Speakers
Kirsten Murray
Professor
Kirsten Murray, Ph.D., LPC is a Professor at the University of Montana. She has been a counselor educator for 18 years, and a counselor for 23. Her scholarly interests and publications focus largely in the areas of couple and family counseling, clinical supervision, qualitative research methodologies, and establishing accessible counseling services for underrepresented and underserved populations. She has published one book, multiple book chapters, papers, presentations, and has been awarded over 10 million in external grant funding.
Session
Nishita Raut, MA, NCC, LPC-Associate Under the supervision of Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S
Doctoral Student
Nishita Raut is an LPC-Associate, under the supervision of Dee C. Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S in Texas. Nishita is an International student in second-year of her doctoral program at the University of North Texas that focuses on three areas clinical skills, research and academia. Nishita has been operating from a holistic, multicultural therapeutic approach in providing therapeutic services to diverse group of individuals belonging to various socio-economic and cultural backgrounds, age ranges, sexual identity and value systems, presenting with mental health concerns. Nishita has experience of working in varied levels of care and counseling facilities. Nishita is fluent in English, Hindi and Marathi and wishes to make advances in bilingual counseling and supervision.
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Sara Polanchek, LCSW, EdD
Clinical Director
Sara Polanchek, LCSW, EdD, serves as the Clinical Director in the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana, where she's also dedicated to teaching clinical courses and specializes in clinical supervision.
Outside of her university role, Sara runs a small private practice, providing tailored support to her clients. She particularly enjoys helping individuals heal from trauma, nurturing stronger connections in relationships, and assisting parents through all stages of child-rearing. Additionally, Sara is recognized as a co-author of the textbook, Intimate Relationships: Skills and Strategies that Lead to Success.
Outside of her university role, Sara runs a small private practice, providing tailored support to her clients. She particularly enjoys helping individuals heal from trauma, nurturing stronger connections in relationships, and assisting parents through all stages of child-rearing. Additionally, Sara is recognized as a co-author of the textbook, Intimate Relationships: Skills and Strategies that Lead to Success.
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Timothy Kempff, MA
Doctoral Student
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Karli Iceman, PhD, LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor of Counselor Education
Dr. Karli Iceman is an Assistant Professor within the School of Counselor Education at Adams State University. Prior to coming to Adams State University, Dr. Iceman worked at a private practice in Michigan where she specialized in working with teens, adults, and couples in the Metro Detroit area. Dr. Iceman came from a doctoral program that provided her with opportunities to supervise masters-level counselors-in-training. Currently, Dr. Iceman teaches classes in the master’s program where she supervises master’s students in Pre-Practicum, Practicum, and Internship courses. In addition to supervision, Dr. Iceman’s research focuses on online counselor education.
Sessions
Kanbi Knippling, PCLC, NCC
Doctoral Student
Kanbi Knippling, PCLC, NCC (she/her) is a fourth-year Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral student at the University of Montana. Her clinical, advocacy, and research interests include providing trauma-informed care for individuals with disabilities as well as working to address mental health disparities for persons with non-dominant identities. Her current research is focused on exploring the experiences of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) users in navigating mental health systems.
Sessions
Kelly Duncan, Ph.D., NCC, LPC
ACES Executive Director
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Sandra Gavin, PhD, LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Sandra Gavin (she/her) is an Assistant Professor at Adams State University and a licensed professional counselor in two states (CO and IL). She is from a program that emphasizes counselor first professional identities over specialities. She has taught clinical supervision classes where supervisees’ specialities are combined in supervision and they have taught clinical supervision classes where specialities were separated. Additionally, Sandra has consulted and collaborated with on-site supervisors as university supervisors and served as on-site supervisors for master level counselors-in-training. Sandra has presented on clinical supervision and has published manuscripts pertaining to clinical supervision.
Sessions
Andrea McGrath, PhD, LPC, LAC, LIMHP
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Andrea McGrath, PhD, LPC, LIMHP, LAC is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Doane University. She holds licenses for mental health and addictions counseling practice in Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Her focus of clinical practice is primarily with adults with co-occurring mental health and substance use concerns. Her research interests includes counselors/trainees in recovery from substance use, clinical supervision, and ethical practice in both substance use and mental health settings. She currently serves on the board of the Wyoming Counseling Association, Nebraska Counseling Association, and Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
Session
Heather Ambrose, Ph.D., LCMHC, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Core Faculty, School of Counseling
Dr. Heather Ambrose holds a Ph.D. from St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, TX where she majored in Counseling with a specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy. She is a Core Faculty Member in the School of Counseling at Walden University, where she has taught for 10 years. She is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, as well as an AAMFT Approved Supervisor. She has an expertise in training clinical supervisors in addition to providing supervision for counselors-in-training and counselors seeking licensure. Dr. Ambrose is a Past-President of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) and the current Secretary. She also serves as a Site Team Chair and a Site Visitor for the Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). She currently volunteers as a leader for a youth support group for LGBTQ+ teens where she provides positive support and mental health education to the attendees. Dr. Ambrose lives in Layton, Utah with her husband, their two greyhounds, and their two cats.
Sessions
Kari Mowbray
LCPC, MA, Current PhD student
Kari is a licensed clinical mental health therapist and member of the ACA and ACES. She provides mental health therapy for residents of Wyoming, Montana and Colorado offering both in-person and telehealth services. Kari operates her private practice through a transformative feminist lens and focuses on supporting women.
Kari was born and raised in Montana. She understands rural living, life in open spaces and the importance of community and neighbors- she understands survivability and unpredictability and how loneliness and fulfillment can exist at the same time. Because of this relationship to nature, Kari spent the first part of her therapeutic career providing wilderness and outdoor therapy to youth. She then transitioned into training staff and running family therapy retreats in the outdoors.
In Spring of 2024, Kari had her first child. This personal transformative experience led her to examine her approach working with other parents. Through this examination, she realized her education and training for providing perinatal support was inadequate. Since then Kari has focused her ongoing education on perinatal mental health support. She has received Maternal Mental Health training through the Postpartum Support International and is conducting her dissertation on maternal mental health.
Kari is currently working on her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision from her M.A. Alma Mater, Saybrook University.
Kari was born and raised in Montana. She understands rural living, life in open spaces and the importance of community and neighbors- she understands survivability and unpredictability and how loneliness and fulfillment can exist at the same time. Because of this relationship to nature, Kari spent the first part of her therapeutic career providing wilderness and outdoor therapy to youth. She then transitioned into training staff and running family therapy retreats in the outdoors.
In Spring of 2024, Kari had her first child. This personal transformative experience led her to examine her approach working with other parents. Through this examination, she realized her education and training for providing perinatal support was inadequate. Since then Kari has focused her ongoing education on perinatal mental health support. She has received Maternal Mental Health training through the Postpartum Support International and is conducting her dissertation on maternal mental health.
Kari is currently working on her Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision from her M.A. Alma Mater, Saybrook University.
Session
Heather J Fye, PhD, LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Heather J. Fye, PhD, LPC, NCC is an assistant professor at the University of Alabama. Heather has previously worked in the mental health and school settings, including child protective services, nursing home social services, elementary school counseling, outpatient counseling serving youth and their families, and a college counseling center. Her research interests include wellness, stress, burnout, and trauma informed care for counselors and their clients/students.
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Darius Green
Assistant Professor
Darius Green is an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and completed his M. Ed. in Clinical Mental Health & Addictions Counseling. He is a Licensed Professional Counseling Candidate in Colorado and a National Certified Counselor. His professional interests include police violence, abolition, racial trauma, cyberbullying, cyber hate, and integrating social justice into counseling.
Sessions
Cortny Stark, Ph,D. LPC, LAC (CO), LPCC, LADAC (NM), CRC
Assistant Professor
Cortny Stark is an Assistant Professor, and the Substance Use and Recovery Counseling Program Coordinator with the University of Colorado Colorado Springs Department of Counseling and Human Services. She is also a telehealth therapist with the Trauma Treatment Center and Research Facility, providing trauma reprocessing and integration, clinical services for substance use and process addictions, and supporting transgender and gender-expansive youth. In addition to her role as a clinician, Dr. Stark provides supervision for provisionally licensed counselors seeking their Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) credential, is a Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT) member, and facilitates nationwide trainings with the Motivational Interviewing Training Center out of Albuquerque, NM. Dr. Stark’s research utilizes qualitative and mixed methods, and focuses on LGBTQQIA+ issues in counseling, leader development, integrative approaches to trauma reprocessing and integration, trauma-informed care, and substance use and recovery.
Sessions
Kara Wolff, PhD, LCPC
Professor, Director of CMHC Program
Counselor Educator and Program Director for CMHC Program at North Park University
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Michell Temple, PhD, EdD, LPC (CO,GA), LPC/MHSP(TN)
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Michell Temple, ACS, CRC, NCC, CCPT, CTMH, LPC (CO,GA), LPC/MHSP (TN), serves an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary and a private practice Rehabilitation and Mental Health counselor, educator, and supervisor at Temple Renovation Center, LLC. She is also the Immediate- President of the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitation Concerns. She is a member of the 2019 Cohort of the NBCC-F Mental Health Doctoral Fellowship. She has worked in higher education and community settings. She has published on the topics of ethics education in counselor training, rehabilitation counseling, manualized spiritual integrated therapies, and resilience. Dr. Temple her research interests include human relationship dynamics, ethics and counselor identity development, resilience, stress, and wellbeing.
Session
Kathryn Raley
Counselor/Supervisor
Kathryn currently lives in Colorado with her personal canine therapist, Lulu. She works in the field, pursuing a variety of professional hats including modern Archetypal work, play therapy, supervision, and affiliate professor. She is passionate about individuating imagery, cooking shows, outdoor activities, Lulu and generally reducing the stigma of mental health for her community.
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Karrie Swan, PhD, LPC, CCPT-T/S, CPRT-TS
Associate Professor
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. Dr. Swan is an experienced rural-based counselor with specific experiences in working with Native American children, teens, adults, and families on a western state reservation.
Session
Leah Finch, LCPC, LCMHC
Doctoral Student and Professional Counselor
Leah Finch is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the states of North Carolina, New York, and Montana. She earned her Masters of Arts in Counseling from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2017. She has worked in private practice, mental health consulting, college counseling, career counseling, and has taught adjunct in graduate counseling programs. She is currently a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at The University of Montana.
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Sonah Kho, MS, NCC, PPC (WY)
Doctoral Student
Sonah Kho, NCC, PPC (WY), is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Wyoming. Their multicultural background brings a rich perspective to their dedication to culturally responsive counseling. Their focus on advocacy for older adults and commitment to the creative approach in mental health care highlight their passion for making mental health services accessible and culturally responsive for a diverse population.
Sessions
Shawn Parmanand, PhD, LCPC
Core Faculty
Dr. Shawn Parmanand received both his Master of Counseling and his PhD in Counselor Education & Counseling from Idaho State University. His master's degree focused on clinical work with marriages, families, and couples. Dr. Parmanand is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a National Certified Counselor, a nationally approved clinical supervisor, and a certified Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. Currently, he works as a Counselor Educator in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Southern New Hampshire University.
He maintains a small private practice where he meets with a variety of client populations, with a specialty in working with children who have survived sexual abuse. A majority of his clients are couples, with an emphasis in working with those who are experiencing difficulties related to infertility.
Parmanand has worked in counselor education as a faculty members since 2010. He has served in leadership roles as both the Membership Chair and Treasurer for the Idaho Counseling Association.
Parmanand regularly presents at the state and national level. In addition, he has published a number of journal articles and book chapters. His research interests include Emotionally Focused Therapy with couples, infertility issues, group treatment modalities, and incorporating lived experience into counselor education.
He maintains a small private practice where he meets with a variety of client populations, with a specialty in working with children who have survived sexual abuse. A majority of his clients are couples, with an emphasis in working with those who are experiencing difficulties related to infertility.
Parmanand has worked in counselor education as a faculty members since 2010. He has served in leadership roles as both the Membership Chair and Treasurer for the Idaho Counseling Association.
Parmanand regularly presents at the state and national level. In addition, he has published a number of journal articles and book chapters. His research interests include Emotionally Focused Therapy with couples, infertility issues, group treatment modalities, and incorporating lived experience into counselor education.
