Current Projects

Research Streams

Positive Psychology and Psychotherapy

Our research examines how hope, psychological strengths, positive emotions, and social connections contribute to mental health and well-being. Through the KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic, we investigate strengths-based approaches to psychotherapy, including changes in psychological distress, positive mental health, and hope throughout treatment. We are particularly interested in understanding how psychotherapy promotes both symptom reduction and flourishing.
KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic

Masculinities and Mental Health

We investigate how masculine norms, gender-related experiences, and social expectations shape men's mental health, relationships, help-seeking, and well-being. Our research examines both the challenges associated with traditional masculine norms and the factors that support men's psychological health and flourishing. Using quantitative, qualitative, and evidence-synthesis methods, we seek to advance understanding of men's psychological experiences and promote healthier approaches to masculinity.

Flourishing Fathers

Fatherhood is an important context for men's psychological development, relationships, and well-being. Our research examines how fathers navigate masculine expectations, develop supportive relationships, and experience psychological strengths and challenges throughout fatherhood. We are particularly interested in father involvement, mental health, social support, and the ways men experience and make meaning of fatherhood.

Explore Our Research

Our lab pursues several collaborative research projects that connect with these broader research streams.

Masculine Norms and Mental Health: A meta-analysis examining relationships between conformity to masculine norms and mental health outcomes. This project explores how associations vary across specific masculine norms, psychological outcomes, and study characteristics.

Fatherhood and Online Communities: Research examining how fathers discuss parenting, relationships, masculinity, and mental health in online communities. This work explores the experiences, challenges, and sources of support that emerge in fathers' online interactions.

Positive Psychotherapy Outcomes: Longitudinal research using data from the KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic to examine psychological distress, hope, positive mental health, and therapeutic change. This work seeks to better understand how strengths-based psychotherapy contributes to psychological improvement and flourishing.

The KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic provides free, nine-session telehealth psychotherapy to adults throughout Kansas. The clinic uses the Hope Through Strengths approach, integrating positive psychology principles into psychotherapy to reduce psychological distress and promote well-being. Clients explore personal strengths, cultivate positive emotions, develop hope, and identify meaningful ways to improve their lives.

Since opening in 2020, the clinic has provided more than 4,500 hours of free psychotherapy to more than 500 adults across 57 Kansas counties. In addition to providing an important service to Kansas communities, the clinic serves as a clinical training and research setting for graduate students in Counseling Psychology.

KU Positive Psychotherapy Clinic- KU Today 

Positive Psychotherapy Clinic- KU Alumni Magazine

Kansas adults eligible for free, online therapy through University of Kansas- KCTV5 

Primeaux, J. W., Cole, B. P., Long, H., England, E., Zaeske, L., Bugg, S., & Jones, O. (2024, August). Hope Through Strengths: A positive psychotherapy training clinic. APA 2024, Seattle, WA, United States.