Ellen Hawley McWhirter

Training Director & Professor, Counseling Psychology Program Licensed Psychologist   276 Education 5251 University of Oregon Eugene, OR   97403-5251 ellenmcw@uoregon.edu

EDUCATION:

Ph.D. 1992 Counseling Psychology, Arizona State University

M.C. 1988 Counseling, Arizona State University

B. A. 1983 Psychology, Certification in Latin American Studies, University of Notre Dame

SELECTED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Professional Memberships:

American Psychological Association

Division 17 Counseling Psychology

Society for Vocational Psychology (Division 17)

American Counseling Association

National Career Development Association

Counselors for Social Justice (American Counseling Association)

Lane County Psychologists Association

Scholarship interest areas:

Dr. E. McWhirter's empirical research has focused on adolescent career development, with a particular focus on the career development of ethnic minority and female adolescents. This research area emerged as a pragmatic way to combine and pursue interests in social change processes, empowerment, and multicultural counseling. The theoretical framework that serves as the current context for this work is social cognitive career theory (Lent, Brown & Hackett, 1994, Journal of Vocational Behavior). Social cognitive career theory is grounded in Bandura’s (1986) general social cognitive theory and attempts to explain how the formulation of career interests, and the translation of these interests into goals, actions, and attainments, is influenced by a number of internal and external factors.  Dr. McWhirter is most interested in the constructs of self efficacy and outcome expectations, perceived barriers and supports, and the influence of these factors on the goals and plans of ethnic minority and female adolescents as they make the school-to-work transition.

A second area of scholarly focus is the application of the construct of empowerment to the context of counseling. Counseling for Empowerment (McWhirter, ACA Press, 1994) reviews definitions of empowerment across disciplines such as education, medicine, social work, and community psychology, defined empowerment in the context of counseling, and developed a transtheoretical framework for counseling that is designed to facilitate empowerment among clients across SES, ethnic, gender, age and sexual orientation groups. One premise of this text is that the practice of therapy can perpetuate oppression by taking an individual, internal approach to conceptualizing problems and intervening with clients. In subsequent articles (1997,1998) she has elaborated this model in terms of "5 Cs":

• Collaboration (working collaboratively with the client to define the problem and course of action),
• Context (acknowledging the role of contextual factors such as poverty, racism, and other barriers, in the development and maintenance of problems),
• Critical Consciousness (raising client awareness of social, economic, and other power dynamics in their lives relevant to their concerns, which requires critical consciousness on the part of the counselor as well),
• Competence (identifying and channeling client resources and strengths toward resolution of the problem) and
• Community (linking the client with sources of community, shared purpose, or identity for increased support and for opportunities to contribute to the empowerment of others).

Teaching responsibilities:

Adult Clinical Practica; Advanced Individual Interventions;
Introduction to Counseling Psychology as a Discipline;
Theories of Career Development;
Supervision Seminar;
Doctoral Research Seminar.

AWARDS AND HONORS:

Scholarly Publications:

McWhirter, E. H., & McWhirter, B. T. (in press). Adolescent expectations of work, family, and community: Development of a new measure. Journal of Youth and Society.

Joyce, J. A., O’Neil, M. E., & McWhirter, E. H. (in press). Aspirations, inspirations, and obstacles: LGBTQ youth and processes of career development. In S. Massey (Ed.). LGBTQ Youth in the educational contexts. Peter Lang Publishers.

McWhirter, E. H.., & Burrow-Sanchez, J. (in press). Counseling adolescents at risk. In A. Vernon (Ed.) Counseling children and adolescents (4^th Ed.). Denver: Love Publishing.

Metheny, J., McWhirter, E. H., & O’Neil, M. (2008). Measuring perceived teacher support and its influence on adolescent career development. Journal of Career Assessment, 16(2), 218-237.

O’Neil, M., McWhirter, E. H., & Cerezo, A.. (2008). Transgender identities and gender variance in vocational psychology: Recommendations for practice and social advocacy. Journal of Career Development, 4(3), 286-308.

