Carol Kaffenberger

PhD, George Mason University
Associate Professor

Contact Information

Send email to ckaffenb@gmu.edu

Phone: (703) 993-3161
Fax: (703)993-2013

George Mason University, Fairfax Campus
Robinson Hall A 333
4400 University Dr.
MS 4B3
Fairfax, VA 22030

Profile

Dr. Kaffenberger is an Associate Professor in the Counseling and Development Program, College of Education and Human Development at George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia. She teaches courses including Counseling Theory and Practice, Counseling Children and Adolescents, and School Counseling Practicum. She was program coordinator 2006-2008 and interim co-coordinator of the Counseling and Development Program 1999-2000. Previously, she was an adjunct professor at George Mason University.

Dr. Kaffenberger’s research interests focus on helping children with chronic illness, the transformation of school counselors, and using data to demonstrate school counseling program effectiveness. Recently Kaffenberger completed a collaborative study with GMU College of Nursing of the perceptions of school personnel, healthcare professions and parents of the school reentry experiences of students with cancer; and, collaborative research with Virginia School Counselor Association, College Board National Office for School Counselor Advocacy/University of Maryland of Virginia school counselors. Professional presentations include the use of data to demonstrate school counselor accountability, coping with chronic illness for children and adolescents, implementation of the ASCA National Model, and narrative counseling in schools. She has written professional articles and chapters on school reentry issues, coping with cancer and chronic illness, the diagnosis of mental disorders in children, the transformation of school counseling, and counseling practices. She developed a model for school reintegration for students with chronic illnesses and provided training to practicing school counselors, social workers and public health nurses. She is a MetLife consultant for the Education Trust and a consultant for the American School Counselor Association and provides national training for practicing school counselors focusing on the transformation of school counseling and use of data driven strategies to provide effective educational programs for all students.

Dr. Kaffenberger received her Ph.D. in 1999 from George Mason University. She received the Outstanding Achievement Award and Academic Excellence in the Doctor of Philosophy in Education Program. Dr. Kaffenberger has a Bachelor of Arts in English, a Master of Education in Special Education, and a Master of Arts in Education in Student Personnel Services. She was employed by the Fairfax County Public Schools for 22 years as an elementary learning disabilities teacher, and then as an elementary school counselor.

Research Interests

  • School Reintegration for Children with Chronic Illness
  • Transformation of School Counseling Programs

Recent Publications

  • American School Counselor Association (2009). ASCA National Model Workbook, 2nd. ed.     Authors: Grothaus, T., Gilchrist-Banks,  S., Davis, T., Kaffenberger, C. Alexandria, VA: Author.
  • Young, A. & Kaffenberger, C. (2009). Making data work, 2nd ed. Alexandria, VA: American  School Counselor Association.
  • Moore, J. B., Kaffenberger, C., Oh, K. M., Goldberg, P., & Hudspeth, R. (2009). School Reentry for Children with Cancer: Perceptions of Health Care Professionals, School Personnel and Parents. Journal of Pediatric Oncology
  • Virginia School Counselor Association (2008). Authors: Kaffenberger, C., Grothaus, T., Gilchrist, S., & Davis, T. Virginia Professional School Counseling Program Manual. Portsmouth, VA: Author.
  • Kaffenberger, C. (2008). Handbook for school support teams. Fairfax, VA: George Mason University.
  • Kaffenberger, C. & Young, A. (2007). Making data work, Alexandria, VA: American School Counselor Association.
  • Steen, S., & Kaffenberger, C. (2007). Integrating academic interventions into small group counseling in elementary school. Professional School Counseling, 10, 516-519.
  • Kaffenberger, C., Murphy, S., & Bemak, F. (2006). School Counseling Leadership Team: A statewide collaborative model to transform school counseling. Professional School Counseling, 9, 288-294.
  • Kaffenberger, C. (2006). School reentry for students with chronic illness: A role for professional school counselors. Professional School Counseling, 9, 223-230.
  • Murphy, S., & Kaffenberger, C. (2007). ASCA’s National Model: The foundation for supervision of practicum and internship students. Professional School Counseling, 10 289-296.

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