About Us
Sechel Ventures Partners LLC owns and operates CounselingSchools.com, which publishes guides to education and state licensure in counseling careers, as well as interviews with professionals in the mental health community and other resources. The mission of Sechel is to provide authoritative, well-researched content that helps prospective students find degree programs, certification information, and first-hand accounts of the daily lives of healthcare workers—especially in growing careers.
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Experts Interviewed on CounselingSchools.com
Abby Wilson is a dedicated social worker specializing in supporting young professional women in Texas as they navigate challenges related to anxiety, relationships, attachment trauma, and the complexities of quarter-life transitions. With a trauma-informed, person-centered approach, her practice is deeply rooted in humanistic and existential philosophy, focusing on empowering clients to find meaning and resilience in their personal journeys.
Wilson holds a master’s degree in clinical social work from the University of Houston, where she developed a strong foundation in therapeutic techniques and mental health advocacy. Her commitment to creating a safe and supportive environment for her clients led her to establish her own private therapy practice in September 2021. Since then, she has passionately worked to help individuals overcome their struggles and build fulfilling lives through personalized, compassionate care. Her approach emphasizes the importance of understanding each client’s unique experiences and fostering growth through self-awareness and empowerment.
Dr. Adel C. Najdowski is a professor and the director of the master of science in applied behavior analysis (ABA) program at Pepperdine University. Dr. Najdowski has over 20 years of experience providing ABA-based services to children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). She has over 45 publications, including her books, Flexible and Focused! Teaching Executive Function Skills to Individuals with Autism and Attention Disorders and A Workbook of Ethical Case Scenarios in Applied Behavior Analysis.
Dr. Najdowski has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis as well as Behavior Analysis in Practice and as a Guest Editor for a special issue in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB) and previously served on the board of directors for the California Association for Behavior Analysis (CalABA). Her current research interests include topics related to teaching higher-order skills to children and teens diagnosed with ASD and social justice.
Dr. Alegnta Felleke is an assistant professor of social work and the PhD program director at Our Lady of the Lake University’s Worden School of Social Service. His research focuses on the impact of social policy on poverty, financial capability, and behavioral health, particularly among low-income families.
Dr. Felleke’s work is grounded in frameworks like the capability approach and the public health approach, and he has presented his findings at national conferences and published in peer-reviewed journals. He actively collaborates with local agencies in San Antonio, leading projects like Project LAUNCH and Por Los Niños, funded by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. He has a PhD in social work from the University of Kansas, a master’s of social work from Addis Ababa University, and a bachelor of arts in business management from Jimma University.
Dr. Alexandra Stratyner is a licensed psychologist at her Manhattan-based practice, Stratyner & Associates, she provides individual psychotherapy, group psychotherapy, couples and family therapy, and comprehensive assessments for preadolescents, adolescents, young adults, and adults. She specializes in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), mindfulness skills training, and integrative approaches, including mindfulness-based relapse prevention. Her approach is rooted in cultural competence and a strength-based philosophy that seeks to empower her clients.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Stratyner serves on the voluntary faculty of the Mount Sinai Health System and is an adjunct faculty member at New York University. Her academic credentials include a PhD in counseling psychology and a master of arts in education in counseling psychology from Seton Hall University. Her work spans diverse settings, including international experience in Trinidad and Tobago, and she remains committed to advancing mental health care through integrative, evidence-based, and culturally responsive practices.
Dr. Allison Paolini is school counseling program director and assistant professor of school counseling at Arkansas State University. She received her MS in school counseling from Long Island University – Brentwood, and her PhD in counselor education from the University of South Florida. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), and is a Certified School Counselor in New York, New Jersey, and Florida.
Prior to working in academia, Dr. Paolini worked as an elementary school counselor at a Title I school in Tampa, Florida. Her main areas of research interest include social emotional learning and its impact on reducing gun violence, the impact of social emotional learning on college and career readiness, social emotional learning and its impact on amplifying academic performance and student wellness, and best practices for mitigating bullying and substance abuse amongst students.
Dr. Amanda Rumsey is an associate professor of counselor education at Clemson University, where she has been training counselors for seven years. Her previous counseling experience includes ten years in residential programs and 14 years of K-12 school counseling experience.
Dr. Rumsey’s school counseling included working in rural, suburban, and urban schools. Her research centers around trauma, addressing the needs of underserved students, and training school counselors. She has several peer-reviewed publications, including articles in Professional School Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Journal for Child and Adolescent Counseling. She also has contributed to eight book chapters in counseling texts. She has presented more than 50 times at national, regional, and state counseling conferences and has been a member of ACA for more than 20 years.
Dr. M. Ann Shillingford-Butler is an associate professor of counselor education at the University of Central Florida (UCF), where she also serves as coordinator of the counselor education PhD program. She received her master of education in guidance and counseling from Bowie State University, and her PhD in counselor education from UCF.
Prior to joining academia, Dr. Shillingford-Butler accrued several years of professional experience as a school counselor in Maryland and Florida. Her current interests focus on exploring ways of deconstructing the educational, social, and health disparities among marginalized communities. She also serves as coordinator for the UCF National Holmes Scholar program (NHS), a mentoring program that supports students from underrepresented groups in higher education. Her co-edited book, The Journey Unraveled: College and Career Readiness of African American Students, was published in 2015.
Anne Tomlanovich is the director of student life at Odyssey School where she brings a wealth of experience and a deep-rooted passion for fostering a supportive learning environment. With a background in sociology from the University of Michigan and a master’s degree in school counseling, she has dedicated herself to creating a sense of safety and community within educational settings. Her belief in the fundamental importance of love and belonging as the bedrock of learning is reflected in her approach to supporting students, staff, and families. Before her role at Odyssey School, she worked as a middle school counselor in Oregon for many years.
Tomlanovich’s expertise lies in centering student strengths and guiding them through challenges by helping them access their inner resources. She is adept at nurturing emotional regulation, peer relationships, and academic independence, recognizing that students thrive when they feel a sense of safety and belonging in their educational journey. As an advocate and ally for her students, their families, and colleagues, she is committed to promoting holistic well-being and personalized growth to her students and families.
Dr. Annette Vaccaro is an associate professor and the program coordinator for the graduate counseling degree with art therapy specialization program at Caldwell University.
Dr. Vaccaro has been in private practice for more than 30 years, having an office in Livingston, New Jersey. She is on faculty at Caldwell University, ACAP, and BGSP/ICPS, specializing in supervising psychoanalysts, counselors, art therapists, and social workers. She also develops grants to provide community-based programs to assist in treatment and healthcare provision to the most vulnerable populations in New Jersey, including the aged, children and families and medically compromised. She is a consultant and lecturer for colleges, universities, non-profit organizations, and schools and presents regularly at conferences around the state and nationally.
Dr. Vaccaro is a member of the American Art Therapy Association, the National Association of Social Workers, the Society of Modern Psychoanalysts, the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis, the American Counseling Association, and the New Jersey Counseling Association. She is a Certified Social Work Supervisor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Credentialed Art Therapy Supervisor. She is a New Jersey State Certified Psychoanalyst, Licensed Professional Art Therapist, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Licensed Clinical Social Worker. In addition, she holds a professional counselor license in Pennsylvania.
Dr. Ashlei Petion is an assistant professor in the Nova Southeastern University Department of Counseling. She earned her PhD in counselor education and practice from Georgia State University and her MA in counselor education from the University of Central Florida, specializing in clinical mental health counseling. She is a board-certified licensed professional counselor and MFT.
Dr. Petion has many years of experience in the mental health profession, ranging from the National Suicide Hotline and crisis centers to community- and school-based mental healthcare. Primarily, her clinical expertise involves working with teens, young adults, and their families to promote healthy familial relationships that contribute to healthy, strong communities. Her research focuses on generational trauma and healing in Black communities, primarily within qualitative and mixed methodology frameworks.
Dr. Petion is a two-time NBCC Minority Fellow, a former CSI Intern, and an ACA graduate student representative to the Governing Council, and currently serves as the assistant editor of CSI’s Exemplar as well as AMCD’s vice president of women’s concerns.
Ashley D. Murphy (Ms./She/Hers), a committed and empathetic marriage & family therapist associate with AMFT, CSE, and CBD credentials, has provided expert care for over three years.
With a solid educational foundation in clinical psychology from Pepperdine University and enhanced by certifications from the Dr. Rachael Institute and Best Doula Training, Ms. Murphy operates her practice Murphy’s Law & Co. in Greater Los Angeles. Her sex and relationship therapy practice is BIPOC and LGBTQ+ friendly, specializing in body image, confidence, women’s issues, depression, and trauma. Ms. Murphy employs a wide array of therapeutic techniques such as emotionally-focused therapy, the Gottman method, and trauma-focused therapy. Ms. Murphy also holds space as a postpartum doula for birthing parents and birthing partners, navigating through life after childbirth and beyond.
Born and raised in Houston, Texas, Ashley Wright has been an educator for the past 16 years, and a certified school counselor and licensed professional counselor for the past six years. She is a counselor at Gordon-Reed Elementary School in Montgomery, Texas. Her experience as an elementary classroom teacher helped her to realize students were having endless challenges that dealt with home, school, and peers. She later decided to become a school counselor to fully serve and connect with students campus-wide and in her community. This move enabled her to reach more students with social-emotional support and strategies/tools to enhance their resilience and relationships.
Recently recognized as the 2022 American School Counselor of the Year Finalist and 2021 Texas School Counselor of the Year, Ashley continues as a national speaker and advocate of the profession to teach students and educators to accept diversity, increase self-esteem, build character and maintain resilience. It is her divine belief that, “Every human being has the unlimited potential to make positive change in one’s life.”
Dr. Barb Daubenspeck is a distinguished program director and professor of clinical mental health counseling at Bellevue University, where her expertise shapes future mental health professionals. In 2023, she was honored as the Nebraska Counselor of the Year by the Nebraska Counseling Association.
Before her tenure at Bellevue, she served as a dedicated mental health therapist at Capstone Behavioral Healthcare, and she currently sees therapy clients at Remedy Health. Dr. Daubenspeck holds a PhD in psychology from the University of Wyoming, demonstrating a profound commitment to understanding human behavior and mental processes. Her dedication to this understanding, her comprehensive education, and her extensive experience in the field make Dr. Daubenspeck a leader and innovator in mental health counseling, instilling confidence in her clients and the community.
Dr. Beverly Smith is the President and Interim CEO/ED of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). She has professional counseling experience in various settings including private practice, public education, corrections, community counseling, and higher education.
Dr. Smith is the owner and principal therapist of BSmith Consulting Group, LLC, and a PhD mentor at Capella University. She is a proud two-time graduate of Tuskegee University (BS-Biology, MEd-Counseling & Higher Education) and has earned counseling degrees from Troy University (EdS) as well as Amridge University (PhD). Additionally, Dr. Smith has a certificate in Administration and Leadership from Kennesaw State University.
Brandelyn Hall is the dedicated director of Upward Bound at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. With a master’s degree in school counseling, Hall brings over a decade of experience and passion to her role. She leads a comprehensive pre-college program that holistically prepares high school students for college life’s academic, social, and emotional challenges.
Hall is most proud of her profound ability to positively impact students’ lives by providing them with the tools and support they need to succeed in higher education. Through her leadership, Upward Bound not only focuses on academic readiness but also addresses the personal development and well-being of each student, ensuring a well-rounded preparation for their future college endeavors.
Dr. Brian Mills, originally from rural Kansas, is an associate professor of counseling and the chair of the master of arts in counseling program at Spring Arbor University. He has spent the past 20 years teaching undergraduate and graduate students at faith-based colleges, in clinical practice (inpatient and outpatient), and serving for 11 years as a pastor. He earned his MA in Christian ministry through Friends University. He then went on to earn an MA in religious education at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, followed by an MA in marriage and family therapy from the same school. He earned his PhD in counselor education and supervision from Regent University.
Dr. Mills is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Michigan. His writing and research interests include the intersection of psychology and popular culture and the integration of faith and psychology. In his spare time, he enjoys being a rabid fan of the Kansas Jayhawks and Kansas City Chiefs, working out, and spending time with his wife and daughter.
Briana Severine began her career working in inpatient psychiatric facilities in southern California and continued to pursue her passion for psychosocial rehabilitation in Colorado through private practice. She also served as director of marketing and admissions at a trauma-integrated intensive outpatient program. She was ultimately drawn back to clinical work, which prompted her to found Sanare to bring psychosocial rehabilitation services to the Colorado community.
Severine earned her bachelor’s in psychology from California State University, Long Beach and her master’s in developmental psychopathology from the University of Reading, England.
Brianne Kirkpatrick Williams, MS
Brianne Kirkpatrick Williams, MS is a licensed and certified genetic counselor, writer, and consultant with expertise in consumer DNA testing and genetic identity. A personal experience discovering unknown genetic relatives led her to create Watershed DNA, an online resource and consultancy offering guidance and support to those seeking biological family or making unexpected discoveries due to DNA.
Williams has written and co-authored multiple journal publications and books and has spoken widely on biological family searches and surprise discoveries since 2015. She speaks frequently with the media as an ancestry and DTC expert for the National Society of Genetic Counselors.
Brooke Feist is a dedicated mental health professional with a strong foundation in counseling and a commitment to making a difference in the lives of her clients. She earned a bachelor’s degree in clinical counseling psychology from Kutztown University in 2019 and is currently pursuing her master’s degree in marriage and family therapy at Eastern University, aspiring to become a licensed marriage and family therapist.