McWhirter, E. H., Aranda, C. & Joyce, J. (2008). An introduction to career counseling. In D. Capuzzi & D. Gross (Eds.) Introduction to the Counseling Profession (5^th Ed.) (pp. 263-291). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McWhirter, B. T., & McWhirter, E. H. (2007). Empoderamiento de parejas y familias a traves de una integración de la psicología con la educación popular. (Empowering couples and families through the integration of psychology and popular education). Revista de Psicología de la Universidad de Chile, 15(1).

McWhirter, B. T., & McWhirter, E. H. (2007). Toward an emancipatory communitarian approach to counseling psychology training: the University of Oregon program. In Aldarondo, E. (Ed.) Promoting social justice through mental health practice (pp. 391-416). New York: Lawrence Earlbaum and Associates.

McWhirter, E. H., & McWhirter, B. T. (2007). Grounding clinical training and supervision in an empowerment model. In Aldarondo, E. (Ed.) Promoting social justice through mental health practice (pp. 417-442). New York: Lawrence Earlbaum and Associates.

Fowkes, K. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (2007). Evaluation of computer-assisted career guidance in middle and secondary education settings: Status, obstacles, and suggestions. Journal of Career Assessment, 15(3), 388-400.

McWhirter, E. H., Torres, D. M., Salgado, S., & Valdez, M. (2007). Perceived barriers and postsecondary plans in Mexican American and European American adolescents. Journal of Career Assessment, 15(1), 119-138.

Ali, S. R., & McWhirter, E. H. (2006). Predicting the post secondary pathways of rural Appalachian high school students. Journal of Career Development, 33(2), 87-111.

Chronister, K. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (2006). An experimental evaluation of two career interventions for battered women. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 53(2), 151-164.

McWhirter, B. T., & McWhirter, E. H. (2006). Couples helping couples: Empowerment through consultation and training in Peñalolén, Chile.  In  R. L. Toporek, L. Gerstein, N. Fouad, G. Roysircar, & T. Israel (Eds.), Handbook for social justice in counseling psychology: Leadership, vision, and action (pp. 406-420). Palo Alto: Sage Publications.

 Chronister, K. M., McWhirter, E. H., & Forrest, L. (2006). A critical feminist approach to career counseling with women. In B. W. Walsh & M. Heppner (Eds.) Career counseling and women (pp. 167-192). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McWhirter, E.H., Blustein , D. L. & Perry, J.C. (2005). Annunication: Implementing an emancipatory communitarian vocational psychology. The Counseling Psychologist, 33, 215-224.

Blustein, D.L. McWhirter E. H., & Perry, J.C. (2005). Toward an emancipatory communitarian approach to vocational development theory. The Counseling Psychologist, 33, 141-179 .

Ali, S.R., McWhirter, E.H., & Chronister, K.M. (2005). Self-efficacy and vocational outcome expectations for adolescents of lower SES: A pilot study. Journal of Career Assessment , 13, 40 - 58.

McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, E. H., & McWhirter, R. J. (2004). At-risk youth: A comprehensive response (3 rd Ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Chronister, K.M., & McWhirter, E. H. (2004). Ethnic differences in career supports and barriers for battered women: A pilot study. Journal of Career Assessment, 12(2), 169-187 .

Chronister, K. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (2003). Applying social cognitive career theory to the empowerment of battered women. Journal of Counseling & Development, 81(4),418-425.

McWhirter, E. H., Shepard, R., & Hunt-Morse, M. C. (2003). Counseling at risk children and adolescents. In A. Vernon (Ed.) Counseling Children and Adolescents (3 rd Ed.) Denver: Love Publishing.

Luzzo , D. A., & McWhirter, E. H. (2001). Gender and ethnic differences in the perception of educational/career-related barriers and levels of coping efficacy. Journal of Counseling & Development, 79 (1), 61-67 .

McWhirter, E. H., & Flojo , J. R. (2001). Career counseling: Counseling for life. In D. Capuzzi & D. Gross (Eds.) Introduction to the Counseling Profession (3 rd ed.) (pp. 188-207). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McWhirter, E. H., Rasheed , S., & Crothers , M. (2000). Effects of high school career education on social cognitive variables. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 47 (3), 330-341 .

