UNC

In addition to my clinical practice, I am a faculty member in Counseling Psychology, where I teach graduate-level courses, supervise clinicians-in-training, and conduct research focused on relationships, mental health, and help-seeking. My academic work informs my clinical approach and reflects a commitment to thoughtful, evidence-informed care.

My teaching and supervision emphasize the integration of theory, research, and clinical practice. I regularly mentor doctoral and master’s students in psychotherapy, psychological assessment, research methods, and professional development. I also serve on dissertation committees and support students in developing scholarship that is clinically meaningful and culturally responsive.

My scholarly work has examined how individuals and couples navigate distress, seek help, and experience connection within close relationships. This research has focused in particular on relational anxiety, partner responsiveness, men’s help-seeking, masculinity and therapy attitudes, gratitude and psychological needs, and sexual health and help-seeking. Across projects, my work is grounded in relational and motivational frameworks and aims to inform both clinical understanding and practice.

Selected Scholarship

The publications below are representative of my broader program of research. A full curriculum vitae is available upon request.

  • Parnell, K. J., Wood, N. D., van Gorkom, E. A., & Carlson, D. J. (2025). Anxiety and relational connectivity in couples. Contemporary Family Therapy.
  • Parnell, K. J., Bowling, J. V., Razo, J. T., & Wright, S. L. (2026). Gratitude, indebtedness, and psychological needs in men. Current Psychology.
  • Parnell, K. J., Spiker, D. A., Johnson, T. A. K., & May, M. B. (2022). Attitudes toward help-seeking for sexual problems among college women. The Journal of Sex Research.
  • Spiker, D. A., Hammer, J. H., & Parnell, K. J. (2019). Men in unhappy relationships: Perceptions of couple therapy. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships.
  • Parnell, K. J., & Hammer, J. H. (2018). Deciding on couple therapy: The role of masculinity in relationship help-seeking. Psychology of Men & Masculinities.