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Dr. Cynthia Vejar

Cynthia Vejar

Director and Associate Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Email: vejar@lvc.edu

Phone: 717-867-6791

B.A., George Mason University; M.A., Marymount University; Ph.D., Virginia Tech; Licensed Professional Counselor; Licensed School Counselor/PPS; Nationally Certified Counselor/NCC

Research & Practice Areas:
Shame/judgment extended toward the childfree community, Shame/judgment extended toward parents, Health disparities in marginalized communities, Therapeutic theoretical orientation

Dr. Cynthia Vejar has well-rounded experience as a professor, program director, grief and bereavement counselor, school counselor, and the owner of a private practice, The Flipped Script LLC. She is a frequently cited expert in outlets like the Associated Press, Newsweek, HuffPost, and ABC 27 TV, has presented throughout Pennsylvania and the United States, and writes a blog for Psychology Today.

Dr. Vejar teaches several classes at LVC while advising students and overseeing the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She served on the President’s Taskforce on Anti-Racism and Inclusive Excellence and Institutional Effectiveness Taskforce and has presented at LVC’s Intergroup Dialogue Workshops and conducted Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) Inclusive Pedagogy Training.

Publications:

  • Kegan, D., Vejar, C. (Under review). Perceptions of the childfree population: An examination of pronatalist attitudes. Journal of Marriage and Family.
  • Jones-Eversley, S.D., Witherspoon, D., Vejar, C. (2023). A model for examining family health history awareness and rethinking how to increase its interfamilial and clinical utility and transmission. Professional Case Management, 28(1), 45-52.
  • Kegan, D., Vejar, C., & Martinelli Beasley, L. (2022). Perspectives of college students’ attitudes and knowledge about people with disabilities. British Journal of Special Education, 49(3), 438-462.
  • Jones-Eversley, S.D., Hall, D.M.H., & Vejar, C.M. (2018). Appreciative inquiry and the complex case study: Innovations in experiential learning. Journal of Baccalaureate Social Work, 23, 77-90.
  • Todd, M. A., Oravecz, L., & Vejar, C. M. (2016). Biphobia in the family context: Experiences and perceptions of bisexual individuals. Journal of Bisexuality, 16(2), 1-19.
  • Vejar, C. & Quach, A. S. (2013).  Sex slavery in Thailand. Social Development Issues Journal, 35(2), 105-123.
  • Vejar, C., Oravecz, L., & Hall, D. M. H. (2010).  Undergraduate student perceptions of argument resolution, unity, and love in same-sex headed families. Journal of GLBT Family Studies, 7(4), 322-348.
  • Vejar, C. M., Madison-Colmore, O., & ter Maat, M. (2006). Understanding the transition from career to fulltime motherhood: A qualitative study. American Journal of Family Therapy, 34(1), 17-31.
  • Vejar, C. M. (2005). Review of A guide to self-help workbooks for mental health clinicians and researchers, 13(4), 508-510. The Family Journal. 

 

Peer-Reviewed Conference Presentations 

  • Hanlon-Pinkerton, D., Becker, M., & Vejar, C. (2024). Sacred Space for Self-Care and Nourishment: A Contemplative Mind-Body Practice. Presentation accepted at the Pennsylvania Counseling Association. Harrisburg, Pa.
  • Vejar, C., Becker, M. (2024). Self-applied touch for trauma healing. GPACA Trauma Conference. Philadelphia, Pa.
  • Vejar, C., Breneman, C., Martinelli-Beasley, L., Rankin, Osadchyi, I. (2023). Countertransference with chronically and critically ill children in medical and grief/bereavement settings. Pennsylvania Counseling Association. Harrisburg, Pa.
  • Kegan, D., Vejar, C., & Oravecz, L. (2023). Parenting resilience and confidence as predictors of experiences of shame in parenthood. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Orlando, Fla.
  • Vejar, C. M., Breneman, C., & Bohr, R. (2022). Understanding the self-care strategies of graduate students in counseling programs. Pennsylvania School Counselors Association / PSCA 67th Annual Conference. Lancaster, Pa.
  • Vejar, C. M. & Breneman, C. (2022). Practical self-care strategies to prevent burnout. 2022 Virtual Peer Support Conference: Uplifting Resiliency. Columbus, Ohio.
  • Vejar, C. M., Breneman, C., & Martinelli Beasley, L. (2022). The implications of direct language vs. death-related euphemisms. Association for Death Education and Counseling. St. Louis, Mo.
  • Harnek Kegan, D. M., & Vejar, C. M. (2021). An examination of parenting resilience. ResilienceCon, Nashville, Tenn.
  • Harnek Kegan, D. M., & Vejar, C. M. (2020). Perceptions of the childfree population. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations 2020 Annual Conference.
  • Vejar, C. M., & Harnek Kegan, D. M. (2020). Experiences of shame in parenting: Incidences and gender differences. Presented at the National Council on Family Relations 2020 Annual Conference.
  • Vejar, C. M., & Harnek Hall, D. M. (2018). Equine-Assisted psychotherapy workshop: Evaluation, reflection, and theory building. Presented at The International Conference on Thinking, ICOT18, Miami, Fla.
  • Vejar, C. M. & Martinelli Beasley, L. (2017). Insight from Child Life Specialists who work in the field of death, dying, and bereavement. Palliative Care and Hospice Nursing Conference. Philadelphia, Pa.
  • Todd, M., Oravecz, L., & Vejar, C. (2014). Bisexuality: Family perceptions and experiences. National Council on Family Relations (NCFR). Baltimore, Md.
  • Harnek Hall, D.M., Beasley, L.A.M., Gottlieb, C., & Vejar, C. (2008). Development and evaluation of a disability awareness workshop for college students. Poster presented at 2008 Annual Meeting and Conference of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Washington, D.C.

 

Selected Media

  • Clinical Internship I
  • Clinical Internship II
  • Clinical Internship III
  • Clinical Practicum
  • Grief Counseling
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Orientation to Counseling
  • Social Problems & Counseling
  • Theory & Helping Relationships