She joined Brandywine Counseling & Community Services in September 2019 as a substance abuse and trauma counselor and now serves as a clinical supervisor following her promotion in the summer of 2023. Through her work, she has grown personally and professionally, refining her clinical skills and fostering a compassionate, understanding, and client-centered approach to therapy. She remains deeply committed to supporting her clients with genuine care and helping them navigate life’s challenges.
Dr. Candice Hargons is an associate professor of counseling psychology at the University of Kentucky and a licensed clinical psychologist. Her academic work entails the study of sex, social justice, and leadership, while her clinical practice focuses on healing racial trauma and sex therapy.
As the director of the RISE^2 Research Team and the Center for Healing Racial Trauma, Dr. Hargons approaches all of her work with a love ethic, defined by bell hooks as “the right for everyone to live fully and well.”
Dr. Hargons’ most recent scholarly work, addressing how Black students at a predominantly white college in the southeast define racial trauma, was published in Cultural Diversity and Ethnic Minority Psychology in 2021. Her numerous honors and awards include the Outstanding Contribution to Scholarship on Race and Ethnicity Award (2018) from the Society of Counseling Psychology Section on Ethnic & Racial Diversity.
Carolyn Kurker Gallagher is a clinical instructor in child life & family-centered care at Boston University Wheelock College of Education & Human Development. She teaches graduate child life classes and is also the child life field experience coordinator for current students completing internship experiences in hospital and community settings.
Professor Gallagher is a certified child life specialist with over 20 years of clinical experience working in hospitals with children and families. She diligently advocated to offer a “Parent in the OR” program during her tenure at Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and successfully began a child life program in the pediatric emergency department at Boston Medical Center. She also worked at Newton Wellesley Hospital in their pediatric emergency department, offering play, support, and preparation to patients and their families.
Professor Gallagher’s interests include play, pain management, family-centered care, advocacy for optimal pediatric care, alternative applications for child life programming, and clinical and academic collaboration in the child life profession.
Chris Sautter is a community engagement, nonprofit and social impact professional with a long history with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (BBBSC). Sautter began as a BBBSC community-based volunteer in 2000 and mentored three “Little Brothers” over a 17-year period. He took on a professional role with BBBSC as program manager of the Big Literacy Corps AmeriCorps Program in 2000 and then moved on to serve as manager of recruitment and community outreach from 2006 to 2010. He assumed a leadership position as vice president of programs in March of 2020.
A strong advocate for volunteer and community service, Sautter is on the board of civil rights and social action organization Community Shares of Colorado and is a member of the selection committee for the Merkle Scholarship Program for The Denver Foundation. He completed two terms of service with AmeriCorps (1999-2001): one in his home state of Nebraska and the other in Colorado where he has lived ever since.
Dr. Cindy Topdemir is a professor of instruction and the program coordinator of the counselor education program at the University of South Florida. Before completing her doctorate in 2010, she was a school counselor for 14 years in Pasco County and is still certified as a school counselor. She is also a licensed mental health counselor.
In addition to teaching courses, Dr. Topdemir has coordinated the school counseling and the career counseling master’s programs and the school counseling and the career counseling certificate programs. She has co-chaired and served as a committee member on several doctoral students’ committees.
One of the projects Dr. Topdemir has completed includes aligning the Florida K-12 Guidance Competencies and Florida Educator Accomplished Practices with the school counseling program’s courses. She has also organized many school counseling-related functions in the community.
Dr. Topdemir created and leads the School Counselor Advisory Board meetings at USF each semester. Several of the surrounding counties’ district school counseling supervisors and the school counselor consultant at the FLDOE attend these meetings. She has served as a chair (2021-2022) and member of the Governing Board of the Florida School Counselor Association since 2012.
Additionally, she has chaired committees within this professional association and others. State and national conference presentations and publishing are also her priorities. Some of these topics include school counselor accountability practices, advocacy, the school counselor’s role as a consultant, and student mental health.
Cristina Leal is a tenure track professor of child development at Mission College. She teaches courses in child and adolescent development, psychology, education and family studies from a cultural perspective. She has been teaching undergraduates to approach learning and teaching using a cultural lens for the past 14 years.
She is currently a PhD candidate in Developmental and Psychological Sciences at Stanford University as well as a counseling psychology graduate student, working towards licensure as a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with an emphasis on Latinx families. She earned her MA at Stanford University.
As an immigrant and former migrant student and English language learner, she is particularly interested in studying ethnic/racial identity and the protective effects of dual cultural socialization within family systems. She is currently conducting research on the effects of microaggressions and racism on the mental and physical health of emerging adults.
Dr. Damir S. Utrzan, LMFT serves as the chief compliance and strategic development officer at Horowitz Health, where he plays a key role in ensuring compliance with industry regulations and spearheading strategic initiatives geared toward treating co-occurring disorders. With a rich background that includes managing mental health and psychiatry services across six Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation sites, Dr. Utrzan has a proven track record in enhancing provider-patient outcomes and overhauling psychiatry service lines through meticulous market and best practices research. His experience extends to overseeing an intensive residential treatment facility under the Minnesota Department of Human Services, where he managed budgets, ensured financial adherence, and analyzed legislative impacts on service delivery.
Beyond his primary roles, Dr. Utrzan contributes to the Human Services Performance Management Council and serves as an unaffiliated research scientist on the Institutional Review Board at the University of Minnesota, ensuring research compliance with federal standards. He is licensed as a marriage and family therapist in both Minnesota and Wisconsin and recognized as a board-approved clinical supervisor in Minnesota, showcasing his extensive expertise and commitment to the field.
Dr. Damon Ashworth is a clinical psychologist with over eight years of experience based in Melbourne, Australia. He completed a doctoral degree in Clinical Psychology at Monash University and a bachelor of behavioural sciences and a bachelor of psychological science with honours at La Trobe University. His doctoral research was a randomized clinical trial that significantly reduced insomnia and depression severity in participants using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for insomnia.
Dr. Ashworth practices mostly from a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy framework, but also utilizes Existential, Psychodynamic, Interpersonal, Humanistic, and Positive Psychology principles where clients will benefit from such approaches.
Dr. Dana Donohue teaches child psychology at the master’s level at Southern New Hampshire University. She earned her PhD from Georgia State University and completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. A developmental psychologist, her research has focused on factors that influence positive academic achievement outcomes, including cultural values.
Dr. Donohue has worked at SNHU since January 2015 and has taught various courses, including introduction to psychology, lifespan development, statistics, and research methods.
David Longmire came out and moved to New York City in his 20s, just after the Stonewall riots of 1969, which launched a new era of resistance and revolution within the LGBTQ+ community in the U.S. He was a longtime member of the Gay Activists Alliance and of Gay and Lesbian Independent Democrats. He has been a member of Identity House since the 1970s.
Longmire holds an MA in special education from Columbia University and a bachelor’s degree from Yale University’s school of music. He has been in private practice since 1996, treating members of the LGBTQ+ community, providing couple’s counseling, therapy for artists and creatives, life purpose coaching, and therapy for trauma healing and resolution.
David Teachout is a licensed mental health therapist with a rich and diverse career spanning nearly 20 years. His experience as a therapist, social worker, advocate, and subject matter expert has allowed him to work with a wide range of populations, from children in foster care to incarcerated adults and veterans. With a master’s in both mental health counseling and forensic psychology, Teachout provides mental health therapy and coaching through Life Weavings and Open Mind Health. He also shares his insights and knowledge through his blog, Humanity’s Values.
Dr. Dee Ray is the director of the Center for Play Therapy at the University of North Texas College of Education. She is also a Distinguished Teaching Professor and Elaine Millikan Mathes Professor in Early Childhood Education. While she primarily supervises doctoral research, she also teaches courses such as intro to play therapy, applying quantitative research concepts in play therapy, and research in counseling. She holds a master’s in education in human development counseling from Vanderbilt and completed her doctorate in counselor education at the University of North Texas.
Dr. Ray’s current research is focused on the quantitative analysis of play therapy, with a particular emphasis on the school setting. In addition to her duties at the University of North Texas, she is also an active member of the Association for Play Therapy. She is a National Board For Certified Counselors (NBCC) National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licenced Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S), and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S). She is also a prolific author with over 100 publications to her name.
Donald M. Kissinger, PhD, LPCC-S
Dr. Donald M. Kissinger is the department chair and associate professor at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. He earned his PhD in counselor education from Kent State University, where his research focused on variables influencing adolescent male sexual offenders’ honest disclosure in treatment. With a rich academic career spanning nearly two decades, he teaches courses such as group dynamics, ethical and legal issues in counseling, and advanced assessment, shaping the next generation of counseling professionals.
Beyond academia, Dr. Kissinger has extensive clinical experience, including over 25 years of private practice in Kissinger Counseling and Consulting. He specializes in sexual offender evaluations, psychological assessments for courts and religious organizations, and supervision for clinical counselors. A dedicated member of the American Counseling Association and Chi Sigma Iota, he stays committed to professional growth by actively engaging in conferences and continuing education on diverse topics like trauma treatment, ethics, and clinical supervision.
Dr. Donna Autry has been an assistant professor in psychology at East Central University since 2019. She has been a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) since 2000 and worked in the mental health field in various settings.
Dr. Autry is a certified school counselor who worked as an elementary school counselor. She earned a doctorate degree in educational psychology from Capella University in 2021 and a master’s and bachelor’s in psychology from East Central University.
Dr. Donna Oriowo is the owner of and lead therapist at AnnodRight, LLC, a woman-focused sex therapy and education practice operating out of Capitol Heights, Maryland. She provides sex therapy focused on how colorism and texturism show up in the relationships and sex lives of black women.
Dr. Oriowo began her formalized training in mental health by earning a BS in psychology at the nation’s premier HBCU, Morgan State University, in Baltimore, Maryland. In 2012, Dr. Oriowo earned a dual master’s in clinical social work and human sexuality education at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania, and went on to earn her PhD in human sexuality at Widener in 2016.
As an AASECT-certified sex therapist, Dr. Oriowo is committed to making AASECT a better place for people of color. Dr. Oriowo currently serves as the chair of the Communications Committee and chair of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee for AASECT. In addition to her work in sex therapy, Dr. Oriowo is an author, educator, and keynote speaker, with speaking credits that include the National Sex Ed Conference.
Dr. Donna Sheperis is a professor and the chair of the Department of Counseling at Palo Alto University and the PAU eClinic director. She earned her PhD in counselor education from the University of Mississippi. She has taught for land-based and online programs since 2000.
Dr. Sheperis is a licensed professional counselor, national certified counselor, board certified telemental health provider, and approved clinical supervisor with more than 30 years of experience in clinical mental health settings.
Dr. Sheperis is the past president of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling. She has served as Co-Chair of the ACA Ethics Committee. She currently serves on the ACA Ethics Appeals Committee. She has authored more than 25 articles in peer-reviewed journals, multiple book chapters, and textbooks. She published and is revising Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Fundamentals of Applied Practice for Pearson Publishing and Ethical Decision Making for 21st Century Counselors for Sage Publishing. She presents regularly on various topics and has received numerous awards for her teaching, scholarship, and research.
Dr. Edil Torres Rivera is a professor of counseling and coordinator of the Latinx cluster at Wichita State University. His primary research focuses on complexity and how Indigenous healing techniques are a necessary ingredient when working with ethnic minority populations in the United States.
Dr. Torres Rivera earned his master’s in counseling psychology with a concentration in mental health counseling from Boston University, and his PhD in educational psychology with a concentration in multicultural counseling from the University of Connecticut.
His work has appeared in the Journal of Multicultural Counseling and Development, Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling, and many more. He currently serves on the editorial boards of the Interamerican Journal of Psychology and the Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology. Dr. Torres Rivera is also president-elect of the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Elizabeth Casey is the director of field-based experience and accountability at Fordham University in New York City.
Casey oversees operations and provides leadership and administrative support to all aspects of field-based/clinical experiences for the school counseling, mental health counseling, and counseling psychology programs.
Elizabeth Schandelmeier has supported grieving families for over a decade, including as a palliative social worker at a major level 1 trauma hospital supporting families through illness, decision-making, and end of life. She is currently a senior bereavement counselor for Family Hospice, part of UPMC, where she is also responsible for training palliative MD fellows in bereavement and end-of-life communication.
Schandelmeier facilitates a support group for people with malignant brain tumors at Cancer Bridges and has a small private practice (Howling Lion Grief Support) focusing exclusively on grief, loss, death, and dying. She is also a recognized grief expert and has published podcasts on various topics through UPMC HealthBeat with Tonia Caruso. She holds a master’s of social work from the University of Pittsburg and is a licensed clinical social worker as well as an Advanced Palliative Hospice Social Worker – Certified (APHSW-C).
Dr. Elizabeth Ventura is a qualitative researcher, trauma specialist, and senior core faculty member at Walden University. She also runs a private practice in Pittsburgh, consulting with school districts on care for traumatized children and adolescents.
As a faculty member in Walden’s clinical mental health counseling department, Dr. Ventura specializes in counseling techniques and has trained future counselors for over a decade. Her research focuses on trauma and crisis preparedness, and she has co-authored trauma textbooks and professional case studies.
With over 18 years of clinical experience, including training at the Cleveland Clinic and Western Psychiatric Institute, Dr. Ventura is a recognized expert in child trauma. She has testified as an expert witness in numerous cases and advises on school-based crisis protocols. She actively mentors students, encouraging professional development through conference participation.