Session
Matt Tis, PhD, LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Matt Tis is an Assistant Professor at the University of Northern Colorado. He holds an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision. Dr. Tis also maintains a small private practice in Castle Rock, CO.
Sessions
Bonnie Nicholson, PhD
Assistant Professor
Bonnie Nicholson is an assistant professor at the University of Northern Colorado. She graduated with a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado. Her research interests include the supervision relationship and the development of a supervisor identity, vulnerability within all layers of the counseling and counselor training process, ensuring quality graduates in counseling programs, and developing a community within graduate school.
Session
David Kleist
Counselor educator
My broad scholarly interests include Qualitative research, instructional theory, couple and family counseling, and ethics. More specifically, I am interested in the influences of postmodern philosophy on the areas above (i.e., use of reflecting teams, social constructionist theory) and its impact on the future of counselor education. Additionally, I am concerned with increasing the field's awareness of the importance of training counselors in the skills of prevention as well as remediation (i.e., treatment) and who (and whose interests) will influence the future of counselor education.
In my free time, I enjoy golfing, skiing, hiking, spending time with my wife, daughter and son, listening to Bob Dylan, and of course, obsessing about the Green Bay Packers (I am originally from Wisconsin). Feel free to call or e-mail me for further information.
he/his/him
In my free time, I enjoy golfing, skiing, hiking, spending time with my wife, daughter and son, listening to Bob Dylan, and of course, obsessing about the Green Bay Packers (I am originally from Wisconsin). Feel free to call or e-mail me for further information.
he/his/him
Session
Robyn Simmons, Ed.D., LPC-S, RPT-S
Professor
Robyn Trippany Simmons, LPC-S, RPT-S, NCC received her Ed.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Alabama in 2001. She serves as Professor and Director of Faculty Development in the Department of Counseling at the University of the Cumberlands. Dr. Simmons’s research and clinical interests include sexual trauma, vicarious trauma, play therapy, counselor education curriculum, supervision, and professional identity issues.
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Taewon Kim, PhD
Assistant Professor
Taewon Kim is a first-year Assistant Professor in the M.Ed. in School Counseling Program at the Department of Psychology at Utah State University. He completed his Master's degree in Educational Counseling at Seoul National University and has over three years of experience as a military counseling officer and supervisor in the Air Force. His research interests focus on multicultural counseling, school bullying, relationship factors and methodologies in counseling research. His dissertation was titled Counselors’ Collectivism/Individualism and Working Alliance: The Role of Self-Differentiation and Countertransference. He is an active member of professional organizations including the American School Counseling Association (ASCA), American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), the Korean Counseling Association (KCA), and the Korean Counseling Psychological Association (KCPA).
Sessions
Kristy Eldredge, EdD, LPC, ACS, CCTP, BC-TMH
LPC, Full Professor
Dr. Kristy Eldredge is a Full Professor at The Chicago School in the Counselor Education – Online program, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Virginia. Currently, living in Denver, Colorado, she provides individual psychotherapy with adult survivors of complex trauma, including sexual abuse, human trafficking, and organized abuse. She is also an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and National Certified Counselor (NCC) through the NBCC, a a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), and a Board Certified Telemental Health Clinician. Within the university, she serves as the Co-lead for curriculum in the CMHC-online and Counselor Education and Supervision Online programs.
Session
Ashley Kreeger, NCC, LPC, ACS
Behavioral Health Clinician
Ashley Kreeger, NCC, LPC, ACS (she/her) is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor and Assistant Professor with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, working in the Pediatric Mental Health Institute at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She completed her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling at Denver Seminary. She has over 18 years of clinical experience working with children and adolescents struggling with anxiety, OCD, and behavioral concerns. She is the director of the Unlicensed BHC Pathway Program, a training program for post master’s level clinicians. She has been a clinical supervisor for 10 years and has earned her Approved Clinical Supervisor credential. She is dedicated to helping train the next generation of clinicians in the field.
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Elizabeth K Norris PhD, LPC (CO, GA), NCC, BC-TMH
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Elizabeth Norris, PhD, LPC (CO, GA), NCC is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary and a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice specializing in trauma-informed care. She is licensed in both Colorado and Georgia, is trained in Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and provides trauma trainings, debriefings and crisis care both domestically and internationally. Her research agenda covers trauma and counselor development, with particular expertise in counselor burnout, organizational culture, and wellness. She currently serves as the Faculty Advisor for the counseling Honor Society, Chi Sigma Iota with a focus on mentorship.
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Dylan Gonzales, MA, NCC, LPC-Associate Under the supervision of Dee Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S
Doctoral Student
Dylan Gonzales is an LPC-Associate, under the supervision of Dee C. Ray, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, RPT-S in Texas. A first generation, second-year doctoral student in the University of North Texas that specializes in both group therapy and play therapy. In his career, Dylan has explored the impacts of the therapeutic relationship of culturally diverse individuals across the life span. More recently, Dylan has moved to the world of play therapy with the desire to explore the effects of humanistic play therapy on diverse populations and aims to move the modality toward a more culturally inclusive space. Dylan is an existential play therapist who emphasizes the importance of entering the child’s realm in an experiential manner. Through this deep authentic relationship, Dylan believes that healing occurs. He currently provides play therapy services to Latinx Children in the Denton Independent School District along with services at UNT’s Child and Family Resource Clinic. Dylan is a doctoral supervisor for master's level counselors-in-training and has focused on working with practicum students transitioning into internship.
Session
Sabina Sabyrkulova, MA, LCPC
PhD Candidate and Mental Health Clinician
Sabina Sabyrkulova is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Montana, Missoula, where she anticipates completing her degree by August 2024. Her dissertation research focuses on exploring counselor educators' experiences and approaches in addressing problems of professional competence (PPC) among doctoral students.
Sabina holds a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Montana, Missoula. With a background in counseling, Sabina has gained experience working with diverse populations in rural areas of Montana, addressing a range of presenting issues.
Passionate about advocacy, Sabina has been involved in various initiatives, including emphasizing the significance of school counseling, supporting her clients, and raising awareness about international and underrepresented student issues. She has also presented on topics such as substance use, professional ethics, supervision, and mental health in developing countries.
Sabina holds a Master of Arts degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Montana, Missoula. With a background in counseling, Sabina has gained experience working with diverse populations in rural areas of Montana, addressing a range of presenting issues.
Passionate about advocacy, Sabina has been involved in various initiatives, including emphasizing the significance of school counseling, supporting her clients, and raising awareness about international and underrepresented student issues. She has also presented on topics such as substance use, professional ethics, supervision, and mental health in developing countries.
Session
Sunny Volano, LPC, CPCS
Doctoral Student, Licensed Professional Counselor
Sunny (she/her/hers) is a first-year doctoral student at Adams State University. She is a licensed professional counselor in Georgia and North Carolina and has a private practice focused on children and adolescents. She lives and works in a rural community and hopes to bring awareness and attention to the communities unique needs.
Sessions
Katie Christensen, PhD, ACMHC, LCMHCA, NCC
Assistant Professor
The presenter earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, is a practicing counselor, and works as a counselor educator in a CACREP program. The presenter addresses anti-fat attitudes and behaviors in clinical work, has integrated sizeism education into curriculum at 2 different CACREP counseling programs within recent years, and has completed research exploring weight-bias in counseling. The presenter has also spoken on this topic at national counseling conferences.
Sessions
Katey T. Franklin, PhD, LSC, LCPC
Asst. Professor
Dr. Franklin is an Asst. Professor in the Counseling Department at Montana State University, and has been a counselor in Montana for 20 years. She is the School Counseling Program Leader, the Director of the Center for Mental Health Research & Recovery, and School Liaison for the Rural Mental Health Preparation/Pathway Program. In both her research and service, Dr. Franklin is committed to understanding and supporting the unique mental and behavioral needs of rural school communities and Montana kids.
Sessions
Anna Lieber, LCMHC, NCC, CCMHC
CCE Clinical Director
Anna Lieber (she/hers) has over 25 years of experience in behavioral health in direct client care, program development, and administration. Anna is the current Clinical Director of Westminster University’s Counseling & Counseling Education program, and her clinical work is currently focused on clinical supervision, suicide treatment/prevention, and continued learning. Prior to starting at Westminster Anna was the Chief Clinical Officer of a large psychiatric hospital and oversaw all inpatient and outpatient clinical services. Anna is passionate about behavioral health and the mental health counseling field and uses her drive to enhance the mental health profession by giving back through service. Anna is the Past-President of the Utah Mental Health Counselors Association, a Utah Crime Victim Reparations and Assistance Board member, and provides numerous trainings to therapists and medical providers. Anna is a Nationally Certified Counselor and member of the NBCC, American Association of Suicidology, ACA, ACEs, AMHCA, and the LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapist Guild of Utah. Anna has extensive experience in treatment and program development for many disorders and populations, including developmental trauma, military issues, dual-diagnosis, addiction, psychosis, PTSD/trauma, anxiety, mood, personality, LGBTQIA+. Anna’s clinical interests include chronic suicidal behaviors, personality disorders, trauma/PTSD, obsessive-compulsive disorders, suicide prevention/postvention, and clinical supervision.
Session
Jade Letourneau, PhD, CMHC, ACS
Associate Professor
Jade Letourneau is an associate professor in the counseling program at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. earned her PhD from Idaho State University and her MS from University of Southern Maine. She is licensed to practice in Utah, Maine, and New Hampshire. Her research interests include all things qualitative, culturally responsive gatekeeping, and spirituality and religious issues in counseling.
Sessions
Jessica Meléndez Tyler, PhD, LPC-S, BC-TMH, NCC
Associate Professor of the Practice
Jessica Meléndez Tyler is an Associate Professor of the Practice at Vanderbilt University and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) also licensed as a Licensed Counseling Supervisor (LPC-S). She is a humanistic counselor who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to assist adults in overcoming challenges and traumas. Dr. Tyler's research interests align with her professional work, focusing on suicidal clients, crisis counseling, collegiality, trauma-informed care, women's issues, cultural resilience, perfectionism, healthy social media behaviors, working with veterans and their dependents, and counseling supervision trends. She has presented over 40 peer-reviewed scholarly presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Dr. Tyler has won practitioner and supervision awards on the state and national levels. Additionally, she contributes to The Thoughtful Counselor podcast and provides training on Suicide First Aid (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training- ASIST) and healthy social media practices for helpers and community members.
Sessions
Karen Thacker, MS, LPC-S, LPC
Counselor, Adjunct Professor
Karen has been in private practice in Lafayette, Colorado, since 2007. She is a Ph.D. candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling at Concordia University Irvine, CA. She has been an Adjunct Professor for the Townsend Institute Master of Arts Clinical Mental Health Counseling program since 2017. She and members of her cohort presented at the Colorado Counselors Association 2022 conference on “Supervision in the Spotlight: Examining Competency, Dispositions, and Supervisory Relationships with the CCS-R” and “Imposter Phenomenon Among Counseling Students and Professionals: Pathways Toward Self-Compassion,” at the Mediterranean Region Counselors Association 2023 Conference in Hungary on “Imposter Phenomenon Among Helping Professionals Assisting Communities in Crisis,” and at the Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES) 2023 conference on “The Evaluative Role of Supervisors: Examining Competency, Dispositions, and Relationships.” Karen has volunteered with the ACES Advocacy Interest Network and the RMACES By-Laws Committee. She has published two books: Surviving the Scarlet Letter: Freedom from Shame and the Journey Forward Workbook: Daily Steps to Achieve Emotional Balance & Healthier Relationships.
Session
William B. Lane Jr., PhD, LPCC, NCC, BC-TMH
Assistant Professor and Program Lead
Dr. William B. Lane Jr. is an Assistant Professor and the Program Lead of the Counseling Program at Western New Mexico University. He is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in New Mexico and has experience providing supervision and working with diverse populations within the K-12 setting. He has worked as a child advocate providing trauma-informed counseling to sexual abuse survivors. He has additional experience working in private practice with individuals, couples, and the LGBTQ+ community. His research interests include improving the supervisory working alliance and telemental health counseling, supervision, and education.
