Cynthia Vejar

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

U.S. News and World Report, cited expert, What Jobs Can You Get With a Psychology Degree?, by Geoff Williams, April 15, 2025.

Parents Magazine, cited expert, Kids Who Know How to Avoid Danger Do These 10 Key Things, by Sherri Gordon CLC, March 31, 2025.

HuffPost, cited expert, The 1 Toxic Mindset Can Destroy Your Mental Health (And You’re Probably Guilty Of It, Too), by Sydni Ellis, March 20, 2025.

Parents Magazine, cited expert, This Psychologist Claimed that Daycare Is Harmful for Kids—Many Parents and Experts Disagree, by Wendy Wisner, March 17, 2025.

Well+Good, cited expert, Are You Burnt Out or Depressed? Here’s How To Tell the Difference, by Marygrace Taylor, Jan. 22, 2025

HuffPost, cited expert, The ‘Platter Trick’ Helped Me Rethink My Priorities For The New Year, by Sherly Burke, Jan. 7.

Parents Magazine, cited expert, How Weaponized Incompetence Might Be Damaging Your Parenting and Your Relationship, by Sherri Gordon, Nov. 18, 2024.

ABC27/Good Day PA, guest, “Back to School: Lebanon Valley College” Segment, Aug. 24, 2024

Everyday Health, cited expert, What is a psychologist?, by Kate Danile, Oct. 18, 2024

Parents, cited expert, Selena Gomez reveals she is unable to carry children—‘I had to grieve for a while,’ by Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Sept. 11, 2024

Newsweek, cited expert, Suicide rates start spiking in spring, this is why and how to get help, by Leonie Helm, March 20, 2023.

Associate Press News, cited expert, Virus America, six months in: Disarray, dismay, disconnect, by Ted Anthony, Sept. 20, 2020.

• 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