Zachary McNiece (he/they) is an assistant professor in the Counselor Education department at San José State University. Their research agenda centers on systemic and oppression-based traumas, including intergenerational and race-based trauma; anti-racist counseling; and expressive pedagogy, counseling interventions, and research methods.

Karen/Karina Roller, PhD, MFT, is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Palo Alto University and Clinical Coordinator at a parent-involvement preschool system serving predominantly Spanish-speaking migrant families in the San Francisco Bay Area. Karina has spent her clinical career in family therapy through community mental health for the marginalized and underserved, including fostered youth, adjudicated youth, and the Latine/x migrant community, as well as international trauma training outreach in Haiti. She founded Bilingual Certification in Spanish for the Palo Alto University MA Counseling program, and co-authored Lifespan Development: Cultural and Contextual Considerations for the Helping Professions (Coker et al., 2023), where she centered force migration and other social determinants of health for underserved and marginalized families. Further publications focus on NSSI/suicide intervention training, trauma treatment and prevention approaches, language access and bilingual clinical pedagogy, and anti-oppressive service-learning. Karina is a Fellow with the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress, Diplomate with the National Center for Crisis Management, Certified Clinical Traumatologist and Compassion Fatigue Therapist, Certified in School Crisis Response, and a Registered Yoga Teacher. She is vice-president of the United States Association of Body Psychotherapy; contributor to best practices development for the International Association of Resiliency and Trauma Counseling, and currently completing a 115-hour certification to become a Pre-and-Perinatal Educator. She is lead editor and author currently preparing Crisis and Trauma Skills Development: Culturally-Affirming Case Studies for Assessment, Treatment and Supervision Practice (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ToYeIMFUKSfsbXhyH2AEmZQzmj4QjJRe/edit)

Vladyslav Logos is an experienced mental health clinician and researcher who holds two master's degrees from the most prestigious universities in Ukraine. Currently, he is a graduate student in CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling master's program and an actively contributing Graduate Research Assistant at his department.

SungWon Yoon-Lee (Pronouns: No pronouns) is a Ph.D. student in Counselor Education, The Pennsylvania State University. Based on the lived experiences as a Korean queer counselor since 2015, SundWon's interest of counseling, research, and advocacy have been focused around professional development of international/LGBTQ+ counselors, advocacy education for counselors-in-training, and community-based approaches and strategies to cope with minority stress.

Diaz Dixon is the owner of Performance Driven Consulting, advising nonprofits and mission-driven organizations on strategies to increase sustainability, diversity, and social impact. He leads philanthropic initiatives as a Partner with Wavedance Fund and Serving Our Communities Executive Advisor, directing funding and capacity-building support for programs across Nevada. Dixon blends executive leadership with hands-on program development to align mission, operations, and fundraising for measurable community outcomes, and is known for translating complex social needs into scalable, fundable solutions. Dixon served as Vice President of the CommonSpirit Health Foundation, where he partnered with clinical and program leaders to secure funding and raise awareness for health equity, social justice, and diversity initiatives. He was previously and Associate Athletic Director at UNR and the CEO of Eddy House, leading capital and program campaigns that expanded housing, workforce development, and health services for homeless and at-risk youth. For fourteen years he was CEO of STEP2, directing fundraising and operations to build a multi-million-dollar campus and strengthen services for families affected by addiction and violence. Dixon brings practitioner experience into the classroom as an instructor at the University of Nevada and TMCC. He consults nationally on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) and served on the Cultural Competency and Diversity Network under the New Freedom Initiative. His work integrates policy, program design, and community engagement to drive sustainable outcomes. A long-standing community advocate, Dixon has served on the National Advisory Committee for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and on boards including Bishop Manogue, the University of Nevada College of Liberal Arts, Leaf House Financial, and the State Gambling and Addiction Counselors. He currently serves on the Washoe County Animal Advisory Board. His governance roles emphasize strategy, accountability, and equitable access to services. Dixon holds a master’s degree in counseling from the University of Iowa and a bachelor’s degree in social psychology from the University of Nevada. His academic background informs a trauma-informed, outcomes-driven approach to program design, fundraising, and community partnerships.

Dr. Brenda Freeman lives in Reno, Nevada and is a Professor of Counseling and Extension Mental Health Specialist, Emerita at the University of Nevada, Reno. Dr. Freeman earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Wyoming and is a licensed mental health provider in two states with a specialty in suicide, grief and loss. She has provided clinical and program evaluation technical assistance to American Indian/Alaska Native communities for over 20 years. For the past five years she has led the Nevada rural and farm stress initiative and has been a key partner in a multistate agriculture stress program, developing counseling curriculum for working with rural populations and publishing studies on stress and coping in agricultural producers and workers in the Western states.

Minnie Li is an assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education at San José State University. Her research agenda focuses on the use of mind-body approaches in psychotherapy for clients, as well as in the education and supervision of counselors-in-training and supervisors-in-training. She also attends to related multicultural issues, trauma-informed practices, decolonizing considerations, and ethical responsibilities.

Eric T. Beeson, PhD, LPC (he/him) is Professor and Chair of the Counseling Department at Marshall University and a strategic adviser to SimCareAI, where he helps guide the platform’s ethically grounded use of artificial intelligence in mental health professional training. Over nearly two decades, Eric has woven together clinical practice, teaching, and research across residential youth treatment, community mental-health and substance-use programs, collegiate recovery initiatives, private practice, and neurofeedback clinics. His commitment to innovation and service has earned wide recognition. Eric is a recipient of the American Counseling Association’s Gary R. Walz Trailblazer Award and Professional Development Award, and he served as the 43rd President of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. He co-founded the Journal of Mental Health Counseling’s “Neuroscience-Informed Counseling” section, co-edited “The Neuroeducation Toolbox: Practical Translations of Neuroscience in Counseling and Psychotherapy”, and founded the Brainstorm Neuroscience Community, each initiative reflecting his drive to translate neuroscience into practical tools for mental health professionals. When he steps away from the classroom and lab, Eric gravitates outdoors. You might spot him on a tennis court, cheering at a baseball game, hiking West Virginia’s rolling hills, or strategizing over a favorite board game with family and friends. Whether in professional endeavors or personal pursuits, he stays focused on one goal: turning cutting-edge science and technology into sparks that ignite discovery and elevate the mental health and well-being of all people.

Dr. Mariaimeé “Maria” Gonzalez (pronouns: she/her/ella) is currently the co-founder of the Latinx Social Justice Mental Health Institute and serves as the Executive Director, Clinical Operations and Community Outreach at Antioch University Seattle. Previously she served as the Chair of the Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program and Leadership Chair Committee, a collaborative leadership model, for the PhD in Counseling and supervision program, bringing 16 years of experience as a counselor educator. With an extensive leadership background, she has held prominent positions, including president of the American Counseling Association (ACA) of Washington, president for the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) (2023-24), chair of the ACA International Committee (2021-22), ACA Foundation Member (2022-2025), ACA Parliamentarian (2021-2022) and observer (2023-24), and served on the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision- Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision (JTCES) as a board member (2020-2023). During the Covid epidemic, she served as a United Nations Delegate (2020-2021) advocating for global mental health support. Mariaimeé has co-edited a book on teaching social justice and advocacy competence in counseling, showcasing her commitment to promoting positive change in her field. Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and raised in the states within the United States, Mariaimeé is a first-generation Latiné college graduate, cisgender, disabled, heterosexual woman. She is a licensed professor counselor, approved clinical supervisor, and enjoys spending time with her familia and friends, traveling, being outdoors, loves animals, and learning about cultures from around the world.

Dr. M. Sylvia Fernandez, CACREP President and CEO, provides leadership on quality assurance in counselor preparation. She was a counselor educator and administrator for 29 years. Dr. Fernandez has extensive professional service and leadership experience in state, national, and international counseling professional organizations. At the state level as Arkansas President of both ACA and ACES, and as Chair of the: Arkansas Board of Examiners in Counseling, At the national level, as the Chair of the Board of Directors of NBCC, and CACREP Board of Directors. And at the international level, as Chair of the and NBCC-International Advisory Board and in multiple capacities with the University Council of Jamaica. Dr. Fernandez's publications and presentations are in the areas of multicultural issues in counseling and related disciplines, counselor education and credentialing, professional identity and ethics, and clinical supervision.

Dr. Kelly Duncan serves as the Executive Director of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. She has been involved in the profession of counseling for over 30 years and has worked as a counselor educator since 2003. Dr. Duncan had the privilege of serving as a counselor educator at three universities, coordinated a university counselor training clinic, and was a dean of a School of Education prior to joining the ACES staff. She was the executive director of a state counseling branch for 15 years. Her background in counseling and association management allows her to meld her skills in her current role. Since coming to ACES, Duncan has worked to highlight the work of the association more visibly and to facilitate collaborations between ACES and other counseling affiliate groups. She spearheaded the increase in research grant funding for members along with expanding ACES’s continuing education offerings resulting in its new learning management system. Promoting professional counselor identity and advocating for counselor educators and supervisors continues to be a key focus in her role as executive director.

Stephanie Stiavetti is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor in California, and a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Reno. Stephanie works as a clinical research specialist in two NIH-funded global early psychosis studies, where she has gained extensive training and experience administering diagnostic interviews to assess severity of psychosis symptoms using validated rating scales. Stephanie also performs family therapy and case management to reduce family stress and symptoms of psychosis in teens and young adults. In addition to her clinical work, Stephanie worked with the ACLU to successfully sue California’s Department of State Hospitals (DSH) on behalf of individuals who endured prolonged incarceration after being declared mentally ill (Stiavetti v. Clendenin).

Lu Lu is a bilingual counselor who has provided services to clients from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, including individuals and families who live between languages, cultures, and countries. Her clinical work regularly involves navigating code‑switching, cultural identity, and the ethical complexities of working within small linguistic communities. As a bilingual supervisee working with both bilingual and monolingual supervisors, she has firsthand experience of how language access in supervision shapes case conceptualization, counselor development, and the ability to serve multilingual clients.

Dr. Carrie Tremble holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision and is a licensed professional clinical counselor and a licensed advanced alcohol and drug counselor. She is currently an associate professor of clinical counseling at Point Loma Nazarene University and also currently serves as a clinical preceptor for the residential substance abuse rehabilitation program (SARP) at Naval Base Point Loma. Previously, she as a professor of practice in the clinical mental health counseling program and founding clinic directer of the tele-mental health training clinic at the University of San Diego. Additionally, she was an assistant professor of clinical mental health counseling at Argosy University- Phoenix and owned a small private practice during her time in Arizona. She currently teaches crisis and trauma, counseling, substance use counseling, psychodiagnostics, career counseling, and practicum/ internship. She has a wide variety of clinical interests and has a special passion for clinical supervision and developing counselors.

Brian Clarke, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies in the College of Education at the University of Arizona. He earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, an M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northern Arizona University and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The University of Arizona. Dr. Clarke is a practicing mental health counselor and his clinical experience grounds his teaching and mentorship in authenticity and professional insight. Dr. Clarke is passionate about creating impactful, empirical scholarship that supports counselor development, well-being, and ethical practice. His research agenda follows three interrelated lines 1) the use of mindfulness and self-compassion to address impostor phenomenon and enhance counselor development and wellness, 2) the role of contemplative dispositions in mental health, resilience and life satisfaction and 3) the ethical challenges in profession counseling including the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI). His work has been published in the top journals in the counseling field, including The Journal of Counseling and Development, Counselor Education and Supervision, and The Professional Counselor as well as high-impact interdisciplinary journals such as Frontiers in Psychology, Emerging Adulthood, Journal of College Student Mental Health.

Dr. Jenn Pereira is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), a state qualified supervisor, and a Registered Play Therapist and Play Therapy Supervisor. She holds expertise in working with children, trauma, attachment issues, experiential counseling modalities, and clinical supervision. Dr. Pereira has worked as a clinician in the field for 27 years, and provides supervision for counselors seeking licensure and Play Therapy certification. Dr. Pereira is a Clinical Professor at ASU, having worked in the School of Counseling and Counseling Psychology for 11 years. Dr. Pereira engages in private practice work in the community, and provides workshops and seminars on supervision and clinical work.

Elizabeth C Mattia (Lil), MA, NCC, Registered Professional Counselor Associate (She/They/Any) is currently in pursuit of her PhD in counseling education and supervision at Oregon State University, and an alumni of Northwestern University's clinical mental health counseling master's program. Lil is the owner of Julian's Compass providing private practice counseling services to adults in OR, and all business operations. They hold research interests in death and non-death grief and loss, human sexuality & identity development, CACREP, corpus linguistics, and Counselors In Training (CIT) skill development. Throughout their many core values, Lil operates from a social co-constructivist perspective, transformational & authentic leadership styles, and incorporates sex, kink, alternative relationship, and all things human positive perspectives into their personal and professional leadership, mentorship, research, and advocacy roles and responsibilities.

Dani Espinosa (she/they/siya) is a queer, Filipino therapist, supervisor, and Ph.D student in Counselor Education and Supervison through Antioch University Seattle. The Asian American Journal of Psychology has published her research on counseling Asian American female survivors of sexual assault with a concordant understanding of racialized sexism. Her research, clinical specialties, and professional talks center around colonial mentality, white sexual imperialism, intergenerational trauma, and their impacts on Asian American women and survivors of sexual violence. As a therapist, she specializes in Asian American mental health, sexual violence, intergenerational trauma, and decolonizing mental health for Filipino Americans. She also co-facilitates the Asian Women and Femmes Peer Wellness Circle through Asian Mental Health Project.

Dr. Rivas is an Associate Professor and Program Coordinator in the Counselor Education program, specializing in marriage, couple, and family counseling; clinical mental health counseling, and addiction counseling. She joined the Sacramento State Counselor Education program in 2018. Dr. Rivas has been a Counselor Educator since 2013. Prior to joining CSUS, Dr. Rivas held faculty positions at Western Connecticut State University and University of Colorado, Colorado Springs. Having worked in mental health since 2008, she has experience with inpatient residential treatment working with adolescents providing individual, family, and group counseling; as well as community mental health providing group counseling for court mandated clients. She has operated a private practice since 2010 working with individuals, couples, and families in addition to providing supervision for individuals seeking licensure in Colorado. She holds three licenses in Colorado, Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), and Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC); and in California she holds her Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) licenses. She also holds her credentials as a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC).

Dr. Szu-Yu Chen is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University. She is a bilingual (English and Mandarin) licensed professional clinical counselor in California and Texas, national certified counselor (NCC), and registered play therapist (RPT). With a specialization in clinical mental health and play therapy, she has worked with diverse populations in private practice, community agencies, psychiatric hospitals, and school settings. Her research and presentations focus on play therapy, play-based teacher intervention, multicultural issues in counseling and supervision, and immigrants’ mental health issues. Her most recent work is the application of play therapy to children exposed to attachment trauma, teacher-child relationships, and children’s social-emotional and behavioral problems.

Shih Phyllis Lee (she/they) received her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and B.S. in Human Services from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is currently a Clinical Professional Counselor Intern in the state of Nevada and a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is passionate about working with individuals from diverse backgrounds and actively aims to incorporate multiculturalism in her work. Phyllis currently serves as President-Elect in Chi Sigma Iota Omega Alpha (CSI-OA), while actively building wellness into the counseling program and advocating for students. Her research interests include understanding mental health within Southeast Asian populations, sexual wellness in the counseling practice, the intersection of sexual wellness with marginalized populations, utilizing somatic therapeutic practices, and mentorship and supervision in Counselor Education.

She completed her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling and her doctorate in counselor education and supervision. Her research, including her dissertation, is focused on gatekeeping and training in counselor education. She is a licensed in both Michigan and Washington, is an Approved Clinical Supervisor and National Certified Counselor, has taught and supervised at several universities across the U.S., and serves as a CACREP Liaison and Site Visitor. She is currently a core faculty member at City University of Seattle and maintains a small telehealth practice.

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Dr. Robin D. Anderson is a Professor and Academic Unit Head in the Department of Graduate Psychology at James Madison University. She has more than twenty years of experience in assessment, program evaluation, and counselor education. A licensed professional counselor, Dr. Anderson oversees graduate programs in counseling and psychology, including three doctoral programs. She has served as PI, Co PI, and evaluator on numerous externally funded initiatives. Dr. Anderson is the founding editor of Research and Practice in Assessment and continues to serve as Senior Associate Editor. She is a frequent reviewer for national conferences, journals, and federal and foundation grant programs. Her current scholarship has expanded from integrated rural healthcare to also include the responsible integration of artificial intelligence in counselor education, including AI supported pedagogy, assessment, and supervision practices. Dr. Anderson’s teaching and research advance ethical, transparent, and human centered approaches to AI that enhance student learning and strengthen counselor training pipelines, particularly within rural and underserved contexts.