Session
David Means, MA, LPC, BC-TMH, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor
David is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Oregon who owns a private practice in Colorado. He is currently pursuing his PhD at Walden University. David previously worked as Clinical Director for North Albany Wellness Center in Albany, Oregon for four years and prior to that as a Clinical Supervisor for Marion County Mental Health in Salem, Oregon for 12 years and Adjunct Instructor at Corban University in Salem, Oregon. His research interests include couples therapy and remediation.
Session
Ananda Lettner, LPC, M.S.
Doctoral Student in Counselor Education and Counseling at Idaho State University
Ananda Lettner has been working as a mental health counselor in the state of Idaho since October of 2021. She is currently a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Counseling program at Idaho State University specializing in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She completed her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and Environmental Policy at Luther College in Decorah, IA and her Master’s of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Viterbo University in La Crosse, WI. She has interests in environmental justice, integrated behavioral healthcare, and trauma-informed care and supervision.
Sessions
Matthew Schramm MA, PCLC, NCC
Matthew Schramm is a first-year Counseling Education & Supervision doctoral student at the University of Montana. He previously worked as a high school counselor in Colorado and is currently practicing as a mental health clinician in Missoula. Matthew earned his Master's in Counseling and Human Services from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs.
Sessions
Hana Meshesha, PhD, LPC, LAC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Hana Meshesha is a faculty in the Department of Counseling at the Idaho State University (ISU), Idaho. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Montana, Missoula, Montana, in 2023. She has experience working with college population and clients with substance use disorders. Hana has worked as a faculty member at the University of Gondar, Ethiopia, for close to a decade. In Ethiopia, as a member of the Department of Psychology, she focused on teaching and supervising students who became mental health service providers in their community. Hana also provided counseling services to college students with focus on adjustment, anxiety, and depression cases. Her research interests include trauma, forgiveness, disability issues, supervision, and counseling in international context. Hana has experience co-supervising CITs, working with mandated clients and teaching and conducting group counseling. She is currently serving as the CFA for the ISU’s Chi Sigma Iota Chapter: Phi Omicron Chi.
Sessions
Alli Bristow MC, LSC, PCLC, NCC
High School Counselor
Alli Bristow is a second-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Montana and a High School Counselor at Florence-Carlton School District in Florence, Montana. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor (NBCC) who received her Master’s in Community Counseling in 2003 and Montana School Counseling Licensure in 2006. Her early work involved crisis counseling and response services for a suicide prevention agency in Phoenix, Arizona. In the past 15 years, she has worked with students and staff in K-12 rural schools, providing individual and group counseling for students. She also provides site supervision for graduate-level school counseling interns from the University of Montana and is the 2024 Montana School Counselor of the Year.
Session
Erin Burgess, MS, LPC
Doctoral Student
Erin Burgess, MS, LPC (they/she) is a Licensed Professional Counselor and current doctoral student in Counselor Education & Supervision at Idaho State University, specializing in Marriage, Couple and Family counseling. She completed her MS in Professional Mental Health Counseling—Addictions Specialization at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, OR, and was awarded the NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship in Addiction Counseling in 2022. Her research interests include how to best prepare CITs to help clients explore sexuality, as well as best practices in the treatment of clients with SUDs. Clinically, she has worked in multiple residential centers where she has supported clients in recovery, advocated for client rehabilitation needs, conducted individual and group counseling with justice-involved youth who use substances, and developed group counseling curriculums centering creative interventions when working with Black and Brown youth.
Session
Chad Yates, PhD, LCPC
Professor
My name is Dr. Chad Yates. I joined the ISU Department of Counseling in 2013. I received my Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Kent State University and my M.A. in Community Counseling from the University of Toledo. At ISU, I teach Prepracticum Counseling Techniques, Addictions Counseling, Group Counseling Techniques, Small Group Activity, and Advanced Psychological Testing and Assessment. I also supervise students within our practicum course.
My research interests include educational practices in addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders. I also research the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within counseling and addictions counseling. For a description of my current research and past research, please visit my ResearchGate page (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chad_Yates).
I enjoy providing service to ISU and my campus community. I currently serve as a Faculty Senator for ISU and as a board member of the ISU Human Subjects Committee. I also coordinate the ISU Safe Space Program. ISU's Safe Space program fosters an inclusive environment that challenges oppression and supports LGBTQ+ students by providing education and resources for faculty and staff at ISU committed to inclusion and equity. For more information about ISU's Safe Space Program and upcoming trainings, please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/isusafespace/?ref=page_internal).
I am fortunate to serve as the Counseling Coordinator of ISU’s Northwest Center for Fluency Disorders (NWCFD). The NWCFD offers a two-week interprofessional intensive stuttering clinic for adolescents and adults who stutter, which is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Counseling at Idaho State University. This unique clinic is the first of its kind in the world that has Speech Language Pathologists and Counselors working together to treat the holistic needs of clients who stutter through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based mental health approach. Please visit our website for more information.
My personal interests include hiking, camping, skiing, and golfing. I love living close to Yellowstone and Teton National Park. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family.
My research interests include educational practices in addiction and the treatment of substance use disorders. I also research the application of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) within counseling and addictions counseling. For a description of my current research and past research, please visit my ResearchGate page (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Chad_Yates).
I enjoy providing service to ISU and my campus community. I currently serve as a Faculty Senator for ISU and as a board member of the ISU Human Subjects Committee. I also coordinate the ISU Safe Space Program. ISU's Safe Space program fosters an inclusive environment that challenges oppression and supports LGBTQ+ students by providing education and resources for faculty and staff at ISU committed to inclusion and equity. For more information about ISU's Safe Space Program and upcoming trainings, please visit our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/isusafespace/?ref=page_internal).
I am fortunate to serve as the Counseling Coordinator of ISU’s Northwest Center for Fluency Disorders (NWCFD). The NWCFD offers a two-week interprofessional intensive stuttering clinic for adolescents and adults who stutter, which is a collaborative effort between the Departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders and Counseling at Idaho State University. This unique clinic is the first of its kind in the world that has Speech Language Pathologists and Counselors working together to treat the holistic needs of clients who stutter through Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a mindfulness-based mental health approach. Please visit our website for more information.
My personal interests include hiking, camping, skiing, and golfing. I love living close to Yellowstone and Teton National Park. When I am not working, I enjoy spending time with my family.
Sessions
Joey Tapia Jr., PhD, CRC, LPC, RPT, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Jose Luis Tapia Jr. (he, him, his) is currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. He graduated with his PhD in counseling at the University of North Texas. His research is focused on disability-responsive care across the lifespan. Dr. Tapia-Fuselier is currently President of the Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Education. He has served as the graduate student representative for the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, the national Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and the National Council for Rehabilitation Education. Dr. Tapia has been highlighted for her service by the American Counseling Association with the Arthur A. Hitchcock Distinguished Professional Service Award, the Outstanding Graduate Student Leadership Award by ACES, and Doctoral Student of the Year from the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association.
He has served in various committees in ACES and ACA to promote the profession of counselor education and advance equity and inclusion for graduate student and new professional members. He has a clear passion to serve the fields of counseling, rehabilitation counseling, counselor education in advancing the voices of others and promoting equitable and inclusive practices. Lastly, Dr. Tapia has served the community in public and private rehabilitation settings as well as, in private and community practice for 7 years. He has provided individual, relationship, play, and family therapy with a special focus in serving people with disabilities in three languages (English, Spanish, and American Sign Language). He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and National Certified Counselor. Additionally, he is a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy-Supervisor and has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
He has served in various committees in ACES and ACA to promote the profession of counselor education and advance equity and inclusion for graduate student and new professional members. He has a clear passion to serve the fields of counseling, rehabilitation counseling, counselor education in advancing the voices of others and promoting equitable and inclusive practices. Lastly, Dr. Tapia has served the community in public and private rehabilitation settings as well as, in private and community practice for 7 years. He has provided individual, relationship, play, and family therapy with a special focus in serving people with disabilities in three languages (English, Spanish, and American Sign Language). He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and National Certified Counselor. Additionally, he is a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapist-Supervisor, and Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy-Supervisor and has advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy.
Sessions
Rachael Estes
Licensed Professional Counselor/Doctoral Student Counselor Education and Supervision Auburn University
Rachael Estes is a third-year doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Auburn University and has worked as a Licensed Professional Counselor with more than 5 years of clinical experience. Rachael has previously worked with at-risk youth adjudicated for illegal sexual behavior using Trauma-Focused CBT and is currently working in private practice. Her clinical specialties and interests include trauma, ADHD, student-athletes, social media impacts, and resiliency in supervision and the counseling profession.
Session
Elizabeth Wiggins, PhD, LSC, LPC
Program Director/Assistant Professor
Dr. Elizabeth Wiggins is a dynamic and engaging counselor educator who believes in utilizing experiential learning opportunities, both online and in-person. She comes to Colorado Christian University with experience as a clinical mental health counselor and school counselor. Having worked with individuals from kindergarten through adulthood, Wiggins believes in helping others to develop the skills they need to be successful in school, work, relationships and life.
Wiggins is passionate about researching counselor development and the use of holistic interventions in counseling. Her work with aromatherapy as a therapeutic tool represents her non-traditional, innovative, and personalized approach to counseling. Her research has been presented at local, state, and national conferences.
Wiggins is passionate about researching counselor development and the use of holistic interventions in counseling. Her work with aromatherapy as a therapeutic tool represents her non-traditional, innovative, and personalized approach to counseling. Her research has been presented at local, state, and national conferences.
Session
Brad Imhoff, PhD, LPC
Program Director & Associate Professor of Counseling
Dr. Brad Imhoff earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Ohio University. He is the Director of the MA in Addiction Counseling program and is an Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education & Family Studies at Liberty University. Dr. Imhoff’s scholarly interests include the understanding and treatment of Social Anxiety Disorder, substance and behavioral addictions, and counselor well-being and self-care.
Sessions
Aundrea Gee, MEd
Doctoral Candidate
Aundrea Gee graduated in 1989 with her bachelor's degree in Recreation and Leisure Studies. She quickly learned the importance of connecting with people who also have great connections, as that is how a country girl from Ohio found her way to the wilds of Montana! She began her professional Recreation Therapy career at Deaconess Psychiatric Center shortly after graduation. Changes in state funding for mental health care led to a change in employment, and Aundrea became one of the recreation therapists on the inpatient rehabilitation unit at St. Vincent Healthcare. After 14 years on the rehab unit, she decided a change was needed, so she studied and passed the CPC exam and joined the medical coders at St. Vincent Healthcare. In 2014, she returned with her son to Ohio so he could attend Kent State University. A door opened for Aundrea to return to school and in 2016 she began coursework to complete her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling since working with people with disabilities has always been her passion. In 2018, she applied for and was accepted into Kent State's Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) Doctoral Program. In her doctoral program, it became painfully obvious that educating future counselors about disability was not a high priority. As one of only two rehab counselors in the CES doctoral program, she made it a point to bring a disability perspective to all of her classes.
Aundrea is now a doctoral candidate at Kent State University. In addition, she is part-time faculty in the College of Health Professions and Science at Montana State University-Billings (MSU-B). She is excited to begin her new position as an assistant professor at MSU-B beginning fall semester, 2024.
Aundrea is now a doctoral candidate at Kent State University. In addition, she is part-time faculty in the College of Health Professions and Science at Montana State University-Billings (MSU-B). She is excited to begin her new position as an assistant professor at MSU-B beginning fall semester, 2024.
Session
Elisabeth Simpson
Assistant Professor
Elisabeth Simpson, Ph.D., CRC, NCC, is an Assistant Professor in the Mental Health Counseling Program at Methodist University. Dr. Simpson completed her doctoral degree in Counselor Education & Supervision from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA. She has previously worked in the counseling programs at West Virginia University and Fort Valley State University. Dr. Simpson currently serves as a Co-PI on the Innovative Training Grant, AIR4VR, through the Rehabilitation Services Administration. She has experience developing and teaching graduate courses in online and in person programs. Dr. Simpson completed her Master's degree in Rehabilitation Counseling from West Virginia University (WVU) and is a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC) and nationally certified counselor (NCC).
