Dr. Darleen Dempster, who arrived at Bushnell in 2024, is a licensed professional counselor/ supervisor, an approved clinical supervisor, and a national certified counselor who has provided clinical services since 2000. Dr. Dempster is experienced in evidence-based, culturally responsive treatment approaches (prolonged exposure therapy, cognitive processing therapy, the collaborative assessment and management of suicidality, cognitive behavioral therapy) for a wide variety of conditions, with particular emphasis on post-traumatic stress, family of origin issues, and suicidality. Dr. Dempster has research interest in attachment, sexual violence, and prevention programming on college campuses.

Teaching at the university level since 2005, Dr. Dempster teaches a variety of courses in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling graduate program at Bushnell, including but not limited to field experience, crisis and trauma, and career counseling. She also has extensive experience in guiding, supporting, and supervising counselors-in-training. She has served on thesis and dissertation committees and has advised final research projects. She is deeply committed to her students and seeks to encourage and empower them to reach their highest potential.