Dr. Emily Messina is an associate professor and program director of the rehabilitation and recreational therapy program in the Department of Counseling, Recreation, and School Psychology at Florida International University.
Dr. Messina received her BS and MS in recreation studies, with an emphasis on therapeutic recreation, from the University of Florida. She has been a certified therapeutic recreation specialist since 2004. She completed her doctoral degree in public health (with an emphasis in social behavioral health science) at Temple University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Messina’s research focuses on the benefits of recreation and leisure for marginalized populations, particularly those within the criminal justice system, behavioral health settings, and those experiencing housing insecurity.
Dr. Eric Sparks is Deputy Executive Director for the American School Counselor Association (ASCA). He earned his master’s of education (MEd) in school counseling from North Carolina State University, and his doctorate of education (EdD) from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Dr. Sparks previously served as a high school counselor and as Director of School Counseling for the Wake County Public School System in North Carolina.
Dr. Erik Messinger is an assistant professor of psychology and counseling and the program director for clinical mental health counseling, trauma, crisis, grief, and loss certificate, and thanatology certificate at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. He is also a licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) in North Carolina, a nationally certified counselor (NCC), and an approved clinical supervisor (ACS).
Specializing in dual diagnosis, Dr. Messinger has extensive experience in counseling adults and adolescents in outpatient community and substance use treatment settings. He currently sees both adults and adolescents within community mental health, focusing on both mental health and substance use concerns. His research is primarily focused on meeting the mental health needs of first responders, which stems from his work as a volunteer EMT and firefighter. He also completes research within the supervision and teaching of counselors in training, along with an interest in substance use counseling. Focused on service to the counseling profession, he is active in state, regional, and national professional organizations.
Erika Trump is an experienced pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to supporting children’s developmental needs since 2016. She earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from Towson University and completed a post-baccalaureate certificate in Autism studies.
As the founder and owner of Spark Pediatric Therapy in Charleston, SC, Trump specializes in sensory integration and self-regulation, providing individualized care that empowers children to thrive in their daily lives. Her commitment to evidence-based practices and personalized therapeutic approaches has established her as a trusted expert.
Dr. Farrah Greene-Palmer is the graduate program director and associate professor for the counseling psychology program at Alaska Pacific University. She brings a wealth of clinical and academic experience to the counseling psychology program. She has served as an instructor at diverse higher education institutions, including the University of Virginia, Piedmont Virginia Community College, Western Washington University, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She was an assistant professor in the Behavioral Sciences Department at the Medical University of the Americas. Most recently, she has worked in public health for the state of Alaska. She is a specialist in suicide prevention and has done extensive scholarship and educational outreach in this area.
Dr. Greene-Palmer earned a BA from Johns Hopkins and a master’s and PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She also completed a postdoctoral fellowship with the suicide behavior lab at Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences.
Fredrick Dombrowski, PhD, LMHC
Dr. Frederick Dombrowski is the president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA). He earned his master’s in mental health counseling from Medaille College and his PhD in counselor education and supervision from Capella University. Dr. Dombrowski is also an associate professor at the University of Bridgeport.
Dr. Dombrowski specializes in transgender clinical mental health counseling and has directed several clinics for LGBTQIA+ populations. He also served as an educator for various clinical mental health counseling programs and substance use programs. Dr. Dombrowski won the Connecticut Counseling Association’s Human Services Award in 2020.
Dr. Gabriel Lomas received his BA from the University of Texas at San Antonio, majoring in history with a minor in special education. He earned his MA from Gallaudet University in the combined school and clinical counseling program. Then, he earned his PhD from Sam Houston State University, focusing on counseling and school psychology.
Before taking the position of director of the counseling program at Gallaudet University, Dr. Lomas was a full professor of counseling at Western Connecticut State University. He also works in private practice, primarily in a consulting capacity. One of his specialties is working with deaf and hard-of-hearing people in the criminal justice system. He is a certified online teaching instructor.
Dr. Gary Goodnough is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and licensed clinical mental health counselor (LCMHC) in New Hampshire. Dr. Goodnough teaches courses in ethics, career counseling, school counseling, and clinical mental health at Plymouth State University.
Before becoming a professor of counseling education, he worked in public schools as an elementary school teacher in Maryland and as a school counselor and director of guidance in Virginia.
Dr. Goodnough is the author of over 30 articles and book chapters and is the co-editor of a book entitled Leadership, Advocacy, and Direct Service Strategies for Professional School Counselors. His work has been published in several counseling journals, including Professional School Counseling, Counselor Education and Supervision, The Career Development Quarterly, and Journal for Specialists in Group Work.
Dr. Genelle Sawyer is an associate professor in the Department of Psychology at The Citadel. She is also the director of The Citadel’s master of arts in clinical counseling program. She joined the faculty of The Citadel in 2009 after completing a post-doctoral research fellowship at the Medical University of South Carolina. Her research and teaching interests include child maltreatment, trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the development and dissemination of evidence-based treatments.
Dr. Sawyer teaches courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels within the Department of Psychology and is a licensed clinical psychologist. She has a bachelor of arts from the University of Rochester (magna cum laude), an MA in psychology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a PhD in clinical psychology, also from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Grace Huntley is a transracial, transnational adoptee, therapist, and private practice owner. She provides telehealth counseling services in NY, CA, WA, and FL to BIPOC individuals in their twenties and thirties who identify as overachievers, people-pleasers, conflict avoiders, and anxious attachers.
Huntley has a professional background in higher education, communications, and nonprofits. She enjoys checking out up-and-coming restaurants, reading or re-reading YA novels, or binge-watching shows in her free time.
Dr. Hannah MacNaul is an assistant professor of educational psychology (applied behavior analysis) at the University of Texas at San Antonio. She received her master of arts degree in school psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, where she also completed specialized training in applied behavior analysis (ABA). She earned her PhD in ABA from the University of South Florida.
Dr. MacNaul’s research interests include evaluating translational approaches to the assessment and treatment of severe problem behavior as well as developing non-obtrusive interventions for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder and related developmental disabilities. She also conducts research related to multidisciplinary training and collaboration for higher education students and has conducted several projects evaluating university pedagogical teaching practices.
Dr. Idean Ettekal is an associate professor in the Department of Educational Psychology at Texas A&M University. He’s serving as the program coordinator for the developmental sciences master’s and PhD programs.
Dr. Ettekal’s research examines children’s and adolescents’ social and emotional development, and the impact of their interpersonal relationships and experiences in different social contexts (e.g., peer victimization and rejection, teacher-student relationship quality, parental responsiveness and harshness). His work has primarily been interested in examining the development of antisocial and externalizing behaviors such as aggression, bullying, rule-breaking, and youth violence.
Dr. Ivy Chong, chief clinical officer of Little Leaves Behavioral Services, is a licensed psychologist and board-certified behavior analyst-doctoral (BCBA-D) specializing in assessing and treating individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and developmental disabilities. With almost 30 years of experience working with individuals with autism and developmental disabilities, she previously served as senior vice president of children’s services at May Institute, overseeing the operations of home, school, and center-based services.
Previously, Dr. Chong was the director of autism services and training at the Scott Center for Autism Treatment. She also held the associate professor position at the Florida Institute of Technology’s College of Psychology and Liberal Arts.
Dr. Chong maintains leadership roles on several advisory boards, holds adjunct appointments at Brock University and UMass Lowell, and has presented at numerous conferences nationally and internationally. She has also served as a guest reviewer for the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis, Behavior Interventions, the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, the Journal of Organizational Behavior Management, and Behavior Analysis in Practice.
She received a doctorate from Western Michigan University in behavior analysis and a post-doctoral MBA in healthcare management from Florida Institute of Technology.
Dr. J. Scott Young is a professor and Dean’s Fellow of Innovation in the Department of Counseling and Educational Development at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Dr. Young’s education includes a PhD in counseling and counselor education from UNC Greensboro along with a master’s in education in counseling from UNC Greensboro. He also has a BS in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. His research and publications topics include clinical mental health counseling, spirituality and religion in counseling, clinical supervision, and group counseling.
Jacquelyn C.A. Meshelemiah, PhD
Dr. Jacquelyn C.A. Meshelemiah is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW), as well as an associate professor and three-time alum of The Ohio State University. She earned her BSSW, MSW, and PhD from the College of Social Work. She has been an assistant professor and an associate professor in social work, teaching courses at the BSSW, MSW, and PhD levels She also serves as the Associate Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion at the university.
In 2013, she taught an interactive Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) on Human Trafficking for a global audience of 30,200 students from 187 nations. She is also the former Chair of the Board of Rahab’s Hideaway, a safe-haven for at-risk and/or survivors of human trafficking.
Dr. James McGinn is an assistant professor and program coordinator at Eastern Kentucky University. He earned a master of arts degree in school counseling from Fairfield University in 2011 and a PhD degree in counselor education and supervision from the University of Holy Cross in 2020.
He has worked as both a clinical and a school counselor. His areas of clinical expertise include anxiety and depression, loss and grief, crisis and trauma, family conflict, separation and divorce, academic concerns and school counseling, and LGBTQ+-affirmative counseling and related issues. His areas of research interest include school counseling practice, clinical competencies and practices for best working with the LGBTQ+ population, and both academic and professional mentoring relationships.
Dr. Janet Hicks is the chair of and a professor in the mental health counseling department at Belmont University. She is a licensed professional counselor and certified school counselor who received her PhD in counselor education from Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi. She has researched and written extensively on child and adolescent counseling, including such topics as cyber-bullying, social aggression, self-injury, substance use and abuse, and academic achievement in the school setting.
Dr. Hicks’s previous experience working in the school system inspires her to conduct research that makes a positive impact on the mental health and academic success of youth while also offering practical programs for school and community counselors. She serves as an expert media spokesperson for the American Counseling Association on issues related to bullying and aggression. Her specialties include child and adolescent counseling, stress management for teachers and administrators, and the integration of solution-focused brief therapy into both the counseling and teaching setting.
Prior to attaining a professorship, Dr. Hicks worked for many years as a school counselor, teacher, and clinical mental health counselor. She is the former president of the Tennessee Counseling Association.
Dr. Jeffrey Thomas is an associate professor of counseling and the director of training at Ottawa University in Surprise, Arizona. He is also the chair of the Department of Counseling & Psychology.
Dr. Thomas is recognized internationally as an expert in the areas of youth firesetting and adult arson. He has consulted with the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention and the National Association of State Fire Marshals to help establish standards of care for mental health interventions with youth firesetters. Through his consulting company, Psychological Fire Rescue, he has worked with numerous fire service and law enforcement agencies throughout the United States and Canada regarding critical incident stress management and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dr. Thomas was in private practice for more than 12 years. He has also worked in numerous healthcare settings, including hospitals, group homes, and residential treatment centers. He has held positions with the cities of Goodyear and Phoenix fire departments. He also served as interim emergency manager for Goodyear.
Dr. Thomas is the co-author of Responding to Psychological Emergencies: A Field Guide and Case Studies for Emergency Responders: Psychosocial, Ethical, and Leadership Dimensions. He is also a member of and a past president of the Arizona Psychological Association.
Dr. Jennie Park-Taylor is an associate professor of counseling psychology in the Division of Psychological and Educational Services (PES) at Fordham University in New York City. She received her BA in psychology and Spanish from Wellesley College, her MSEd in counseling psychology from Teachers College Columbia University, and her PhD in counseling psychology from Boston College.
As the director of the PhD program in counseling psychology, Dr. Park-Taylor works closely with doctoral students in the Division of Psychological and Educational Services on their research apprenticeship projects and dissertations. She teaches in the master’s programs in school counseling and mental health counseling and the doctoral program in counseling psychology. Her research primarily focuses on the intersection of an individual’s social identities (e.g., career, ethnic, racial, gender, religious) and the influence of contextual factors (e.g., microaggressions, school and community) on identity development. She is also interested in various areas of health psychology.
Dr. Jennifer Holtz received her PhD in adult, occupational, and continuing education from Kansas State University. She also has a master of arts in gerontology with a clinical emphasis from Wichita State University.
Since 2016, Dr Holtz has been the director of the University of Arkansas-Little Rock’s School of Counseling, Human Performance, & Rehabilitation. She is an award-winning professor who received the Graduation and Retention Advocate Award from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the Women of Spirit and Action Award from DePaul University, She has published numerous refereed articles over her career along with refereed books and book chapters, and refereed scholarly presentations and technical reports.
Dr. Jenny D’Olympia is an experienced clinician in the field of psychology, specializing in the treatment of anxiety and mood disorders. She is an assistant professor and associate chair in the Counseling and Behavioral Health Department and the director of the Military Veteran Psychology and Train Vets to Treat Vets Programs at William James College. She is also an Air Force veteran with nine years of service and three tours of duty.
With a background in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness-based interventions, she is dedicated to helping individuals navigate through their mental health challenges. She has contributed to the field through her work as a faculty member at William James College, where she shares her expertise with future mental health professionals. He is committed to evidence-based practices and passionate about promoting mental wellness.
Dr. Jeongwoon Jeong joined the University of New Mexico in 2022. He is an assistant professor of counselor education in the Department of Individual, Family, and Community Education. His research interests include diverse mental health and addiction issues among underserved populations, multicultural counselor education, and counseling self-efficacy of counselors and counselors-in-training.
Dr. Jeong has served the Korean Counseling Association-International Chapter as a board member and put an effort into the internationalization of counseling.