Session
Ashley A. Pechek, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS
Assistant Professor & Assistant Department Chair
Dr. Ashley Ascherl Pechek is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and has over 15 years of counseling experience. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor (NCC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). Her areas of expertise are working with at-risk youth and military families. Dr. Pechek earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in 2019 and she is currently an Assistant Professor at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania, Lock Haven. In addition, she has taught in online CACREP-accredited programs for the last nine years.
Session
Raissa Miller
Associate Professor
Dr. Raissa Miller is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Counselor Education at Boise State University. Dr. Miller has over a decade of clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan in community agency and private practice settings. Dr. Miller is an active researcher with particular interests in the integration of neuroscience and counseling, the evaluation of counseling training and interventions, and the application of rigorous qualitative methodologies in the counseling field. She is the Associate Co-Editor of the neuroscience section of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling. Dr. Miller has published over 25 peer-reviewed journal articles and is the co-author of the book The Neuroeducation Toolbox: Practical Translations of Neuroscience in Counseling and Psychotherapy.
Sessions
John O'Malley
Chair/ Assistant Professor
Dr. John O'Malley, the Chair and Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Regis University is distinguished by his Jesuit approach to education and counseling. He completed his Bachelor of Music at the University of Denver, followed by a Master of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Wyoming. Dr. O'Malley's professional journey includes significant roles as a faculty member at the University of Denver and Johnson & Wales University. His teaching philosophy is deeply rooted in Jesuit values, focusing on understanding and empowering the whole person and engaging authentically with the experiences of others.
Session
Arianna Vokos, PhD, LCPC, LSC, NCC
Therapist
Arianna is a LCPC and LSC in Montana.
Session
Nicole Xenos, MA, LPC, PhD-C
Mx. Nicole Xenos
Nicole Xenos, MA, LPC, PhD-Candidate (she/they) is the owner of The Painted One Healing; a private practice in Boulder, Colorado that specializes in multiracial identity development and healing from Narcissistic abuse. Nicole has a Master’s degree in Transpersonal Mindfulness Based Counseling Psychology from Naropa University and is currently a PhD-C at Saybrook University. Alongside their clinical practice, Nicole is also a visiting instructor at Naropa University where she teaches Multicultural Foundations and Gestalt theory. Nicole is a Queer, neurodivergent, multiracial woman of color and single Mother to four wonderful children. Nicole believes that our identities impact our experiences in all spaces from higher education to mental health and is passionate about bringing liberation, transformation and social justice into all spaces and courses she is a part of.
Session
Nika M. Davenport, MA, NCC, LMHC
Mental health therapist
As a PhD candidate in Counseling Education and Supervision along with MAs in both teaching and counselling, the presenter has extensive knowledge and experience in teaching and counselling. With knowledge of CACREP standards as both a master's and PhD student and as an adjunct in a CACREP accredited program, the presenter has rich experience integrating technology into a variety of courses including MFC Ethics & Law, Introduction to MFC, and MFC Counseling and has also been a guest lecturer in multiple CACREP accredited counseling courses. Additionally, the presenter has a deep background counseling children and adolescents, first as a school-based mental health clinician and then as a private practice practitioner specializing in treating children, adolescents, and families.
Session
Vasti Holstun, PhD, LPC, ACS
Associate Professor
Dr. Vasti Holstun is an associate professor in a CACREP accredited counseling program. Prior to becoming a counselor educator, Dr. Holstun was a school counselor for 16 years. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice in Colorado Springs, CO, where she continues to provide counseling to children, adolescents, and adults. Dr. Holstun publishes and presents at state and national conferences on the following topics: burnout, compassion satisfaction, and self-care for counselor educators, integrating spirituality in counseling, mental health in schools, and counseling supervision. Dr. Holstun is the President-elect of the Colorado Counseling Association (2024-2025 tenure). She is an associate editor for the Journal of Humanistic Counseling and the editor of the new Journal of Faith Integration in Counseling.
Sessions
Ariel Williams, PhD, LCPC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Ariel Williams is an Assistant Professor, Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, and Nationally Certified Counselor. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Montana in 2019. Passionate about teaching novice counselors, Ariel strives to create inclusive, challenging, and inspiring classroom experiences. She believes that strong relationships are at the core of learning, both in the classroom and in the counseling room. Ariel has been providing clinical counseling since 2012 and more recently has pivoted to practicing remotely through a telehealth platform with a holistic model of healing. While she identifies as a generalist and enjoys the diversity of working with all different kinds of people and presenting concerns, Ariel has a particular interest and training in working with people who have experienced trauma. Ariel uses her clinical experiences to inform teaching practices and is committed to staying up-to-date and informed by the most current research literature. Ariel’s research interests relate to the experience and process of counseling supervision, creativity in teaching and counseling, and counselor wellness.
Sessions
Marisa Rapp, PhD, LPC, NCC
Core Faculty
Dr. Rapp resides in beautiful North Idaho with her family and golden retriever. She runs and operates a small private practice in downtown Coeur d'Alene and is a Core Faculty member in the CMCH program at Capella University.
Session
Melanie Person
Associate Professor
Dr. Melanie Person is a tenured Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington where she directs the Master of Counselling program offered in British Columbia, Canada. She has a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education from Idaho State University. Melanie is passionate about teaching and research related to counselor development and professional identity, in addition to supporting the research identity development of students. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of Washington and a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the State of Idaho. In conjunction with her role as an educator, Melanie has maintained a private practice for the past 15 years specializing in working with individuals with personality disorders, addictions, and adolescents.
Session
Renyi Huang
MS
Renyi Huang, M.S. is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Counseling program at ISU. Prior to moving to Idaho, she completed her master's training in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Johns Hopkins University in Maryland. During her master- and doctoral-level internship, she had the privilege to work with children and families that are impacted by child maltreatment (i.e., abuse and neglect) using evidence-based approaches like TF-CBT, PCIT, and ITCT. Her research interests include group counseling, multicultural issues in counseling, basic counseling skill training, counseling outcome research, and integration of technology in counselor education.
Session
Heather Pendleton-Helm, PhD, LPC, RPT/S
Professor & Department Chair
Heather Pendleton-Helm is a Professor and Department Chair at the University of Northern Colorado in Applied Psychology and Counselor Education. Heather has been full-time faculty since 2004 and has been actively engage in the professional through leadership at the regional and national level, including serving as the Editor of the ACES journal Counselor Education and Supervision. Heather is also a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor and continues to work with children and adults in private practice. Her research interests include childhood grief and loss, doctoral student professional and identity development, vicarious trauma, and supervisory dynamics.
Sessions
Kelsey Scanlan, PhD, LPCC-S, CCMHC
Clinical Faculty
Kelsey is a licensed professional clinical counselor with supervisory designation at Clintonville Counseling and Wellness in Columbus, Ohio. They primarily work with teens and adults surrounding issues of gender and sexuality but have experience in helping clients from many backgrounds and presenting problems. Kelsey is a clinical faculty member at Adams State University in the Department of Counselor Education. They obtained their PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Adams State University in 2023, their MS from Wright State University in 2016, and their BA from The Ohio State University in 2012. They practice, teach, and supervise primarily from person-centered and feminist theories.
Along with working with LGBTQ+ teens and young adults, Kelsey's passion lies in providing education. They have presented at national, state, and regional conferences on LGBTQ+ issues and counseling techniques, have held independent CE events on LGBTQ+ issues and have provided education to middle- and high-school educators on LGBTQ+ youth. They are also involved in the Ohio chapter of SAIGE as a regional representative and Information/Technology support, and recently joined the national SAIGE board as the IT chairperson.
Along with working with LGBTQ+ teens and young adults, Kelsey's passion lies in providing education. They have presented at national, state, and regional conferences on LGBTQ+ issues and counseling techniques, have held independent CE events on LGBTQ+ issues and have provided education to middle- and high-school educators on LGBTQ+ youth. They are also involved in the Ohio chapter of SAIGE as a regional representative and Information/Technology support, and recently joined the national SAIGE board as the IT chairperson.
Session
Kylie B. Rogalla, Ph.D., LPC, LCAC, NCC, BC-TMH
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kylie Rogalla has been a Counselor Educator in CACREP-accredited counselor training programs for the past 11 years (2013 - present) and practicing as a licensed counselor for the past 15 years (2009 - present). She received a Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado (2015), including two doctoral minors in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership (HESAL) and Applied Statistics and Research Methods (ASRM). Dr. Rogalla specializes in intimate partner violence, trauma recovery, and unspoken forms of grief research. Her clinical experiences include crisis shelters for domestic violence survivors, alternative high school settings, and telemental health services for adults experiencing trauma and comorbid substance use concerns.
Dr. Rogalla’s professional credentials include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Board Certified Telemental Health (BC-TMH) provider, and she is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy trained.
Dr. Rogalla’s professional credentials include Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Counselor (LCAC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Board Certified Telemental Health (BC-TMH) provider, and she is Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy trained.
Session
Ty Tedmon-Jones, MA, LPC, LCAT, BC-DMT
Doctoral Candidate
Ty Tedmon-Jones, MA, LPC (WY & CO), LCAT (NY), BC-DMT [ he | him | his ] received his master’s degree from Antioch University New England in Dance/Movement Therapy and Counseling Psychology and is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Wyoming. Ty has diverse experience in clinical areas ranging from Early Childhood Mental Health to Inpatient Psychiatric Rehabilitation and has 20 years of clinical training and experience in the field. Ty is licensed as a Professional Counselor in the states of Wyoming & Colorado, a licensed Creative Arts Therapist in the state of NY, and is a Board-Certified Dance/Movement Therapist.
Session
Anna Bartkowiak, Ph.D., LCPC, RPT-S, CCDVC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Anna Bartkowiak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Montana State University. She is a Certified Clinical Domestic Counselor (NAFC) and Registered Play Therapy - Supervisor and has worked at the local domestic violence shelter, Haven, for the last 16 years. The current addiction treatment options have proven to be a challenge for mental health providers when paired with the empowerment-driven Haven’s mission statement. The exploration of new ways to provide support to DV and IPV survivors has been one of this researcher’s professional interests. Increasing the understanding of trauma and applying cultural humility are some of the empirically devised guidelines for observing the best interest of Haven participants while attending to their drug consumption.
Session
Adam C Wilson
Associate Professor of Counseling, Director of School Counseling Mental Health Initiative
Adam Wilson is an associate professor of counseling and served as chair of the School Counseling program at Denver Seminary (2018-2024). He is a Licensed Professional Counselor, specializing in child and adolescent clinical populations. He also directs the School Counseling Mental Health Initiative (SCMHI), a research initiative seeking to better understand effective mental health interventions in schools.
Session
Lexi Wimmer, PhD, LPC, LAC, ACS
Clinical Assistant Professor
Lexi Wimmer (she/her) is a clinical assistant professor at Marquette University as well as a licensed professional counselor and licensed addictions counselor in Colorado. She has clinical experience in residential, intensive outpatient, in-home, and outpatient settings with adolescents and adults. Practicing from a primarily narrative and interpersonal process perspective, she works with adults and adolescents in Denver, CO. Her research interests include spirituality, especially shifts in religious/spiritual beliefs, post-traumatic growth, and transformation in counselor development.
Session
Pam Vance, LPC, CRC
Doctoral Student
Pam Vance, LPC, CRC (she/her) is a doctoral student in Counseling Education and Counselor Supervision at Idaho State University. She integrates values exploration in her work with clients, students, and supervisees. She believes awareness of personal values and biases is fundamental to ethical counseling practice. Pam's other CES interests include eco counseling and integrating nature into classroom settings. Pam recently graduated with her master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling which emphasizes disability wellness and disability counseling competencies.