Paa , H. K., & McWhirter, E. H. (2000). Perceived influences on high school students’ current career choices. Career Development Quarterly, 49 (1), 29-44.

McWhirter, E. H. (2000). “Inner voices.” Journal of Poetry Therapy, 13 (3), 185.

McWhirter, E. H. (2000). “ i used to cower.” Journal of Poetry Therapy, 13 (3), 184.

McWhirter, E. H. (2000). “Passage.” Journal of Poetry Therapy, 13 (3), 184.

McWhirter, E. H., Hunt, M. & Shepard, R. (1999). Counseling at risk children and adolescents. In A. Vernon (Ed.) Counseling Children and Adolescents (2 nd Ed.) (pp. 259-298). Denver: Love Publishing.

McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, A. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (1998). At-risk youth: A comprehensive response (2 nd Ed.). Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole. ( This text was translated into Chinese in 1998 by Psychological Publishing, a Division of International Thomson Publishing Inc .).

McWhirter, E. H., Hackett, G., & Bandalos , D. (1998). A causal model of the educational plans and career expectations of Mexican American girls. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 45 (2), 166-181 .

McWhirter, E. H., Torres, D. M., & Rasheed , S. (1998). Assessing barriers to women’s career adjustment. Journal of Career Assessment, 6 (4), 449-479.

McWhirter, E. H. (1998). Emancipatory communitarian psychology. American Psychologist, 53 (3), 322-323.

McWhirter, E. H. (1998). An empowerment model of counsellor training. Canadian Journal of Counselling , 32 (1), 12-26.

McWhirter, B. T., & McWhirter, E. H. (1998, Spring). An ecological model of counseling psychology training. Prevention and Public Interest Special Interest Group Newsletter, 5, 4-5. Division 17 of the American Psychological Association.

Luzzo , D. A., McWhirter, E. H., & Hutcheson, K. G. (1997). Evaluating career decision-making factors associated with employment among first-year college students. Journal of College Student Development, 38 , 166-172.

Metha , A., & McWhirter, E. H. (1997). Suicide ideation, depression, and stressful life events among gifted adolescents. Journal for the Education of the Gifted, 20 (3), 284-305.

McWhirter, E. H. (1997). Perceived barriers to education and career: Ethnic and gender differences. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 50 , 124-140.

McWhirter, E. H. (1997, April). Empowerment, social activism, and counseling. Counseling & Human Development, 29 (8), 1-11.

McWhirter, E. H. (1997). Career counseling: Counseling for life. In D. Capuzzi & D. Gross (Eds.) Introduction to the Counseling Profession (2 nd Ed.) (pp. 407-458). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McWhirter, E. H., Larson, L., & Daniels, J. (1996). Predictors of educational aspirations among gifted adolescents of color. Journal of Career Development, 23 (2), 97-109.

McWhirter, E. H. (1995). The God of accompaniment. Notre Dame Magazine , 24 (4), 78-79.

McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, A. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (1995). Youth at-risk: Another point of view. Journal of Counseling and Development , 73 (5), 567-569.

McWhirter, E. H. (1994). Counseling for Empowerment. Alexandria, VA: American Counseling Association Press.   Chapter 8, Empowering people with disabilities , reprinted in ACAeNews , 1999, vol. 2, Issues 7-8.

McWhirter, E. H., & Linzer , M. (1994). The provision of critical incident stress debriefing services by EAPs : A case study. Journal of Mental Health Counseling , 16 (4), 403-414.

McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, A. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (1994). High- and low-risk characteristics of youth: The five Cs of competency. Elementary School Guidance & Counseling, 28 (3), 188-196.

McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, A. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (1994). Who is at-risk? A continuum and a metaphor. Kappa Delta Pi Record , 30 (3), 116-120.

McWhirter, E. H., McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., & McWhirter, A. M. (1993). Family counseling interventions: Understanding family systems and the referral process. Intervention in School and Clinic, 28 (4), 231-237.

McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, A. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (1993). Prevention of adolescent pregnancy: Self-understanding from an Adlerian perspective. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families, 1 (4), 324-330.