Dr. Susan Stuntzner, PhD, LPC, LMHC, ACS, CRC, NCC provides behavioral health and mental health services to injured workers as a part of their coping and return to work process. She also provides counseling and resilience-building skills to individuals with disabilities in her collaboration with Vocational Rehabilitation Division in Oregon and is an approved supervisor for LPC-Associates in Oregon. She is a part-time lecturer at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. Previously, she was a Director of Accessible Education at a local college, and an Assistant Professor in the School of Rehabilitation Services and Counseling at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She has 29 years of experience working in the rehabilitation counseling profession. During this time, she has worked as a vocational evaluator, counselor, psychology staff member, and faculty member, and she has a wide breadth of experience in helping people live with and move past a disability or difficult life event. Dr. Stuntzner has published several articles on forgiveness, self-compassion, and resilience within the context of disability and has given over 90 trainings and workshops. She has written three books pertaining to coping and adaptation and/or resilience-based skills: Living with a Disability: Finding Peace Amidst the Storm; Reflections from the Past: Life Lessons for Better Living; and Resiliency and Coping: The Family After. Each one focuses on ways to help individuals, families, and/or professionals consider and develop strategies to improve coping, adaptation, and resilience following a disability. More recently, she co-authored an article for Counseling Today on the Therapeutic Triad as well as a book chapter that discusses the Therapeutic Triad as a component of behavioral health service delivery. Currently, she is working on a fourth book and workbook on the Therapeutic Triad - forgiveness, self-compassion, and resilience - and how these approaches help people heal and obtain a better way of life. She is also the developer of a 7-module forgiveness intervention (i.e., Stuntzner’s Forgiveness Intervention: Learning to Forgive Yourself and Others) and a co-developer of a 10-module resilience intervention (i.e., Stuntzner & Hartley’s Life Enhancement Intervention: Developing Resiliency Skills Following Disability) for people with disabilities. Dr. Stuntzner is the creator of CRCC’s online e-university courses, Resilience and Disability: Enhancing Rehabilitation Professionals’ Understanding and Application of Resilience to Rehabilitation Counseling, Enhancing Your Well-being: Making Self-care and Resilience a Priority, and Forgiveness and Disability: Embracing Inner Healing as a Part of the Rehabilitation Process, and Self-compassion: Integrating Compassionate Practices into Our Daily Lives which are currently being offered through the Commission on Rehabilitation Counseling Certification. Dr. Stuntzner has been interviewed four times for Psychology Talks (CCTV) by Dr. Angela Plowhead to share information about resilience, living well with a disability, supporting people with disabilities, and COVID-19: being resilient during and after the pandemic. Additional information can be found at her website: https://therapeutic-healing-disability.com.

Clarissa L. Salinas, Ph.D., LPC-S, RPT-S is an Associate Professor in Practice of Counseling at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She most often leads coursework in clinical field experiences and child and adolescent counseling. She owns a private practice, Heartsease Counseling Center, where she provides play therapy to children in the community. Her scholarly contributions include publications on the topics of creative interventions, play therapy, and teaching and learning at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

I am both a practicing clinician and professor of counseling. I have a Masters of Counseling in Clinical Mental Health and a Doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision. Currently, I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of School and College Counseling at California State University-Dominguez Hills. I operate from a trauma-informed and social justice lens and utilize Feminist Theory for both my counseling theory and teaching heutagogy. In my free time, I enjoy spending time at the beach, advocating for my community, reading, practicing the ukulele, and embroidering gifts for family and friends.

Miguel Pimentel is a Licensed Pupil Personnel Services (PPS) Counselor with a Child Welfare and Attendance (CWA) credential and a Registered Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) in the state of California. He holds a Master of Arts in Education with a concentration in Counseling and Student Personnel from San Jose State University. Miguel currently works at the Alameda County Office of Education (ACOE) Opportunity Academy, where he supports students ages 16 and older who have previously disengaged from school or experienced academic challenges and are seeking to complete their high school diploma. In addition, he serves as part-time faculty in the Department of Counseling Psychology at the University of San Francisco and in the Department of School Counseling at California State University, East Bay. He teaches and supervises school counseling candidates and trainees, with an emphasis on delivering equitable and inclusive academic, college and career, and social-emotional services across K–12 and mental health settings. As a former undocumented college student, Miguel has presented numerous workshops at high schools, colleges, universities, and professional conferences on issues impacting undocumented, AB 540, and DACA students. He is widely regarded as a subject matter expert in this area. In 2022, he co-authored You Are Not Alone: Recipes to Obtain SUCCESS by Students for Students, which received an International Latino Book Awards. In the book, he authored two chapters focused on the experiences and success strategies of undocumented students.

Trent Hepting is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington. He graduated from St. Edward's University in Texas in 2021 and has been practicing as a counselor since then. Currently, he is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) at the University of the Cumberlands. Trent's research and clinical interests include diagnosing and assessment, decolonization, professional identity, and the use of technology in therapy. He publishes and presents at local, regional, and national conferences on topics such as impostor phenomenon, research and application in counseling, and diagnostic modalities.

My name is Wylder Emet Leavitt. I am a UNLV student reaching the conclusion of my M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. I am spending my academic internship at Healing Hooves Equine Facilitated Counseling Center. I'm a transgender and Queer identifying counselor who is passionate about Identity affirming care, Animal Assisted Counseling, and TI-CBT.

Alyson J. Leatherman (PhD, NCC) is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at a CACREP accredited online/hybrid program where she teaches asynchronous, synchronous, and in-person graduate courses in clinical mental health and school counseling. Alyson's professional experience includes 17 years as a high school counselor, and her scholarly interests include postsecondary planning, belonging, school counselor identity development, school counselor leadership, and qualitative research. She has presented at regional and national conferences on topics such as DEI leadership in school counseling, school counseling leadership silver linings during COVID-19, and supervising for wellness as anti-oppression. Alyson is a licensed K-12 professional school counselor and currently serves as an Appointed Member of the College Board’s Counseling and Admission Assembly, Co-Faculty Advisor for the Alpha Sigma Chi chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, and Professional Development Committee Chair for their state school counseling association.

Dr. Laura Smestad is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the state of Washington who specializes in treating OCD, anxiety disorders, and related disorders. Dr. Smestad is is a core faculty member at Walden University, and she is the owner of Informed OCD Counseling, a practice based in Seattle, Washington that focuses on using evidence-based treatments for OCD.

Dr. Randy Scott is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). He received his Masters of Arts in Education (MAEd) Counseling degree from Seattle University and his PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) from Walden University. His doctoral research focused on the marginalization of first-generation college students who are counselors-in-training. He currently serves as the clinical manager for Sound Behavioral Health-Northgate in Seattle and as an Adjunct Faculty Member at Saybrook University.

Alexa Miller is a Counselor Education and Supervision PhD student at Palo Alto University. She was a special education and reading teacher on the Sicangu Lakota Reservation before moving to Houston, TX to work as a Dean of Instruction at a secondary charter school. Alexa earned a masters in school administration from Teachers College where she focused on creating schools that support academic and emotional needs of students while promoting teacher growth and fulfillment. After 14 years working in rural and urban public schools, Alexa earned a Master of Arts in Counseling at Northwestern University in 2022 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of TX. She strives to support students’ academic, career, and personal growth.

Kimberly Autrey, Ph.D., LMHC, RPT™, NCC, is a faculty member of the Counselor Education Department at City University of Seattle. She earned her Ph.D. in Counseling in 2021 from the University of North Texas. Dr. Autrey's areas of specialization are play therapy, ecotherapy, and humanistic practices in counseling, teaching, and supervision.

Dr. Sheridan Rian is an associate professor at Saybrook University in the Department of Counseling, and a part-time school counselor at Donner Trail Elementary. Dr. Rian’s specialty areas are ecotherapy, spirituality & religion, neurodivergence, and gender & sexuality. Dr. Rian is a founding board member of the Nevada Gender Clinic and the Foundation for Sexual & Gender Affirmation and Research, in addition to facilitating a local consultation group for healthcare providers working with gender, sexual, and romantic expansive clients, for which they co-developed a formal training and clinician certification program. Dr. Rian is also a certified Ecotherapist whose research has focused on the impact of the natural environment on mental health, student wellness, learning, and the therapeutic relationship. In all professional capacities, Dr. Rian values authenticity and creating a brave spaces for critical reflection to nurture radical growth, compassion, and genuine human connection.

Dr. Kateryna Kuzubova is an Associate Professor at Colorado Christian University and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the state of WA. She received her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision and her MA in Counseling. She is an educator, practitioner, researcher, advocate, mentor, and supervisor. Her research interests include prevention of, early intervention and treatment into substance use, depression, and other high-risk behaviors among adolescents. Multicultural issues, including war trauma and forgiveness are another interest of hers when it comes to research and international collaboration. She has spent five weeks in Ukraine during the initial months of war. During that time, she had an opportunity to help misplaced people, equip volunteers and ministers with psychological first aid, as well as to provide a basic seminar in trauma treatment to the national professors in Ukraine. Currently, she is trained in eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) as she continues the work with refugees from Ukraine in the USA and Europe, as well as going back to her homeland to train others.

Dr. Debbie Sturm is a 2008 graduate of UNC-Charlotte's Counselor Education program, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and currently a Professor at James Madison University. Her clinical specialties and research intersect to include trauma, community violence, family systems, nature-connectedness, leadership & advocacy, and climate change & mental health.

Gloria is a Ph.D. student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Walden University with over 14 years of experience in the mental health field. Her research and presentation interests include Latinx studies, multicultural competence, trauma, substance use, crisis management, grief, and advocacy for Latinx, military veterans, LGBTQIA+, and other minoritized communities. Gloria integrates culturally responsive, trauma-informed, and identity-affirming practices in her teaching, supervision, and clinical work while addressing systemic barriers to mental health care access.

Firdaus Boufath is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her clinical and scholarly work centers on culturally responsive counseling, social justice advocacy, and ethical practice with immigrant and marginalized communities. She has direct experience providing counseling services to immigrant populations and integrates advocacy, cultural humility, and wellness-focused approaches into both clinical practice and counselor training. Her professional interests include the intersection of policy, mental health, and counselor wellness within culturally responsive work.

Jon Watkins, ACMHC, is a counselor educator-in-training and doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision. He specializes in child and adolescent mental health, counselor development, and supervision practices. Jonathan’s clinical work focuses on supporting youth and families, while his academic interests center on counselor educator roles, faculty supervision, and the professional sustainability of the counseling workforce. His scholarship explores how supervision structures influence counselor development, well-being, and equity within training environments. In addition to clinical practice, Jon has extensive experience in communication and public engagement, which informs his approach to teaching, training, and professional leadership. He is committed to advancing counselor education practices that support both developing counselors and the educators who train them.

Kelly King is an Assistant Professor in the MS in Counseling Program at the California State University, Sacramento and a licensed counselor. She completed her masters and doctoral degrees in Counseling at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. Her research agenda addresses culturally responsive counseling skills and counselor development as well as grief and loss in the context of incarceration.

I currently serve as a mental health counselor with a specialty in child and family counseling working in private practice and serving as an assistant professor in counselor education. My first career was a public-school elementary teacher, which lead to a counseling career as a child specialist in a school-based mental health therapy program. My dissertation was a culmination of past experiences resulting in a phenomenological study on the lived experiences of school-based mental health therapists (SBMHT) employed by the district where they work. I have been witness to the immense impact of mental health issues on school-age children from both the clinical and the educational perspectives and spent the last year delving deeply into this topic through my CES PhD dissertation. This research lead to the discovery that many providers felt unprepared for work with children and adolescents and triggered a research project exploring the extent of training counselling students receive in their graduate experience. My educational and career experiences give me unique and rich perspectives on this topic that lend themselves well to researching, teaching, and advocating for improved counseling education practice to support the young clients many of these clinicians will serve.

Dr. Sarah Roundtree holds her PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision and serves as the Director of the Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Sarah resides in Portland, Oregon, and has been involved in the disability community both personally and professionally for over 20 years, including working as a Clinical Rehabilitation Counselor since 2021. Her research focuses on increasing accessibility in higher education for faculty, students, and clients with disabilities.

Michael Lovato, MA, LMHC, NCC, CMCC is a Doctoral student in Counselor Education at The University of New Mexico (UNM). He brings over 7 years of higher education experience including veterans affairs coordination, student success services, and crisis intervention specialist serving survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, and hate crimes on campus. Michael currently works part-time as a Mental Health Counselor at Engage & Ignite Counseling and serves as a Graduate Assistant & Teaching Assistant at UNM. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, he brings both lived experience and professional expertise to his advocacy and clinical work. He also currently serves as a Subject Matter Expert Reviewer for the American Counseling Association, and his research focuses on multicultural counselor education, supervision influence on professional counselor identity development, LGBTQIA+ military/veteran mental health issues, and LGBTQIA+ BIPOC issues in counseling.

Phoenix Rosewood (they/them/theirs) is a counselor educator and supervisor who has taught at the Master's and Doctoral CES level in CACREP accredited counseling programs. They have a private practice where they work with TNG folks and offer supervision and consultation. Phoenix conducts research related to relational reckoning and endurance in the training and preparation of multiculturally responsive counselors and educators, in addition to exploring power dynamics in systems and partnering with members of the LGBTQIA communities in identifying needs and just, creative solutions and policies.

Jessica Baker is a Doctoral Student in Counselor Education and Supervision with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, a Certified Professional Counselor - Intern, and National Certified Counselor. She completed her Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at UNLV in 2024 with a focus on advocating for incarcerated youth. She currently works in the Las Vegas community serving clients from a trauma-focused perspective in addition to researching radicalization online affecting adolescents and young adults. Jessica plans to become a counselor educator while continuing research to best inform future counselors how to respond to contemporary challenges in mental health counseling.

Alex Jardon has served as an Associate Professor of Human Services at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, OR for the last eight years. Jardon began his education at a community college himself in Montana. He transferred to Carroll College to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. Following undergraduate education, Jardon transferred to the University of Hawaii at Hilo, which at the time was the most diverse four year public institution in the country, to earn a Master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. Jardon has earned much of his counseling experience on college campuses working with students but has experience with crisis intervention work as well. After earning some counseling experience, Jardon completed his education with Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Virginia Tech, completing his doctoral dissertation on cultural knowledge and awareness. Cultural immersion has been a passion for Jardon, who has visited more than 40 U.S. States and approximately 50 countries around the word. While at Virginia Tech, Jardon also earned a Preparing Future Professoriate Graduate Certificate, which involved a study abroad experience to learn about European education systems. Jardon is enthusiastic about helping students make a difference for their local communities and teaches classes including Counseling Skills, Group Counseling Skills, Crisis Intervention, and Culturally Informed Care.

Dr. Rachael Fuller is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at George Fox University, having joined the faculty in 2025. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University Seattle in 2025, following a Master of Arts in Counseling from Multnomah University in 2020. Dr. Fuller's areas of expertise encompass crisis intervention, suicide assessment, and identity. Her dissertation, titled Weaving Threads of Identity: A Qualitative Study on Reconnecting Indigenous Folx, is a qualitative phenomenological inquiry into the experiences of Indigenous individuals reconnecting with their cultural heritage and identity.

Yun Shi, PhD., LMFT, is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Portland State University, where she is also the coordinator of the Marriage, Couple, and Family Program.

Dr. Hope Schuermann (she/her) is a founding faculty member and Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Eastern Oregon University. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the state of Florida and has previously held licensure in Louisiana and Texas. Dr. Schuermann earned her Master of Science in Community Counseling from Loyola University New Orleans and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Schuermann's academic areas of specialization include trauma—particularly trauma in children and disaster-related trauma—as well as pedagogy and supervision within counselor education. Dr. Schuermann’s clinical expertise includes work with children, trauma recovery, and the use of creative and expressive therapeutic approaches. She has authored 25 peer-reviewed publications, co-authored two book chapters, and presented at over 50 international, national, and regional conferences. Her honors include the CORE Journal’s Outstanding Outcome Research Article Award and the Rosser Educator Excellence Award.

