Ken Parnell

Faculty

Professor of Counseling Psychology

Email kenneth.parnell@unco.edu
Phone 970-351-1687
Location McKee 202
A portrait of Kenneth Parnell

Education

  • Ph.D. Counseling Psychology (APA-Accredited) | University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • M.S. Couple & Family Therapy (AAMFT-Accredited) | University of Maryland-College Park
  • B.S. Psychology | Brigham Young University-Provo

Professional Experience & Affiliations

  • 2026–Present: Professor of Counseling Psychology, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2021–2026: Associate Professor of Counseling Psychology, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2017–2021: Assistant Professor of Counseling Psychology, University of Northern Colorado
  • 2015–2017: Lecturer and Practicum Coordinator, Counseling Psychology, University of Kentucky

Research Expertise & Interests

  • Help-Seeking
  • Intimate relationships
  • Gratitude
  • Masculinity
  • Psychological Evaluation

Publications

  • Harrison, M., & Parnell, K.J. (2026). Child sexual abuse: The experience of non-offending fathers. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 35, 1026–1037.
  • Parnell, K. J., Bowling, J. V., Razo, J. T., & Wright, S. L. (2026). Gratitude, indebtedness and psychological needs in men in the United States. Current Psychology, 45(1), 91.
  • Parnell K.J., Wood, N.D., van Gorkom, E.A., & Carlson, D.J. (2025). Anxiety and Relational Connectivity in Couples. Contemporary Family Therapy, 1-11.
  • 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.
  • Wood, N.D, Fife, S.T., Parnell, K. J., & Ross, D.B. (2022). Answering the ethical call of the other: A test of the Strong Relationality Model of Relationship Flourishing. Journal of the Marital and Family Therapy.
  • Parnell, K.J., Wood, N.D., & Scheel, M.J. (2020). A couple gratitude exercise. Journal of Couple and Relationship Therapy.  
  • 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. Journal of Men and Masculinity.
  • Parnell, K.J., Scheel, M.J., Klentz-Davis, C., & Black, W.W. (2018). An investigation of couples’ help-seeking: A multiple case study. Contemporary Family Therapy.