Sejal Barden’s commitment to advancing counseling research has once again earned her national recognition in the field.
Barden, who serves as chair of the College of Community Innovation and Education’s Department of Counselor Education and School Psychology, recently received the 2025 Exemplary Research Practices Award from the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC).
An organization within the American Counseling Association, the AARC works to promote and recognize excellence in assessment, research and evaluation in counseling. The Exemplary Research Practices Award honors AARC members who have helped to advance the field of counseling through impactful publications, rigorous research projects and the use of innovative research methods.
The professor of counselor education says that while she is honored to receive the award, she also dedicates it to the many collaborators and research participants who have helped advance her work.
“It’s great to be recognized personally, but there are so many people behind the scenes who contribute to the success of my research,” Barden says. “This award isn’t just for me — it’s for the hundreds of people who have helped serve our community throughout the years.”
This is the second time Barden has been recognized by AARC. She first received the Exemplary Research Practices Award in 2016 for her scholarship related to couples, families and counseling. Barden says her research is rooted in AARC’s goals of fostering community engagement and improving people’s lives.
“All my work stems from identifying the community’s needs and finding how I, as a relational researcher, can help meet those needs,” Barden says. “Providing that support to couples and families who don’t typically have access to interventions and psychoeducation to strengthen their relationships is what I’m passionate about.”
Barden is among the top 20 most-published scholars in her field, according to a 2023 review of over 20 counseling journals. She has led over $20 million in large-scale, federally supported research initiatives. That includes Project Harmony 2.0, a randomized control trial investigating how a relationship education intervention can improve relationship satisfaction, emotional regulation and more.
“As a researcher, I’m always asking myself how I can keep my work innovative and make an impact,” Barden says. “My work focuses on expanding what we know and tackling the unanswered questions that limit the translation of research into community impact.”
Barden conducts her research through UCF’s Marriage and Family Research Institute (MFRI), where she serves as executive director. The MFRI was founded in 2003 to support and strengthen healthy relationships for individuals, couples and families. Barden says the institute provides the ideal research environment for the work she leads.
“Community-engaged research always brings new challenges, so it’s important to stay flexible to meet the community’s needs while upholding federal standards,” Barden says. “For me, balancing those factors means surrounding yourself with a passionate team of skilled professionals. At the MFRI, we all complement each other as we work together to make our projects the best they can be. I’m very grateful to the team.”
In addition to her research, Barden’s award also commemorates her extensive devotion to mentorship. She has guided students through more than 40 peer-reviewed publications, and her mentees have received over a dozen national and regional research awards. She says her mission is to help budding scholars feel more comfortable using data and conducting intensive analysis.
“Many students feel intimidated when they hear about research and statistics,” Barden says. “I love breaking down what research really is and helping [students] find their passion and purpose. I find that when we slow down and they get excited about a topic, their curiosity naturally flows. It’s fun to be in that space with them, and to see them grow in their confidence and efficacy as researchers.”
As she reflects on her recent recognition, Barden remains steadfast in her dedication to research that continues to instill healthy, long-lasting relational habits in couples and families who need it most.
“My work always has and always will be about the people,” Barden says. “I believe real change happens at the local level, and what’s important to me is doing the best we can at that level. That’s my life’s purpose.”
