My name is Denise Thew. I am a Deaf doctoral student in Counseling
Psychology at the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks. I am
requesting your help with my dissertation research that I hope will
prove helpful for current and future Deaf and Hard of Hearing
therapists who provide services primarily to the Deaf community.

For my dissertation, I would like to be able to gain a better
understanding of Deaf and Hard of Hearing therapists' ethical
decision making regarding nonsexual multiple relationships in the
Deaf community.

This research is important for several reasons. First, there is lack
of research on the struggles that many Deaf and Hard of Hearing
therapists face when dealing with some of the dual or multiple
relationship dilemmas while providing services to the Deaf community.

Second, by participating in this research, you will be contributing
to our understanding of the different experiences that Deaf or Hard
of Hearing therapists have encountered when providing service to the
Deaf community.

Third, it will be beneficial to discover some of the decision-making
strategies that have been either effective or ineffective when
dealing with nonsexual dual relationship issues from current Deaf or
Hard of Hearing therapists.

I am seeking Deaf and Hard of Hearing therapists who are currently
licensed, fluent in ASL, and provide services largely to the Deaf and
Hard of Hearing Community. If you are interested in participating in
my research, please contact me by email: denise.thew@...
<mailto:denise.thew%40und.edu> . Upon
receiving your email, I will send you a demographics form for you to
fill out and return. Once you have been selected as a participant, I
will send you a consent form and then we will set up a 45-60 minute
videophone interview. Every attempt will be made to maintain the
confidentiality of your identity.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at
denise.thew@... <mailto:denise.thew%40und.edu> or my dissertation
committee chairperson, Dr.
Michael Loewy, at michael.loewy@... <mailto:michael.loewy%40und.edu>
. This research has been
reviewed and approved by the committee that protects participants in
research at University of North Dakota. If you have any other
concerns contact Department of Research Development and Compliance at
701-777-4279 (V).

Sincerely,

Denise Thew, M.A.
University of North Dakota
Department of Counseling Psychology and Community Services
Montgomery Hall Room 326
290 Centennial Drive Stop 8255
Grand Forks, ND 58202-8255





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