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Sue Motulsky

Professor of Counseling and Psychology

Sue Motulsky

Sue’s teaching, writing, and research interests are in developmental and relational psychology, including adult development, cultural psychology, gender issues and women’s psychology, identity and relational development, LGBTQ+ career and identity development, and career counseling and vocational development.

Research interests include feminist, relational psychology, identity development, career development and life/career transitions, specifically transgender and nonbinary adults’ career decision-making, and qualitative, constructivist and narrative research.

Scholarship

Selected Publications

Motulsky, S.L. (2021). “Is member checking the gold standard of quality in qualitative research?” Special issue on Questioning Qualitative Methods.  Qualitative Psychology, 8(3), 389-406.

 Motulsky S.L., Gammel, J.A., & Rutstein-Riley, A., (Eds.). (2020). Identity and lifelong learning: Becoming through lived experience.  Volume 2 in series, J.A. Gammel, S.L. Motulsky, & A. Rutstein-Riley (Eds.), I am what I become:  Constructing an identity as a lifelong learner. Information Age Publishing.

Motulsky, S.L. (2020).  When self comes to the surface:  Identity for women in career transition.  In S.L. Motulsky, J.A. Gammel, & Rutstein-Riley, A. (Eds.), Identity and Lifelong Learning:  Becoming through lived experience. Information Age Publishing.

Giglio, D., & Motulsky, S.L. (2020).  ‘I’m not done in any way’:  Identity growth, revision, and lifelong learning in late midlife women.  In S.L. Motulsky, J.A. Gammel, & Rutstein-Riley, A. (Eds.), Identity and Lifelong Learning:  Becoming through lived experience. Information Age Publishing.

Gammel, J.A., Motulsky S.L., & Rutstein-Riley, A., (Eds.). (2019). Identity and lifelong learning in higher education, Volume 1. In series,  I am what I become:  Constructing an identity as a lifelong learner. Information Age Publishing.

Motulsky, S.L. & Frank, E. (2018). Creating positive spaces for career counseling with transgender clients.  NCDA Career Convergence Magazine, National Career Development Association. (awarded best article of 2018 in Career Convergence Magazine, NCDA)

Levitt, H.L., Motulsky, S.L., Wertz, F.J.,  Morrow, S.L., & Ponterotto, J.G., (2017). Recommendations for designing and reviewing qualitative research in psychology:  Promoting methodological integrity.  Qualitative Psychology, 4(1), 2-22. 

Gammel, J.A., Motulsky, S.L., & Rutstein-Riley, A. (2017). Relational mentoring.  In J. Bailey-Johnson, A. Knox, S. Conceicao, & L. Martin (Eds.), International Compendium of Adult and Continuing Education.  Stylus Publishing & American Association for Adult and Continuing Education.

Motulsky, S.L., Gere, S.H., Saleem, R., & Trantham, S. (2014).  Teaching social justice in counseling psychology.  The Counseling Psychologist, 42(8)1058-1083.

Motulsky, S.L. (2010). Relational processes in career transition: Extending theory, research and practice. The Counseling Psychologist, 38(8), 1078-1114.

Reinkraut, R., Motulsky, S.L., & Ritchie, J. (2009). Developing a competent practitioner: Use of self in Counseling Psychology training. Asian Journal of Counseling, 16(1), 7-30.


National/International Presentations

Presenter/Chair, Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology, Salon Series, October, 2021: “Voice-centered Relational Methods:  Using the Listening Guide for Social Justice Research” with Kimberly Cherry, Brandon Jones, and Renee Spencer.

Presenter/Chair, American Psychological Association, August, 2021: “Transgender and nonbinary employment and career decision-making:  Lived experiences and research directions.”

o   Presenter: “Career Decision-Making and Gender Identity:  Intersections and Influences.”

o   Co-presenter: “Transgender Issues in Vocational Psychology: What do we know and what do we need to know?”