Session
Tara M. Gray, PhD, LPC, LMHC, LAC, LPSC, ACS, RPT-S
Clinical Faculty
Dr. Tara Gray, Clinical Faculty in the Counseling Department at Prescott College, is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Licensed Addiction Counselor, Licensed Professional School Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor with over 30 years of experience across settings, including private practice, university clinic and career centers, residential treatment, and K-12 schools. Dr. Gray has been teaching and supervising in graduate counseling programs since 2010 and specializes in ethical, compassionate, evidence-based counseling across diverse populations, counselor education, clinical supervision, group counseling, child and adolescent counseling, school counseling and social justice and advocacy. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Association for Play Therapy, the Colorado Providers Association, and the Southwest Colorado Canyons Alliance. Dr. Gray just published in the The SAGE Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, and Advocacy. Dr. Gray has taught over 75 graduate counselor education courses in 3 different CACREP programs and has served over 5,000 clients and students to date. Dr Gray has presented over 50 presentations and has published 13 articles on best practices in counseling. She has earned 7 awards and written 19 grants funded at over half a million dollars. Dr. Gray has also served in over 30 different professional service, volunteer leadership roles. Dr. Gray serves clients in her private practice, Dr. Tara Gray Counseling & Wellness, in Telluride, Colorado.
Session
Michael M. Morgan, Ph.D., LMFT
Associate Professor
Dr. Michael Morgan received his PhD in Marriage and Family Therapy from Purdue University in 2002. He has been teaching at the University of Wyoming's CACREP accredited MS and Ph.D. program since 2003. He has a post-graduate certificate in Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and is level one certified in the Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics from the Child Trauma Academy. His clinical experience includes both school counseling and clinical mental health work. He specializes in couples counseling and trauma-informed counseling. He received his LMFT in 1999 and has maintained a private practice since that time. He has published research on clinical supervision, clinical work with children, supporting veterans and their families, and on counselor empathy.
Session
Dr. M Sylvia Fernandez
President and CEO
Sessions
Kristin Myers, PhD, LPC, SSP
Assistant Professor
Dr. Kristin Myers is an Assistant Professor in the Applied Psychology and Counselor Education program at the University of Northern Colorado. In addition to her time at UNC, Kristin has been in the field of education for the past 20 years as a school counselor and at the Colorado Department of Education. Her research interest areas include children and youth in foster care, children experiencing homelessness, educational equity, trauma, and in preventing school violence. Kristin is thrilled to teach future school and clinical counselors at UNC. When Kristin is not working, you can typically find her in some tropical location scuba diving.
Session
Angel Manjarrez, MA, LPC
Counselor
Angel Manjarrez, MA, LPC (CO) is a doctoral student at Oregon State University and adjunct faculty at Regis University. He is currently an LPC working as a community mental health agency, primarily with Spanish-speaking clients. His dissertation research focuses on the provision of neuroeducation to Spanish-speaking clients currently receiving counseling services in a community setting.
Session
Carrie Alexander-Albritton, Ph.D., LCPC, NCC, CADC
Professor
The presenter is a Professor of Counselor Education with 16 years experience. She is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in the state of Illinois, a Nationally Certified Counselor, and a Certified Alcohol and Other Drug Counselor (CADC) in Illinois. Her scholarly and research interests include women and parenting in higher education, wellness, mentoring, substance abuse, and assessment and diagnosis.
Session
Bethany Townsend, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
My passion is making a difference in people's lives, and I currently endeavor to do that through teaching in the CACREP core areas, supervising counselors-in-training, counseling clients in a rural agency, and assisting with spiritual development in my church.
Session
Kara Carnes-Holt, PhD, LPC, RPT-S
Professor/Department Chair
Kara Carnes-Holt (she/her), Ph.D., LPC, RPT-S, CCPT-S, CPRT-S, is a Professor and the Department Chair for the Department of Counseling and Human Services at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. She earned her PhD. in counseling at the University of North Texas. Kara is a professional counselor, a registered play therapist, and an approved play therapy supervisor (RPT-S). She is also the founder and former director of the Rocky Mountain Center of Play Therapy Studies. Kara has special interests in utilizing humanistic play therapy, CPRT, and expressive arts interventions as they utilize the therapeutic relationship as the primary and foundational agent of change for children, adolescents, and their families. She has a personal and professional passion for supporting adoptive and foster families.
Session
Lillian Martz PCLC, PSC, MA
Ms.
Lillian Martz is a Doctoral Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at The University of Montana and part-time school counselor at Seeley-Swan High School. Her dissertation work is focused on evaluating a brief positive psychology group intervention with secondary students to determine effectiveness for improving overall wellbeing and academic performance. Her research interests include positive psychology interventions for adolescents, risk and protective factors for suicidality among adolescents, advocating for school counselors, and crisis counseling training for school counselors. She has been a licensed professional school counselor since 2009, working in elementary and high schools in Virginia, Montana, and Washington. She currently holds a class 6 license for school counseling and a PCLC professional counseling candidate license in Montana. She has presented more than a dozen times on topics related to school counseling at local, regional, and state conferences. Lillian is a member of the board of directors with the Montana School Counselor Association where she is co-chair of the Conference Committee and Chair of the Professional Development Committee.
She is passionate about social justice and is a member of the inaugural class of National School Counseling Fellows with the Center for Equity in Postsecondary Attainment hosted by San Diego State University where she and other fellows are working on leadership and advocacy projects supporting school counselors and an active member of Counselors for Social Justice. When she’s not working on her research, teaching, or providing counseling services, she enjoys spending time with her husband and getting outdoors!
She is passionate about social justice and is a member of the inaugural class of National School Counseling Fellows with the Center for Equity in Postsecondary Attainment hosted by San Diego State University where she and other fellows are working on leadership and advocacy projects supporting school counselors and an active member of Counselors for Social Justice. When she’s not working on her research, teaching, or providing counseling services, she enjoys spending time with her husband and getting outdoors!
Session
Dr. Derrick A. Paladino, LMHC, NCC
Professor & Department Chair
Department Chair and Professor - Graduate Studies in Counseling - Rollins College
Session
Rob McKinney, Ph.D., LMHC, NCC
Associate Professor
Rob McKinney is an Associate Professor in the department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University. He earned his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Eastern Illinois University and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University. He is proud to be a member of ACA, ACES, SAIGE, and CSI, the latter of which he is a Chapter Faculty Advisor at GU. He is also a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of Washington. His professional and research interests include multicultural counseling considerations, LGBTGEQIAP+ considerations, spirituality in counseling, and counselor preparation.
Session
Jessica Henderson
Assistant Professor
Dr. Henderson is a Licensed Professional Counselor (ID), certified school counselor (ID), and National Board-Certified Counselor. She is also an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at Liberty University where she works as Core Faculty within the Counselor Education and Family Studies program. Dr. Henderson teaches both school counseling and clinical mental health counseling courses. Her research interests include school counselor site supervision and post-graduate supervision, wellness and burnout prevention within counseling and counselor education, and career counseling.
Sessions
Katrina Ruggles, LPSC, LPC, PhD
Clinical Counselor
Dr. Katrina Ruggles is a Clinical Faculty member at Adams State University (ASU) in the School of Counselor Education. Dr. Ruggles started her career in private practice doing play therapy and adolescent counseling for 13 years. She then went back to school for the school counseling specialty and has been a school counselor for the last 14 years. She is licensed as both a Licensed Professional Counselor and a Licensed Professional School Counselor in Colorado. Dr. Ruggles has supervised clinical and school counselors toward graduation and licensure. She is currently an instructor in the ASU master’s program where she supervises students across specialities as part of pre-practicum, practicum, and internship courses.
Session
Cindy Boyle, LCPC, LMHC, LPC
.
The presenter has been a licensed mental health counselor for over a decade, licensed in 4 states and nationally certified. The presenter has maintained a successful private practice for over a decade and has provided individual and site supervision for new counselors/CITs for many years. The presenter is a past president of the state professional counseling association in which they practice. In their current position as a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision, the presenter currently provides both group and individual supervision to Counselors In Training in a CACREP accredited university counselor training program.
Session
Hailey Martinez, PhD, LCPC, CMHC, ACS
Assistant Professor
Dr. Martinez is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), a registered site supervisor in the state of Idaho, as well as nationally credentialed as an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling and teaches full-time in Counselor Education. She provides Telemental Health Counseling services for people located anywhere in the state of Idaho, as well as in-person equine therapy and equine-assisted learning services at her farm in Southeast Idaho.
Session
Daniel Salois, LCPC, PhD
Dan Salois, PhD, LCPC, is a faculty member at the University of Montana in the Department of Counseling. He teaches a range of classes including Fundamental Skills, Group Work, Diagnosis, and Counseling Theories. Dan enjoys supervising practicum students and interns as they move towards graduation and licensure. His research focuses wellness in three different areas: college students, educators in Montana, and athletes. He is currently involved in two IRB approved studies focusing on the impact mental health counseling may have for injury prevention in athletes, and burnout and secondary traumatic stress in educators. In his private practice Dan has a focus on working with athletes and student athletes as they navigate unique pressures to promote their mental health and perform in their given arena. He is also the Clinical Supervisor at Tamarack Grief Resource Center where he works with license eligible clinicians and clients.
Session
Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano, PhD
Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana. Her clinical expertise focuses on working with children and adolescents in school and mental health settings. Dr. Mumbauer's research and professional interests include clinical supervision, children's mental health literacy, and creative interventions in counseling. She has two publications focused on creative approaches to clinical supervision and currently teaches the doctoral course Clinical Supervision.
Session
Madeleine (Maddy) N. Stevens, PhD, LPCC/LPC, LPAT, ATR-BC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Madeleine (Maddy) Stevens is an assistant professor at Adams State University and holds a Ph.D. in counseling and supervision, an MA in Art therapy, and a BA in liberal and studio arts. Additionally, Dr. Stevens is a licensed clinical mental health counselor in two states and a licensed and nationally board-certified Art Therapist. Dr. Stevens spends time outside of teaching and supervising, working as a clinician with clients in counseling. With a personality that wanders around many interests, always rooted in a humanistic view of the world, using arts in qualitative research builds on a background and interest in how people communicate in layers and contradictions, particularly relevant to demonstrating lived experiences in qualitative research.
Sessions
Cassie Storlie, PhD, LPCC-S, NCC
ACES President
Session
Amanda DeDiego, PhD, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH
Associate Professor
Amanda DeDiego, PhD, LPC, NCC, BC-TMH is an Associate Professor of Counseling at the University of Wyoming. She has a PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Tennessee and holds a MS in Community Counseling from the University of North Georgia. Her research agenda focuses on counselor development and issues of healthcare equity and access. She incorporates creativity into her practice, teaching, research, and community engagement. She is the author of two textbooks with Routledge publishers, nine book chapters, and 35 peer-reviewed articles. She is PI on several grant projects focused on addressing health equity needs in the community. She holds leadership positions on the board of multiple counseling organizations including Association for Creativity in Counseling, RMACES, and serves as a Governing Council Representative for the American Counseling Association.
Sessions
John Robbins, Ph.D., LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Dr. John Robbins, LMFT is a Core Faculty member for Walden University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. He is an AAMFT and Utah approved supervisor, providing clinical supervision for professionals seeking licensure. Dr. Robbins’ professional passion is twofold: training student and Associate mental health professionals in the practice of counseling and training the trainers and supervisors in working with new counselors in the mental health field. Prior to joining Walden, he served as the Director of Clinical Training for Argosy University - Salt Lake City. Dr. Robbins has done extensive training of mental health professionals in self-care, creative ways of practice, expanding maneuverability and range in the counseling room, and maintaining a self-reflective habit as a clinician. He has over 100 presentations focusing on these topics, as well as counselor self-care, at-risk adolescents, and suicide prevention.
Session
Eric Baltrinic, PhD, LPC
Eric Baltrinic, PhD, LPC is the Assistant Director of Training and Evaluation for the Counseling Center at the University of Alabama. Eric has extensive experience teaching and training counselors, and working with clients in several clinical settings.
Session
Alex Floyd
One Colorado
Session
Ashley Roberts, PhD, LPC
Counselor Educator and Director of Clinical Training for CMHC Program at North Park University
Sessions
Paula Tipton, PhD, LPC
Dr. Paula Tipton, LPC (CO) LCPC (IL) is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Denver Seminary and has maintained a private practice for over 25 years that focuses on helping individuals and couples with their relationships. She has been a part of numerous multicultural teams that were committed to living out and teaching healthy relational dynamics. Dr. Tipton has published research on counseling and spirituality and her other research interests include complex trauma and toxic spirituality.