McWhirter, J. J., McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, A. M., & McWhirter, E. H. (1993). At-risk youth: A comprehensive response . Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

McWhirter, E. H. (1991). Empowerment in counsel­ing. Journal of Counseling and Develop­ment , 69 (3), 222-227.

McWhirter, E. H. (1991). An introduction to career counseling. In D. Capuzzi & D. Gross (Eds.) Introduction to Counseling: Perspectives for the 1990s (pp. 133-157). Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.

McWhirter, E. H. (1991). "Eye Contact." Journal of Poetry Therapy, 4 (2), 127.

Olson, C., McWhirter, E. H., & Horan, J. J. (1989). A decision-making model applied to career counseling. Journal of Career Development, 16 (2), 107-117.

Metha , A., Kinnier , R., & McWhirter, E. H. (1989). A pilot study on the regrets and priorities of women. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 13 , 167-174.

McWhirter, J. J., & McWhirter, E. H. (1989). Poor soil yields damaged fruit: Environmental influences. In D. Capuzzi & D. Gross (Eds.) Youth At Risk: A Resource for Counselors, Teachers and Parents (pp. 19-40). Alexandria, VA: AACD Press.

McWhirter, B. T., McWhirter, E. H., & McWhirter, J. J. (1988). Groups in Latin America: Comunidades eclesial de base as mutual support groups. The Journal for Specialists in Group Work, 13 (2), 70-76.

McWhirter, E. H. (1988). "Seventeen Shades of Gray," "Eddie's Bar and Grill," "Wish I Could," "Eye Contact." In J. J. McWhirter, Seek Wisdom , Tempe, AZ: Minden Publishing.

DISSERTATIONS CHAIRED:

Salgado, S. (2007). Influences of feminist orientation and family connectedness on adolescent Latino/as students’ career aspirations. Doctoral dissertation, UO.

Fowkes, K. M. (2007). An evaluation of career information systems in secondary schools. Doctoral dissertation, UO.

Lum, S. (2007). Asian American women’s critical self consciousness of beauty standards and body image. Doctoral dissertation, UO.  

Paez, K. M. (2006). Diversity awareness and diversity climate in the business environment: Impact on individual career outcomes. Doctoral dissertation, UO.

Liang, J. (2005). The influence of role activation and socio-cultural factors on the mental health attitudes and coping practices of Asian Pacific Americans. Dissertation, University of Oregon .

Flojo, J. R. (2005). Disclosure, Identity, and Discrimination: Lesbian, Gay, and Bisexual Minority Stressors in the Workplace. Dissertation, University of Oregon .

Knott, J. M. (2004). (co-chair). Self-efficacy and motivation to change among chronic youth offenders: An exploratory examination of the efficacy of an experiential learning motivation enhancement intervention. Dissertation, University of Oregon .

Torres, D. M. (2003) . An outcome study of a career and educational development intervention for Mexican American high school students: Investigating academic resiliency. Dissertation, University of Oregon .

Lusk, A. (2003). An experimental evaluation of a prison orientation program. Dissertation, University of Oregon .

Keller, K. (2003). Sex differences and post-incarceration school and work engagement of adolescent juvenile offenders. Dissertation, University of Oregon .

Gragg, K. M. (2003). Women, domestic violence, and career counseling: An empirical evaluation of two intervention programs. Dissertation, University of Oregon.

Hayashino, D. S. (2003). A construct development and preliminary validation study of the Parenting Stress Scale for Southeast Asian immigrant and refugee parents. Dissertation, University of Oregon.

Hunt-Morse, M. C. (2002). Adolescent psychosocial development and implications for parenting. Dissertation, University of Oregon.

Rasheed , S. (2001). Post secondary aspirations of rural Appalachian students. Dissertation, University of Oregon.

Shepard, R. (2000). An outcome evaluation of an eating disorders prevention program. Dissertation, University of Oregon.

Molina, A. (2000). (co-chair). Gender, ethnicity, acculturation, gender-role attitudes and relationship satisfaction among Latino and Euro-American college students. Dissertation, University of Oregon.

Counseling Psychology College of Education 5251 University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403-5251 541.346.2456