Presenter, American Psychological Association, August, 2021: “Applying Relational Cultural Theory to Career Development Research and Practice” in symposium “Advancing Relational Perspectives on Work:  Social Justice, Practice, Research, and Advocacy” with David Blustein, Donna Schultheiss, Rachel Gali Cinamon, and Maureen Kenny.

Presenter/Chair, National Career Development Association, June 2021: “Trans-affirming Career Practice:  Counseling, Advising, and Advocating with Transgender Clients” with Emily Frank.

Presenter/Chair, American Psychological Association (virtual), August, 2020: “Questioning qualitative methods:  Rethinking accepted practices” with Heidi Levitt, Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, and Ruthellen Josselson.

Presenter, American Psychological Association (virtual), August, 2020: “Career transitions in the work lives of transgender and non-binary people” in the symposium “Gender and career:  Unique challenges in career decisions and trajectories among trans populations.”

Presenter, American Psychological Association (virtual), August, 2020: “’The straw that broke the camel’s back’: The intersection of vocational identity and serious mental health conditions” with Uma Millner and students.

Invited Pre-conference Workshop Leader/Instructor, Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology, Boston, MA, June, 2020: “Teaching qualitative inquiry in psychology.”

Accepted Presenter/Chair, Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology, Boston, MA, June, 2020: “The Listening Guide:  A voice-centered relational method” with CP doctoral students Brandon Jones and Kimberly Cherry.

Accepted Presenter/Chair, National Career Development Association Global Career Development Conference, Minneapolis, MN, June 2020: “Trans-affirming career practice:  Counseling, advising, and advocating with transgender clients” with Emily Frank.

Accepted Panelist/Chair, 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, New Orleans, LA, March 2020: “Career advancement among individuals recovering from severe mental illness” with Uma Millner and students.

Accepted Presenter/Chair, 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, New Orleans, LA, March 2020: “Transgender issues in vocational psychology: What do we know and what do we need to know” with Kimberly Howard.

Accepted Panelist/Presenter, 2020 Counseling Psychology Conference, New Orleans, LA, March 2020: “Advancing relational perspectives on work and career: Social justice, practice, research and advocacy.”

Accepted Presenter/Symposium Chair, Winter Roundtable for Multicultural Education and Psychology, New York City, NY, February, 2020: “Relational and trans-affirming mentoring with doctoral students” with Maura McCullough, Kimberly Cherry, Christopher Ceccolini, and Sidney Trantham.

Presenter/symposium panelist, Plenary Session:  Questioning Qualitative MethodsSociety for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology, Boston, MA, June, 2019: “Is member checking the gold standard of quality within qualitative research?” with Rivka Tuval-Mashiach, Heidi Levitt and Ruthellen Josselson.

Presenter, Winter Roundtable for Multicultural Education and Psychology, New York City, NY, February, 2019:  “Advocacy and social justice research in transgender and non-binary communities” with Sidney Trantham, and three CP doctoral students, Maura McCullough, Carla Rosinski, and Kimberly Cherry.

Presenter, National Career Development Association Global Conference, Phoenix, AZ, June 2018: “Integrating current career theories into career counseling best practices.” Featured presentation.

Presenter, Society of Vocational Psychology, Scottsdale, AZ, June, 2018: “Transitions:  Career issues for transgender youth and adults” with Kimberly Howard, Boston University. 

Presenter, Winter Roundtable for Multicultural Education and Psychology, New York City, NY, February, 2018:  “Feminist perspectives on counseling for career, work and relationship.”

Presenter, National Career Development Association Global Conference, Orlando, FL, June 2017:  “Creating positive spaces for career counseling with transgender clients” with Emily Frank.

Presenter with Sidney Trantham, Winter Roundtable for Multicultural Education and Psychology, New York City, NY, February, 2017:  “You, me & us:  Identity conversations about privilege and oppression” and “The gender identity knapsack:  Transphobia and cisgender privilege.”