Dr. Jodi H. Manton is an associate professor of professional practice at Louisiana State University, working with students in both the clinical mental health counseling and school counseling tracks. Additionally, Dr. Manton is a licensed professional counselor supervisor, a former certified school counselor in Louisiana, and a nationally certified counselor. She has practiced in a variety of settings, including inpatient, community, and university facilities. She has also served as a school counselor for six years, providing academic and social-emotional support for students in grades 9 through 12.
Currently, she owns and operates a private practice where she uses a transtheoretical approach grounded in a humanistic-existential orientation to assist adolescents and adults with a variety of presenting concerns, including trauma, anxiety, depression and mood disorders, relational challenges, identity exploration, and phase of life difficulties.
In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Manton supervises provisionally licensed counselors. Dr. Manton’s professional interests include school counseling, clinical mental health counseling, counseling adolescents and emerging adults, counseling service members and veterans and their families, family counseling, wellness-based approaches to counseling, trauma-focused counseling, identity development, counseling across the lifespan, multicultural counseling, social justice and advocacy, research and professional publication, and counselor education and supervision.
Dr. Joe Campbell is a licensed professional counselor, a national board certified counselor, and a national board certified telemental health provider. He is currently the counseling education coordinator at Henderson State University in Arkadelphia, Arkansas. He attended Concordia University in Illinois, where he received his master of arts degree in school counseling along with a bachelor of arts degree in communications from Marquette University in Wisconsin.
In his role as education coordinator for the counseling department, Dr. Campbell trains and orients new faculty and adjuncts to department procedures and processes and helps develop course content to meet the needs of accreditation and state board requirements. He spends a lot of time guiding students through the national credential and licensure application process, helps students develop interview skills, and mentors and advises students on managing anxiety and stress during their clinical training experience.
Previously at Henderson State University, Dr. Campbell was the department chair and associate director of the online teaching academy and the health, education, and social sustainability program coordinator. Dr. Campbell was also core faculty for counselor education and supervision at Capella University in Minnesota, in addition to his role as a doctoral mentor for counselor education and supervision. From 1919 to 2021, Dr. Campbell was Henderson State University’s practicum and internship coordinator. He also worked in various roles at Argosy University in Illinois, primarily as director of training for master’s and doctoral students and as an assistant professor.
Joel Miller is the Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA), where he leads over 7,200 clinical mental health counselors (CMHCs) on the mission to enhance the mental health counseling profession through advocacy, professional development, education and licensing. He is the publisher of AMHCA’s Journal of Mental Health Counseling (JMHC) and its Advocate newsletter, and also serves as a member of the AMHCA Foundation Board of Directors.
Miller has held previous positions at the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors (NASMHPD) and the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). He has published over 50 articles and reports on behavioral health and healthcare delivery and financing, new delivery models aimed at integrating mental health and physical health, healthcare reform strategies, Medicare and Medicaid policy, health workforce issues, and information technology implementation.
Dr. John Kiweewa is an associate professor of counselor education at Fairfield University. He joined the faculty after more than 12 years as a counselor educator. He is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in New York State. After a BA in philosophy from Makerere University in Uganda, he attended graduate studies at the University of Scranton, where he obtained master’s degrees in theology and community counseling. After briefly working with therapeutic foster care children and families, he went to Syracuse University, where he obtained a PhD in counselor education and supervision and a master’s degree in international relations from the Maxwell School of Citizenship.
Dr. Kiweewa’s multidisciplinary scholarship focuses on group work processes, mental health, and school counseling systems in international global contexts, and the interface of public and mental health. Similarly, he brings an interdisciplinary approach to counselor preparation and clinical practice that engenders culturally and trauma-responsive counseling practices to the developmental needs of diverse populations. His teaching interests include counseling theories and strategies, multicultural issues in counseling, crisis and trauma counseling, group processes and dynamics, clinical internship, group work, and advanced counseling skills.
Dr. Jonathan B. Singer is a clinical social worker, researcher, and associate professor of social work at Loyola University Chicago. He earned his bachelor’s from Earlham College, his master’s from the University of Texas at Austin, and his PhD from the University of Pittsburgh.
Dr. Singer has dedicated his 25-year career to working with families in crisis. He has 75+ publications, including the co-authored book Suicide in Schools. He is the founder and host of the award-winning podcast series, “The Social Work Podcast.”
Dr. Singer’s research on suicide and cyberbullying has been featured in Time Magazine, NPR, and other national print and radio outlets. He is a frequent guest expert in local news about youth suicide and cyberbullying. He has three children and the most amazing wife ever.
Dr. Jordan McCoy is a recent doctoral graduate of the University of Cincinnati counselor education and supervision program. She was a graduate research assistant for the UC Evaluation Services Center. She also received her master’s degree in mental health counseling from UC and is a licensed professional counselor in Ohio.
Dr. McCoy’s previous clinical experience includes working in agencies, jail-based therapy, halfway houses, and private practice. She has conducted assessments and provided individual and group counseling. She has worked with clients surrounding addiction, prison-based issues, anger management, and others. Her research interest includes inmate and offender populations struggling with mental health, substance abuse, and suicide.
Dr. McCoy is currently working as a counselor with clients in diversion programs (drug, mental health, veterans’ court) diagnosed with mental health, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders while also doing community and jail-based assessments and mental health sessions. She completed her dissertation focusing on the perceptions of mental health treatment in incarcerated settings at a male facility within the Ohio region.
Dr. Josh Briley is a licensed psychologist. He earned his doctorate in 2003 from the University of North Texas and worked in direct patient care until 2019.
In addition to operating a private practice, Dr. Briley spent many years working with veterans through the US Bureau of Veteran Affairs and inmates through the Federal Bureau of Prisons.
Dr. Briley is now the clinical education director for Electromedical Products International (EPI), a company that manufactures and distributes alpha-stim devices to treat anxiety, insomnia, depression, and pain. He is a fellow of the American Institute of Stress (AIS) and a member of the organization’s Daily Life and Workplace Stress Board.
Dr. Kalina Brabeck is a professor in the Department of Counseling, Educational Leadership, and School Psychology at Rhode Island College. Her research examines the intersections of socio-structural challenges, family processes, and mental health, focusing on immigrant communities. Her extensive experience in participatory action research in the U.S. and Guatemala has contributed to over 25 peer-reviewed publications and been recognized at national levels, including citations in the Supreme Court.
Clinically, Dr. Brabeck specializes in supporting trauma survivors, immigrants, and refugees informed by social justice, feminist, and trauma-informed approaches. She teaches courses on counseling theories, trauma, and evidence-based methods such as CBT and DBT while mentoring future mental health professionals. Passionate about interdisciplinary collaboration, she also trains lawyers and mental health practitioners on trauma-informed practices and immigration-related evaluations.
Dr. Karena J. Heyward is a core faculty member at Walden University and a counselor educator, dedicated to training and mentoring the next generation of mental health counselors. She holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision, a master’s degree in marriage, couples, and family counseling, and a bachelor’s in psychology, providing her with a deep understanding of mental health’s complexities.
Dr. Heyward integrates anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and liberation psychology perspectives into her work, striving to create systemic change in both education and counseling. In addition to her academic role, she supervises future counselors towards licensure through the Virginia Telemental Health Institute. She encourages others to celebrate the magic of being alive as much as possible.
Dr. Karey O’Hara is an assistant professor at the School of Interdisciplinary Forensics at Arizona State University, and she teaches courses for the forensic psychology program through ASU Online. Her research lies at the intersection of family law, prevention science, and child mental health.
In particular, Dr. O’Hara studies risk and resilience factors associated with children’s adjustment following parental divorce, emphasizing informing family court policy and improving interventions to promote the well-being of court-involved families. She has also conducted research in the areas of interparental conflict, intimate partner abuse, and family violence. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the University of Arizona, completed a clinical internship at SUNY Upstate Medical University, and was a postdoctoral fellow at the REACH Institute at ASU.
Dr. Kari Dyer is an assistant professor in the school and professional counseling program and the school counseling advisor for the school and professional counseling program in the Donna Nigh Department of Advanced Professional and Special Services at the University of Central Oklahoma.
Dr. Dyer has more than 20 years of experience in education, spanning from PK-3 to higher education. She completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Central Oklahoma and her doctorate in education (EdD) in school administration from Oklahoma State University. Her dissertation was entitled “My Name is on the Door: The Transition from the Classroom to the Office.” She is involved in her profession and her community as a foster parent and foster parent mentor.
Dr. Karli Iceman is the PhD program coordinator for Adams State University’s counselor education and supervision program. She earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision, an MA in clinical mental health counseling, and BAs in English, history, and psychology from Oakland University.
Dr. Iceman’s areas of interest are online counselor education, experiential learning, ethical issues in counseling, counseling theories, professional counselor identity development, and supervision in counseling. She holds certifications as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Michigan and a National Certified Counselor (NCC).
Dr. Karrie Swan is a licensed mental health counselor (WA), licensed professional counselor (MO), a child-centered play therapy trainer/supervisor, a child-parent relationship therapy trainer/supervisor, and a certified K-12 school counselor.
Dr. Swan specializes in expressive modalities, including play therapy, expressive arts, transpersonal counseling, and dream work; approaches that are congruent with an Indigenous worldview as she is an enrolled tribal member. She is an experienced rural-based counselor with specific experiences in working with Native American children, teens, adults, and families on a western state reservation.
Dr. Swan received her BS in politics, philosophy, and economics from Eastern Oregon University. She earned her MEd in counseling with a school counseling emphasis from the University of North Texas. She then went on to earn a PhD in counseling with an emphasis in clinical mental health counseling and play therapy from the University of North Texas. She has been the counseling program director at Missouri State University since spring 2022. Her published work ranges from play therapy for children on the autism spectrum to dream work with children, and child-centered play therapy.
Katie Mahan is a licensed professional counselor based in Virginia and licensed in Vermont and other states. She specializes in individual online therapy with young-ish adults who aren’t feeling it (or who are feeling all of it).
Mahan holds undergraduate degrees in psychology and gender studies from the University of Virginia and a master of arts and master of education in psychological counseling from Teachers College, Columbia University.
Kathryn Crook is a dedicated mental health professional and native of Portage, Indiana, with extensive front-line experience in addiction and treatment. She holds a master of arts in forensic psychology and a master of science in psychology. She began her career in law enforcement, where she developed a profound understanding of the challenges faced by individuals in high-stress occupations. Alongside her practical experience, Crook trained in psychology and forensic psychology, broadening her expertise in mental health care.
Currently working at Parkdale Center, Crook is committed to supporting all patients but is particularly passionate about specializing in treating first responders. She is focused on helping those who battle PTSD, trauma, mood disorders, and substance use disorders. Her unique blend of law enforcement background and psychological training allows her to offer empathetic and effective care.
Kathryn Hughes is a lecturer and addictions education coordinator at the Darden College of Education and Professional Studies, part of the Department of Counseling and Human Services at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
Hughes received her master’s in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University.
Kelle Sparta is a transformational shaman who trains spiritual coaches to create high-ticket businesses that support their lives and change the world. She has spent 26 years coaching spirit-based entrepreneurs and marketing her own coaching programs.
Sparta is the host of the Spirit Sherpa Podcast, which has over 300,000 downloads in 147 countries worldwide, and the author of The Over-Achiever’s Guide To Nailing Your Spiritual Growth In Record Time.
Dr. Kelley McNichols is the assistant program director for the master of arts in counseling programs at Waynesburg University, an assistant professor of counseling, and the grant advisor. She serves as assistant director of the graduate counseling programs and as core faculty in the program following an extensive work history in the field of community behavioral health, which includes working with individuals across the lifespan in various settings and levels of care. Much of her work has focused on addictions and justice-involved individuals advocating for fair and just treatment of marginalized populations.
Dr. McNichols is passionate about addiction counseling and emphasizing trauma-informed care. She is committed to advancing counselor education and supervision. Her research interests include advocacy for justice-involved individuals focusing on addiction, co-occurring conditions, and trauma-informed care initiatives. She received her BA from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and her MSEd and PhD degrees from Duquesne University.
Kelly Driscoll is a fierce advocate for mental health after spending nearly 30 years as a teacher, guidance counselor, and administrator. She supports educators’ mental health and wellness through professional development, coaching, and consulting to empower individuals and school communities to embrace a culture of balance and wellness that allows education to be sustainable. Due to her years in this industry, she is an expert on educator mental health and wellness, school culture, and the connection between educator wellness and student outcomes/student experience.
Dr. Kenda Morrison is a principal lecturer in the at the University of North Texas’s Department of Behavior Analysis. She earned a PhD in developmental and child psychology from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Morrison has used ABA to assist children with autism and their families for several decades. She worked for the Early Childhood Autism Program in Lawrence, Kansas, the UCLA Young Autism Project, and the Princeton Child Development Institute.
Dr. Kerry Ann Conde is the director and program coordinator of the applied behavior analysis (ABA) graduate programs at St. Joseph’s University, New York. She also serves as the social media coordinator for the Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) and chairwoman of the Board of Directors for Panhandle Behavioral Services, LLC.
Dr. Conde’s 20-year career in the field began as a behavior technician before it was called that. She attended Florida State University for her master’s in ABA, earned her PhD in behavior analysis under the advisement of Dr. Amanda Karsten at Western New England University, and completed her pre- and postdoctoral internships through Trumpet Behavioral Health in Colorado and Arizona under the direction of Dr. Linda LeBlanc. She co-founded and served as chief science officer and clinical advisor at SaaS company Behavior Science Technology. Dr. Conde has also served as a guest reviewer for some of the top peer-reviewed behavior analytic journals and co-authored several peer-reviewed publications.