Sessions
April Schottelkorb, Ph.D., LCPC (MT), RPT-S, CCPT/CPRT-S/T
Owner, Big Sky Pediatric Counseling & Consulting
Dr. April Schottelkorb, Ph.D., LCPC (MT), RPT-S, CCPT/CPRT-S/T is a Montana native and owner of Big Sky Pediatric Counseling & Consulting, in Kalispell, MT. April is a former counselor educator and school counselor who specializes in counseling individuals of all ages, with a particular specialty in play therapy with neurodivergent youth.
Session
Kirsten Murray, PhD, LPC
Kirsten Murray, Ph.D., LPC is a Professor at the University of Montana. She has been a counselor educator for 18 years, and a counselor for 23. Her scholarly interests and publications focus largely in the areas of couple and family counseling, clinical supervision, qualitative research methodologies, and establishing accessible counseling services for underrepresented and underserved populations. She has published one book, multiple book chapters, papers, presentations, and has been awarded over 10 million in external grant funding.
Session
Alexandra Q. Parmely, MS, PPC
Mrs.
Alexandra is a mental health counselor and doctoral student basing out of Laramie Wyoming. Associated with the University of Wyoming Counselor Education and Supervision doctoral cohort of 2027.
Session
Alexandra Green, PCLC
Doctoral Student
Hey all! My name is Alexandra Green (she/her/hers), I’m a first-year doctoral student at
Idaho State University! I’m originally from the beautiful Flathead Valley in Montana. I
attended Montana State University for both my undergraduate degree in applied
psychology and my master's degree in clinical mental health. In addition to my
schooling, I have served in the Army National Guard as a medic for about ten years
now. Through my work in counseling and the Army, I’ve become passionate about
working with trauma survivors, specifically military and first responders. My research
interests are the intersectionality between neurodivergence and the military/first
responder populations. My goals are to improve understanding of those who identify
with these populations and how best to serve them.
When I’m not in school I love to hit the trails for hikes or running, the river for fishing and
kayaking, or really anything that gets me and my pups outdoors in some sunshine!
Idaho State University! I’m originally from the beautiful Flathead Valley in Montana. I
attended Montana State University for both my undergraduate degree in applied
psychology and my master's degree in clinical mental health. In addition to my
schooling, I have served in the Army National Guard as a medic for about ten years
now. Through my work in counseling and the Army, I’ve become passionate about
working with trauma survivors, specifically military and first responders. My research
interests are the intersectionality between neurodivergence and the military/first
responder populations. My goals are to improve understanding of those who identify
with these populations and how best to serve them.
When I’m not in school I love to hit the trails for hikes or running, the river for fishing and
kayaking, or really anything that gets me and my pups outdoors in some sunshine!
Sessions
Jennifer Murdock Bishop, PhD, LPC, NCC, ACS
Jennifer Murdock Bishop is a professor and doctoral program coordinator at the University of Northern Colorado in Applied Psychology and Counselor Education. She is a 2007 graduate of the University of Wyoming with a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and received her MA in Counseling and BA in Housing, Fashion and Interior Design from Chadron State College. Her research interests include community engaged scholarship with graduate students, career transitions and college students, online learning, and the use of creative instructional strategies in counselor training. Recent publications include understanding the impact of career values on career satisfaction: Utilizing card sorts in career counseling in the Career Planning and Adult Development Journal and Collegiate athletes and career identity in Sport, Education & Society. Jennifer has earned 11 internal grants and two external grants to support her research. In the state of Colorado, Dr. Murdock is a Licensed Professional Counselor, a Special Services Provider-School Counselor and nationally she is a National Certified Counselor, an Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Certified Career Services Provider.
Sessions
Pam Vance
LPC, CRC
Hello! My name is Pam Vance (she/her/her’s), and I am a second-year doctoral student studying Counselor Education and Supervision at Idaho State University on the Meridian campus. I grew up in the central mountains of Idaho which fostered a love for forests, mountains, and lakes. In my free time, I hike and camp with my family, play outdoor volleyball, and practice yoga. I recently graduated with a master’s degree in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling which emphasizes disability wellness and disability counseling competencies. Other CES interests include eco counseling and integrating nature into classroom settings.
Session
Brandi Chamberlin, Ph.D., LPC
Brandi Chamberlin received her Master of Arts in Counseling degree in 2004 from Cincinnati Christian University and her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Liberty University’s CACREP accredited doctoral program in 2019. She is a licensed professional counselor in the state of Virginia and has worked in a variety of clinical settings since 2004. Dr. Chamberlin has served in administration and leadership positions within higher education for over fifteen years. Her primary research interests are in online counselor education, wellness, and cultural orientation. Dr. Chamberlin has published and presented on counselor education, the Strong Black Woman schema, multicultural competency, and wellness locally, regionally, and nationally. She has expertise in CACREP accreditation processes and programmatic assessment.
Session
Jessie Koltz, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Program Director
Jessie Koltz is a third year Assistant Professor, and the Program Director of the M.Ed. in School Counseling Program in the Department of Psychology at Utah State University. Jessie is a Nationally Certified Counselor, Nationally Certified School Counselor, Licensed School Counselor, and licensed Associate Clinical Mental Health Counselor in the state of Utah. She was a practicing school counselor from 2013-2021 in K-12 settings in VA, NV, and CA and was the director and founder of Mindful Health Initiative, an adventure-based counseling 501(c)3 located in Reno, Nevada during her doctoral program. Her dissertation was entitled Supporting Perceived Academic Stress: An Online Delivered Counseling Intervention for Middle School Students. Her most recent publication is entitled Mindful Teaching, Leadership, and Reflection Practices, and can be found in the book Habits of Mind: Designing Courses for Student Success by Julia M. Gossard, Ph.D. & Chris Babits, Ph.D.
Sessions
Theresia Richardson, MA.Ed., LMHC, CCTP
Theresia Richardson is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and certified clinical trauma professional (CCTP). Theresia graduated in 2012 from Seattle University with her Master of Arts in Education in Counseling with a specialization in Community Counseling. Following graduation, she entered private practice where she serves individuals, couples, and groups touched by trauma and/or addiction. Currently, Theresia is also a second-year doctoral student at the Chicago School in the Counselor Education and Supervision program.
Session
Alyson Hatten, NCC, LPC, RPT
Alyson Hatten, NCC, LPC, RPT (she/her) is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, and Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Colorado School of Medicine, working in both the Pediatric Mental Health Institute and the Child Health Clinic at Children’s Hospital Colorado. She received her master of science in Rehabilitation Counseling Psychology from UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas. She has spent the majority of her 20-year career in academic medical centers providing individual, dyadic, family, and group therapy to youth and caregivers, as well as mental health consultation in early care and school settings. She has provided clinical supervision to pre-licensed and licensed professional counselors in community and hospital-based outpatient counseling centers. She currently provides consultation and teaching to medical providers in training, including nurse practitioner students, physician assistant students, medical students, and pediatric and family residents as an integrated behavioral health provider in pediatric primary care.
Session
Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano, PhD
Jayna Mumbauer-Pisano is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana, in Missoula, Montana. Dr. Mumbauer-Pisano graduated with her PhD in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida in May, 2019. She received her Master of Arts degree in School Counseling from Wake Forest University and her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Vanderbilt University. Jayna’s counseling experiences include counseling children and adolescents in elementary and high school, facilitating group counseling for adolescents with disabilities, and counseling adults at a community counseling clinic. Jayna has presented on issues relating to counseling and education at state, national, and international conferences. Her research focuses on clinical supervision, creative interventions in counseling, and graduate student well-being.
Session
Charisse Bordeaux, LPC-S, NCC, QMHP
Mental Health Specialist
Charisse Bordeaux (she/her/hers) is a Ph.D. student at Adams State University's Counselor Supervision and Education program. She is a dedicated clinical mental health counselor based on the Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota, where she was born and raised. She specializes in serving Indigenous populations. With a deep passion for expanding mental health services for marginalized communities, she is committed to helping grow the counseling field in culturally sensitive and inclusive ways.
Session
Sarah L. Mendoza, PhD, NCC, LMHC-QS (FL), LCPC (MT)
Dr. Mendoza is an Assistant Professor at Montana State University. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor in Montana. Dr. Mendoza worked for 10 years in higher levels of mental health care before becoming a counselor educator. Now, she focuses on student-centered education and intervention research at the Human Development Clinic at MSU. Dr. Mendoza worked in Rural Mental Counseling after relocating to Montana and is actively enjoying joining the Rocky Mountain West and learning about the mental health needs of the region
Session
Janine Wanlass, Ph.D.
Janine Wanlass PhD is the founding and Program Chair of Westminster University’s Counseling & Counselor Education Program. Janine is a psychoanalyst and psychologist practicing in Salt Lake City, Utah. Janine is a member of ApsA, past director of The International Psychotherapy Institute (IPI) in Chevy Chase, Maryland and current chair of IPI’s Combined Program in Child Psychotherapy and Child Analysis; Program Director and Professor of Counseling and Counselor Education at Westminster University; and Director of the online psychoanalytic psychotherapy training program at the International Psychotherapy School in Moscow, Russia.
Session
Sara Ellison, MS, LPC, NCC
Doctoral Candidate
Sara Ellison is a doctoral candidate at Auburn University and part-time faculty member at the University of West Georgia. She works in private practice in Atlanta, GA with adolescents and adults. Her research interests include trauma and resilience, disorders of overcontrol, and social justice supervision practices.
Sessions
Meaghan C. Nolte, PhD, NCC
Meaghan has been a counselor educator since 2014, and worked for several years in Washington state, and is excited to be back to the Rocky Mountain Region. Her research interests include professional identity development (advocate, counselor, and supervisor), and the provision of mental health services in rural environments. She was recently certified as a Therapeutic Game Master, and is interested in integrating table top role playing games into her clinical work and counselor training. She also loves to camp and hike with her two dogs and her partner.
Session
Elisabeth Suarez
Associate Dean/CES Program Director, School of Counseling, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Walden University
Session
Veronica Johnson, EdD, LCPC, NCC
Professor and Chair, Department of Counseling
Veronica Johnson (Roni) is a professor and chair of the Department of Counseling at the University of Montana, and a licensed clinical professional counselor. Roni's clinical experiences include group home work, 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.
Sessions
Cade Kirkhart, MCoun, LCPC, NCC
Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor
Cade Kirkhart, MCoun, LCPC, NCC (he/him) is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Idaho State University with an emphasis in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and completed his MCoun in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Idaho State University in Meridian, ID. In his clinical work, Cade specializes in working with folx dealing with trauma, depression, and anxiety. His research interests include clinical burnout, imposter phenomenon, and group counseling.
Session
Paul Tierney, PhD (graduating summer 2024)
Assistant Professor
Paul is an assistant professor in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at the University of Scranton. Previously, he was clinical director of UAB Medicine - Department of Psychiatry's outpatient programs, managing eight grant-funded programs for indigent patients with severe mental illness, and developing two programs for individuals residing in homeless shelters. He is a licensed professional counselor - supervisor, and his research interests include improving social justice outcomes through clinical supervision.
Session
Kellie Forziat-Pytel, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, ACS
Assistant Professor
Kellie Forziat-Pytel holds a Ph.D in Counselor Education and Supervision from the Pennsylvania State University. She currently works as an Assistant Professor/Core Faculty at Commonwealth of PA-Lock Haven University. Dr. Forziat-Pytel is a nationally certified counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in PA. She has 9 years of experience in the professional counseling field in a variety of settings. She is also a consultant with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State University, who is partnered with the Department of Defense, on projects that work to improve program processes related to children and adults facing abuse. Dr. Forziat-Pytel’s specialty area consists of military, trauma, grief and loss, and their impacts on individuals, families, and the community.
Session
Claire Critchlow PhD, LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Claire has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and Missouri. Claire is currently an Assistant Professor at Regis University, where she teaches mostly counseling skills based courses. She also has a counseling private practice in which she works predominantly with the LGBTQIA+ population. Claire's research interests include the exploration of humor in the classroom and how it impacts CIT learning and relationships, as well as creativity within our varying roles as counselor educators and supervisors.