Jessica (Jessie) Koltz, Ph.D., NCC, NCSC, LSC, CMHC is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of the M.Ed. in School Counseling Program at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A former P–12 school counselor, Dr. Koltz brings over a decade of clinical, supervisory, and leadership experience in school and community mental health settings. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Nevada, Reno. Her scholarship centers on school counseling interventions addressing academic stress and student well-being, culturally responsive and mindfulness-informed practices, and supervision and preparation models for school counselors. Dr. Koltz’s work emphasizes applied, practice-based, and single-case research designs that bridge research and implementation in schools. She is actively engaged in professional service, accreditation review, and mentoring graduate students in counselor education.

Dr. King is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado and Arizona and a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) in Colorado. She has over ten years of clinical experience, with a primary focus on working with individuals and families impacted by substance use disorders. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles, including clinician, administrator, mentor, supervisor, and program director. Dr. King earned her PhD from Walden University in 2021 and currently serves as a core faculty member in the on-ground Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Phoenix, where she values strong, collaborative connections with students and fellow faculty.

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, and professional identity issues.

Rebecca L. Toporek, Ph.D. (pronouns: she/they), is a professor in the Department of Counseling at San Francisco State University. Dr. Toporek has been a counselor educator for 20 years after serving for many years as a community college counselor, associate dean, and career counselor. Their scholarship focuses on multicultural training, whiteness in racism, economic justice, social justice advocacy, and college and career counseling. Dr. Toporek’s current projects explore advocacy and activism in counseling and psychology, backlash and harassment of counselors and psychologists engaged in activism, and sustainability for students of color and first gen students pursuing college counseling. They have written or co-written over 50 journal articles and book chapters, were co-editor and co-founder for the first 10 years of the Journal for Social Action in Counseling and Psychology, co-developer of the ACA Advocacy Competencies, and co-edited four books on multicultural training and social justice including the Handbook for Social Justice in Counseling and Psychology. Dr. Toporek and their colleague, Dr. Muninder Ahluwalia recently released a compilation of video interviews Helping counselors and psychologists as advocates and activists and published the workbook, Taking action: Creating social change through strength, solidarity, strategy and sustainability. Drs. Toporek and Ahluwalia along with Drs. Derrick Bines and Bryan Rojas-Arauz, have recently published the Workbook for Social Action for Counselors, Psychologists, and Helping Professionals. Dr. Toporek is a Fellow of the American Counseling Association and received the ACES Legacy Award in 2021. Importantly, she is also a daughter, sister, partner, and mother of two awesome 20-somethings.

Kimberlee Ratliff, EdD, LMHC, NCC, NCSC is an Associate Professor at the University of Puget Sound. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in Washington, National Certified Counselor (NCC) and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). She has 16 years experience as a faculty member and supervisor of school and clinical mental health counselors-in-training. Her current research interests include exploring the intersection of mental health wellness, social and cultural identities, and sociopolitical influences that impact well-being.

Maria Salguero was born and raised in El Salvador. She is currently a Clinical Professional Counselor Intern (CPC-I) in the state of Nevada and a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Through her clinical and community work, Maria has witnessed the mental health needs of the communities she serves, particularly Spanish-speaking and marginalized populations. She provides culturally responsive counseling services while acknowledging the systemic barriers and intersecting identities that shape individuals’ lived realities. Her research focuses on increasing access to bilingual supervision and strengthening counseling programs to better support bilingual counselors-in-training. She is also committed to advancing multicultural advocacy in counselor education. As a Latina counselor, Maria advocates for her communities through outreach and psychoeducation, working to decolonize therapeutic practices and foster belonging without language barriers.

Jenny Li is a board-certified counselor (NCC), ACS, and LPCC in California, Washington, Arizona, New Mexico, and Kansas. She is an Executive Clinical Leader and Private Practice Owner, with a focus on ethical treatment sequencing and treatment fidelity in high-acuity settings. She oversees clinical programs, leads clinical teams, provides clinical supervision, and provides clinical training at Crownview Co-Occurring and Psychiatric Institute. Having lived and worked in Scandinavia, Asia, and the Americas, Jenny integrates a culturally responsive, decolonized lens into therapy and supervision. She is also a doctoral candidate in Clinical Supervision, Education, and Leadership, with research interests focused on trauma-informed, ethical, and culturally responsive clinical supervision and practice.

Dr. Bernadet DeJonge, LMHC, CRC is a program coordinator and clinical assistant professor at Yeshiva University. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Oregon State University and her masters in Rehabilitation Counseling at Western Washington University. Dr. DeJonge's areas of clinical expertise include disability studies, the integration of counseling into medicine and multicultural and social justice counseling. Dr. DeJonge's research interests include the use of AI in higher education, teaching social justice, and disability.

Yi-Wen Su, Ph.D., NCC, is an assistant professor in the Counselor Education Department at Portland State University. She currently serves as a program coordinator for the school counseling program at PSU. She is a nationally-certified counselor and a licensed school counselor registered with the Iowa Board of Education. Dr. Su’s research interests include school counseling, bullying/cyberbullying prevention, mindfulness, and multicultural issues in the counseling field. Dr. Su has several publications published in the Professional School Counseling Journal, the Journal of Counselor Education and Supervision, the Journal of Humanistic Counseling, and other peer-reviewed journals.

Morgan Wallbrown is an independently licensed professional clinical counselor, counselor educator, and founder of CURA Counseling & Consulting, a practice intentionally designed for neurodivergent adults seeking structured, identity-affirming, and regulation-informed care. Her clinical work supports sustainable functioning, clarity, and growth. She teaches graduate counseling students at the University of Louisiana Monroe, where she emphasizes ethical rigor, professional identity, and critical thinking. Her teaching challenges future counselors to develop a strong professional identity alongside measurable skill competence. Morgan’s scholarship focuses on defining profession-specific AI competencies rooted in counseling’s relational, cultural, and ethical foundations. Her work aims to ensure emerging technologies strengthen, rather than dilute, the counseling profession’s identity and client care standards.

Dr. Donna M. Gibson is a professor of counselor education in the School of Education at Virginia Commonwealth University. In her 26 years as a counselor educator, Dr. Gibson published multiple books, book chapters, and peer-refereed publications. She has also obtained over $2 million in federal grants to train school counseling students as related service providers for students in special education programs and has presented over 100 state, regional, national and international professional presentations. As a member of the American Counseling Association for more than 26 years, she has served as member-at-large for membership and president of the ACA division the Association for Assessment in Research and Counseling (AARC). She served two terms (6 consecutive years) as AARC’s representative to the ACA Governing Council and is an ACA Fellow. Her teaching, research and mentorship has been recognized through university teaching awards, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision journal and CSI research awards with much focus on her research on professional identity development. Through ACA, she has received the Extended Research Award and the Thomas J. Sweeney Award for Visionary Leadership and Advocacy. Dr. Gibson is also a licensed professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor, board certified telemental health provider, and has practiced counseling in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, university counseling centers, and private counseling offices. More recently, she has found a lot of meaning in mentoring practitioners through ACA’s mentoring program and mentoring emerging leaders for AARC, ACES, and CSI.

Nandini is an Assistant Clinical Professor and the Program Coordinator for the Master’s in Counseling program at Northern Arizona University’s North Valley campus. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her education encompasses the fields of linguistics, speech-language pathology, and counseling which taught her that language - the stories we tell ourselves about our lives and the world we live in - plays a central role in our well-being. Nandini counsels a diverse population of adult clients with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) in the greater Phoenix area. She also has experience working with children, adolescents, young adults, parents, and the elderly. Her teaching philosophy is aimed at integrating theory and practice and encouraging students to view multicultural competence as central to their counseling skills. She considers herself a lifelong learner with research and reading interests in grief, trauma, psycholinguistics, and the use of language as a tool of therapy.

Dr. Rob McKinney started his career in mental health counseling by obtaining a M.Div. with an emphasis in Pastoral Care and Counseling at Lincoln, Illinois. Since then, he has obtained his M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Eastern Illinois University and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Kent State University. Rob moved to Spokane in 2018 where he is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at Gonzaga University and Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Rob enjoys working as a counselor educator because he gets to instill his professional passion into students, teach and foster counseling skills, and engage in both research and service opportunities. His research interests include multicultural considerations in counseling, counseling work related to LGBTGEQIAP+ individuals, and counselor development. Within these areas, Rob has published several peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and papers, as well as presented at local, state, regional, national, and international conferences. Aside from research, Rob is proud to be a member of the American Counseling Association, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities. Rob also serves as a governing board member for NAMI Spokane and as the Chapter Faculty Advisor for Gonzaga’s chapter of Chi Sigma Iota (Gamma Chi Epsilon), the international honor society that values excellence in the counseling profession. In addition, he is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington state and a National Certified Counselor.

Dr. Sarah Johansson is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Eastern Washington University with a background in school counseling. Before transitioning to higher education, she spent 12 years as a school counselor in several states, including Georgia, Wisconsin, and Oregon. These diverse experiences provided valuable insight into the mental health needs of young people in different geographical regions, school systems, and communities. Passionate about supporting marginalized youth, Dr. Johansson focuses their research and advocacy on improving mental health services and fostering inclusive educational environments. Her work emphasizes the importance of affirming practices, school-based mental health interventions, and the role of counselors in creating supportive spaces for marginalized young people.

Gretchen Schulthes works as the Associate Dean of Advisement at Hudson County Community College. As part of her work, she co-leads the Hudson Scholars Program, an innovative student support initiative which has yielded increased retention and revenue in its first year. In addition to her work at HCCC, she is an Adjunct Instructor in Montclair State University’s Family Science & Human Development department and an active researcher within the counseling profession. She has published articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as encyclopedia entries and a book chapter. She holds a PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University and an MA in Counseling from Kean University.

Dr. Rachael C. Marshall (They/Them/Their) is an Associate Professor and Clinic Coordinator at Sac State Counselor Education Program. With their Master’s in Counseling, they worked as a clinical and career Counselor in universities, homeless shelters, and schools. Their work focused on trauma, grief, and advocacy with first-generation college students, international students, and LGBTQ+ clients. They currently research career identity and counselor identity development in relation to self-care, wellness, mindfulness, and contemplative techniques in both classroom and clinical settings. They are currently serving as the clinic coordinator for the counseling clinic on campus. The Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services (CCDS) Clinic, which offers three distinct services: counseling, psychoeducational assessments, and reading intervention. The functional nature of this clinic dedicates time and resource to collaboration across multiple helping professions, including school psychology, counseling, and language and literacy. Dr. Marshall is the Counseling Faculty Advisor for Sacramento State’s Chi Sigma Sigma.

Tameeka L. Hunter, Ph.D., LPC, NCC, CRC (she/her) is a licensed professional counselor, a nationally certified counselor, and a nationally certified rehabilitation counselor. She is a tenure track assistant professor, an intersectional diversity and social justice scholar, a professional diversity speaker, and a researcher. Her research focuses on the resilience of marginalized and multiply marginalized populations, including people living with disabilities and chronic illnesses, people of color, sexual- and gender-expansive people, and women. Her work examines the impact of resilience and strength-based approaches on marginalized and multiply marginalized populations' psychosocial, educational, and vocational functioning.

Yangyang Liu is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education and Rehabilitation at California State University, Fresno. Her research focuses on wellness and career development of underserved student populations in higher education.

Dr. Adriana Wissel is the Associate Dean of the School of Education. Prior to this role, she served as Associate Professor, Program Director of School Counseling, and Department Chair in Counselor Education. Before entering higher education, Dr. Wissel worked in the K–12 system in Southwest Idaho as both a school counselor and school psychologist. She also served on the Washington School Counselor Association Executive Board for 10 years, including a term as President. Her professional interests center on well-being and joy, trauma-informed practices, school counselor identity, and community-based learning. As part of her work in well-being and joy, Dr. Wissel launched That Green Dress during her 2020 sabbatical - a 40+ episode podcast featuring interviews and reflections on living a more joyful and purpose-driven life. Dr. Wissel seeks to support others in cultivating joy.

Dr. Lucy L. Purgason is an associate professor of Counseling at Oregon State University-Cascades. Her scholarship centers on culturally responsive school counseling practices, interprofessional collaboration, and the academic and mental health needs of multilingual and immigrant-origin students. Dr. Purgason has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals and has received national recognition for her research, including awards from the Journal of Counselor Leadership and Advocacy, the North Carolina Counseling Association, and OSU-Cascades. She actively contributes to state and national conversations on school mental health and counselor education and was the PI on a federally funded Mental Health Service Professional Demonstration Grant aimed at advancing school counselor training in Central Oregon.

Lacey is a West Virginia native who has a passion for serving Appalachian folks. She obtained her master's degree in clinical mental health counseling from West Virginia University in 2020 and is currently working towards her PhD in counseling and supervision at James Madison University. Lacey is a licensed counselor providing EMDR therapy to men in residential drug and alcohol treatment in West Virginia.

Dr. Maritza Cha graduated from Garfield High School in East Los Angeles and became the first in her family to attend and graduate from college. Dr. Cha was a school counselor and completed her PhD at Claremont Graduate University in Education, Urban Leadership. Dr. Cha has presented about school counseling topics at the national, state and local level including NACAC and AERA. Dr. Cha co-authored book chapters named “Servant Leadership: School Counseling During the Pandemic” and "Student-Centered Advocates: A Holistic Approach on Supporting K-12 Undocumented Students." Recently, Dr. Cha contributed to the 6th edition of Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling (NACAC). Dr. Cha, in 2024, won the Outstanding Dissertation Award from AERA Division E. Dr. Maritza Cha was a National School Counselor Fellow and part of the Professional School Counseling Emerging Scholars Fellow Program. Dr. Cha currently works as an Adjunct Professor.

Dr. Kile earned her doctorate degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Walden University, specializing in Forensic Mental Health Counseling. She is an Associate Professor at the University of the Cumberlands where she serves as the Subject Matter Expert for Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling and the Associate Director of Clinical Partnerships for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s Degree Program. Dr. Kile is also a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Associate Addictions Counselor in Arizona and has been in private practice since 2018. Her clinical experience began in 2007 which has included residential treatment for adolescent girls and outpatient community-based services in a forensically-focused setting. She has held supervisory positions, such as Clinical Director, overseeing counseling agencies across Arizona, and also managed the behavioral health department for a federally-qualified health center that implemented an integrated model of medical and behavioral health. Dr. Kile has devoted much of her clinical work, writing, and service focused on domestic violence offender counseling, including serving as the IAAOC Intimate Partner Violence Committee Chair and since 2023, she has served on the Arizona Supreme Court’s Impact of Domestic Violence and the Courts in the Domestic Violence Service Provider Seat, which is a nominated and court-appointed position. Also since 2023, she has been a member of the Pima County DV Fatality Review Board. Dr. Kile has presented at various regional and national conferences focused on domestic violence offender counseling and ethics in counseling. She recently published a book focused on ethics in counseling and has written several textbook chapters. As a Counselor Educator, Dr. Kile values assisting students to find their place in this profession by helping them understand the practical application of the field’s ethical and professional principles.

Dr. Esther McCartney is an Assistant Professor and Program Director at Northwest University and is also a child & adolescent counselor. She has worked with numerous students in providing counseling services that meet the cultural needs of their clients and has also supported students from diverse backgrounds.

Chitra Thummarukudy (she/her) is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California and a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Palo Alto University. Her professional identity is grounded in counselor education, with active roles in teaching, supervision, research, and clinical training. Chitra teaches graduate-level counseling courses, supervises counselors-in-training during residency, and is deeply invested in supporting ethical practice, cultural humility, and professional identity development. Her research focuses on BIPOC counseling experiences, racial microaggressions, supervision processes, and trauma-informed practice, drawing from her work across school, community, and university-based settings. She is actively engaged in professional service through leadership and committee roles within state and national counseling organizations, contributing to advocacy, DEIA, accessibility, and counselor training initiatives. Through her teaching, scholarship, and service, she is committed to preparing reflective, socially responsive counselors and advancing equity within counselor education.

Rebekah Smart, Ph.D., has been a counselor educator at California State University for over twenty years. She has consistently taught courses in crisis and trauma, diagnosis and treatment planning, and research. Her clinical and research interests have been in mental health issues at intersection of genders and cultures (e.g., eating disorders, sexual harassment).

