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 15(3), 393–404. https://doi.org/ghqtmx
Wright, C. N., Turner, L. A., & McCarty, D. L. (2017). Perceived parenting, self-conscious emotions, and forgiveness in college students. Counseling & Values, 62(1), 57–71. https://doi.org/f9mv
In Press
Research Partners
Dr. Cian L. Brown
Member of The Manuscript Slayers