Kevin Moragne is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor (LCMHC) with a robust academic and professional background. He earned his bachelor of arts in psychology and African American studies from Guilford College. Driven by a passion for mental health and community service, Moragne furthered his education with an MS in clinical mental health counseling from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University.
With extensive experience in various clinical settings, Moragne currently serves as an LCMHC at Agape Psychological Consortium, supervising interns. He also provides counseling services through Headway and runs his private practice, New Sun Counseling. His diverse roles highlight his dedication to supporting clients’ mental well-being and fostering growth within counseling.
Dr. Kirk Honda, a marriage and family therapist based in Seattle, has 25 years of experience working with couples, families and individuals on issues like personality disorders, trauma recovery, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, domestic violence, among other issues. He is also the host of the “Psychology in Seattle” podcast and a professor within the School of Applied Psychology at Antioch University.
Burnout is something that Dr. Honda helps his supervisees and students tackle on a regular basis, but with the limitations of social distancing, certain remedies Dr. Honda would recommend for de-stressing are no longer on the table.
Dr. Kirsten LaMantia is an associate professor, counseling clinic director, and mental health counseling program coordinator for Southeast Missouri State University. She is also the chapter faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota.
Dr. LaMantia has published extensively, including research on white privilege, campus diversity, and ally development through feminist pedagogy focusing on intersectionality. Courses she teaches include group counseling, social and cultural counseling, counseling skills, counseling practicum, counseling orientation and ethics, counseling theories, developmental theories, and internship-mental health.
She earned her PhD degree in counselor education and counseling from Idaho State University, an MA in community counseling from Saint Xavier University, and a BFA in acting from the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University.
Dr. Krista Chronister is a professor and researcher at the University of Oregon in the College of Education. She earned her doctorate at the University of Oregon in counseling psychology and is a state of Oregon licensed psychologist. Her research primarily centers on how partner violence in both adults and adolescents influences future career development and the economic impacts that it carries.
Since 2005, Dr. Chronister has published seven papers about her research in domestic violence. In 2013, she published research on a new method of intervention called ACCESS, which is a community-centric approach. ACCESS is now utilized nationally, both in English and Spanish.
Dr. Kristen Mark is a sex and relationships researcher, educator, and therapist. She is a tenured professor and director of education at the Eli Coleman Institute for Sexual and Gender Health in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
Dr. Mark’s research has been published extensively in academic journals, but she also values and prioritizes disseminating science to the public in various ways and applying her work clinically in real time through education and therapy.
Dr. Kristin L. Kellen is an associate professor of biblical counseling at the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Her courses focus on various aspects of biblical or Christian counseling, such as counseling for women, cross-cultural counseling, and counseling for parents and children.
Before joining the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, Dr. Kellen taught at Liberty University and served as a subject matter expert at Liberty and Grand Canyon University. She is the author of several books on the subject, including The Gospel for Disordered Lives and Counseling Women: Biblical Wisdom for Life’s Battles. Her PhD dissertation focused on medication referrals by practitioners of Christian counseling.
Dr. Kristina Noriega is a full-time faculty member specializing in psychology at Purdue Global. With over 20 years of experience, she has made a significant impact in various fields within the federal government, particularly in education. Her expertise extends to areas such as education liaison, policy development, and education services.
During her tenure in the federal government, Dr. Noriega honed her skills in adult education, focusing on bridging the gap between different sectors and fostering seamless transitions. Her work centers on enhancing the user experience in instructional design and higher education.
Kristyn Roth is the chief marketing officer at the Autism Society of America, the largest grassroots autism organization in the United States. The Autism Society of America annually serves more than 600,000 individuals and families affected by autism. She joined the Autism Society staff after serving on the national Board of Directors for two years as the organization’s youngest board member, where she also chaired the Marketing Committee.
Roth also co-founded Make Waves Family Foundation, a nonprofit that supports adults with autism by funding initiatives focused on neuro-diverse employment, replicable housing models, and social engagement programs to allow autistic individuals to achieve a happy, quality lifestyle.
Roth is a Boston College Eagle and alumnus of the Carrol School of Management. Born and raised on the South Shore of Massachusetts, she made her way to California for year-round beach days, where she lives with her husband, Alex, and her golden retriever, Mahi.
Dr. Krysten Dial is a clinical associate professor and program director for the master of arts in psychology and the master of arts in clinical psychology online programs at Pepperdine University. She teaches various classes, including courses on group therapy, interventions for children and adolescents, counseling techniques, practicum, and career development.
Dr. Dial is an alumna of Pepperdine’s MA in clinical psychology with an emphasis in marriage and family therapy (MACLP) program. She earned her PsyD degree from the University of Hartford in clinical child psychology and has clinical interests in the assessment and treatment of children with neurodevelopmental conditions and chronic medical illness.
Dr. Krystyne Mendoza is a clinical assistant professor and the director of the online curriculum in the counselor education and counseling psychology department at Marquette University. She is also a licensed professional counselor in Texas and Colorado and a registered play therapist.
Dr. Mendoza began her clinical practice in Texas, working with children, later specializing in early childhood trauma. Now residing in Colorado, she continues to serve children and families through her private practice. Her research interests include play therapy, child trauma, storytelling, ethics, and best practice.
Dr. Kwong-Liem Karl Kwan is a professor and worked as interim coordinator of the gerontological counseling program in the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University. He earned his PhD from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln. He was a former tenured faculty at Purdue University (1996-2005) and University of Missouri at Columbia (2005-2008), training master-level students in CACREP-accredited mental health and school counseling programs as well as doctoral students in APA-accredited programs in counseling psychology.
Dr. Kwan’s research and clinical interests focus on acculturation, racial salience, ethnic identity and their mental health impact on immigrant and minority adjustment, intergenerational family dynamics, and multicultural counseling relationships.
Dr. Kwan serves as a psychology consultant for the Richmond Area Multi-Services Inc. (RAMS), a non-profit mental health agency serving and advocating for culturally and linguistically diverse communities in San Francisco. He served on the editorial boards of numerous journals, including the Journal of Counseling Psychology, the Asian Journal of Counselling (Hong Kong), the Bulletin of Educational Psychology (Taiwan), and as past editor of the International Forum of The Counseling Psychologist. Dr. Kwan is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Asian American Psychological Association, and a fellow of the American Psychological Association.
Dr. Larry Wright is a leading expert in suicide prevention who has dedicated his career to helping others lead full and healthy lives. He is the center director for Forefront Suicide Prevention at the University of Washington School of Social Work.
Previously, as the CEO of MENTOR/the National Mentoring Partnership, Dr. Wright worked with states to close America’s mentoring gap while also serving on various boards, including those for Washington State University’s College Success Foundation. He earned his PhD in journalism and mass communication from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, his master’s of arts in mass communication, and his bachelor’s of arts in English from Washington State University.
Dr. LaTraci D. Aldridge is a high school counselor at Cordova High School. She is a native Memphian passionate about working with children of all backgrounds. She started her collegiate career at Tennessee State University in 2001, transferred to the University of Memphis in 2004, and graduated with her bachelor’s in psychology in 2005. In 2010, she earned a master’s degree in counseling with a concentration in school counseling and graduated with a PhD in counselor education and supervision in 2021 from the University of Memphis.
Dr. Aldridge has worked in various positions in social services, has been in education since 2010, and currently works as a high school counselor. Her research focus is school counseling and virtual school counseling. Additionally, she is a nationally certified counselor and sees clients part-time.
Dr. Laura Boddicker is a core counselor education faculty member and an assistant professor of counseling at Loras College. She earned her undergraduate degree in psychology from Upper Iowa University, followed by a master’s degree in rehabilitation and mental health counseling and a doctorate in counselor education, all from the University of Iowa.
As a certified rehabilitation counselor and licensed mental health counselor in Iowa, she brings over 12 years of experience in the mental health and rehabilitation field. Her professional journey has encompassed roles in mental health, vocational counseling, and case management. Throughout her career, her primary focus has been working with individuals facing physical and mental health disabilities, aiming to enhance their level of functioning and overall quality of life.
She is an active member of the American Counseling Association and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Within the latter, she is honored to serve as the Chair for the New Faculty Interest Network, contributing to the development and support of new faculty members.
Lauren Chatalian is CancerCare’s Women and Children’s Program Manager. As an oncology social worker at CancerCare, Chatalian provides supportive services to individuals and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis, and coordinates programmatic activities and outreach related to the Women’s Cancers Program and CancerCare for Kids.
Chatalian also participates in local and national presentations, workshops, and advocacy boards. She is a member of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW).
Dr. Leslie Bennett is a graduate of Russell Sage College and earned her doctorate in occupational therapy from Creighton University. Her doctoral research, “A Question of Ethics: Productivity standards and their impact on patient quality of care outcomes” is linked to her work in completing her master’s certificate in health care ethics at Creighton University. She has an interest in ethics, community health, and wellness. Her primary teaching has been in neuroscience, community occupational therapy practice, and adult occupations.
Dr. Bennett is the chair of the American Occupational Therapy Association Ethics Commission and is an associate professor and the academic fieldwork coordinator for the occupational therapy program in the School of Health Sciences at Russell Sage College in Troy, New York.
Dr. Lindsey Nichols is an associate professor of counseling and the master’s program coordinator for the University of Wyoming’s Laramie campus.
Dr. Nichols received her PhD in counselor education and supervision from the Pennsylvania State University, her MEd in school counseling from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an MA in secondary education from the University of Connecticut, and a BS in history from the University of Connecticut. She researches various topics related to cultural approaches to wellness, primarily focused on rural school mental health, including school counseling and educator engagement. She is committed to community-based participatory research, particularly in collaborating with American Indian nations and reservation communities.
Dr. Lisa Beijan is a teaching assistant professor and program coordinator for the master’s in counseling program in the College of Education and Human Sciences at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Oklahoma.
Dr. Beijan got her master’s in counseling from the University of North Texas. She worked as a professional counselor until 2015 when she returned to the University of North Texas for her PhD in counselor education. She graduated in December 2020 and started as OSU faculty in August 2021.
Dr. Beijan is a licensed counselor in Texas and Oklahoma, and she is also a registered play therapist and serves on the board of the Oklahoma Association of Play Therapy.
Dr. Lori Erby is the director of the Johns Hopkins/National Institutes of Health genetic counseling training program. She also maintains a position at the National Human Genome Research Institute while fostering collaborative relationships with colleagues at Johns Hopkins and contributing to the training program’s educational initiatives. Her research revolves around communication dynamics in the genetics/genomics field, aiming to identify optimal communication strategies tailored to different individuals’ needs, timing, and delivery methods, specifically emphasizing how communication variations in genetic counseling influence client outcomes.
Dr. Erby’s work also delves into customizing communication approaches for populations with limited literacy levels. It includes significant contributions to a comprehensive study on routine genetic counseling communication alongside Debra Roter. She holds a master’s of science and a PhD, both from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.
Madeline Dormois is a Memphis native working as a licensed elementary school counselor in northern Mississippi. She earned her undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Memphis, where she focused her research on the impact of trauma on family systems.
After gaining two years of experience at a high school, Dormois transitioned to her current role at Desoto Central Elementary School, fulfilling her long-held desire to work with younger students.
Dr. Madiha Jamil is an assistant professor and director of the school counseling program at the University of Hawaii at Mānoa. She is currently leading the development of an innovative online graduate program in school counseling designed to address the nationwide educator shortage. This program aims to equip future school counselors with the skills to support Hawaii’s diverse student population.
With a career spanning over 13 years, Dr. Jamil brings extensive experience to her role. Her professional journey includes serving as a school counseling specialist in Loudoun County Public Schools, Virginia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in education with a focus on school counseling from George Mason University, complemented by a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from Hampton University.
Prior to joining the University of Hawaii at Mānoa, Dr. Jamil held faculty positions at Arkansas State University and Texas A&M International University, contributing to her broad academic perspective. As an innovative researcher, Dr. Jamil is exploring the potential of mindfulness techniques to alleviate stress among educators and school counselors. Her work also examines how exposure to these practices might encourage educators to implement mindfulness techniques with their students, promoting overall wellness.
Madison Hollar is a doctoral candidate in the counselor education and supervision program at the University of Cincinnati and is the director at Court Clinic Treatment, a non-profit treatment agency in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hollar received both her bachelor of science in substance abuse counseling and master of arts in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Cincinnati. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor supervisor and serves justice-involved individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.
Hollar’s research focuses on clinical work with justice-involved individuals and supporting individuals post-incarceration through interdisciplinary collaboration. She has spent the last six years working with justice-involved people in a clinical setting and is very passionate about advocacy and leadership within the field.
Mindy Sutton is the owner of Heart Attach Counseling, LLC, and a dedicated marriage and family therapist. She holds a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling from George Fox University and is an EAGALA-certified equine-assisted therapist.
Sutton specializes in integrating emotionally focused therapy (EFT) with equine-assisted therapy, offering a unique and powerful approach to relationship healing. Her work focuses on helping couples deepen emotional connections through innovative therapeutic experiences. She also co-facilitates specialized workshops to strengthen relationships using EFT principles in a supportive, experiential setting.
