Research

My scholarly work sits at the intersection of counselor training and pedagogy, more specifically in how we design learning experiences that actually build competence while maintaining engagement and psychological safety. I’m currently focused on deliberate-practice and simulation-based approaches to skills training, as well as the use of metaphor and other narrative-driven approaches to building comprehension and communication skills, and I maintain an active research agenda in both areas.

Publications

Mariska, M. A., Hartley, R., & Yoo, M. (in press) Packing your parachute: In-session regulation and recovery tools for counseling skills training. ACES Teaching Toolkit

Mariska, M. A. (2026) The SAFE Fishbowl model: Psychological safety by design in counseling skills training. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 20(3), 1-15. https://research.library.kutztown.edu/jcps/vol20/iss3/8/

Conteh, J., Mariska, M. A., & Huber, M. J. (2018). An examination and validation of personal counseling and its impact on self-efficacy for counselors in training. Journal of Counselor Practice, 9(2), 109-138. https://doi.org/10.22229/jac902111

Mariska, M. A. (2015) Starting from strength: Identifying your existing assets as a group leader. In Luke, M. & Goodrich, K. (Eds.) Group work experts share their favorite activities for supervision. Alexandria, VA: Association for Specialists in Group Work.

Mariska, M. A. (2015). The Client Role in a Pre-Practicum Counseling Skills Course. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision, 7(1). https://doi.org/10.7729/71.1067

Mariska, M. A. & Harrawood, L. (2013). Understanding the unsaid: Encouraging multicultural competence through an emphasis on nonverbal awareness and skills. In Ideas and research you can use: VISTAS 2013.

Harrawood, L., Mariska, M. A., & Hill, N. (2013). Use of autobiographies to teach concepts in addiction: A narrative approach to instruction, Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 8(4), 470-482. https://doi.org/10.1080/15401383.2013.852445

Presentations (last 5 years)

National

2025 – Mariska, M. A., Hartley, R., & Yoo, M. – Basic Counseling Skills Instruction: Best Practices and Innovations. Education session for Association for Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference. Philadelphia, PA

2023 – Mariska, M. A., Aquilina, R., & Whitney-Beretta, K. - Using Client Actors to Train Individual, Group, and Assessment Skills in Counselor Education. Education session for Association for Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference. Denver, CO

2021 – Mariska, M. A., Jencius, M., Johnson, N., Ebrahim, C., Pereira, J., & Wood, L. – Client Actors in Counseling Skills Training. Leader of Panel Discussion for Association for Counselor Education and Supervision National Conference. Atlanta, GA

Regional

2026 – Mariska, M. A. – The SAFE Fishbowl Model: Psychological Safety by Design in Counseling Skills Training. Education Session for North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Manchester, NH

2026 – Mariska, M. A., Hartley, R., & Yoo, M. – Packing Your Parachute: In-Session Regulation and Recovery Skills for Counselors. Roundtable for North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Manchester, NH

2022 – Mariska, M. A. & Whitney-Beretta, K. – Client Actors in Group Counseling: Reflections on a Pilot Study. Roundtable for North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. Pittsburgh, PA