Rebecca Dickinson is a Ph.D. candidate (anticipated graduation May 2026) in Counselor Education and Supervision. She was a senior career counselor for Boise State University from 2012 to 2024, intermittently. To date, my research interests include exploring neuroscience-informed, resilience-based interventions among college students, including those from migrant farmworker backgrounds. In the future, I would like to expand upon this research by exploring how trauma-informed, relationship-based factors influence the outcomes of resilience-promoting counseling interventions.

Dr. Toni Saia is an Associate Professor, Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and Director of the Rehabilitation Technology Certificate at San Diego State University within the Department of Administration, Rehabilitation, and Postsecondary. Dr. Saia earned her M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling and her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. Her professional work history has involved advocating for a progressive understanding of disability within the applied fields, with a shift from diagnosis to disability as a culture and identity. She has secured over $1 million in external funding dedicated to dismantling societal barriers for disabled people. She teaches a range of graduate courses, including ARP 684 (Rehabilitation Foundations), ARP 607 (Applications of Rehabilitation Technology), ARP 708 (Human Development), ARP 755 (Policy and Governance in Disability Systems), ARP 744 (Intermediate Practicum), and ARP 745 (Internship). Dr. Saia is one of the originators of the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association’s Disability-Related Counseling Competencies, which guide the work of over 55,000 counselors nationwide. In recognition of her scholarship and leadership, she received the Association of University Centers on Disabilities Young Professional Award and the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) Research Award in 2025. Her work continues to champion disability culture, community, and liberation across counseling, higher education, rehabilitation counseling and other applied fields.

Rain Snowden (they/them) is a graduate student pursuing an MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Antioch University, where they bring a practitioner's lens to the question of how counselor education must evolve. A certified Reiki Master Practitioner and graduate of a Hakomi-Informed Somatic Coaching program, Rain has provided trauma-informed, body-based care to diverse clients navigating significant life transitions, grief, and chronic pain — providing direct, hands-on grounding in the somatic modalities for which they advocate for curricular inclusion. Prior to entering the counseling field, Rain spent 10 years in nonprofit and social impact roles leading large-scale systems advocacy, public policy infrastructure, and social justice grantmaking. As a Program Officer at the Gates Foundation, they designed and deployed grantmaking portfolios advancing racial and gender equity, led philanthropic public policy initiatives in partnership with national nonprofit organizations, and led internal advocacy for LGBTQ+ staff as Policy Chair of an employee resource group. Earlier work spanned immigration, child advocacy, cultural exchange, and technology for the public interest. Rain holds a BA in Psychology of Peace & Conflict from Georgetown University and an MBA from Politecnico di Milano.

Katherine Isaacson, LPC, LCPC, NCC (she/her), is a clinical therapist with 19 years of experience in community mental health and private practice. She earned her MS in Mental Health Counseling from Montana State University and is currently a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Arizona. Her research interests include counselor-in-training identity development, anti-colonial pedagogy, and the impact of social media on the counseling profession. Katherine believes education is an active, collaborative process of transformation and is dedicated to co-creating compassionate learning communities where students find agency and belonging. In both research and teaching, she aims to co-create relational spaces that center diverse voices, narratives, and perspectives.

Diana Gruman, PhD, NCC is a former elementary school counselor who has worked as a counselor educator and supervisor since 2003. She is currently Professor, SC Internship Coordinator, and Director of the School Counseling Program at Western Washington University. Dr. Gruman loves all aspects of her work in counselor education, from nurturing early clinical skills and teaching foundational concepts to supporting alumni as they move into leadership positions in education. She has published papers on young children's mental health, SC advocacy, site-based supervision training, and the impact of frequent moves on child development. She also has an on-going research partnership in Mongolia which aims to improve student belonging, school climate safety, and adult support in Mongolian secondary schools. Through her teaching, mentorship, and leadership, Dr. Gruman is focused on supporting school counselors-in-training to recognize systemic inequity and develop skills to fight for equity, inclusion and access.

Truvette Hollinquest is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California and a PhD Candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Saybrook University. Her clinical work includes individual and couples counseling, with a focus on supporting marginalized and underrepresented communities. As a doctoral teaching fellow, Truvette integrates scholarship and social justice values to support the growth and development of counselors-in-training. Her interests include emotional healing and wellness in marginalized communities, with a particular focus on Black families. She is committed to advancing social justice advocacy and allyship with Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Aaron's ambitions always blended research, practice, and education. During their master's program, Aaron entered into a research project with Dr. Amy Reynolds, witnessing the value of research in real time. After two years of practice, Aaron started as an adjunct instructor at University of Buffalo in 2022, quickly discovering their passion for education. Aaron achieves strong outcomes in teaching evaluations as the instructor of record, in classes like helping skills (prepracticum), psychopathology, and internship. Integrating social justice and constructivist teaching strategies, Aaron believes that counselors should be compassionate, empathetic, and deeply attuned to the systems that surround the people counselors help. Working under Dr. Kristina DePue as a PhD student at the University of Nevada, Reno, Aaron acts as a teaching assistant and as a clinical coordinator in the Downing Counseling Clinic. Serving as an on-site supervisor, Aaron provides weekly supervision using evidence-based models like Bernard's (1979) discrimination model. Aaron also provides regular feedback and training on clinical documentation, performing semesterly audits on best practices in treatment plans, notes, and other documentation. Aaron firmly believes that strong counselors can be grown by both technique and from practices that build the self-as-counselor. Using mindfulness and regular classroom assessment techniques, Aaron gives students the space to genuinely develop self-care as a form of ethical practice. Aaron is seeking to begin a faculty appointment in Fall 2027.

Jennifer Kiehl (she/her) is an adjunct professor at Palo Alto University and Eastern Oregon University and a doctoral student in Palo Alto University’s Counselor Education & Supervision program. In addition to her academic roles, she maintains a clinical practice in West Hollywood, CA, working with individuals and couples, particularly creatives, athletes, Asian American clients, the HIV/AIDS community, and victim-survivors of child sexual abuse. Jennifer’s professional and research interests include embodied attunement in counseling processes, prosody, and relational communication in counselor training, integrating creative modalities in trauma therapy and counselor education, and advancing inclusive and updated practices for LGBTQIA+ clients, including reducing heteronormative bias in couples assessment and treatment frameworks. | jkiehl@paloaltou.edu

Dr. Michelle Deeg-Davis is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. She currently serves as the Director of the Trauma Response Institute. She teaches courses such as Introduction to Trauma Informed Care, Grief and Loss, and Suicide and Crisis Management. Dr. Deeg-Davis holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counseling from Oregon State University and a Master of Counseling in School Counseling. During this time, she also completed all coursework for clinical mental health. She has twenty years of experience in the mental health field. What began as providing support to survivors of domestic violence as an advocate has transformed into a passion for deep healing, facilitating growth and resilience, advocating for necessary systemic change, and promoting trauma-informed care principles in schools and organizations. Her work has included roles as a school counselor, a clinical mental health counselor, a school-based outpatient therapist, a trauma-informed trainer for clinical counselors and K-12 educators, and a counselor educator.

Krystal Lazaro is a doctoral candidate and graduate researcher in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Krystal grew up in California and attended the University of California, Santa Barbara where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. After her undergraduate program, she pursued a career in education and taught 5th, 7th, and 11th-grade English in Texas and California. Krystal earned her master's at the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2022 and is now a licensed professional counselor-associate with a bilingual counseling certificate. Her scholarship is centered around bilingual and cross-cultural counseling and supervision, and she aims to research the relationship between mental health and physical movement through creative interventions.

Dr. Melissa A. Milliken is a full-time faculty in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Grand Canyon University in Phoenix, Arizona. Her degrees include a Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision and Master of Arts in Community Counseling. Her research interests include addiction/SUDs, Twelve Step Integration, and counseling ethics. Dr. Milliken holds independent professional counseling licenses in both Illinois and Arizona. Highlighted clinical experiences include inpatient and outpatient treatment of Substance Use Disorders and an emergency room setting evaluating/placing individuals with psychosis and harmful ideations. Previously, she taught elementary education.

Robin Cummings is a masters addiction counseling student who is interested in working at the intersection of behavioral addiction and LGBTQ+ youth. They hope to pursue a doctorate in counselor education following completion of their masters degree.

Dr. Jayna Bonfini has significant research, teaching, and clinical experience with individuals struggling with various mental health issues, trauma histories, and substance abuse problems. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Master Addictions Counselor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and a Nationally Certified Counselor. Dr. Bonfini has worked in community mental health, a college counseling center, psychiatric hospital programs, justice-involved organizations, and private practice. She also provides consultation to non-profit organizations on program evaluation and outcomes research. She lives in the Atlanta area with her husband, two kids, and a Yorkshire Terrier, Leo.

Dr. Rochelle Cade earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Masters of Science in Counseling, and Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (LPC-S) whose clinical work is predominantly in correctional settings and counselor training clinics. She is an active member of the American Counseling Association (ACA) with service on the Editorial Advisory Board. Dr. Cade is also active in two ACA divisions, the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC) and the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC). Dr. Cade is a Past President of IAAOC and currently serves as Co-Editor of the Annual Review. In AARC, she has served as Treasurer and member of the editorial board for one of the division journals, Counseling Outcome and Research Evaluation. At the state level, Dr. Cade serves as Past President of the Texas Counseling Association (TCA) and is a Past President of the Texas Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (TAARC).

Deborah Rubel is a professor of counselor education at Oregon State University. Her areas of specialization include group work and qualitative research methods. Her research interests include mental health stigma and equitable, inclusive, and antiracist and anti-oppressive practices in counselor education, group work, and research.

Daniel Sweeney, PhD, LMFT, LPC, ACS, RPT-S™ is a Professor of Marriage & Family Counseling, Clinical Director of the CMHC & MCFC programs, and Director of the NW Center for Play Therapy Studies at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. He is an international presenter [having presented on six continents], past president of the Association for Play Therapy, and maintains a small private practice. Daniel is author or co-author of several books, including: Sandtray Therapy: A Practical Manual, The Handbook of Group Play Therapy, and Group Play Therapy: A Dynamic Approach. His books have been translated into Chinese, Korean, Turkish, and Russian. Daniel and his wife live in Portland, Oregon near their four adult children and grandchildren.

Minju Kim is a Ph.D. candidate in Counseling at Oregon State University, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Approved Supervisor in Washington State, and an Adjunct faculty member at Antioch University Seattle. In her private practice, she specializes in addressing Asian Americans’ family-of-origin issues, intergenerational trauma, racial identity, and immigration/acculturation stress. Minju’s research focuses on counselor educators’ professional identity and teaching competence, with an emphasis on clinically oriented and evidence-based education. She is passionate about leadership and advocacy and currently serves as the ACES Graduate Student Representative.

Julia Dell’Aquila-Linares, Ph.D., LPC, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the School of Social and Behavioral Science at the University of the Cumberlands. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Texas and Nationally Accredited Counselor (NCC), and a Counselor Educator who has worked in the field of mental health counseling for over nine years where she has served in a variety of clinical settings. Dr. Dell’Aquila-Linares specializes in supporting children and adolescents in emotion regulation, coping skills, and self-expression to increase overall adjustment and development.

Greta Bernhardt is a mental health provider specializing in acute crisis patient care in an emergency department setting. As a deaconess and chaplain serving in the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, Greta is dedicated to teaching religion to adolescents and adults, as well as counseling with compassionate spiritual care. She is working toward a Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision at the Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine (expected August 2028), holds a MSW from Saint Louis University, and a master’s in theology from Concordia Seminary, Saint Louis. Committed to integrating faith and mental wellness, Greta’s research areas of interest include neuroscience-informed counseling, neurocounseling interventions for trauma and stress, and neurotheology as a framework for understanding the intersection of brain science and spiritual formation. She is a Stephen Minister and Stephen Leader in her congregation and leads workshops, continuing education, and presentations on mental health inclusion and social awareness.

Gianna Russo-Mitma (she/her) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) and Approved Supervisor in Oregon & Washington. She is also an Adjunct Professor at Lewis & Clark and Portland State University. She has previously been the President of the Oregon Counseling Association (ORCA), COPACT (Oregon’s legislative advocacy group for therapists and counselors), and the Oregon Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (OACES), as well as the Western Region Chair for the American Counseling Association (ACA). In her private practice, she specializes in working with adults who have parents/caretakers with narcissistic tendencies & emotional immaturity, fat liberation, generational trauma & family of origin issues, and self empowerment from a feminist lens.

Kristi B. Cannon, PhD, LPC, is an Associate Professor in the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Western States, where she teaches students in both the master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and the integrated CMHC and Sport and Performance Psychology EdD. A counselor educator with over 17 years of experience, Dr. Cannon's scholarly work focuses on researcher identity development in counselor education, with recent publications and presentations exploring imposter phenomenon among counseling scholars. She is a co-author of Lifespan Development: Contextual and Cultural Dimensions (2022) and brings extensive experience spanning clinical practice, teaching, academic administration, and CACREP accreditation consulting. Dr. Cannon is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas.

Dr. Margaret Lamar is a board-certified, licensed professional counselor with a background in university and clinical mental health counseling. Her research is in the areas of maternal mental health, parental mental health, alcohol, and substance use during COVID-19, and research education in counselor education. She has several publications in this area and has been interviewed by various outlets, such as Counseling Today and The Thoughtful Counselor. Dr. Lamar is the current past-president of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.

Dr. Brian K. Shaffer is a clinician with over 25 years of experience in spiritual & pastoral care, grief, loss, bereavement, and trauma care, as well as mental & behavioral health and addiction. In addition to his private counseling practice, Brian is a Clinical Faculty member at Southern New Hampshire University and an Online Adjunct Faculty member at Grand Canyon University. He is also engaged in working with several telehealth & telemedicine companies that specialize in working with clients and families seeking therapy for trauma, addiction, EAP counseling, and court-mandated treatment. Brian also leads and facilitates online support groups with Innovia Life. Brian is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Michigan, Pennsylvania, Nevada, and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New Hampshire as also holds the credentials of National Certified Counselor, Internationally Certified Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor. He holds a Master of Theology Degree, a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling/Mental Health, and a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Counselor Education and Supervision. In addition to his education and training in mental health, behavioral health, and addictions, Brian is a Clinical Chaplain, Pastoral Bereavement Specialist, and holds the distinguished credential of Fellow in Thanatology from the Association of Death Education and Counseling. He has served on several local and national non-profit boards, committees, and task forces, and has been a presenter, speaker, and trainer both nationally and internationally. In addition to his published writings, Dr. Shaffer has also been a guest lecturer at several academic institutions, both secular and sacred.

Dr. Megan Speciale (she/her) is an Associate Professor of Counseling at Palo Alto University and a longtime researcher and advocate for sexual and relational justice. Her research and clinical interests have sought to illuminate topics frequently pushed to the margins, including bisexuality, sex work, kink/BDSM, and ethical non-monogamy, utilizing frameworks of intersectionality and pleasure activism. She is the Managing Editor of The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast and has served on the editorial board of the Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling since 2016.

Dr. Darby is an independently licensed Clinical Counselor with supervisory endorsement in the states of OH, PA, and KY. Throughout her over 20 years of mental health work, Dr. Darby has worked in a variety of settings including, partial-hospitalization, residential, college counseling, outpatient, school, and community based. She provides counseling services to adults, including individuals and couples. She is full-time Clinical Faculty in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Dr. Darby also owns a private practice. She has presented at conferences nationwide on the topics of culturally responsive practices, supervision and tele-mental health services.

Laura Rea, LMFT, PhD Candidate is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Palo Alto University. She holds a B.S. and M.S. in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and has extensive clinical experience across university counseling centers, private practice, and specialized ADHD treatment settings. Laura specializes in ADHD assessment and treatment, executive functioning, and strengths-based approaches for emerging adults and counselors-in-training. Her clinical and scholarly work explores the intersection of ADHD symptoms, executive functioning, and supervisory working alliance, with a particular interest in reducing stigma and integrating neurodiversity-informed practices into counselor training. In addition to her clinical work, Laura teaches and co-supervises master’s-level counseling students, emphasizing experiential skill development, trauma-informed practice, and reflective supervision. She is passionate about preparing future counselors to integrate evidence-based interventions with relational depth and cultural responsiveness.