Symposium chair and presenter, Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology, New York City, May, 2017:  “Challenges and innovation in teaching qualitative research in psychology.” 

Symposium chair and presenter, Society for Vocational Psychology, APA, Tallahassee, FL: “Integration of social justice in vocational/career counseling courses in counseling psychology,” May, 2016.  

 Co-presenter with Jo Ann Gammel, New Perspectives in Mentoring, Mentoring Institute, Albuquerque, NM, October, 2015: “Relational Mentoring: What We Know about Relational Mentoring & Challenges to Adopting It as an Advising Model.”

Presenter, American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, August 2015:  “Career Transitions in Midlife: Obstacles and Supports:  Factors Influencing Movement Through Career Transition.” Panel with Marie Shoffner, Nadya Fouad, Jane Swanson, & David Blustein.

Presenter, American Psychological Association, Toronto, Canada, August 2015:  “Recommendations for Designing and Reviewing Qualitative Research from the SQIP Task Force.” Panel with Heidi Levitt, Ruthellen Josselson, & Fred Wertz.

Presenter and panelist, Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology, New York City,

May, 2015:“Recommendations for Designing and Reviewing Qualitative Research: Promoting Methodological Integrity.” Presented and discussed topic of “Challenges of and Responses to Qualitative Research Reviewers, Editors, and Authors.”

Co-Presenter with Emily Frank, National Career Development Global Conference, Denver, CO, June, 2015: “Career counseling for transgender clients:  Reimagining life & career possibilities.” 

Symposium chair, Society for Vocational Psychology, APA, Coimbra, Portugal, July, 2014: “Work, education, and relationships in transition: Research on work-related transitions in midlife adults.”

Presenter, Society for Vocational Psychology, APA, Coimbra, Portugal, July, 2014: “Research findings from qualitative studies of midlife women’s career-related transitions in the US.”

Presenter, IAEVG (International Association of Education and Vocational Guidance), Quebec City, Quebec, Canada, June 4-6, 2014. “Transforming individuals and communities through social justice: Directions in career practice and counselor education.”

Chair and Presenter, with Mark Pope, Barry Chung, and Michael Mobley, National Career Development Association, Boston, MA, 2013: “Critical analyses and innovative thoughts on career services and advocacy for LGBT persons.” Featured Presentation, Centennial Conference.

Presenter, National Career Development Association, Boston, MA, 2013: “The process of transition: Relational and psychological counseling approaches to career transition.” 

Presenter, with Susan Gere, Sidney Trantham, & Rakhshanda Saleem, Winter Roundtable for Multicultural Psychology and Education, Columbia University, New York City, NY, February, 2013: “Multiculturalism and Social Justice in Counselor Education: An Integrative Approach Across the Curriculum.”

Chair and presenter, with Amy Mazur, National Career Development Association, Atlanta, GA, 2012: “From multiculturalism to social justice: Future directions in counselor education and career practice.”

Chair and Presenter, with Barry Chung and Franco Dispenza, National Career Development Association, Atlanta, GA, 2012: “Adding the “T” in GLBT: Understanding career and work-related issues of transgendered people.” 

Presenter, National Career Development Association, Atlanta, GA, 2012: “Relational approaches to career transition: Connections and disconnections in a process of change.” D.L. Blustein, Chair, Relational Approaches to Career Development: New Approaches for a New Era. 

Presenter, American Psychological Association, Washington, DC, 2011: “Identity and revision within a career transition for midlife women.” Paper presented in M. S. Hammond (Chair) Symposium, Women in transition: A feminist approach to career and relational identity.

Presenter, National Career Development Association, San Francisco, CA, 2010: “Beyond parents and partners: Relational influences on career decision-making across a range of relationships.”

Education

Ed.D., Human Development and Psychology, Harvard University
C.A.S., Culture, Gender, and Relational Development, Harvard University 
M.A. in English Literature from Boston University
B.A. in English from Indiana University

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