Maria Rheba Estante is a highly experienced licensed marriage and family therapist at Open Mind Health, practicing in California, Hawaii, Indiana, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Virginia. She is also a registered out-of-state telehealth provider for residents of Hawaii and other states. With a comprehensive background in community mental health, mobile crisis intervention, and substance abuse counseling, Estante has extensive experience working in various clinical settings, including county outpatient clinics, veterans service organizations, and medication-assisted treatment (MAT) programs at methadone clinics.
Estante holds a master’s degree in psychology from Golden Gate University and is certified in multiple therapeutic disciplines. She is a certified level one solutions-focused therapist, a certified level 2 clinical trauma professional (CCTP), a certified grief informed professional (CGP), a certified clinical anxiety treatment professional (CCATP), and a certified CBT clinician (CBT-C).
Additionally, she has specialized training in exposure and response prevention (ERP) for OCD and habit reversal training for repetitive body-focused behaviors, such as trichotillomania and excoriation. She offers telehealth services to residents across the states she is licensed and registered in, providing accessible mental health care to many clients.
Dr. Marianne Miller is a licensed marriage and family therapist (LMFT) specializing in treating eating disorders. With more than 25 years of experience as a psychotherapist, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals struggling with eating disorders reclaim their lives and develop healthy relationships with food.
Based in San Diego, Dr. Miller offers in-person and online therapy sessions, supporting adults and teens in Scripps Ranch, Mira Mesa, and Miramar. She is renowned for her compassionate approach and commitment to providing personalized, evidence-based treatments.
Dr. Miller’s expertise extends beyond traditional therapy settings. She is an active educator on binge eating, regularly offering her insights and knowledge to wider audiences. This passion for education led her to launch virtual binge eating recovery programs, where she discusses various aspects of eating disorders and shares coping strategies for recovering. Her work continues to impact countless lives, guiding individuals toward recovery and fostering a healthier relationship with food.
Dr. Mary Andres is a professor of clinical education at the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Her areas of specialization have been in the treatment of substance abuse; working with couples and groups; sexuality and the treatment of sexual dysfunction; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgendered concerns; and clinical supervision. Her research interests include experiential modes of learning and best practices in training and the development of therapists.
Dr. Andres volunteers as an external supervisor for doctoral candidates at the Los Angeles LGBT Center. She received her master’s in rehabilitation counseling and her doctorate in clinical psychology from Wright State University. She was a staff member at USC Counseling Services for 10 years, during which she was an adjunct faculty member in the USC School of Social Work from 1999 until 2005. She has been teaching for the counseling psychology program since 2000 before joining the faculty full-time in fall 2005.
Dr. Andres has also been a psychologist for Semester at Sea and the American Pavilion Student Internship Program at the Cannes Film Festival. She has been on the USC Lambda Alumni Board and is a past co-president. She is a current member of the Steering Committee for the Los Angeles County MFT Consortium, an organization dedicated to the training of MFT practitioners to serve competently in the LA County Public Mental Health System.
In partnership with faculty work, Dr. Andres has a private practice in Venice, California, specializing in couples work and working with adults on various identity and sexuality concerns.
Dr. Matthew Fullen is an associate professor of counselor education at Virginia Tech and an affiliate faculty for the Virginia Tech Center for Gerontology. He has worked with older adults since 2005, first in the affordable senior housing industry and then as a licensed professional clinical counselor. He has worked as a mental health professional in diverse settings, including long-term care, adult day, and private practice contexts.
Dr. Fullen is one of those most active gerontology scholars within the counseling profession. He has contributed to more than 90 peer-reviewed or invited conference presentations and published numerous scholarly publications in academic journals across the counseling and gerontology disciplines. He holds a PhD in counselor education with a graduate specialization in aging from The Ohio State University.
Dr. Matthew Lyons serves as the dean and professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the University of the Cumberlands. He earned his PhD in counselor education and supervision from Ohio University.
In his current role, Dr. Lyons oversees programs in human services, psychology, counseling, and criminal justice, aiming to prepare professionals for various helping professions. He is actively involved in professional leadership, currently serving on the Executive Board of the International Association of Counseling. His primary research interests include spirituality, leadership in the counseling profession, and family/adolescent development.
Dr. Megan Long is an associate professor of counselor education at Emporia State University in Emporia, Kansas, and the founder of Nourish Counseling Studio, a play therapy private practice serving children, teens, and their families in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Dr. Long is a board-approved counselor supervisor in Louisiana, a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, a Certified AutPlay Therapy Provider, and a National Certified Counselor. She has experience in vocational rehabilitation, addictions, inpatient behavioral health, play therapy, and private practice.
Melissa Tract specializes in child and young adult behavioral and mental health. With over eight years of experience, she has established herself as a compassionate and knowledgeable licensed clinical social worker (LCSW).
Tract holds a BA in psychology with a minor in child and adolescent studies and a master’s degree in social work from New York University (NYU). Her commitment to professional growth is evident through her numerous trainings and certifications, which she actively pursues to stay updated in her field. Her therapy practice, Mindful with Mel, focuses on helping children and young adults navigate the complexities of their emotional and psychological well-being. She employs various therapeutic techniques tailored to meet each client’s unique needs.
Dr. Michael Roberts is the program director of Regis College’s Occupational Therapy Master’s Degree Program and the host of the I Love OT Podcast. He graduated from the occupational therapy program at Tufts University in 1994. Since then, he’s worked in short-term rehab, long-term acute care hospitals, inpatient rehab, hospitals, and home care.
Over the years, he has also taught at the University of New England, Lasell College, and held the position of academic fieldwork coordinator at his alma mater from 2008 to 2015. He left that role to start the OT program at Regis College and has been the founding director ever since.
Dr. Roberts’ current research is focused on outcomes in fieldwork performance and the practice of academic fieldwork coordination. His past research was focused on the use of next-generation gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii) for health and wellness purposes.
Michelle Fritsch is the project coordinator at Texas Children’s Cancer & Hematology Centers. Currently, she assists families and staff to identify educational resources and information about supportive resources in pediatric hematology and oncology. She is actively involved in several quality-improvement initiatives and leads the Family Advisory Support Team for the Centers.
Fritsch is the President-Elect of the Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers (APOSW). She developed a guidebook of local, national, and online resources that are available to patients and families who are facing a cancer or blood disorder diagnosis.
Dr. Mitchell Eisen is a professor and director of the forensic psychology graduate program at Cal State LA. He also serves as the research liaison for the partnership between CSULA and the Juvenile Court and is a member of the Coordinating Council for the California Forensic Science Institute (CFSI).
Renowned for his expertise in eyewitness memory, Dr. Eisen frequently serves on the panel of experts for the Los Angeles County Superior Court. His teaching interests span psychology and the law, human memory, assessment, and psychopathology. His research delves into areas such as eyewitness memory, lineup decision-making, witness conformity, and juror decision-making.
Dr. Mylea Charvat is the CEO and founder of Savonix, a digital cognitive assessment company. She completed her PhD fellowship training in clinical psychology and neuroscience at Stanford University School of Medicine, a clinical internship at Napa State Hospital, a doctorate in clinical health psychology from Palo Alto University, and a BGS in psychology from the University of Kansas.
Dr. Charvat has authored peer-reviewed publications on mental health and neuroimaging; written for Psychology Today, TechCrunch, and The Huffington Post; and been a lecturer at Stanford University, the University of San Francisco, and San Francisco State University.
Dr. Nancy Fowler is the admissions counselor and an instructor in the Ivester College of Health Sciences within the School of Occupational Therapy at Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia. She received her bachelor’s in social sciences and master’s education in rehabilitation counseling from the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia. She received her master of science in occupational therapy and doctorate in occupational therapy from Brenau University.
Dr. Fowler’s practice expertise is in promoting health, independent living, and fall prevention for older adults. Her research interests include maintaining independent living in older adults, fall prevention, and interprofessional education. Her published work includes Upstream Living: Occupation-Based Health Promotion for Community- Dwelling Older Adults, a special interest publication published by the American Occupational Therapy Association to promote productive aging.
Dr. Nathalie Mizelle is an associate professor and director of the rehabilitation counseling program at the University of the District of Columbia. She has a PhD in rehabilitation psychology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a MS in rehabilitation counseling and vocational evaluation from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. She also earned a BA in psychology from the North Carolina Central University in Durham, North Carolina.
Dr. Mizelle has 25 years of experience working as a therapist and clinical supervisor in the mental health field with adolescent and adult populations with physical, mental, and academic disabilities. She has 16 years of experience teaching in graduate and undergraduate counseling (CACREP/CORE) programs. She has an active research agenda and has published articles, book chapters, and in two edited books.
In addition to scholarship, Dr. Mizelle has presented at academic conferences both nationally and internationally. Her areas of expertise are race, equity, diversity, faculty development, and student success. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, reading, music, and watching Netflix.
Nikki Pagano is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) at BASE Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, a mental health private practice based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pagano previously worked at the Columbia Center for Eating Disorders at New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) as the Director of Adolescent Eating Disorder Services. During her time there, she helped co-author preparED, a free, online eating disorders education program for the next generation of clinicians.
Pagano gained her master of science in social work at Columbia University School of Social Work in New York and her bachelor of arts in economics from Davidson College in North Carolina.
Dr. Niko Wilson is an assistant professor, core faculty member, and the director of the MA in clinical mental health counseling program in the couples and family therapy emphasis at William James College in Newton, Massachusetts.
Dr. Wilson received her BS in psychology from the University of Central Florida, followed by an MS in counseling psychology from Palm Beach Atlantic University and a PhD in counselor education and supervision from the University of Central Florida. In 2021, she received the Dissertation Award from the University of Central Florida Student Scholar Symposium.
Nina Batista earned her master of social work from Florida Atlantic University. Nina strives to create a safe, empathetic environment for clients to express themselves without judgment, providing honest and direct feedback. She believes trust is essential for an effective therapeutic relationship, ensuring her clients feel respected, supported, and heard.
Committed to continued education and growth, Batista is certified in trauma-informed care, internal gaming disorder, narcissistic abuse survivor treatment, and treating survivors of coercive control. She is also intensively trained in DBT, Experiential/Psychodrama, and Attachment Theory. Nina employs various therapeutic interventions from a trauma-informed perspective, including CBT, DBT, Gestalt, and Attachment Theory, to create individualized treatment plans tailored to each client’s specific needs.
Olivia Carter is a school counselor at Jefferson Elementary School in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. She was named the 2021 School Counselor of the Year by the American School Counselor Association (ASCA) for her ability to create lasting change within the profession through leadership, collaboration, and advocacy.
As a member of her school’s leadership team, Carter used behavior data to encourage implementing a more trauma-informed approach. She taught teachers about trauma and trauma responses, sparking interest among staff members for further training in anti-biased and antiracist teaching, restorative practices, and self-regulation. She also created Trauma-Informed Tuesdays, a newsletter focused on teacher wellness and best practices related to building resilience.
Carter received her master’s degree in school counseling and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southeast Missouri State University. She is a member of ASCA, the Missouri School Counselor Association, the Missouri State Teachers Association, and is a member and president-elect of the Southeast Missouri School Counselor Association.
Paul James is the director of the Cameron Psychology Clinic at Cameron University. He is a licensed professional counselor and has completed training as an Oklahoma State LPC supervisor. He is an active member of the Oklahoma Counseling Association and is currently serving as the president-elect of the Oklahoma Christian Counseling Association.
James has experience in inpatient, outpatient, and private practice, and experience working in domestic violence shelters and with military families.
Dr. Quentin Hunter is an assistant professor in the Department of Leadership & Counseling at Eastern Michigan University. He is the current president of the Kentucky Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, a past president of the Kentucky Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities, and associate editor for the Journal of Counseling and Development and the International Journal for the Advancement of Counseling.
Dr. Hunter began practice as a professional counselor in 2015 and has worked in academia since 2018. He has multiple publications, including peer-reviewed manuscripts, book chapters, and edited books. His counseling experience includes work with individuals across the life span in hospital, community counseling, school, and private practice settings.
Rachel Marmor is a compassionate and experienced licensed mental health counselor based in South Florida with over 10 years of experience. She is the chief wellness officer and PAIRS Foundation in Hollywood, Florida.
Marmor specializes in supporting clients through anxiety, family conflicts, and depression, using evidence-based approaches tailored to each individual’s unique needs. She is deeply committed to empowering her clients by helping them develop coping skills and emotional resilience, guiding them toward healing, hope, and personal growth.
Ramon Diaz Jr. is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and national certified counselor (NCC) dedicated to providing compassionate and effective mental health care. With a robust specialization as a clinical complex trauma specialist (CCTS-1), Diaz has extensive experience in helping individuals navigate and heal from traumatic experiences. He is also a certified dialectical behavioral therapist (C-DBT) and a certified alcohol and drug abuse counselor (CADC), bringing a comprehensive approach to treating a variety of mental health and substance use issues.
Diaz is affiliated with Well Mind Therapy Services in Joliet, Illinois, where he utilizes his diverse skill set to support clients in achieving their mental wellness goals. His commitment to advancing his expertise is reflected in his current pursuit of a PhD in neuropsychology and theoretical psychology. He is a proud child of an immigrant family from Mexico, who holds a master’s in clinical mental health counseling from Adler University in Chicago.
Dr. Rebecca Milner is an associate professor and the counseling program coordinator for the counseling education program at East Tennessee State University. She has been part of the counseling program faculty since 2016 and regularly teaches courses in both the clinical mental health counseling core and concentration.