Dr. Castro-Atwater is the Director of the M.A. Counseling Programs at Loyola Marymount University, teaching courses in culturally responsive counseling, individual and group counseling, counseling theories and techniques, and applied developmental psychology across the lifespan in the Counseling Program at LMU. Dr. Atwater received her B.A. from Stanford University and her M.A., P.P.S. Credential, and Ph.D. (School Psychology) from the University of California at Berkeley. Dr. Atwater has served as past President of the School Psychology Educators of California (SPEC); member of the Advisory Board for the Center for Multicultural Education (CSULA); and Editorial Review Board Member for Scientific Journals International. Dr. Atwater is also the creator and Project Director of the SUCCESS Coaching program, a multi-year collaboration (2010-2026) with the Los Angeles Unified School District, where she supervises counselors and graduate students as they provide individual and group counseling services to K-8 students. Her most recent national workshop presentations focus on how educators can foster effective culturally-relevant dialogue in classrooms and schools and avoid the "trap" of color-blind racial ideology.

Johnny is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State and an Affiliate Professor at Antioch University Seattle's Masters in Counseling program, where he developed and now directs the Neurodiversity Certificate Program. With a decade of clinical practice and two decades of work in the field of neurodivergence, his work is focused on moving practitioners beyond surface-level accommodation and toward a substantive understanding of neurodivergent experience across the lifespan. The Certificate Program draws on current research, emerging frameworks within the counseling field, and the perspectives of neurodivergent communities themselves, reflecting a commitment to training that takes seriously what it means to serve neurodivergent clients well. His approach to both clinical work and teaching is informed by lived experience of neurodivergence, a personal history that shapes the questions he asks in the clinical room, the curriculum he builds in the classroom, and his ongoing engagement with a field still developing the frameworks and language it needs. That vantage point keeps the theoretical honest. Across practice, teaching, and a broader community of practitioners and educators, his focus remains on grounded, practical approaches that begin with how people actually think, learn, and navigate their lives rather than how they might be expected to.

Lourdes Calzada-Santacruz, M.A., LMFT, NCC, is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Oregon State University and the proud daughter of Mexican and Salvadoran immigrants. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist serving as a school-based therapist and Mental Health Professional Lead for the Washoe County School District, where she provides trauma-informed, bilingual care to adolescents and families. Lourdes serves as Instructor of Record for the master's-level Counseling Practicum course (CEP 651) at the University of Nevada, Reno, and is the Nevada Co-Chair for the Western Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (WAMCD). She is the co-founder of Acá Entre Nos, a community initiative dedicated to destigmatizing mental health care among Latinx populations, through which she serves as a twice-monthly guest on Juan 101.7 FM in Reno, NV. Her dissertation applies topic modeling and computational methods to examine trauma recovery and emotional expression in online communities. Lourdes is passionate about the intersection of cultural identity, advocacy, and counselor education.

Savita Srivastava, LMHC, is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Washington State and a graduate of Northwest University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She provides trauma-informed and culturally responsive counseling to children, adolescents, and adults, with a focus on immigrant and underserved communities. Her clinical work integrates community-informed perspectives with structured therapeutic approaches. Savita’s professional interests include multicultural supervision, equity-centered counselor training, and supporting counseling students in recognizing culturally embedded stressors within systemic contexts.

Dr. Najla Hrustanović is the Program Director and Core Faculty in the Counselor Education & Supervision (CES) doctoral program at Antioch University. She earned a doctorate from the University at Buffalo in Counselor Education and a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from the State University of New York at Oswego. She is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in the State of New York and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Connecticut. Dr. Hrustanović was born in Srebrenica, and like many other people from Bosnia, is a genocide survivor. Her professional work has been dedicated to raising awareness around refugee experiences and inspiring global efforts for humanity. As a clinician, she has been practicing in the field for several years, both in community mental health and currently in her own private practice, focusing on refugee, immigrant, and low-income populations. Her teaching prepares counselors to become ethical educators and to embrace leadership roles that advocate for refugees in various capacities. Her research and scholarly work centers on trauma healing and resilient narratives within refugee and immigrant communities.

Mechila-Rae C. Hodge, APCC, earned her M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CACREP-accredited) from San Francisco State University in May 2025. She is an Alaska Native islander whose work centers on supporting Indigenous communities and individuals with disabilities in higher education. Her counseling, research, and advocacy are grounded in cultural humility and community care. Mechila-Rae’s qualifications to present on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG) are shaped by lived experience, cultural connection, and an intersectional understanding of identity, visibility, and systemic inequities. She works at the intersection of higher education and mental health, supporting students through education, advocacy, counseling, and policy development.

Dr. Gideon Litherland is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Clinical Training Director in the Counseling Program at the Family Institute at Northwestern University. He works with individuals, couples, and groups from a relational-cultural approach. Gideon received his MA in Counseling Psychology from the Family Institute at Northwestern University in 2014 and his PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University in 2020. He has completed advanced postgraduate training in humanistic, client-centered counseling through the Barbara Temaner Brodley Postgraduate Fellowship at CCA.

Allie Lloren, AMFT, APCC, is a first-year CES doctoral student at Palo Alto University. She holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis in Marriages, Family, and Child Counseling from Palo Alto University and a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Saint Mary’s College of California. Her clinical training experience primarily involves working with children, adolescents, and families at risk, ranging from moderate to severe, through community-based mental health organizations and school districts. Passionate about culturally responsive and ethical care, her current research and clinical interests range and focus on topics such as BIPOC communities, women, systemic issues and interventions, and culturally affirming care.

Andrew has worked as a Counselor Educator since 2015 and worked previously at Antioch University Seattle and the University of Cincinnati. He received his M.S. In Mental Health Counseling from the University of North Florida and his Ph.D. in Education with a specialization in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Central Florida. His primary research interests revolve around psycho-oncology, stigma, radical focuses in teaching and practice, and spirituality and religion in counseling. He has a focus in his clinical work on low-fee counseling and the intersection between mental health and class. Now working at OSU, Andrew is focused on helping to create a place for counselors and counselor educators to engage in praxis toward a new mental health future, focusing on community and liberatory efforts.

Dr. Tamara Tribitt spent 10 years as a K-12 school counselor before moving into academia as a school counselor educator. Her scholarship focuses on clinical supervision and the professional development of school counseling practitioners. For over eight years, Dr. Tribitt has taught courses dedicated to fostering ethical decision-making and culturally responsive practice among students and clinicians. Her research interests are centered around Critical Youth Studies, action research in schools and communities, and school counselors as system change agents.

Dr. Regina Moro is licensed as a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (Idaho), and a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (Washington). She is also a National Certified Counselor. Her clinical passion involves work with crisis and trauma, including a focus on addiction with individuals and families. She has experience working in community mental health, integrated care settings, and private practice. Dr. Moro's doctoral coursework included a specialized focus on multicultural counseling which is something she integrates into her courses and clinical supervision practice. Dr. Moro is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, and the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors. She is the recipient of the Idaho Counseling Association's 2019 Counselor Educator of the Year award.

Jasmine Hardman (She/Her/Hers) is currently a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She brought over more than 15 years experience working with diverse populations and interdisciplinary teams. Her professional background includes mentorship, teaching, advocacy, public speaking, and leadership roles. Jasmine has a passion for community work and fostering safe spaces for others. She has over two years experience working for a non-profit in Las Vegas, NV providing therapy to vulnerable and underserved populations. Her research interests include multicultural and social justice counseling, training clinical mental health counselors to work in school settings, and decolonizing practices.

ibela Osmanovic, PhD, LCMHC, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the MS Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at Westminster University. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Nevada, Reno, her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Syracuse University, and her BS in Psychology and Spanish, also from Syracuse University. Dr. Osmanovic has taught counseling theories, human growth and development, group counseling, psychopharmacology, and substance abuse counseling, and has supervised master’s students in clinical training. She has nearly 10 years of clinical experience, providing counseling to individuals, couples, and families across a range of settings. For the past two years, she has focused on telehealth services, primarily with individual clients. She is fluent in three languages and has provided counseling in all three throughout her career. Her clinical expertise includes supporting clients with mental health, substance use, and co-occurring disorders, as well as trauma, domestic violence, suicide prevention, relationship counseling, and working with refugee populations. Dr. Osmanovic’s research focuses on trauma among underrepresented populations, access to higher education, and gatekeeping processes in counseling programs. Her dissertation examined the experiences of refugees in graduate education and the impact of trauma on academic success.

Angelica Medel is a current doctoral student at UNLV, where she is pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision. She has experience working with diverse students in middle and high schools as she is a pre-college program coordinator with TRIO Educational Talent Search. Her research focuses on culturally responsive counseling, technology-assisted interventions, and parent engagement among Latinx and Spanish speaking families. She is part of the Counseling in Schools & Community Innovation Lab (CSCiLab) where she contributes to projects promoting inclusive, family-centered approaches to school counseling and technology-enhanced community outreach in Spanish speaking communities.

Zhixuan, a bilingual (Mandarin and English) master's student in school counseling, transitioned from hospitality to pursuing her passion for education. Committed to sharing her journey and insights into career change, she aims to contribute to the education field with her international background. Zhixuan's research focuses on the burnout of school counselors and international school counseling. As a future school counselor, she eagerly anticipates applying her knowledge and skills in a practical setting to foster supportive educational environments.

Dr. Gladys Lopez is the Director of Clinical Services for a nonprofit 24/7 Mobile Crisis Response Team in Central California. She is a graduate of the Counselor Education and Supervision Doctoral Program at Antioch University, Seattle. Dr. Lopez a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in California with over 10 years of experience serving youth and young adults struggling with depression, anxiety, and trauma. Dr. Lopez completed her dissertation in the Fall of 2024; her research focused on BIPOC faculty and their lived experiences o

Tracy Hayes is a graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Palo Alto University, where she is developing clinical skills with particular focus on neurodiversity, family dynamics, and work-life integration. Diagnosed with ADHD as an adult and parent to two neurodivergent children, she brings lived experience navigating systems that were not designed with neurodivergent people in mind, and a deep commitment to understanding and supporting the needs of families and individuals impacted by ADHD and learning disabilities. She brings over twenty years of leadership experience in human-centered research and design, including roles at Google, GlaxoSmithKline, and Ipsos, where she built high-performing teams, facilitated organizational change, and coached professionals through significant transitions. A certified coach with deep roots in facilitation and human-centered practice, she is committed to integrating evidence-based clinical training with her professional background in understanding and empowering people. Tracy is actively pursuing internship experience in both individual and group counseling settings. She lives and works in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Melissa C Henry is an Assistant Professor in the Rehabilitation, Mental Health, and Counseling Unit in the Department of Disability and Psychoeducational Studies at the University of Arizona. She is also a licensed counselor with experience in couples and family therapy, PTSD/trauma counseling, and community mental health treatment. Her research interest includes PTSD/Trauma, Substance Use Disorders (SUD), and intersectionality. Dr. Henry is a researcher, educator, and social justice advocate.

Dr. Arien Muzacz (she/her) has been a State-licensed professional counselor since 2011 and a clinical supervisor of mental health counselors and counselors-in-training (CITs) in public, non-profit, and healthcare settings since 2012. Arien has served as a full-time counselor educator, teaching and supervising in CACREP-accredited counseling programs, since 2016, and is currently a Clinical Associate Professor of Counseling at Oregon State University, where she teaches and mentors master's and doctoral students. As a humanistic existential counselor, Arien has worked with LGBTGEQIAP+ (i.e., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender/two-spirit, gender expansive, queer, intersex, asexual, polyamorous/pansexual) and ethnically diverse adolescent and adult clients in private practice, including people living with HIV and serodiscordant couples. Arien advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare and education at local, state, and national levels and co-leads the Oregon Supervisor Equity Initiative (OSEI) at Revolution Consulting, LLC, which is designed to increase racial, ethnic, and sexual diversity in the LPC and LPC supervisor workforce, in addition to serving as Project Director of the HRSA-funded Oregon Integrated Behavioral Health Training Initiative (OIBHTI) at Oregon State University. Arien is a member of ACA, SAIGE, AMCD, AHC, the Oregon Counseling Association (ORCA), and the Oregon Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (OACES). She is currently serving as OACES' immediate past-president.

Dr. Andrade Vargas (he/him/his) is a counselor educator in the Department of Counseling at CSU Fullerton. His teaching centers culturally responsive and social justice-oriented approaches, with an emphasis on the training of linguistically and culturally competent counselors to work with Latinx communities within the Ánimo concentration. His research focuses the training and development of bilingual/bicultural counselors, as well as strategies to better support historically underrepresented students in higher education, including undocumented students.

Dr. Ashley Maureen Diaz is an Assistant Professor in the Online MA in Clinical Counseling program at Alliant International University. She graduated with a PhD in Counselor Education from The Pennsylvania State University, with a specialty in counseling children, adolescents, and families. She is dedicated to social justice advocacy through teaching, clinical work, and service. In addition, Dr. Diaz enjoys regularly presenting her research at regional, state, and national conferences. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from The University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from The University of Texas at El Paso. Her clinical experience includes bilingual mental health counseling services in multiple settings: outpatient, inpatient, partial hospitalization, and college counseling centers. Dr. Diaz has also worked as an Equity Liaison and clinical counselor in a K-12 school district and facilitated efforts and initiatives to create a more equitable learning environment. Her research interests include culturally and linguistically responsive counselor training and supervision, counseling Latinx adolescents and families, and social justice/equity concerns in K-12 and post-secondary education settings.

I am currently working on my Masters in counseling, concentrating on work with marriage, families, and couples. I got my bachelors in psychology with a minor in child development. I see my career path thriving in collaborative environments that are working towards creating positive change for the community. I’m interested in working with the following populations: survivors of domestic violence, impacts of childhood trauma, and holistic forms of wellness.

Dr. Justin D. Henderson is program co-director, co-clinical coordinator, and assistant professor of Professional Mental Health Counseling with specialization in Addictions at Lewis & Clark College. He is also faculty in the Eating Disorders Certificate. He is a licensed psychologist and a National Certified Counselor. Dr. Henderson’s scholarship focuses on improving individual and community wellbeing and advancing social justice. He is particularly interested in the application of compassion orientations and skills in counseling and systems change. His writing focuses on burnout, self-care, social justice, addiction, and mental health. Dr. Henderson values contributions both in traditional academic domains as well as produced works for general audiences. For example, he is a Medium Top Writer in the area of Leadership with his focus on systemic approaches to burnout. Nationally, he is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and Counselors for Social Justice.

Eleni Stogianni is a Clinical Research Assistant/ACT therapist at the Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research and a graduate student in the M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Palo Alto University. Her work focuses on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), chronic multisymptom illness, Gulf War Illness, mindfulness, and clinician well-being. Eleni has contributed to multiple national conference presentations, including the American Psychological Association and the Society for Neuroscience, and has published research on mindfulness and self-compassion in the Psi Beta Journal of Student Research. She is passionate about integrating clinical research and therapeutic practice to advance equitable, evidence-based mental health care for underserved populations.

Jazmin Barajas, M.S., CPC-I, LCADC-I, is a first generation Mexican American doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a bilingual counselor serving marginalized and court mandated populations. Her research examines cultural humility, broaching, linguistic minoritization, and the intergenerational transmission of silence, stigma, and resilience among Latino immigrant families. Grounded in her cultural identity and lived experience, Jazmin is committed to advancing equitable supervision and culturally responsive counselor education. Her work bridges community practice and academia, centering language, identity, and systemic advocacy within counselor training.

Sonah Kho, Ph.D., PPC, NCC, is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Reno. Her research centers on emotional legitimacy, eligibility, and agency in counseling and counselor education, particularly among underrepresented populations such as older adults, BIPOC, international, and LGBTQ+ communities.

Fanghui Zhao is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Seattle University. Her research focuses on two primary areas: (1) exploring cross-cultural counseling processes and outcomes, and (2) investigating the development of Multicultural Social Justice Counseling Competencies (MSJCC) among counselor trainees. She is dedicated to leveraging research to improve access to high-quality mental health care for marginalized populations, with a particular emphasis on addressing the needs of racial and ethnic minority clients. With experience in diverse settings such as college counseling centers, community clinics, and career services, she brings a wealth of expertise in working with young adults.

Cambria McDonald is an assistant teaching professor in the Department of Educational Psychology (EPS) at Northern Arizona University. She is originally from El Paso, Texas and received a PhD in counselor education and supervision at St. Mary's University. In addition to her role at NAU, she works as a licensed professional counselor (LPC), credentialed in neuropsychotherapy, specializing in it. attachment wounds, abandonment, body image issues, relational trauma, and personality disorders. Her research focuses on the counselor vulnerability across various stages in professional development, belongingness in substance use recovery, and relational cultural theory.