Sessions
Lynn Bohecker, Ph.D., LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Dr. Lynn Bohecker specializes in counselor education and supervision, and marriage and family counseling. She is full-time core faculty in counselor education and is the Director of The Counseling Center at Tree City Church of the Nazarene. She has taught graduate level supervision courses and presented both basic and advanced supervision workshops. Dr. Bohecker’s research interests include advanced clinical supervision, integrating spirituality in counseling, and professional counselor identity and she has peer reviewed publications on these topic areas. She is also an associate editor for the Journal of Humanistic Counseling.
Sessions
Cristen Wathen, PhD
Associate Professor
Dr. Wathen is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University and the director of PAU's Center for Educational Excellence. Her research and writing center on innovative pedagogy and andragogy both online and in person, Group Counseling, and mental wellness needs for those with chronic illnesses and organ transplantation. She has over 10 years of teaching experience and has written, presented, and published on creativity in teaching.
Session
Zac McInerney, MS, LPC (WY &CO), NCC
Doctoral Student
I'm a 2nd year doctoral student at the University of Wyoming researching the phenomenological choice between hedonism vs. eudemonia mindsets, humanistic-existential trauma informed care, and gaps in suicidal prevention trainings. I have been a practicing clinician for 4 years and am fully licensed in the state of Wyoming and Colorado. Through the University of Wyoming I currently supervise and teach under a humanist-existential framework.
Sessions
John Robbins, Ph.D., LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor
Dr. John Robbins, LMFT is a Core Faculty member for Walden University's Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. He is an AAMFT and Utah approved supervisor, providing clinical supervision for professionals seeking licensure. Dr. Robbins’ professional passion is twofold: training student and Associate mental health professionals in the practice of counseling and training the trainers and supervisors in working with new counselors in the mental health field. Prior to joining Walden, he served as the Director of Clinical Training for Argosy University - Salt Lake City. Dr. Robbins has done extensive training of mental health professionals in self-care, creative ways of practice, expanding maneuverability and range in the counseling room, and maintaining a self-reflective habit as a clinician. He has over 100 presentations focusing on these topics, as well as counselor self-care, at-risk adolescents, and suicide prevention.
Session
Daniel Salois, PhD, LCPC
Dan Salois, PhD, LCPC, is a faculty member at the University of Montana in the Department of Counseling. He teaches a range of classes including Fundamental Skills, Group Work, Diagnosis, and Counseling Theories. Dan enjoys supervising practicum students and interns as they move towards graduation and licensure. His research focuses wellness in three different areas: college students, educators in Montana, and athletes. He is currently involved in two IRB approved studies focusing on the impact mental health counseling may have for injury prevention in athletes, and burnout and secondary traumatic stress in educators. In his private practice Dan has a focus on working with athletes and student athletes as they navigate unique pressures to promote their mental health and perform in their given arena. He is also the Clinical Supervisor at Tamarack Grief Resource Center where he works with license eligible clinicians and clients.
Session
Heidi Ehrlich, MA, LMHC, NCC
The presenter is a licensed mental health counselor with 13 years of counseling experience, and she is currently a Ph.D. student in Counselor Education and Supervision in a CACREP-accredited program. The presenter has taught various courses in CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs as an adjunct instructor and as a doctoral intern.
Session
Callie Wheelr MA, Ohio: LPCC-S, Washington: LMHC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Callie (she/her/hers) is currently a doctoral student at Adams State University. She has experience with providing support and guidance to individuals facing various mental health challenges, including working with all ages in trauma, grief and loss, substance abuse, OCD, and other related disorders. Callie is passionate about working with those she supervises and their continued development. She is licensed in Ohio as an LPCC-S and LMHC in Washington State.
Session
Kimberly Autrey, PhD, LMHC, NCC
Dr. Autrey is a full-time professor at City University of Seattle. She integrates expressive and social media into her teaching pedagogy though the use of poetry, visual arts, and music to deepen student learning holistically. Her main areas of research include the integration of nature-based treatments with traditional child-centered play therapy and the therapeutic benefits of outdoor education in childhood. Dr. Autrey’s advocacy focuses on climate justice informed practices within mental health and reform within the graduate admissions process to increase equitable access for marginalized populations.
Session
Kim Gonzalez
CMHC Graduate Student
Kim Gonzalez is a graduate student pursuing a Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and a certificate in Adventure Therapy. Over the past 2 years, she has been an active participant in experiential learning across 18 courses. Her positive personal growth through active learning inspired her to examine the impact of hands-on training experiences and classroom-based experiential learning moments by polling and interviewing other students regarding their experiences. She looks forward to sharing practical strategies to advance experiential education and shape the next generation of counselors.
Session
Alison Sheesley, PhD, LPC, RPT
Alison has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Northern Colorado and is a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as a Registered Play Therapist. Alison is currently an Assistant Professor at Regis University. Alison enjoys working with children and infusing aspects of play into the classroom. Alison's research includes the exploration of improv comedy in treatment of mental health.
Session
Angela Weingartner, PhD, LPC, NCC
Associate Professor
Dr. Angela Weingartner is an Associate Professor and the Professional Counseling Program Coordinator in the Department of Applied Psychology and Counselor Education at the University of Northern Colorado. She is a licensed professional counselor and nationally certified counselor. Dr. Weingartner’s research interests include increasing counselor-in-training self-efficacy surrounding risk assessment and utilizing the Myers Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) as a relationship building tool in supervision, leadership, and teaching.
Session
ShaRhonda Stevenson, MA, LPC, MDFT, NCC
Doctoral student
She was educated in a large, diverse city and during that time worked with children and adults diagnosed with disabilities and living in poverty. She brings this knowledge to RMACES where she is earning a doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision with a specialization in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling at a member institution. She continues to work in the community as a licensed counselor and conducts research applicable to a range of disabilities and improving quality of life.
Session
Sierra Lee, PCLC
Sierra Lee holds a PCLC provisional license and works as a counselor in Bozeman, Montana. She was a graduate student in the counseling program at Montana State University, from which she graduated in 2023. At MSU, she participated in social justice-related research initiatives. She prepared and delivered educational presentations about managing microaggressions at the College of EHHD at MSU, RMACES 2022 Conference in Coeur d’Alene, and ACES 2023 in Denver, CO. As a person of color at a predominantly white institution (PWI), Sierra is driven by her personal experiences with microaggressions and critical race theoretical analysis of systemic racism within the educational systems. She strives to find ways through education and training to promote a sense of belonging for students of color in the counseling field.
Session
Brittany M. Miller, LPC
Brittany M. Miller is a research associate with the School Counseling Mental Health Initiative (SCMHI) at Denver Seminary. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor.
Session
Conner Vrba, M.Coun, LPC, NCC
Conner Vrba is a doctoral student at Idaho State University and runs a private practice in Idaho. Conner is a facilitator for the Relationships and Resilience at the Zoo curriculum and has completed several iterations of this course.
Session
Ryan Cheung, PhD, NCC
Ryan Cheung is an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Program Coordinator for the NAU-Yuma Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP program. Prior to arriving at NAU in 2024, Ryan earned a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Northern Colorado.
Session
Angelica Castillo, LCPC, NCC
Doctoral Student
Angelica Castillo (she/her) is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor and a second-year doctoral student at Idaho State University’s Counselor Education and Counseling doctoral program. Angelica has 4+ years of experience working with individuals with disabilities, children and adolescent survivors of sexual abuse, and dual-diagnoses. As a fluent Spanish speaker, she has rendered bilingual counseling services and education regarding mental health to the Latine population.
Session
Rachel Ellenberger
Associate Faculty, Prescott College
Session
Robert Paul Maddox II, Ph.D., LPC (MO & WY), NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Robert Paul Maddox II is a counselor educator at the University of Wyoming at Casper. His academic credentials include a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision, an Ed.S. in Counseling Education, and a M.A. in Community Counseling. Additionally, he is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC) with experience in school and clinical mental health counseling. He currently serves as the University of Wyoming (UW) Counselor Education program’s CACREP Liaison. Additionally, he is the Play Therapy Online Graduate Certificate Program Coordinator at UW, and he also coordinates the counselor education program's school counseling track at UW’s Casper branch campus. Dr. Maddox has published articles and presented at numerous state, regional, national, and international conferences regarding a variety of topics such as ethics, school counseling, play therapy, experiential learning, data utilization, assessment, program evaluation, and accreditation.
Session
Renee Howells, PhD, LPC,NCC
Dr. Renée Howells (she/her) is a practicing mental health counselor in Idaho and assistant professor at ISU. Her primary research interests center on topics of advocacy, accessibility, and working interdisciplinarily in mental health and higher education. She is particularly passionate about disability inclusion and cultural representation, with a focus on working with Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing communities. Her scholarship and clinical expertise surround the phenomenon of grief, loss, and trauma intervention throughout the lifespan.
Session
Tina Tis, MA, LPCC
School Counselor
Tina Tis lives in Castle Rock, Colorado with her husband and 3 children. She received her Masters in Clinical Mental Health in 2012. She owns a private practice with her husband and recently took a job as the school counselor at an elementary school.
Session
Thomas A. Field, PhD, LMHC (MA, WA), LPC (OR, VA), LPC-MH (SD), NCC, CCMHC, ACS,
Associate Professor and Department Head
Thomas A. Field, PhD, LMHC (MA, WA), LPC (OR, VA), LPC-MH (SD), NCC, CCMHC, ACS, is an associate professor and department head of counselor, adult, and higher education in the College of Education at Oregon State University. Thom holds a PhD in counseling and supervision from James Madison University. His research focuses on the integration of neuroscience into counseling practice and professional and social justice advocacy. He has published numerous articles and authored two books on the topic of neuroscience integration. Thom is currently a member of a research team that is studying the development of an emerging counseling theory called neuroscience-informed cognitive behavior therapy. Since 2017, Thom has served as the associate editor of the Neuroscience-Informed Counseling section of the Journal of Mental Health Counseling. He is a former coeditor of the “Neurocounseling: Bridging Brain and Behavior” column in Counseling Today magazine. In addition to performing faculty responsibilities, he has helped clients with mental health concerns since 2006 and maintains a small private practice.
Session
Matthew N Schramm MA, PCLC, NCC
Matthew Schramm is a first-year Counseling Education & Supervision doctoral student at the University of Montana and serves as the RMACES student representative. With a master’s degree in counseling and human services from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Matthew previously worked as a high school counselor in Fountain, Colorado. He is now a preliminary licensed clinician in the state of Montana, providing individual counseling and client-centered play therapy services.
Session
Allison Bristow MC, LSC, PCLC, NCC
High School Counselor
Alli Bristow is a second-year doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Montana and a High School Counselor at Florence-Carlton School District in Florence, Montana. She is a National Board-Certified Counselor (NBCC) who received her Master’s in Community Counseling in 2003 and Montana School Counseling Licensure in 2006. Her early work involved crisis counseling and response services for a suicide prevention agency in Phoenix, Arizona. In the past 15 years, she has worked with students and staff in K-12 rural schools, providing individual and group counseling for students. She also provides site supervision for graduate-level school counseling interns from the University of Montana and is the 2024 Montana School Counselor of the Year.
Session
Kimberly Parrow, PhD, LCPC
Counseling Supervisor
Presenter 2 is a counselor educator and licensed clinical professional counselor. Their research, professional work, writing and teaching interests lie at the heart of counseling, the “therapeutic relationship”. Presenter 2 has a particular interest in supporting counselors-in-training as they endeavor to put theoretical concepts into practice.
Session
Kelly Timmins, B.A.
Session
Nyah Allgood, BA
n/a
Nyah Allgood is a current Clinical Mental Health Counseling masters student and graduate assistant at Gonzaga University. She graduated from GU in May 2023 with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Italian Studies. She is passionate about multicultural considerations and has participated in cultural exchange programs in Spokane, WA, and Florence, Italy, both virtually and in-person. Nyah is enrolled in an Introduction to Multicultural Counseling class. She is currently seeing clients at the GU Counseling Center.