Dr. Milner is a member of the Association for Counseling Education and Supervision (with local membership in SACES), the American Counseling Association, and the Counselors for Social Justice division of ACA. Her professional interests include multicultural and intercultural development, social justice and anti-racism, mindfulness, technology-facilitated sexual violence, international service-learning, crisis counseling and risk assessment, and expressive arts. She earned her PhD in counseling and supervision from James Madison University.
Richard Brooks is an associate professor of instruction in the school of social work at Texas State University (TXST), where he teaches field seminars in professionalism and child welfare.
He is also the associate program director of the bachelor’s of social work (BSW) degree program and has just assumed a new role recruiting and building the BSW at the Round Rock TXST campus. TXST offers a BSW program fully online, on-campus in San Marcos, and on-campus in Round Rock.
An alumnus of Texas State, Brooks holds an MSW from the school of social work and a BS in criminal justice from Kent State University.
Dr. Richard Deaner serves as the program director and associate professor at Augusta University’s College of Education and Human Development. He holds a PhD in counselor education from the University of South Carolina and is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) and an approved clinical supervisor (ACS). With extensive experience in counselor education, he teaches courses such as communication skills, addiction counseling, and clinical mental health counseling practicums.
Dr. Deaner has received numerous accolades for his teaching excellence, including the ACA Counselor Educator Advocacy Award and the USG Regents’ Teaching Excellence Award. Actively involved in professional service, he has contributed as a member of the American Counseling Association Ethics Committee and serves as a faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota. His dedication to education and clinical practice continues to make a significant impact on his students and the counseling profession.
Dr. Richard Sheridan is the chair of the psychology department at William Carey University, where he has been since 2014. Throughout his career, Dr. Sheridan has provided therapeutic services to diverse populations in various clinical contexts across Nevada, Louisiana, and Mississippi. His doctoral studies focused on Milan Systemic therapy, the MRI group, and the theories of classic marriage and family researchers.
He holds a PhD in marriage and family therapy from the University of Louisiana Monroe, a master of arts in marriage and family counseling from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and a bachelor of arts in biblical studies and psychology from William Carey College. Additionally, Dr. Sheridan is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in the State of Mississippi.
Dr. Rick Boyes is the director of the clinical mental health track in the graduate counseling program at Northwest Nazarene University. He is also the coordinator of the trauma, grief, and crisis area of emphasis and the clinical supervisor of the university’s counseling clinic. He holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision and is a licensed clinical professional counselor with over 40 years of experience in private practice.
Dr. Boyes specializes in working with adult survivors of childhood trauma and sexual abuse and has lectured throughout the country on these topics. He is certified in clinical hypnotherapy and EMDR. He has extensive training in IFS (Internal Family Systems) and is a co-founder and sponsor of the Idaho IFS Association (IDIFSA).
Dr. Rob McKinney is an associate professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington. He earned his MS in clinical mental health counseling from Eastern Illinois University and his PhD in counselor education and supervision at Kent State University.
Dr. McKinney is proud to be a member of ACA, ACES, SAIGE, and CSI, the latter of which he is a Chapter Faculty Advisor at Gonzaga University. He is also a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington. His professional interests and research interests include multicultural counseling considerations, LGBTGEQIAP+ considerations, spirituality in counseling, and counselor preparation.
Dr. Robbin Rasbury is a professor and admission chair in the JFK School of Psychology at National University. She earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from the California School of Professional Psychology, with an emphasis in multicultural community psychology. Her undergraduate degree is in child development from California State University, Los Angeles.
Dr. Rasbury has over 13 years of teaching experience and was the MFT chair of John F. Kennedy University for three years. She serves as co-chair of both the School Advisory Council at National University and NU Research Conference Community, and is a Social Justice and Allyship Committee member.
Currently, Dr. Rasbury serves as a council member on the APA Division 35, Society of Women in Psychology, Racial Justice, and Social Policy committee. In 2020, Dr. Rasbury graduated from the APA Leaders in Women of Psychology program. She also presents at local and national conferences and conducts training at local organizations on diversity issues affecting underserved populations. She enjoys traveling domestically and internationally in her spare time, playing pickleball, hiking, and cooking.
Dr. Ronald Riggio is a professor of leadership and organizational psychology and former director of the Kravis Leadership Institute at Claremont McKenna College. He’s a regular contributor to Psychology Today and has written over 150 books, book chapters, and research articles in the fields of leadership, assessment centers, and organizational and social psychology.
His most recent book, published in 2020, is Daily Leadership Development: 365 Steps to Becoming a Better Leader. It features best practices in leadership grounded in research and offers self-assessments to develop leadership skills.
Ryan Culkin is the chief counseling officer at Thriveworks, overseeing operations and ensuring clinical excellence for talk therapy services. With over a decade of experience as a child and adolescent counselor, Culkin deeply understands the rapidly evolving mental health field. He is dedicated to equipping clinicians with the tools and skills they need to deliver the highest standard of care.
Having personally experienced the challenges of burnout, Culkin is passionate about creating a supportive culture that allows clinicians to thrive without being overwhelmed by the demands of their roles. He works closely with the executive team to implement strategic initiatives, shape future objectives, and ensure the success of both clinicians and clients. He is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and holds an MBA from the University of Virginia Darden School of Business.
Dr. Samantha Riggleman is an associate professor in the department of special education in the School of Health Studies and Education at Saint Joseph’s University. She is also a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) and the graduate VCS ABA coordinator. She has been published in Young Exceptional Children, Beyond Behavior, Journal of Special Education Technology, and Rural Special Education Quarterly.
Dr. Riggleman has over 10 years of experience working with adults and children in community residential settings, day programs, and schools as a residential instructor and a behavior specialist. In these roles, she implemented positive behavior support plans; trained staff, teachers, and parents; and collected data on the implemented support plan. Her research interests include suspension and expulsion in early childhood, social-emotional development, and young children who are at-risk for identification of a behavioral disorder. She is also interested in increasing preservice and in-service preschool teachers’ knowledge and implementation of behavior management concepts, including the principles of ABA.
Dr. Sarah Budd is an organizational psychologist specializing in helping teams and organizations increase their effectiveness. She is an executive and leadership coach (ICF PCC), certified in CliftonStrengths, Hogan Assessments, Kantor Structural Dynamics, and Whole Person Coaching.
Dr. Budd holds a master’s in organizational psychology and a PsyD in leadership psychology. Her background is in management operations. She is a coach, facilitator, and principal for Gambit Coaching & Consulting and adjunct faculty for William James College. She has created and led numerous workshops from one hour to three days, emphasizing a collaborative, customized, action-oriented approach. She serves on the board of Oregon’s Organization Development Network. In the evenings and weekends, she enjoys spending time with her husband, four children, two chickens, and one dog.
Dr. Shannon Pickett is a full-time undergraduate faculty member in the psychology department at Purdue Global. She is also a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) with experience serving a diverse population of clients spanning all ages.
Professor Pickett’s professional interests include dual diagnosis care and advocacy of children and adolescents in schools. Her research interests include work/life balance, motivation, and successful online adult learning.
In addition to teaching courses in general psychology and addictions, Dr. Pickett has served in a mentorship capacity and as Psi Chi faculty advisor. She is a current member of the American Counseling Association (ACA).
Dr. has worked for more than 20 years in the community mental health counseling field. She is the associate chair for the counseling, rehabilitation, and interpreter training program (CRIT) at Troy University in Phenix City, Alabama. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Certified Addictions Counselor II (CACII), Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor (CPCS), and QPR Gatekeeper Trainer.
Dr. Reed has worked in the field in a variety of settings. She has been on the Leadership team and serves as president for the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Columbus, GA affiliate since 2015. She has also served as the faculty advisor and is the co-faculty advisor for Chi Sigma Iota. She serves on numerous university, college, and department committees. She and her colleagues received a state-funded grant in suicide prevention in higher education for four consecutive years.
Dr. Sheri Bauman is a professor of counseling at the University of Arizona. She earned her PhD in counseling psychology from New Mexico State University.
Before starting a career in higher education, Dr. Bauman was a teacher and school counselor for more than 30 years. Her research centers on bullying, cyberbullying, and peer victimization. She is a well-regarded expert in this field with over 65 publications and seven books. She is a frequent presenter on this subject and attends conferences and workshops nationwide. She is also on the board of trustees of DitchtheLabel.org, an anti-bullying charity, and serves as their research consultant.
Dr. So Rin Kim is an assistant professor and the counseling program coordinator in the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). She holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Pennsylvania State University and advanced degrees in education and English education from Korea University.
Dr. Kim has over a decade of experience as a clinical mental health counselor and career counselor in both the United States and South Korea. At UMSL, she teaches courses such as helping relationship skills, theories of counseling, and psychopathology, aiming to prepare future counselors with both practical skills and theoretical knowledge.
Dr. Kim’s research explores vital areas like resilience in underrepresented populations, neuroscience in counseling, intersectionality, and counselor education. She has a strong focus on quantitative research methods, employing complex statistical techniques to support impactful studies. Her scholarly work includes notable publications on mental health counseling, neuromyths, and resilience.
Additionally, Dr. Kim actively contributes to UMSL’s academic programs, including the MEd in counseling, the counseling and human services minor, and the PhD program in counseling. Through her teaching, research, and practice, she continues to make significant contributions to the field of counseling and education.
Dr. Stacey Carrillo is associate dean for counseling and related programs at Prescott College in Prescott, Arizona. She has utilized her counseling background in higher education for over 25 years. She has significant experience working at a university career counseling center that served a diverse student population and in a clinical training facility as a counselor and clinical supervisor. She has also worked in human resources management with a focus on training and development, employee relations, and organizational change.
As a faculty member, Dr. Carrillo has helped students explore various social and cultural identities and how these identities affect the therapeutic relationship, as well as helping students understand the intersection between career development and well-being. Her areas of research interest are professional identity development, best practices with online and blended learning formats that enhance student experiences, and counselor self-care.
Stephanie Preston is a dedicated school counselor at the Middle College at GTCC – High Point, where she has been serving students, families, and the community for 19 years. With a deep commitment to fostering student well-being, Preston believes in educating the whole child through comprehensive support systems that include authentic caring connections and inclusive safe spaces tailored to individual needs. She emphasizes the importance of shared responsibility and accountability among all stakeholders in the educational process.
Preston is a proud three-time graduate of North Carolina A&T State University, where she earned her bachelor of science in psychology, master of science in counselor education, and an additional professional certificate. Her academic background and extensive experience uniquely position her as a vital liaison between school and home, ensuring that students receive the holistic support they need to thrive. Her passion for education and family underscores her belief in the power of nurturing environments both at school and at home.
Stephanie Larsen is a seasoned psychotherapist, sex therapist, couples therapist, yoga instructor, and workplace coach. Her mission is to break down difficult-to-understand relational and psychological dynamics to lead people through transformative change in themselves, their relationships, and their workplace culture.
Larsen is interested in facilitating transformative change by helping clients understand themselves and the patterning they carry into personal and professional relationships. She started out working and training at Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospitalization Program. She created and ran a wellness program for the doctors and nurses at the Cancer Treatment Centers of America. She has advanced sexual training and supervision through the University of Michigan and currently owns and runs a private practice in Racine, WI.
Stephanie Rivera-Beltre is a college and career counselor at KIPP Newark Collegiate Academy. She was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, and holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree from SUNY Binghamton University. She is a member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated and has worked in education for over 16 years. She is currently in her third year as a counselor at KIPP. Before coming to KIPP, she taught at MCSchool, an international HS in the Dominican Republic, as well as sociology at UNIBE (a university in the Dominican Republic).
Dr. Susan Ridley is an associate professor of creative arts therapy and the chair of the Department of Art Therapy and Counseling at West Liberty University in West Liberty, West Virginia. She has a PhD in expressive therapies from Lesley University, an MA in mental health counseling and art therapy from Caldwell University, and an MSc in human services from Springfield College.
Dr. Ridley is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS), Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), Activities Director Certified (ADC), and Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT). Her research interest is identity, including broken identity, self-care, and arts-based research.
Dr. Ridley has more than 35 years of experience working with diverse communities of various ages, abilities, and disabilities, including substance abuse problems, mental health issues, developmental disabilities, and physical impairments. She is also an artist specializing in landscapes, seascapes, animals, and murals. She loves community arts and mural painting and recently got hooked on fiber arts.
Suzelle Marques is a dedicated licensed professional counselor and certified trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy expert. With a rich background working in outpatient mental health centers and diverse school environments, she has honed her skills in providing individual counseling and support services across various age groups.
Marques brings extensive expertise in working with children and adolescents, instilling confidence in her ability to address a wide range of mental health issues. Currently, she operates her own private practice in New Jersey, offering individual and family counseling sessions in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. She is passionate about the potential of mental health education and resources to shift perspectives, believing that even a small change in understanding can spark a significant positive impact in the community. Suzelle has an MA in clinical mental health counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University.
Tana Russell is the deputy director of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling. A highly credentialed professional, she is a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP), Washington State Certified Gambling Counselor II (WSCGC-II), Nationally Certified Tobacco Treatment Provider (NCTTP), and Certified Gambling Disorder Trainer (CGT). She has also completed specialized training in video and internet gaming disorder.
Russell actively serves on several committees, including those for the National Council on Problem Gambling (NCPG) and the Washington State Gambling Counselor Certification Committee. She is a sought-after presenter on topics such as gambling, gaming, tobacco, addiction, treatment, recovery, and responsible gaming.