Chasity is licensed in Washington State (and the United Arab Emirates) and holds a Master's in Counseling from Seton Hall University, and is currently in the 1st year of her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Waynesburg University. She currently lives and works in the United Arab Emirates, where she is supporting the psychology major at American University of Sharjah (AUS). In addition to teaching, Chasity also conducts research on social media, psychological well-being, and clinical practice and supervision. Chasity also maintains a clinical practice at Thrive Wellbeing Centre in Dubai. In her role as the Clinical Director, Chasity heads the Early Career Professional (ECP) Program and provides clinical supervision to clinicians in all stages of their careers. She works with individuals, couples, and families. Chasity is passionate about bridging research, teaching, and practice to help students and professionals thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Dr. Nargiza Amirova is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC–VA), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Professional School Counselor (PSC). She completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Old Dominion University and holds a CACREP-accredited M.S. in Counseling with concentrations in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling from Purdue University Northwest. Her clinical background includes integrated behavioral health, trauma-informed care, community mental health, and professional school counseling services. In hospital and community settings, Dr. Amirova provided inpatient and outpatient services using CBT, Trauma-Focused CBT, and Solution-Focused Therapy to support clients experiencing anxiety, depression, trauma, and medical crises. As an educator and supervisor, she has taught graduate-level counseling courses at Old Dominion University and the University of the Cumberlands, including counseling techniques and psychotherapy, group counseling, multicultural and social justice issues, assessment, and clinical practicum and internship. She has supervised practicum and internship students in CACREP-accredited programs and in integrated behavioral health settings. Dr. Amirova’s research explores international counseling students’ acculturation experiences, equity and belonging in school counseling, and grief and loss in historically marginalized communities. Her published and in-press scholarship addresses identity and job loss, systemic inequities and microaggressions, and culturally responsive support for diverse clients and students, including immigrant and international populations. She presents nationally and regionally on multicultural counseling, supervision, international student adjustment, and LGBTQIA+ affirming practices in counselor education. A multilingual counselor (Uzbek, English, Russian, and Kazakh), she is dedicated to advancing culturally grounded, relationship-centered counseling, training, and advocacy.

Dr. Hurless is an experienced mental health researcher, clinician, and educator. Her research focuses on quantitative and qualitative methods exploring trauma-informed counseling, supervision, and counselor development. Currently, she works as an Assistant Professor of Counseling and holds her private practice in the state of Texas. ResearchGate Profile: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Nicole-Hurless Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=2P-P9BYAAAAJ&hl=en

Doctoral Candidate, Educational Leadership Masters in Counseling Brandman University Licensed School Counselor Published author Research agenda includes wellness practices for educators, trauma informed care and restorative justice.

Kristina DePue, Ph.D. is an associate professor of Counselor Education at the University of Nevada, Reno. DePue's research goals are motivated by her clinical observations within the addictions counseling field, which has resulted in two research areas: (a) chemical and process addictions, specifically concentrating on the role of negative experiences in behavioral change; and (b) counselor development and supervision, focusing on how both counseling trainees and clients change. DePue is active in the American Counseling Association, served on multiple editorial review boards, and has held various leadership positions for the International Association of Addictions and Offender Counselors (IAAOC). She is currently the editor of the Journal of Addictions and Offender Counseling. In her spare time, she and her husband love traveling, skiing, and live music.

Dr. Lorri Capizzi is an assistant professor in the Department of Counselor Education at San Jose State University. For the last 15 years she has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses. She serves as the faculty advisor for the CSU Guardian Scholars Program for emancipated foster youth in higher education at San Jose State and advises SJSU administration on program design and curriculum development for this program. Dr. Capizzi has over 10 years of placing and supervising school counselors in their internships/field-work in high need districts and in juvenile court schools for students under court supervision.

Dr. Clark (she/they) is aProfessor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She is a licensed counselor with supervisory endorsement in Nevada (LCPC-S) and Virginia (LPC), a board-certified clinical mental health counselor (CCMHC), a board-certified counselor (NCC), and Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision (2016), a MSEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2013) and a BS in Sociology (2009) from Old Dominion University. Her clinical experiences include in-patient and outpatient mental health services to include community-based, non-profit, and private practice settings. Her research interests include poverty and social class issues in counseling and how social class impacts client care and outcomes. She has published over 80 articles and book chapters in outlets such as the Journal of Counseling and Development, Journal of Mental Health Counseling, Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling, to include her text Multicultural and social justice counseling: A systemic, person-centered, and ethical approach. She has presented her work internationally, nationally, and locally over 100 times. She is a contributing producer for the Thoughtful Counselor podcast and an associate editor for the Journal of Counseling and Development. She has won multiple awards including the American Counseling Association (ACA) Best Practices in Research Award, the Ohio Counseling Association (OCA) Research and Writing Award, and the OCA Herman J. Peters Award for Innovation, among others. She is a past president of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC; 2022-23) and the current President-Elect of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES). Dr. Clark loves animals and has a rescued staffie/pit mix named Remy and three cats (George, Babadook, and Gozer). In her non-working hours, you can find Dr. Clark doing CrossFit, spending time outdoors, and spending time with her partner Victor and daughter Maxine (4).

Skylar Parker, M.S., LPC, CPC, LCADC, NCC is a first year Ph.D. student at the University of Arizona. Skylar’s research interests include understanding the ethical implications of artificial intelligence (AI) on the counseling field, the impact of self perception from a multicultural perspective related to counselors in training, and the influence of trauma on clinical counselor identity. Skylar believes that gaining knowledge is the key to understanding, this is evidenced by individual and collaborative research efforts. Her passion for research stems from the need to amplify individual voices and shed light on community disparities in efforts to create reform.

Suzy Martin is an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor who works with individuals, couples, and families of diverse ages, identities, and backgrounds. She is especially passionate about supporting youth who have experienced trauma, navigate neurodiversity, struggle with behavioral concerns, or seek emotional and relational support. Suzy earned her MA in Counseling from Northwestern University with a specialization in child and adolescent counseling, graduating with honors as an Emerging Scholar and Student Ambassador. She is currently involved in research focused on international mental health and advocacy, as well as counselor education and CACREP accreditation. Suzy serves as President-Elect of Chi Sigma Iota, Nu Upsilon Omega chapter, and holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Drama and English from the University of California, Irvine. Her interdisciplinary background includes experience in theatre, teaching, and educational therapy. Suzy utilizes a multiculturally competent, neurodiversity-affirming integrative approach. Her professional interests include complex trauma, grief and loss, supporting marginalized communities, and advancing culturally responsive, anti-racist mental health care. She believes counseling is a collaborative process of growth and that global mental wellness promotes collective healing and connection.

Dr. Heather Dahl-Jacinto received her Ph.D. in counseling from Old Dominion University, with cognates in qualitative research and supervision. She received her M.S. in mental health counseling from Central Washington University. She previously was an assistant professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Her research interests are focused on mental health and include crisis intervention (e.g., suicide prevention and assessment), mental health education, qualitative research methodology. She has held service positions at the local, regional, national, and international level, including president of the Western Association of Counselor Education & Supervision (2018-2019), and has received awards for her research and service in counselor education.

Flora Haghighat is a Master’s student in Counseling at California State University, Sacramento. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, summa cum laude, from University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on cultural stigma, relational connection, and help-seeking behaviors within West Asian diasporic communities, with particular attention to implications for counselor education and multicultural training. Bilingual in Persian (Farsi) and English, Flora brings a culturally grounded perspective to her academic and clinical work. Her background includes experience in behavioral health, school-based psychology, and community mental health, and she is committed to advancing culturally responsive counseling practices that reduce barriers to care.

Dr. Donya Wallace is an Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University. She is a licensed professional counselor and supervisor in South Carolina where she maintains a small private practice. Dr. Wallace specializes in the treatment of depression and anxiety disorders in African American women. Her research focuses on the intersections of historical trauma and African American mental health and the strong Black woman archetype. She is a 2019 NBCC Minority Fellow and currently serves as co-chair of the Leadership and Advocacy committee for ACES.

Professor in the Master's in Counseling program at City University of Seattle. Runs a private practice serving LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC clients.

Nick Curtis, Ph.D., is the Director of Assessment in the Division for Teaching and Learning at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. His teaching and instructional work focus on assessment design, student learning, and evidence-informed improvement in higher education. Nick regularly teaches graduate-level courses on assessing student learning, measurement, and educational psychology, and he works to design learning-centered courses, meaningful evaluation practices, and inclusive assessment approaches. His teaching philosophy emphasizes clarity of purpose, transparency in expectations, and partnership with students as active contributors to learning and improvement.

She is a professional counselor with over 15 years of experience in mental health and is a devoted trainer and presenter. She began her career providing inpatient substance use disorder treatment and later worked in community-based settings, including residential programs and services with system-impacted youth, before transitioning into tele–mental health practice. Her work centers immigrants. disability- and neurodivergent-affirming counseling, intersectional inclusion, educational access, group counseling, and counseling supervision for marginalized supervisees. As a community-engaged researcher, her scholarship focuses on equity, inclusion, and access and seeks to amplify historically marginalized and intersecting voices. Her current scholarship explores increasing access to inclusive counseling, education, and research within disability and intersectional communities.

Dr. Eunice Lerma is an Associate Professor for the UTRGV Counseling Department. Dr. Lerma has been an educator for 20 years. In her research, she focuses on investigating the factors and practices that impact the mental health, career development, and academic success of Latina/o individuals. Additionally, she studies the dynamic of teaching and learning in post-secondary and its impact on Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI)

Dr. Cisneros is a faculty member in the Counselor Education program, specializing in Mental Health, School and Career Counseling. Dr. Cisneros started his counseling career as a Professional School Counselor in an alternative high school in North Sacramento. He is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and National Board Certified (NCC) bilingual, strength-based counselor. Prior to working in Higher Education he served as Coordinator of Mental Health for the Sacramento County Office of Education. Previously he served as the Coordinator of Sacramento City Unified Connect Center, a central hub that provides access to social, emotional, and mental health needs of students’ district wide. In this role he coordinated District wide LGBTQ+ affirmative services, trainings and assists in highlighting support services needed for LGBTQ+ Youth. Dr. Cisneros also worked as a School Counselor in elementary and secondary settings for Twin Rivers Unified School District and Gateway Charter Schools where he received the Certificated Educator of the year award. Dr. Cisneros has extensive experience working with diverse communities from different ethnicities and socioeconomic backgrounds including youth, families, adults, adolescents and the LGBTQ community. Dr. Cisneros obtained his PhD in Counselor Education & Supervision and Oregon State. His research was focused on the LGBTQ+ coming out process as well as utilizing corpus linguistics and films to navigate the transgender transition process. In addition, he has published research focused on Anti-racist mentorship strategies in Counselor Education. Finally, Dr. Cisneros was awarded the NBCC Minority Fellowship (MFP) Award in 2016 as a Masters student and again as a NBCC (MFP) Doctoral awarded student in 2020.

Dr. Alisha Guthery holds a PhD in Counseling, Education, and Supervision and is a licensed mental health counselor in Washington State. For more than a decade, she has worked in the Seattle area addressing domestic and relational violence, with a strong focus on prevention and intervention with youth. She serves as a visiting professor at Palo Alto University and is affiliated with Antioch University, Seattle. Her clinical work integrates neurobiological research with embodied and somatic healing approaches. As an educator, Dr. Guthery is committed to cultivating collaborative and inclusive learning environments and has developed and taught courses on trauma, somatic theory, and feminist theory through a trauma-informed lens, preparing future counselors to support youth with compassion and effectiveness. Beyond academia, she has led program development for youth and adults impacted by violence, including incarcerated populations, and her research examines societal beliefs that sustain relational violence while advancing practical, prevention-focused solutions.

Rachel Jacoby, Ph.D., LPCC-S, NCC, is an Assistant Professor at Palo Alto University. She passionately enjoys working with children, adolescents, and families. Rachel’s clinical experiences include working with the foster care system, neurodiverse populations, and individuals who have experienced trauma. Rachel is passionate about enhancing the counseling field through education, advocacy, and scholarship. She has been recognized for her leadership and advocacy work with the 2023 Robert H. Rencken Emerging Professional Leader Award and the 2021 Carol Bobby Pioneer for Visionary Leadership Award.

Dr. Basse is an Assistant Professor of Education at Northern Michigan University, where she leads and teaches in the Early Childhood graduate program. Her work centers on preparing pre-service and in-service teachers to cultivate global awareness and perspective-taking, fostering culturally sustaining and equitable practices in early childhood settings. She integrates the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) framework into her courses to expand students’ cross-cultural competence through meaningful interdisciplinary, domestic, and international collaboration. Dr. Basse is also engaged in developing Faculty-Led Study Abroad (FLSA) programs in partnership with colleagues in nursing, education, health and human performance, and social work. She will co-lead an FLSA to Belize with undergraduate and graduate education students in May 2026 and has contributed to the development of an interdisciplinary Finland-based FLSA experience. Her research explores nature-based learning in the early years to support academic growth, teachers’ use of interactive technology in preschool classrooms, and students’ experiences in interdisciplinary COIL initiatives. Dr. Basse holds a Doctor of Education from Walden University, a Master of Science in Early Childhood Education from University of North Dakota, and a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Butler University.

Rita has over 7 years of clinical mental health experience working with youth as young as 5 yrs old to 82 yrs old in various community agencies, including foster care, high risk placement, TAY, juvenile probation, group home, and multicultural adults. Rita is a doctoral student at Walden University and is scheduled to commence her dissertation research in the spring, emphasizing the significance of bilingual supervision for bilingual counselors in adhering to the ethical standards necessitated by the increasing diversity within the U.S. mental health landscape. Rita currently works in her private practice focusing on first-generation, bicultural adults, mostly Latinas where she utilizes a multicultural feminist theoretical orientation, as well as provides biopsychosocial evaluations for immigration cases.

Dr. Li is a Associate Professor at Palo Alto University. Her research areas include emerging professional issues in counseling and supervision. She also had experience with several IBH-related grant projects at the state and national levels (e.g., provide training on IBH and conduct program evaluations). She has been a good standing member of different professional counseling associations such as American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC). She served as the Co-chair of the ACES Supervision Interest Network and Reviewers for several top-tier counseling journals such as Counselor Education and Supervision and Counseling Outcome Research and Evaluation between 2019-2023. She is currently serving as one of the Associate Editors for AARC’s flagship journal, Measurement and Evaluation in Counseling and Development. She is also the current ACES Secretary.

Adriana Del Olmo is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Illinois with experience working with adolescents, adults, and families in school and community settings. Her clinical background includes substance and alcohol use disorders, feeding and eating disorders, dual diagnosis, depression, and anxiety-related disorders. Adriana is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at The Chicago School, with professional interests in social justice, culturally responsive practice, and counselor education.

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.

Dr. Brett Gleason is an assistant professor at UNLV. Previously, he was an assistant professor in the counseling program at Eastern New Mexico University. Dr. Gleason graduated with his Ph.D. in counseling from Old Dominion University, serving as a graduate teaching assistant for the human services program throughout his doctoral program. His dissertation was titled “A Phenomenological Investigation of Wellness and Wellness Promotion within Counselor Education Programs." During his time at his previous positions, Dr. Gleason has helped with preparing for CACREP accreditation, served as faculty advisor for student organizations, advising students, serving as assistant editor for the Journal of Human Services, in addition to teaching several courses in both human services and counseling programs.

Dr. Ania Bartkowiak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Montana State University. Her interests include counselor growth and training, empathic communication, relationship concerns related to intimate partner violence (IPV), culture and identity, and the needs of rural communities. Dr. Bartkowiak’s research centers on student counselors’ professional identity development and trauma-informed counselor education. She also explores innovation and technology in counseling – advances in counselor education pedagogy and the use of emerging technologies in therapeutic interventions, including addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and triage. Dr. Bartkowiak is committed to using pedagogy to increase Master-level students’ engagement in community-based research that supports advocacy, informs community events, and advances diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the classroom and counseling relationships. Outside academia, she serves as Clinical Coordinator of the Counseling Program at Haven, a local nonprofit working to reduce the impact of domestic violence, IPV, sexual assault, and human trafficking in Gallatin County and across Montana. She also supervises post-graduate counselors at Green Flag, PC, a small mental health clinic in Bozeman, Montana.

