This page is a resource for those seeking to understand the development and application of Constructed Awareness (CA) within professional literature. Here, you'll find studies and articles that explore the theoretical foundations, clinical practices, and ongoing research related to CA.

Constructed Awareness: Integrating the Theory of Constructed Emotion into Counseling Practice

This conceptual article explores the theory of constructed emotion (TCE) and its intersection with Constructed Awareness (CA), an emerging humanistic approach to trauma counseling. The aim is to address the gap in counseling literature regarding TCE and introduce TCE as a paradigm shift within the counseling field. Additionally, the article outlines the three principles of CA, examines how CA employs TCE to establish a framework for client awareness, and illustrates the application of CA through a case example spanning 11 counseling sessions with a client diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and somatic symptom disorder (SSD). Finally, the clinical implications of integrating CA’s understanding of emotion construction are discussed, along with suggestions for future research on CA and TCE.

Orr, T. (2025), Constructed Awareness: Integrating the theory of constructed emotion into counseling practice. Journal of Humanistic Counseling, e12238. https://doi.org/10.1002/johc.12238

Treating Traumatic Memories: A Comparative Study of the Effectiveness of EMDR and Constructed Awareness

This comparative study, published in the Tennessee Counseling Association Journal, evaluates the effectiveness of Constructed Awareness (CA) as a treatment for trauma compared to Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). The results demonstrated that CA significantly reduced trauma symptoms, central sensitization, and subjective disturbance more effectively than EMDR. These findings suggest that CA may offer a powerful approach to processing traumatic memories and alleviating associated symptoms.

Orr, T., McMahan, O., & Gladden, D. (2024) Treating traumatic memories: A comparative study of the effectiveness of EMDR and Constructed Awareness. Tennessee Counseling Association Journal 9(1), 86-100. https://www.tcacounselors.org/assets/Volume%209%20Number%201%202024.pdf

Testing Constructed Awareness for Complex Trauma and Prolonged Grief: An ABA Design Study

This study, published in the Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, explored Constructed Awareness (CA) as a treatment for complex posttraumatic stress disorder (CPTSD) and prolonged grief disorder (PGD) in a single client using an ABA single-case design. Percentage of Nonoverlapping Data (PND) was used to measure effect sizes, which ranged from 83.33% to 100% (p < 0.05), indicating effective treatment. By the study's conclusion, the participant no longer met diagnostic criteria for CPTSD or PGD. These findings suggest CA’s promise as an integrative trauma therapy that helps clients balance awareness of thoughts, sensations, and external experiences.

Orr, T. & McMahan, O. (2024) Testing Constructed Awareness for complex trauma and prolonged grief: An ABA design study. The Journal of the Pennsylvania Counseling Association, 26(1), 23-38. http://www.pacounseling.org/aws/PACA/asset_manager/get_file/910386?ver=0

The Constructed Awareness Orientation Theory And Typology: A New Model Of Personality For Psychotherapy

In this conceptual article, published in the International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies, Constructed Awareness (CA) is introduced as a therapeutic model that integrates a novel personality theory called orientation. The article explores CA’s orientation theory, emphasizing the fluid organization of thoughts, sensations, and external senses in shaping personality expression. The paper also presents a typology of six orientation styles and discusses the clinical applications of CA, suggesting future research directions for this innovative approach to trauma therapy.

Orr, T. (2024). The Constructed Awareness orientation theory and typology: A new model of personality for psychotherapy. International Journal of Progressive Sciences and Technologies, 46(2), 317. https://doi.org/10.52155/ijpsat.v46.2.6589