With a passion for education, Russell has co-authored and developed program curricula for treatment, training, and educational initiatives, and she trains gaming industry professionals on responsible gaming practices.
Dr. Taryn Akgul is an assistant professor and the counseling program coordinator for the College of Education & Human Services at Minnesota State University – Moorhead.
Dr. Tasha Randall is an assistant professor of teaching at Oregon State University, where she also serves as the human services internship coordinator.
In her role guiding future human services professionals, Professor Randall collaborates with community partners to place students where their academic and career goals will be best supported. Getting to know students on an individual basis forms an important and meaningful part of this process.
Dr. Randall’s academic interests include service and experiential learning, active learning, and inclusive learning environments.
Teri Wilder is a licensed mental health counselor (LHMC) who has 13 years of experience in major mental illness, as well as addiction counseling, coping skills, and stress. Teri has worked with teens and adults who are dealing with many concerns that vary from family dynamics, work-related concerns, eating disorders, personality disorders, and ADHD.
She holds two master’s degrees in mental health and counseling and is currently pursuing her PhD in counseling education and supervision at Capella University.
Dr. Thomas Doroff is a counselor educator and supervisor, licensed professional counselor, somatic experiencing practitioner, and field traumatic. He is a clinical mental health counseling professor at Regis University in Denver, Colorado.
Dr. Doroff’s passion and research focus on somatic trauma recovery and integrative trauma theory. As a private practitioner specializing in trauma recovery and healing and who provides clinical supervision and consultation, he is assisted by Jones, a certified professional therapy dog.
Dr. Thomas Field is an associate professor in the College of Education at Oregon State University. He has taught graduate counseling students since 2011 and previously worked as a faculty member at Boston University School of Medicine.
Dr. Field’s research focuses on integrating neuroscience into counseling practice, and professional and social justice advocacy. During his academic career, he has published more than 30 peer-reviewed articles. He has also authored two books on the topic of neuroscience integration. He has received grant funding from agencies that include the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). His research and teaching has been recognized nationally. In 2019, he received the Counselor Educator of the Year award from the American Mental Health Counselors Association. He is also a current standards revision committee member of the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the recognized specialized accreditation body for counseling.
In addition to faculty responsibilities, he has actively helped clients with mental health concerns since 2006. He has counseled over 1,000 clients and currently maintains a small private practice where he sees adolescents and adults. He is board-certified as a counselor and clinical supervisor by the National Board of Certified Counselors and affiliates.
Dr. Tiffani Kisler is the graduate program and clinical director for the couple and family therapy program at the University of Rhode Island. She teaches courses on couple and family therapy theory, human sexuality, sex therapy, and clinical supervision, combining academic expertise with real-world applications. An AAMFT approved supervisor, she actively supports the training and development of future therapists.
Dr. Kisler’s research focuses on relational and sexual satisfaction, sexual aggression, and the impact of technology, such as sexting and social media, on psychological and relational health. She earned her PhD in family and human development from Arizona State University and has published widely in her field, contributing valuable insights on therapy training, digital interactions, and mental health.
Dr. Veronica Johnson is a professor and the Department Head of the Department of Counseling in the School of Education at the University of Montana. She received her BA in psychology, MA in mental health counseling, and EdD in counseling and supervision from the University of Montana.
After teaching for five years at Winona State University in Minnesota, Dr. Johnson returned home to join the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana in 2014. Her clinical experiences include group homework, college counseling, adult mental health, and couples counseling. Her teaching and research interests include clinical supervision and supervision training, development and maintenance of intimate relationships, professional ethics, and forgiveness in intimate relationships. Roni’s favorite extracurricular activities include playing Scrabble, floating the river, and spending time with friends and family. She enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and watching her family grow.
Meet the Team
Jocelyn Blore
Writer, Editor, Chief Content StrategistJocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She has degrees in psychology and sociology, and worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.
Seth Restaino
Co-Founder, Sechel VenturesSeth Restaino co-founded a web design and development company in 1996, the predecessor to Sechel Ventures, and sold it in 2004. He devoted the next several years of his professional career to educational web publishing and software consulting. In 2013, he co-founded Sechel Ventures, where he wears many hats, including production and engineering. He continues to work across several healthcare and education sites.
Barry Franklin
Co-Founder, Sechel VenturesBefore co-founding Sechel Ventures Partners LLC, Barry Franklin was a VP at a Silicon Valley software company. He is an investor and advisor for DataSimply and Impellia. Barry believes that education and lifelong learning are paramount. Barry met his wife at Carnegie Mellon University and they have two beautiful daughters. He also volunteers for various committees at his kids’ high school.
Alex Stitt, LMHC
Writer & Contributing ExpertAlex Stitt is a nonbinary author, queer theorist, and licensed mental health counselor living in Hawaii. As a proud Queer Counselor, they work to educate professionals in the mental health field interested in working with LGBTQ+ populations. Their textbook, ACT for Gender Identity: The Comprehensive Guide, demonstrates how to apply Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to gender self-actualization.
Ali Hickerson
WriterAli Hickerson is a strategist, multimedia journalist, and writer based in Brooklyn, New York City. She has worked extensively in non-profit and health communications in Melbourne, Australia, and New York City. She has also worked in video production and the tech industry, most recently at Waze.
Andrea Vale
WriterAndrea Vale is a writer and filmmaker, focusing on biodiversity and conservation. She has reported for National Geographic, USA Today, Oceana, The Oxford Scientist, The Oxford Climate Review, and many other publications. She’s covered wetlands along the India-Pakistan border, community-based salmon conservation in the U.S, and seabirds in the Pacific, among other topics.
Previously, she worked as a Human Story Specialist at the National Geographic Society, and producer on the Oxford University Anthroposea Expedition. She has a BA in English and creative writing from the University of Notre Dame and an MS in biodiversity, conservation, and management from the University of Oxford.
Becca Brewer, MEd
WriterBecca Brewer is building a better future on a thriving earth by healing herself into wholeness, divesting from separation, and walking the path of the loving heart. Previously to her journey as an adventurer for a just, meaningful, and regenerative world, Becca was a formally trained sexuality educator with a master of education.
Bernd Geels
WriterBernd Geels is a Berlin, Germany-based freelance writer and artist. He holds an undergraduate degree in atmospheric science and two graduate degrees. He completed his most recent graduate degree in international environmental studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in 2011. He is interested in healthcare, climate change, marine conservation, indigenous science and refugee issues. You can reach him directly at [email protected].
Bree Nicolello
WriterBree Nicolello is an urban planner and freelance writer based in Seattle, WA. She has worked on land use and housing policy issues throughout the Pacific Northwest. She previously led Run Oregon Run, a nonprofit dedicated to helping Oregonians run for office and apply to boards and commissions. When not writing, she is lovingly tending to her cast iron
Catherine Mosley
WriterCatherine Chapman Mosley is a writer living in central Virginia. She’s written extensively on healthcare topics for various outlets and also works full-time in communications, marketing and community engagement. She is the proud parent of a son who is focused on a healthcare career and often seeks his editing help.
Cevia Yellin
WriterCevia Yellin is a freelance writer based in Eugene, Oregon. She studied English and French literature as an undergraduate. After serving two years as an AmeriCorps volunteer, she earned her master of arts in teaching English to speakers of other languages. Cevia’s travels and experiences working with students of diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds have contributed to her interest in the forces that shape identity. She grew up on the edge of Philadelphia, where her mom still lives in her childhood home.
Dom DiFurio
Writer & Contributing ExpertDom DiFurio is a writer covering money, the economy, business trends, real estate, mental health trends, and more.
He’s published reporting in The Washington Post, USA Today, and ESPN Magazine as well as local and regional newsrooms across the country. He has been recognized by the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors, and Columbia University.
Elena Cox
Elena Cox is a senior data reporter at Stacker. She holds a master of science in data journalism from Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism, and she previously worked for Realtor.com, CBS News, Bloomberg TV, and NY1. She has volunteered at the Bowery Mission, which serves the unhoused in New York City, since 2016.
Farheen Gani
WriterFarheen Gani has researched degree programs and salaries in counseling since 2020. She has written about topics such as genetic counselor salaries and family and human development bachelor’s degrees. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).
Jill Jaracz
Jill Jaracz is a Cleveland-based writer who has covered a number of topics including bridal, financial services, and local news. She’s also the co-host and executive producer of Keep the Flame Alive, a podcast for fans of the Olympics and Paralympics. Jaracz covered the Beijing 2022 Olympics and Paralympics from the closed loop in China, where she saw some amazing sports moments, geeked out about curling ice, and ate bao every day for six weeks.
Johannes Stitz
WriterJohannes Stitz is a freelance writer and researcher based in the Southwest. He’s written about various topics in engineering careers. Before turning to freelance writing, he spent nearly a decade in the arts as a booker and event manager.
Kenneth Parker
WriterKenneth Parker is a feature writer, poet, and musician living in the Pacific Northwest. His writing on healthcare, remote work, education, and technology has been published widely. His poetry, short fiction, and album reviews have appeared in Scifaikuest, Nanoism, and No Clean Singing. His background includes time spent as an associate editor, proofreader, private grammar instructor, freelance content editor, medical claims agent, and SEO consultant. He is a graduate of the University of Oregon, where he studied literature and worked as a composition tutor.
Kimmy Gustafson
WriterAt CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.
Laura Freberg, PhD
Writer & Contributing ExpertLaura Freberg serves as professor of psychology at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she teaches introductory psychology and behavioral neuroscience.
Dr. Freberg is the author or co-author of several textbooks, including Discovering Psychology: The Science of Mind, Discovering Behavioral Neuroscience, Applied Behavioral Neuroscience, and Research Methods in Psychological Science. She served as President of the Western Psychological Association (WPA) in 2018-2019.
Lisa Hutchison, LMHC
Writer & Contributing ExpertLisa Hutchison, LMHC, is a licensed mental health counselor for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. She works for professionals who want to treat and prevent compassion fatigue. With over 20 years of psychotherapy experience, she helps her clients assert themselves, set boundaries, and increase their coping skills. Her specialty is decreasing stress, anxiety, and depression while increasing realistic methods of self-care for those who help others. Ms. Hutchison’s psychological advice has been featured in Reader’s Digest and the Huffington Post. Her articles have been published in numerous magazines, including Grief Digest and Today’s Caregiver.
Lisa is the bestselling author of I Fill My Cup: A Journal for Compassionate Helpers and a faculty member writer for NetCE. Her latest continuing education unit publication is “Setting Ethical Limits for Caring and Competent Professionals.” She has taught creative writing in colleges and presented on boundaries for the compassionate helper; the use of expressive art to heal grief, anxiety, and depression; inspirational and motivational topics; and creative writing techniques.
Matt Zbrog
WriterMatt Zbrog is a writer and researcher from Southern California. Since 2020, he’s written extensively about how counselors and other behavioral health professionals are working to address the nation’s mental health and substance use crises, with a particular focus on community-driven and interdisciplinary approaches. His articles have included detailed interviews with leaders and subject matter experts from the American Counseling Association (ACA), the American Mental Health Counselor Association (AMHCA), the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA).
Melissa DeCapua, DNP
WriterDr. Melissa DeCapua is a nurse practitioner working at Microsoft on organizational behavior and culture change. She began her career in psychiatry and fine arts, and these skills fuel her passion for user experience (UX): building programs, conducting qualitative research, and designing services. By night, she continues to advocate for nurses through lobbying efforts, blogging, and volunteering. For more about Melissa, check out her website and follow her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@melissadecapua).
Nathan Stevens
WriterNathan Stevens is a reporter, musician, and native Texan living in Austin. He received his degree in journalism from the University of Oregon and has worked in broadcast for over a decade. His website, the2010s.net, is a collection and retrospective of the best music of the 21st century.
Nina Chamlou
WriterNina Chamlou is a freelance writer from Portland, OR. She writes about healthcare, psychology, economic trends, business, technology, digitization, supply chains, education, aviation, and travel. You can find her floating around the Pacific Northwest in diners and coffee shops, or traveling abroad, studying the locale from behind her MacBook. Visit her personal website at NinaChamlou.com.
Rachel Drummond, MEd
WriterRachel Drummond has used her expertise in education and mindfulness to guide aspiring counselors since 2020. Her work emphasizes the importance of integrating reflective mindfulness into counseling techniques, helping readers understand how mental and physical well-being can enhance their professional practice and personal development in counseling.
Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.
Rebecca Atkins, MEd, NBCT
Writer & Contributing ExpertRebecca Atkins serves as the central office leader for school counseling in a large southern school district. She served as a school counselor for 12 years and is a frequent presenter at state and national conferences.
Along with Alicia Oglesby, she authored the book Interrupting Racism: Equity and Social Justice in School Counseling in 2018. She shares her ideas on her blog CounselorUp.
Vanessa Salvia
WriterVanessa Salvia is an Oregon-based freelance writer and editor with a bachelor’s degree in chemistry. As fun as rigorous studies in math and science were, Vanessa took an independent path and developed a prolific career covering lifestyle and healthcare topics for magazines and newspapers, important industries such as concrete construction and building waterproofing, and even hard science. You can get in touch at Sage Media and Marketing.
Wade Zhou, MS
WriterWade Zhou is an experienced senior data journalist who covers education, economic trends, healthcare, and more.
He previously wrote for The Economist and received his BA from the University of Miami and his MS from Johns Hopkins University.