I am Professor and Chair of the Department of Learning Design & Technology (LTEC), College of Education at the University of Hawaii-Manoa (UHM). I have extensive experience in the development and delivery of online courses and distance education. I was honored as one of Hawaii’s 2007 top high-technology leaders and was recognized with the University of Hawaii Board of Regents’ Medal for Teaching Excellence award in 2012. I was the Director of our College of Education’s island in Second Life and organized the first virtual graduation at UHM, which allowed LTEC students both on Oahu and off-island to experience a virtual graduation ceremony in spring 2011. I was previously a co-principal investigator on the Radgrad National Science Foundation (NSF) grant to evaluate new approaches to improving engagement, diversity, and retention in undergraduate computer science and a co-principal investigator on the advancing culturally-relevant computing NSF grant. My research interests include culturally-relevant computer science, student satisfaction with online learning, faculty support for technology integration, technologies for distance education, gamification & game-based learning and teaching & learning in virtual worlds.

Dr. Lauren Mott, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, CSAT, CMAT, MBA, is a licensed professional counselor with over a decade of expertise in addiction and trauma counseling. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision and brings a wealth of experience from diverse clinical settings, including residential inpatient facilities, intensive outpatient programs, community mental health centers, university counseling clinics, and private practice. Dr. Mott's research and teaching focus is on process and substance addictions, clinical experiences, intimacy disorders, and sizeism. Committed to advancing the field of counseling, she is dedicated to supporting and mentoring future professionals in their journey into the field.

Dr. Clapp is a clinical assistant professor at University of Puget Sound (UPS) with experience and research interests spanning counselor education and feminist pedagogy, death and bereavement, social justice oriented counseling, existential therapy, and suicide prevention. They are a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHCA) in Washington State, and work part-time as a clinical mental health counselor at UPS’s Counseling Health and Wellness Services. Dr. Clapp earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision with a cognate in Women, Gender and Sexuality studies from The Ohio State University in 2022. Their current courses include clinical mental health internship, cognitive and behavioral theories, group counseling, and diagnosis and case conceptualization.

Jazmin Barajas, M.S., CPC-I, LCADC-I, is a first-generation Mexican American doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and a bilingual counselor serving marginalized and court-mandated populations. Her research examines cultural humility, broaching, linguistic minoritization, and the intergenerational transmission of silence, stigma, and resilience among Latino immigrant families. Grounded in her cultural identity and lived experience, Jazmin is committed to advancing equitable supervision and culturally responsive counselor education. Her work bridges community practice and academia, centering language, identity, and systemic advocacy within counselor training.

Dr. Nikki Golden, LMFT, SUDP, MAC, CMHS is an assistant professor in the Seattle University counseling program. She earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision at Antioch University and her MA in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch University. Dr. Golden is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT), a Substance Use Disorder Professional (SUDP), a Masters of Addiction Counselor (MAC), and a Child Mental Health Specialist (CMHC). She is also an AAMFT approved clinical supervisor. Dr. Golden has extensive clinical experience in both the mental health and substance use disorder fields. She was the program director at two residential co-occurring programs and the program manager in multiple outpatient co-occurring, mental health, and substance use disorder programs. Dr. Golden’s areas of clinical expertise include addictions, clinical supervision, co-occurring disorders, relationships, sexuality, trauma and working with the LGBTGEQIAP+ population. Dr. Golden’s research interests include sociocultural identities and relationships, burnout as a systemic issue, and sexuality and counseling

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!

Saumya Arora, Ph.D. is an Associate Clinical Professor at Northern Arizona University, Tucson campus. She has been with the program since 2015 and is the coordinator for the Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. She teaches all core courses in the program and particularly enjoys- Multicultural Counseling, Diagnosis and Psychopathology, Counseling Skills, Practicum and Internship. She has clinical experience working with adults in a community mental health agency. She is also trained in EMDR and has worked with several clients using this modality. Her research interests include- Mindfulness in counseling and supervision, technology in counseling, and trauma informed counseling.

Jack Elliott is a Master’s student in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Gonzaga University. His interests include community-based mental health, caregiver support, and scalable interventions that extend emotional and communication support beyond traditional clinical settings. Drawing from lived experience in recovery, he is especially focused on approaches that strengthen hope, dignity, and agency in individuals and families navigating transition, stress, and uncertainty.

Dr. Edward Ewe is a highly respected licensed professional counselor, couples therapist, and clinical supervisor based in Bend, Oregon. He is known for his specialization in couples therapy, grief counseling, and individual counseling. Licensed as a mental health counselor in both Oregon and Washington, Dr. Ewe brings over 18 years of experience in therapeutic practice, blending his clinical expertise with a compassionate, client-centered approach. His therapy style is primarily Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT), which aids clients in strengthening emotional bonds and improving relationship dynamics to meet the diverse needs of his clients. Dr. Ewe is also a certified clinical supervisor, dedicated to mentoring and guiding new counselors through the complexities of professional development. He previously served as an Associate Clinical Counseling Professor at OSU-Cascades, where his research has focused on counselor professional identity development, grief, clinical supervision, and mentoring. His contributions to the counseling field, including presentations at major conferences like those of the The Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and International Association for Counselling. Dr. Ewe has been recognized with honors, including the WACES Outstanding Mentor Award in 2021. Operating through both in-person and telehealth sessions, Dr. Ewe offers accessible counseling options for clients across Oregon and Washington. His practice, Mountain River Counseling and Consulting, provides a safe and inclusive environment for clients from various backgrounds and age groups, ensuring that mental health care is both approachable and effective.

Dr. Rafe McCullough is an associate professor of professional mental health counseling at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. He has specializations in both clinical mental health counseling and school counseling. His research and professional interests center on multicultural and social justice counseling and advocacy, addressing identity in counseling, critical disability perspectives in counseling, counseling with youth and families, and affirming practices for queer and trans individuals. Dr. McCullough is one of the authors of the Multicultural and Social Justice Counseling Competencies, and has been active in serving the American Counseling Association and its divisions. In addition to teaching and research, Dr. McCullough is currently working with trans and nonbinary youth and adults and their families in his counseling practice. He has been involved in advocacy efforts with LGBTQ and transgender communities for over 25 years.

Dr. Suzy Thomas is a former middle and high school counselor and teacher who earned her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology at the University of California, Davis. She is a Professor in the Counseling Department at Saint Mary’s College of California, a credentialed school counselor (PPS), and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC). She is actively involved in numerous professional organizations, including the American School Counselor Association (ASCA), the California Association of School Counselors (CASC), the American Counseling Association (ACA), the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES). She is a founding member of the Action Research Network of the Americas (ARNA), an international group of educators and community activists dedicated to the use of action research as a tool for social justice and grassroots change. Suzy is an advocate for school counselors and school-based reform in local, statewide, regional, national, and international venues. She presents regularly at school counseling and counselor educator conferences and has various publications in the areas of mentoring, collaboration, LGBTQ+ youth, legal and ethical issues in counseling, group counseling, action research, and school counseling reform. She was inducted into the H.B. McDaniel Hall of Fame in 2013, recognized in 2017 as the School Counselor Educator of the Year by the California Association of School Counselors, given the 2021 Saint Mary’s College Pandemic Pedagogic Excellence Award, and honored with the 2023 ARNA Community Development Award.

Dr. Molly Moran is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Counseling at Oregon State University -Cascades in Bend, OR. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Idaho and a Licensed School Counselor in Oregon. Dr. Moran has over two decades of experience working in various capacities within K-12 educational environments. Her research interests include the evaluation of culturally responsive, school-based interventions aimed at improving student outcomes, and counselor education pedagogy. .

Natica Blake, MS, LPC, NCC is a doctoral student in Counseling, Education, and Supervision at James Madison University and the Coordinator of Campus Mental Health Services at Parker University in Dallas, Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas, Connecticut, and New Jersey, and a National Certified Counselor with nearly a decade of clinical experience spanning college counseling, private practice, residential treatment, and community-based behavioral health. Natica's work centers on student mental health, multicultural counseling, and the professional development of emerging clinicians. She currently serves as a Graduate Teaching Assistant at The College of New Jersey, where she supports master's-level students in Career Counseling and Multicultural Counseling. Her research and practice are informed by a commitment to social justice, cultural humility, and advocacy for underserved populations.

Dr. Jeremiah L. Peck (he/him) is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Graduate School of Counseling at George Fox University in Portland, Oregon. He earned a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from University of the Cumberlands.

Raissa Miller is an Associate Professor in Counselor Education at Boise State University. Raissa has over 15 years of clinical experience working with individuals across the lifespan in community agency, university, and private practice settings. Raissa 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 and additionally serves the profession through various leadership roles in counseling professional organizations. Raissa has published over 30 peer-reviewed journal articles and is the co-author of the book The Neuroeducation Toolbox: Practical Translations of Neuroscience in Counseling and Psychotherapy.

Christie LeBeau, LMFT, AAMFT Approved Supervisor and Mentor, is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Saybrook University and adjunct faculty at Naropa University. I bring a relational, justice-oriented lens to her teaching and supervision, integrating Relational–Cultural Theory, Internal Family Systems, and nervous system–informed practice. My dissertation will explore how women navigate authenticity, anger, and connection in close relationships.

I am a graduate counseling student with a passion for academics and practical applications for counseling skills. I am excited to pursue my education to the fullest extent in order to most effectively contribute to the counseling field.

Dr. Marina Bunch is a core faculty member and the clinical mental health counseling program director at the University of the Cumberlands. She is a licensed mental health counselor, a national certified counselor, and a qualified supervisor in Florida. Dr. Bunch has over a decade of nonprofit experience, including roles as a counselor, supervisor, program director, and chief operating officer, resulting in extensive experience in clinical practice, supervision, and leadership. Dr. Bunch specializes in infant and early childhood mental health, family counseling, attachment-related issues, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, parenting, perinatal mood disorders, and clinical supervision. Her research interests include early childhood, attachment, trauma, and leadership. Beyond her role as a core faculty member at UC, Dr. Bunch runs a private practice in Lakewood Ranch, FL, serving children, families, and couples. On a personal note, Dr. Bunch is married with two daughters and two dogs (Butter and Honey). She loves staying active, spending time with her family, and traveling, especially to her home country of Brazil.

Dr. Jessica Lloyd-Hazlett is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor (TX) and resides in Richmond, VA. She previously served as co-director of a university-based family counseling clinic providing free services to more than 300 clients per year. Dr. Lloyd-Hazlett brings experience as a Principal Investigator (PI) and Consultant on two Health Resources & Services Administration Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training (BHWET) grants providing specialized training in integrated behavioral healthcare to clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, social work, and clinical psychology trainees. She is recipient of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Outstanding Teaching and Pine-Biggs ASERVIC Journal Article of the Year Awards. Dr. Lloyd-Hazlett’s research interests include cognitive development, pedagogy in counselor education and supervision, professional ethics, and primary care behavioral health. She enjoys spending time outdoors, painting, traveling, and loving on her two kitties, Knut and Sardine. Dr. Lloyd-Hazlett also serves as the faculty mentor for our CMHC Student Ambassadors program.

April Ferris (she/her), MS, LPC, NCC is a doctoral student at Oregon State University in the counselor education and supervision program. She currently serves as the clinical director for Portland State University in their graduate program for counselor education. April provides supervision to graduate level students throughout their internship process while also providing support and guidance to practicum faculty in their work with master's level students in their second year practicum experience. She has a small private practice that specializes in work with relationship constellations and adult clients navigating attachment trauma and interpersonal challenges.

Brandi Chamberlin has a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, 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. She is an active member of the counseling community serving as the President of the Lynchburg Area Counselor’s Association from 2021-2022, the President for the Virginia Association of Counselor Education and Supervision from 2022-2023, and is currently the President for the Virginia Association for Spirituality Ethics Religion and Values in Counseling. Dr. Chamberlin has published and presented on counselor education, the Strong Black Woman schema, multicultural competency, spirituality, and wellness locally, regionally, and nationally. She has expertise in CACREP accreditation processes and programmatic assessment. Dr. Chamberlin has specialized training in Emotion Focused Therapy and primarily works from an attachment perspective with individuals and couples.

Tessa Davis-Price, PhD. LMHC, LCPC (she/her) is a licensed counselor and approved supervisor in two states. She works as an Assistant Professor and has a PhD in Counselor Education and Counseling from a CACREP Accredited university. She has previously held leadership positions at the local, regional, and national level of the American Counseling Association(ACA), including ACA Foundation Trustee and Western Region Chair for the ACA. She also has a private practice and has worked in several community-based counseling settings.

Dr. Karena J. Heyward is a dedicated Counselor Educator with a passion for training and mentoring the next generation of mental health counselors. She holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, an MEd in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling, and a BS in Psychology, equipping her with a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies of mental health. Dr. Heyward integrates anti-racist, anti-oppressive, developmental, somatic and liberation psychology perspectives into her work, striving to create systemic change in both education and counseling. In addition to her academic role, she runs a consulting practice, Head to Heart, LLC and she supervises counseling residents towards licensure through Virginia Telemental Health Initiative. She is incredibly grateful that her career allows her to hold space for students and supervisees where they can remember their true essence, connect with their intuition, and practice fierce self-celebration. Her work emerges from a place of safety, collaboration, and authenticity. In her free time, she’s a loving partner and a devoted dog mom. She’s also a certified plant enthusiast, a Lego lover, and an avid traveler. She enjoys exploring the magic of life and delving into dream interpretation, astrology, tarot cards, and studying ATRs/ADRs. As someone whose first word was, “shit”, Dr. Heyward is known for her “colorful” language and frequent use of f-bombs. She values safety and authenticity in all her interactions, and if you’re lucky enough to be her friend, you’re part of her family.

I am a California native, I am a proud daughter of immigrants and I am a first generation college student. I earned a B.A. from UCLA in Chicana/o Studies & Education and a Masters in Science in School Counseling with a PPS credential from California State University, Long Beach. I have been a practicing School Counselor in the K-12 setting for over a decade and I currently teach at the School & College Counseling graduate program at CSU Dominguez Hills. I am first year Counselor Education & Supervision PhD student at Palo Alto University and my research interests are in school counseling crisis intervention and prevention strategies.

Dr. Ching-Chen Chen is an Associate Professor in Counselor Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and served as the President of the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (2024-2025). She began her career as a licensed elementary school teacher and school counselor in Taiwan and has over 15 years of experience supervising American and Asian counselor trainees. Dr. Chen works with highly diverse populations, including Black Americans, Latinx, Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders, and international students. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on cross-cultural assessment, multicultural counseling, developmental psychology, substance use counseling, and the mind-body connection. She is also recognized for her expertise in quantitative methods, including structural equation modeling, measurement invariance, and item response theory, with a focus on developing culturally valid assessments for diverse populations.

Thomas A. Field, PhD, LMHC (MA, WA), LPC (OR, VA), LPC-MH (SD), NCC, CCMHC 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 actively helped clients with mental health concerns since 2006. He has provided counseling to more than 1,000 clients during his career and currently maintains a small private practice.

Dr. Wendy Hoskins is an Associate Professor at UNLV. She received her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Idaho State University. Dr. Hoskins engages in an active research agenda publishing and presenting via national and international venues each year. Dr. Hoskin's scholarly interests include the global move of the counseling profession. In her array of travels and meeting with other helping professionals, she has discovered the following trends: advocacy for wellness based treatment of mental health issues, professional identity, promotion of counseling in schools, death education, and program evaluation. Dr. Hoskins looks forward to seeing each of you at our next conference!

Dr. Sara A. Al-Khedairy (she/her), PhD, LPCC, NCC, is an Assistant Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University and a board member of the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES). She is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Sara earned her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Antioch University Seattle and her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of San Diego. Grounded in anti-oppressive and decolonial frameworks, Sara’s work bridges clinical practice, teaching, and research. Her scholarship centers on diversity, equity, and inclusion in counselor education; the lived experiences of counselor trainees and pre-licensed clinicians; and the relational and systemic dynamics of consensual non-monogamy. In clinical practice, she specializes in working with consensually non-monogamous, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA2S+, and second-generation immigrant clients, drawing from narrative, postmodern, and liberation-centered approaches.

Dr. de León currently serves as co-director of the Professional Mental Health Counseling-Addictions Specialization program. She is also the Director of Lewis & Clark’s Latino Problem Gambling Services. Her clinical experience includes working with adolescents and families struggling with substance abuse, as well as working with college-aged students and athletes struggling with a myriad of mental health concerns. She currently provides culturally responsive supervision to Latino Problem Gambling Services and works with problem gamblers and their families at Lewis & Clark’s Problem Gambling Services. Her research interests include: cross-cultural supervision and support for Latina supervisors, integrating contemplative practices into learning environments to foster social justice learning and the intersection of communities of color and addictions counseling.

