Current Research Projects
Doctoral research, collaborative empirical study, and conceptual scholarship on dissociation, therapist competence, and Internal Family Systems.
Sistema Research Lab highlights research and scholarship examining dissociative identity disorder (DID), therapist competence, Internal Family Systems (IFS) training, professional leadership in healthcare, and organizational learning.
The work featured here includes doctoral research, collaborative empirical research, conceptual scholarship, and applied leadership projects. Together, these activities explore how therapists develop their clinical capabilities and how healthcare organizations support their people, strengthen professional practice, and learn from experience.
Clinical competence in treating dissociative identity disorder
Research question: How do expert therapists experience and understand clinical competence when treating dissociative identity disorder?
This qualitative study explores expert therapists’ lived experiences of providing DID treatment, including how they understand clinical judgment, therapeutic decision-making, and professional growth.
The inquiry aims to inform therapist preparation, supervision, and continuing professional development by examining competence as it is experienced in clinical work.
Project type
Qualitative research study
Researcher
Lauren E. Brdecka-Drake, MA, LCPC
Developing DID treatment competence through supervision and consultation
Research question: How do supervision and professional consultation contribute to the development of competence in treating DID?
This inquiry examines how expert therapists describe the influence of professional guidance, collaborative reflection, and opportunities to discuss complex clinical experiences.
It explores how these relationships shape therapists’ understanding and clinical judgment over time, with the aim of informing how clinicians are prepared and supported throughout their careers.
Project type
Qualitative research study
Researcher
Lauren E. Brdecka-Drake, MA, LCPC
Clinician development following advanced IFS training
Research question: How do clinicians describe their development following an IFS Level 2 intensive focused on addictive processes?
This project examines clinicians’ perceptions of their development following advanced Internal Family Systems training. Areas of interest include:
- Compassion toward protective responses
- Attitudes toward addictive behaviors
- Therapeutic curiosity
- Perceived clinical readiness
- Confidence in clinical work
Scope: the study examines perceived clinician development. It does not establish treatment effectiveness or changes in client outcomes.
Project type
Collaborative research on self-reported clinician development of Self
Principal investigator
Lauren E. Brdecka-Drake, MA, LCPC
Co-investigators
Olivia Lewis, PhD
Cece Sykes, LCSW
Collaborating institution
Oregon State University
Sponsor
Naperville Trauma Institute
Educational partner
IFS Institute
Internal Family Systems and dissociative identity disorder
Scholarly question: How might an IFS perspective inform clinical understanding and therapeutic work with people experiencing DID?
This developing scholarship explores the clinical considerations involved in adapting IFS concepts to the complexities of dissociative identity disorder.
Through scholarly writing and professional education, this project aims to strengthen understanding of the approach and the questions it raises for clinical practice.
Project type
Conceptual scholarship, applied and theoretical research, professional education
Contributor
Lauren E. Brdecka-Drake, MA, LCPC
Private practice therapy healthcare leadership, organizational learning, and workforce development
Guiding question: How can healthcare leadership support clinician development, shared responsibility, organizational learning, and equitable conditions for work and care?
This area of scholarship examines how healthcare leaders translate professional values into organizational structures, everyday practices, and employee experiences. Areas of interest include ethical decision-making, role clarity, psychological safety, power, accountability, and meaningful opportunities for professional growth.
A central focus is the development of learning organizations: healthcare settings that make reflection, feedback, inquiry, and adaptation part of everyday work. This includes examining how leaders create opportunities for clinical and administrative employees to contribute knowledge, participate in decisions, and develop leadership capabilities.
As a huge priority of CARE Counseling, Inc. & Naperville Trauma Institute, the work also considers equitable employment for therapists and the relationships among workforce development, organizational sustainability, and access to resources.
Applied Leadership
Applied projects and educational deliverables include:
- Leadership philosophy development
- Private Practice versus learning organizations
- Values translated into practice
- Organizational design and role clarity
- Clinical supervisor development
- Employee and leadership development
- Leadership communication
- Reflective leadership practice
These materials represent applied leadership work and educational resources.
Area of work
Leadership scholarship and applied organizational development
Contributor
Lauren E. Brdecka-Drake, MA, LCPC
Practice setting
CARE Counseling, Inc. & Naperville Trauma Institute
Questions about these projects
Are all the projects listed here separate research studies?
Yes, though there is some overlap in content between them. Each project is described separately, with its own question, project type, and contributors.
Does the IFS training study measure whether clients improve?
No. Its focus is clinicians’ self-reported development following training, rather than client outcomes or treatment effectiveness.
What is the difference between a research study and conceptual scholarship here?
A study collects data from participants under a defined method. Conceptual scholarship develops and argues an idea through writing and professional education, without collecting participant data.
Are participants in these studies CARE Counseling, Inc. clients?
No. Participants are therapists and clinicians, not clients of the practice.
What does the private practice therapy healthcare leadership work examine?
It examines how leadership, organizational structures, and working relationships can support learning, accountability, employee development, and equitable employment. Applied resources include leadership presentations, supervisor development materials, organizational frameworks, and proposed evaluation dashboards.
How can I learn more about a project or resource?
Contact CARE Counseling, Inc. and identify the project or topic you are interested in. We welcome questions about the work and potential scholarly collaboration.
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Ask about a research or leadership project
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