Session
Hailey Martinez
Session
Sabina Sabyrkulova MA, LCPC, NCC
Sabina Sabyrkulova is a doctoral candidate in the CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Montana, Missoula. Sabina Sabyrkulova is a mental health clinician (LCPC) in the state of Montana offering telehealth services to diverse populations in rural areas.
Session
Kimberly Parrow, LCPC, PhD
Adjunct Professor
Kim Parrow holds a PhD from the University of Montana and served as the Moser-McKinney Fellow of the Phyllis J. Washington College of education and Human Services. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor, certified clinical trauma professional, EMDR-trained clinician, parenting plan mediator, and Level 2 Gottman Method couples therapist. Dr. Parrow is the co-author of Intimate Relationships: Skills and Strategies that Lead to Success and Relationship Factors in Counseling: A Guide for Evidence-Based Practice in Practicum and Internship.
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Jayne Downey, PhD
Professor
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Neil P. Rigsbee, Ph.D., LPC
Professor of Counselor Education
Dr. Rigsbee (he/him) is a professor in the School of Counselor Education at Adams State University, Alamosa, CO. Dr. Rigsbee’s professional counseling background is in community mental health and he is licensed in the State of Colorado as an licensed professional counselor. Dr. Rigsbee teaches in the MA in counseling program and the doctorate in counselor education and supervision program at Adams State University. In the MA program, he teaches combined practicum and internship classes that consist of clinical mental health and school counseling students.
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Minju Kim
ACES Grad Student Rep
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Ryan M Cook, PhD, LPC, ACS
Ryan M. Cook, PhD, LPC, ACS is an associate professor at the University of Alabama. Ryan has previously worked in both inpatient and outpatient community-based settings. His research interests include clinical supervision and counselor development.
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Courtney E. Allen-Pavlak, PhD, LPC, NCC
Professor
Courtney E. Allen-Pavlak, PhD, LPC, NCC holds a doctorate in Counseling and Counselor Education and is a Full Professor at Adams State University. Before becoming a counselor educator, Dr. Allen-Pavlak worked as a school counselor for four years and as a clinical mental health counselor for four years. Currently, she trains doctoral and master’s level students in both clinical mental health counseling and professional school counseling at a rural university in the United States. She has much experience in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) work and regularly incorporates social justice perspectives into her pedagogical practices. Dr. Allen-Pavlak has extensive training in DEI including participating in two immersive institutes on equity and inclusion.
Researching, presenting, and incorporating Narrative theory and techniques is her other passion. Dr. Allen-Pavlak believes in the power of discourse to shape our identities and create change. She is continually looking for new creative ways to enhance her teaching, scholarship, and clinical practice. Additionally, Dr. Allen-Pavlak has conducted much research and presents frequently on DEI issues, narrative theory, school counseling, and counselor development. In addition to teaching, she currently has a small private practice in counseling.
Researching, presenting, and incorporating Narrative theory and techniques is her other passion. Dr. Allen-Pavlak believes in the power of discourse to shape our identities and create change. She is continually looking for new creative ways to enhance her teaching, scholarship, and clinical practice. Additionally, Dr. Allen-Pavlak has conducted much research and presents frequently on DEI issues, narrative theory, school counseling, and counselor development. In addition to teaching, she currently has a small private practice in counseling.
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Stacy Andrews, LPC
Licensed Professional Counselor
Stacy Andrews, LPC is the founder of True Grit Performance Counseling in Colorado Springs, CO, where she specializes in treatment of complex trauma in high-achieving adults. Stacy is also a doctoral student at the University of the Cumberlands. Her research interests include creativity in counseling and the treatment and prevention of complicated grief. Stacy lives in Colorado Springs where she enjoys hiking, equine therapy, and playing with her cats.
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Doreen (DA) Erickson, PhD, LPC, LSC, ADHD-CCSP, CTMH, NCC, ACS
Currently, serving as an Associate Professor in the CACREP accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at The Chicago School, Dr. Erickson brings a variety of teaching experiences to the online university environment and has accumulated twenty-three years of knowledge from teaching hospitals, global technology as a curriculum developer and corporate trainer, treatment centers, and as a middle and high school counselor. She earned her Ph.D. in Education and Human Resources from Colorado State University, with an emphasis in Counseling and Human Development and Family Studies, is a member of numerous professional organizations, has presented at state, national, and international conferences, and authored professional publications. Her work with expelled students fueled a passion for cultural competency and for assisting at-risk youth with whom she continues to work in her small private practice.
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Edmore Mangena, LPC-S
Student
Edmore Mangena is a first-year Ph.D. student in counselor education and supervision with an MA in clinical mental health counseling. Counselor supervision and rural mental health have become very important to my academic pursuits due to my 17 years of practice in rural communities. My experiences have inspired research to make practice in rural communities both easier and more efficient for counselors and also inspired involvement in rural mental health study.
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Kristine R. Gonzalez, PhD, LPC
Assistant Professor of Counseling
Dr. Kristine R. Gonzalez is an Assistant Professor of Counseling for the Master of Arts in Counseling Program at Western New Mexico University. She received her PhD in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley in May 2023. Dr. Gonzalez also provides counseling to a diverse population of individuals as a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas for Enriched Roots PLLC.
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Janessa Henninger, Ph.D., LPC, RPT-S
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Shantelle Tjaden, LPC, NCC, C-AAIS
Doctoral Student
Shantelle Tjaden, LPC, NCC, C-AAIS is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Counseling at Idaho State University. Shantelle is a Certified Animal-Assisted Intervention Specialist (C-AAIS) through the Association for Animal-Assisted Intervention Professionals (AAAIP). Shantelle is the assistant director of the Research on Anthrozoological Relationships (ROAR) lab.
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Brittney Phillips, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP (TN), NCC
Assistant Professor; Counseling
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Cynthia R Boyle MA, LCPC, LMHC, NCC
The presenter has been a licensed mental health counselor for over a decade, licensed in 4 states and nationally certified. The presenter has maintained a successful private practice for over a decade working with a variety of family systems. The presenter is a past president of the state professional counseling association in which they practice. The presenter is currently completing their Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision in a primarily rural state and continues to be invested in understanding ways to increase accessibility to counseling services for clients in rural areas in ways which are supportive and responsive to the culture within those communities.
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Emily Sallee PSC, PCLC, PhD
Emily Sallee is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at the University of Montana as well as the Executive Director of the Montana Safe Schools Center housed at UM. Emily engages in professional advocacy by serving on the MSCA Board of Directors as Board Chair and in various other roles throughout the state. Her research interests include adolescent suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury, school violence and prevention, and advocacy for the role of professional school counselors. Emily is also the part-time school counselor at a K-8 frontier school and has a small clinical practice working with youth. While other people’s kiddos tend to be easier to work with, Emily has three of her own to wrangle, in addition to a growing menagerie and ever-increasing lists of books to read, foods to eat, and trails to run.
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Amy Robinson, BA
n/a
Amy Robinson is pursuing their M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University. They received their B.A. in Psychology from Gonzaga in 2023, with minors in women’s and gender studies and film studies. They are taking an Introduction to Multicultural Counseling class and are especially interested in working with LGBTQ+ clients. At their clinical placement, they are working with middle and high school students in Medical Lake School District.
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Brittany L. Dennis, Ph.D., LPC (PA)
Assistant Professor of Counseling/Core faculty
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Shannon Lollar, LCPC, PhD
Assistant Professor
Dr. Shannon Lollar is an assistant professor at the University of Montana. She has been practicing clinically for over 8 years, is EMDR trained, and works across the lifespan specializing in individuals who have experienced sexual trauma, first responders, and is a certified child-centered play therapist, and is trained in child parent relationship therapy, and works with both children and families with their varying needs. Dr. Lollar also provides supervision for folks seeking CCPT certification as well as provisionally licensed counselors.
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Rebecca Koltz, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Professor & Dept. Head
Dr. Rebecca Koltz is a Professor in the Dept. of Counseling. She serves as the department head and marriage, couples & family program lead. Her research interests include understanding challenges and strengths associated with rural counseling, exploring wellness and prevention across the life span with a specific focus on aging, understanding counselor self-care and prevention, integrating creative approaches in counseling and teaching. She has over 6 million in external grant funding developing a training process for counselors interested in working in rural communities. She has published 26 papers, 2 book chapters and 3 books.
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Mark G. Manzanares Ph.D.
Dr. Manzanares has been a counselor educator for twenty-eight years and was instrumental in the development of one of the largest public CACREP accredited online programs. Dr. Manzanares has over twenty years of experience with instructional technology and distance learning practices. He has served as an instructional technologist, professor, and department chair and is currently serving as the undergraduate coordinator of the university’s online programs.
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Laura Bruneau, LPC, PhD
Assistant School Director & Professor
Trained in both clinical mental health and school counseling, Dr. Laura Bruneau has a BA in psychology from Miami University, a MEd in community counseling, and a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Kent State University. She is licensed as an LPC and school counselor in the state of Colorado. Dr. Bruneau is passionate about training the next generation of counselors to be ethical, reflective, and engaged practitioners. Her specialty areas of interest include creativity in counseling, bibliotherapy, and animal-assisted interventions. Dr. Bruneau has held state, regional, and national leadership positions, including serving as secretary for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Bruneau is currently the President of Rocky Mountain ACES and Assistant School Director – PhD program in the School of Counselor Education and Supervision at Adams State University in Alamosa, Colorado.
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Sidney Knight, LPC
Counselor
Sidney Knight, LPC practices in Colorado and serves adults in Pueblo through her work in community mental health. She earned her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Nebraska, Omaha and is currently pursuing a PhD in counselor education and supervision from the University of the Cumberlands. She is passionate about treating trauma, fostering resilience, and creativity in the counseling field. She loves spending time with her husband and 2 dogs, riding horses, and reading fiction novels.
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Benjamin C. Jenkins, PhD, CRC
Dr. Benjamin C. Jenkins, a National Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, stands out in the field of Rehabilitation and Counseling Education and Research, holding the esteemed position of associate professor and Chair of Advanced Clinical and Education Programs Department at Western New Mexico University (a Hispanic-serving institution). His impressive background is fortified by a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Counseling from The University of Texas-Pan American (Now UTRGV - the largest HSI in the United States). Dr. Jenkins' influential career, marked by over a decade of dedication, has been pivotal in reshaping rehabilitation and counseling practices and education. His leadership has revolutionized program curricula, accreditation, and faculty development, emphasizing accessibility, inclusivity and excellence. Renowned for his research on the impact of disability within families, particularly among Hispanic communities, Dr. Jenkins has significantly contributed to academic literature, enhancing the counseling profession's body of knowledge and practice.
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ShaRhonda Stevenson
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Clare Maguire, MA, LCPC
Clare Maguire is a School Counselor and Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor currently in private practice in Missoula, Montana. She has spent the past twelve years working as a school counselor in K-8 schools across California and Montana. She holds a Master of Arts in Marriage and Family Therapy and School Counseling from California State University, Sonoma.
Her clinical interests include attachment theory, utilizing expressive arts in practice, and climate change. She has served in practicum and internship site supervisor positions for school counseling interns and currently supervises post-masters' counselors working towards LCPC licensure.
Her clinical interests include attachment theory, utilizing expressive arts in practice, and climate change. She has served in practicum and internship site supervisor positions for school counseling interns and currently supervises post-masters' counselors working towards LCPC licensure.
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Anna Elliott, PhD, LCPC, NCC
Dr. Anna Elliott's teaching and supervision is grounded in a social constructivist philosophy where collaboration and empowerment are central. Her coursework as an instructor has included multicultural awareness, family theories, rural counseling, diagnosis, trauma, and clinical lab courses. As an active mental health clinician, she specializes in working with families, adolescents, and trauma recovery from a relational-cultural psychodynamic approach.
Dr. Elliott's research and scholarship centers around enhancing counselor development and improving and increasing mental health access. On a micro level, this involves exploring what factors enhance counselor-in-training development. On a macro level, her grant activity and research focus on how to systemically address mental health needs in rural communities.
Dr. Elliott's research and scholarship centers around enhancing counselor development and improving and increasing mental health access. On a micro level, this involves exploring what factors enhance counselor-in-training development. On a macro level, her grant activity and research focus on how to systemically address mental health needs in rural communities.