Yun Shi, PhD., LMFT, is an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education department at the College of Education. Dr. Shi received her PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University in 2022 and joined the College of Education the same year. Dr. Shi’s research interests focus on culturally responsive application of counseling to diverse populations both in the United States and internationally, and how trauma impacts relationships and systems. She is passionate about training and supporting counselors and counselors-in-training, and has been engaged in training, presentations, and publication both in and outside the U.S. since 2010. A Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT) and Counselor Educator, she is a member of the American Counseling Association, Association of Counselor Education and Supervision, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors. Dr. Shi teaches both MCFC specialty courses and general counseling courses such as Theories and Interventions, Career Counseling, and Internship. In addition to her interest in counseling, Dr. Shi loves exploring new experiences – books and movies, food, places, people, etc. She lives in Southeast Portland with her family.

Nelandra Anselmo is a private practice clinician and consultant supporting organizations with a focus on diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging in the workplace. She is an adjunct instructor in the Couple & Family Therapy graduate program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine and instructs in the UNLV Department of Continuing Education. Nelandra is an AAMFT-Approved Supervisor for MFT and CPC interns in Nevada and a certified EMDR therapist. She is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Certified Hospitality Educator (CHE), and Certified Job and Career Development Coach. Nelandra received a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication Studies and Sociology and a Master of Science in Counseling from UNLV and is currently a PhD candidate in Counselor Education at Oregon State University.

Valeria Ayala (she/her/ella) is a second-year doctoral student at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She earned her Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with an emphasis on Latinx Mental Health from California State University, Fullerton, and her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Spanish from California State University, Fresno. Valeria’s research interests include the training of bilingual-bicultural (Spanish/English) Latine/x mental health professionals, multicultural counseling, and the development of accessible, culturally sensitive and linguistically responsive mental health resources. She has presented her work at national conferences such as the Western Psychological Association, National Latinx Psychological Association and the Association of Counselor Education & Supervision. Valeria is committed to making mental health care more inclusive and impactful. She aims to incorporate holistic healing approaches and Latine/x cultural values, including personalismo, colectivismo, and familismo, into her work.

Kristen has been a wildland firefighter for 5 years and works as an engine operator out of Boise, Idaho. She graduated from Gonzaga University with a masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Her early years in fire inspired her to do qualitative research with wildland firefighters. When she is not out "slaying the dragon", she works as a mental health counselor in Idaho.

Zhixuan “Selena” Zeng is a bilingual doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where she also earned her Master of Education in School Counseling with a 4.0 GPA. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) whose research interests focus on school counselor burnout, turnover, professional identity, and international school counseling. Her proposals have been accepted for presentation at professional conferences, including the Nevada School Counselor Association Annual Conference and the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES). Selena is an active member of the UNLV School Counseling Research Lab and has contributed to research projects and grants aimed at advancing equity and counselor development. With her international background and commitment to evidence-based practice, she aspires to prepare and support counselors in fostering equitable and supportive school environments.

Dr. Leo Gonzalez Jr. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counselor Education at St. John’s University in the School of Education. He is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC, NY), Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC, CA), and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). Dr. Gonzalez’s research focuses on the integration of artificial intelligence, natural language processing, and Hip Hop in counselor education. His work explores AI literacy, digital equity, and the use of language-based methods to better understand mental health and enhance counselor training.

Dr. Dax Bevly is full time core faculty for the Low Residency Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University. The Low Res CMHC program is a 60 credit online, synchronous program with one residency week each year. He typically teaches diagnosis, essential counseling skills, group counseling, and multicultural courses. Additionally, he serves as Faculty Co-Advisor for the Omega Mu Gamma chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. Dax received his master’s and doctorate degrees in counseling and counselor education from the University of North Texas. Before joining Antioch, Dax worked full time in private practice providing individual, family, group, play, and couples therapy to children, adolescents, and adults while adjuncting for UNT. Before entering private practice, they also worked with clients of all ages in several community mental health settings, specializing in children, adolescents, college students, older adults, and adults with disabilities. During this time, he also provided play therapy in various public schools. While completing his master’s and doctoral program, he served adults and families with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders at a psychiatric hospital at the inpatient, partial hospitalization, and outpatient level. Dax identifies as a nonbinary transmasculine Latine individual and also spends time working with mutual aid organizations centered around BIPOC, undocumented immigrants, and queer communities. Although Dax teaches remotely for the Low Res CMHC program that has an on the ground campus in Seattle, he lives in his home state of Texas.

Assistant Program Director

Dr. Jeffrey Christensen is associate professor of counseling and co-director of the Professional Mental Health Counseling program at Lewis & Clark College. Dr. Christensen’s research interests include disaster mental health, counselor burnout, and most recently, helping first responders in disaster relief. He has been deployed to respond to national disasters throughout the country, working with both victims of the disaster, as well as first responders around vicarious traumatization and burnout. Another area of his research is on student evaluation, student remediation, and teaching pedagogies, which he has presented at several national conferences and workshops. He is a licensed professional counselor in Oregon and maintains a small private practice working with clients in areas of racial and sexual traumas, severe anxiety, and wellness. He is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, the Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and the Western Association for Counselor Educators and Supervisors, and is a past President of the Oregon Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors and the Oregon Counseling Association.

Patrice Parkinson is currently an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Arkansas State University, Arkansas, US. She completed her doctorate in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Wyoming. Patrice earned her M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University. Her research interests include multicultural counseling, international student perspectives, and chronic illness. She will use her research to enhance cross-cultural advocacy in practice.

Ashley Thibodeau is in her third year of the Combined Counseling and School Psychology PhD program at Northern Arizona University's Flagstaff Campus. She graduated from NAU's Culturally-Centered Additions Research Training (C-CART) graduate certificate program in May of 2025.

Jina Yang, Ph.D., NCC, is an Assistant Professor at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Her scholarship examines the development and evaluation of professional dispositions. She also pursues a complementary research agenda aimed at empowering culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and supporting the development of CALD counseling trainees.

Dr. Carly Boren has been a Counselor Educator since 2016, and joined the University of Nevada, Reno in 2023. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Pennsylvania State University, and a graduate certificate in LGBT Health, Policy, and Practice from George Washington University. Dr. Boren's research and clinical interests include transgender mental health and nature-based counseling practices. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and is actively involved in the American Counseling Association (ACA), and Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ).

Dr. Aubrey Uresti is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education in the Lurie College of Education at San José State University. A California credentialed K-12 school counselor and a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC), Dr. Uresti has experience in all levels of K-12 education as a teacher, school counselor, therapist, supervisor, and consultant. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPCC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her research focuses on the individual, family, and extended family-level experiences of adolescents who have a parent in jail or prison, as well as adolescents’ meaning-making processes regarding parental incarceration. Dr. Uresti’s experience working with K-12 students, undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners also informs her exploration of urban education and school counseling, school-based support, grief and loss, peer victimization, child and adolescent development issues, and lifelong learning for counselors through qualitative interview, image-based research, critical discourse analysis, and ethnography.

Isabella Jorgensen is a graduate student in her third year of the counselor education program at the University of Nevada, Reno, in the Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling track. Isabella's clinical experience includes working with individuals, couples, and families in the Downing Counseling Clinic, the training clinic affiliated with the counselor education program at the University of Nevada, Reno. Before enrolling in graduate school, Isabella worked for Evoke Therapy Programs, a wilderness therapy program in St. George, Utah, as a field instructor, and worked for Gateway Mountain Center, a nature-based behavioral health treatment program in Truckee, California, as a therapeutic mentor. Isabella is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Chi Sigma Iota honor society, and the Nevada Coalition for Systemic Counseling.

Melissa Witter is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Arizona, where she also pursues a Master of Arts in Analytic Philosophy. Her research and clinical practice center on the relational dimensions of therapy and learning, with particular attention to imposter phenomenon, mindfulness, and self-compassion among counselors-in-training. She is especially interested in how emerging technologies shape therapeutic relationships and trainee development. Her work is particularly attentive to how counselors-in-training internalize self-compassion as both a personal practice and a relational stance in their developing clinical identities.

Courtney holds a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Northwestern University and a master’s degree in Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology from The University of North Carolina-Greensboro. She began her work in athletic mental performance psychology with various top-level athletes and performers at the collegiate DI and elite youth level. She is currently working towards becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania and is clinically passionate about identity development, sport injury rehabilitation, substance use, and grief and loss. Courtney is currently on staff as an Academic Advisor with the Applied Sport and Performance Psychology Graduate program at Dominican University of California. She assists in general advising, program activities, and the AASP graduate program accreditation process. Courtney takes a whole-person approach to both her professional style, recognizing that each individual’s path is shaped by their unique experiences, values, and goals. Her practice is grounded in a person-centered, strengths-based approach that honors individual differences and personal strengths.

Katherine Feather received her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from the University of South Carolina and her M.A. in community counseling from the University of Akron. As a counselor educator, she is committed to enhancing multicultural and social justice counseling competencies, promoting leadership development, as well as helping students become reflective, skilled practitioners. In addition, she actively integrates clinical and supervision experiences as a clinical professional counselor into the classroom. She has an extensive clinical background working with persons with disabilities; specifically, working with children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families, as well as counseling individuals adjusting to their visual disability. Her scholarly and research interests include establishing ASD counseling competencies for the counseling profession, school-to-career transition of students with disabilities, and psychosocial adjustment and family adaptation to a disability.

The presenter has advanced graduate-level training in counselor education with a concentration in marriage, couple, and family counseling and has focused academic and research experience examining PMS/PMDD through diagnostic, relational, and systemic lenses. The presenter is engaged in ongoing research examining lived experiences, meaning-making, stigma, and empowerment related to PMS/PMDD, which informs a training-focused perspective and supports the ability to critically evaluate counselor education models.

Dr. Wathen is an Associate Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University and the past 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 a background in working with survivors of trauma and child sexual abuse. She also has experience counseling and advising college students and working with underserved populations in educational settings. Cristen attended Baylor University for her master’s and Idaho State University for her PhD. Before joining PAU, she was an Assistant Professor at Montana State University for four years. She has served as the president of the Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and as the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision's secretary, among other professional service positions. She is a licensed counselor in California, Montana, and Idaho and is Board Certified in Telemental Health.

Dr. Chang received his Master’s degree in Community Counseling from Northern Arizona University in 2000 and his PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University in 2017. Dr. Chang has been a practicing counselor since 2000 and is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and Board-approved clinical supervisor in Oregon. He has a range of clinical experience with children, adolescents, adults, and families. His clinical and research interests include suicide prevention, collegiate recovery, trauma treatment, social justice and EDI in the mental health professions, gatekeeping in counselor education programs and clinical supervision. Dr. Chang’s mission as a counselor and an educator is to empower people to become their best selves. Besides teaching, supervision, research, and clinical practice, Dr. Chang serves as the Assessment Coordinator for the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program. Dr. Chang also maintains a small private practice in Ashland. He is active in the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) and is also a local school board member. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and working up a sweat in the great outdoors.

Jackie Bicas, LPCC, LMFT, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Palo Alto University. Her clinical work has primarily focused on Latinx and immigrant communities, particularly immigration-related stress, intergenerational trauma, and relational healing. Her research and teaching interests are on trauma, immigration, intergenerational and relational processes, and the importance of culturally and linguistically responsive training for counselors working with diverse communities.

Michael is a 3rd-year doctoral candidate at the University of Nevada, Reno, with a background in inpatient behavioral health, community-based care, and bioecological counselor education. He has served in multiple leadership roles in local chapters of Chi Sigma Iota and the WACES region. His scholarly interests center on counselor professional identity development, culturally-affirmative mentorship, and LGBTQIA+ and intersectional considerations in education and clinical supervision.

Dr. Heidi Morton is the Program Director and an Associate Professor for the MEd Counseling program at the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Washington. Before transitioning to higher education, Dr. Morton served as a professional school counselor for over 20 years in urban and rural settings at the elementary and high school levels. Her professional research focuses on professional identity development, school counseling collaboration and consultation, social-emotional learning, improving access to educational and professional growth opportunities, and improving the quality of professional development. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a certified School Counselor in Washington State.

Tamekia Bell completed her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision at Old Dominion University and her M.A. in marriage and family therapy from East Tennessee State University. She is a licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) in Illinois, clinical professional counselor (CPC) in Nevada, an approved clinical supervisor (ACS), a board certified telemental health provider (BC-TMH) and a national certified counselor (NCC). Her research interests center around intersectional allyship and best practices in counselor training and preparation. In 2024, one of her publications, "Recognizing Ableism and Practicing Disability Humility: Conceptualizing Disability Across the Lifespan" was selected as Outstanding Article of the Year in the Adultspan journal. She also has served in several leadership roles such as president of the Society for Sexual, Affectional, Intersex, and Gender Expansive Identities (SAIGE), a division of the American Counseling Association (ACA).

Dr. Keely Hope is a Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Program Director of the Master’s in Counseling Graduate Program in the School of Psychology at Eastern Washington University. Dr. Hope has directed the program for 13 + years. One of her favorite aspects of education is supervising her students’ clinical experiences; from first year student’s just learning to second year’s coming into their own. Dr. Hope served as the WACES President in 2016. She also enjoys teaching the diagnosis class as well as crisis intervention. Clinically, her background includes working with acute and severe mental health issues in the indigent and homeless population as well as in a college-counseling center. Dr. Hope maintains a small client load. She has held licenses in three states including Washington. Dr. Hope's research interests originated in her early working experiences, which include studying crisis response and intervention and specializing in suicide prevention by understanding a person's reasons for living. Those interests have persisted throughout her career and have branched into presentations, publications and workshops.

Baylee Leazer, LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (VA), an Instructor in the Master of Science in Counseling program at the University of Lynchburg, and a doctoral student at James Madison University. As the founder of Ascend Counseling & Consultation, PLLC, Baylee maintains a values-driven private practice specializing in trauma-informed and neuroaffirming care for adults. As an alumna of Sweet Briar College with a Bachelor of Arts in History and Psychology and the University of Lynchburg with a Master of Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Baylee is a firm believer in using education for good—transforming rigorous research into tangible community impact. Her research interests include counselor wellness, systemic advocacy, and diversifying clinical approaches to improve client retention. Based in Lynchburg, Virginia, Baylee lives with her husband, Drew, and their two cats. When she isn't bridging the gap between the classroom and the clinic, she finds joy in intentional hobbies: creative pursuits like fiber arts, curating her vinyl collection, or planning her next travel adventure.

Dr. Abraham Cazares-Cervantes is an Associate Clinical Professor at Oregon State University. He is an experienced bilingual/bicultural (English/ Spanish) counselor, supervisor, and counselor educator. Dr. Cazares-Cervantes has served as a full-time counselor educator, teaching and supervising in CACREP-accredited counseling programs. He is the counselor educator representative in the state of Oregon School Counseling Association and part of the administrative team of NARTIC. His research interest lies in multicultural competence in counseling/school counseling, and supervision. This broad interest includes several areas that contribute to the improvement of counseling training and supervision around multicultural awareness and skills to better serve underrepresented populations, and especially historically marginalized groups.

As a Black queer trans man, my focus is on creating an affirming, compassionate, open, and explorative space that meets people where they are and only serves to assist them in getting themselves where they want to be. When working with trans identified clients, my approach is one of understanding that every transition, gender or life, is unique and each individual’s experience with transition holds its own levels of complexity based on who we are, where we come from and where we are going. A transition is just that, a time of change, of growth and sometimes of struggle, and there is no one way to move through it. We all experience transitions, and many of us deal with barriers to those transitions set in place by systems we cannot control. As a trans person I both hold my own relationship to the complexity of transition and a place of understanding and empathy for how that relationship shows up for others. I hold the belief that we grow and change through relationships and because of that my style is relational, trauma informed, collaborative and social justice centered. I believe there are no predetermined paths or timelines for healing, and that the best way to get where you want is to focus on what keeps you safe, allows you time to rest and helps you create the community you want and need to thrive.

Michelle is a doctoral candidate in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Cincinnati. Her work focuses on counselor trainee wellness development and addressing barriers to quality mental health care for marginalized communities.

Angel Koenig is a doctoral candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision at Oregon State University. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor and owner of a group counseling practice in Denton, Texas, where she supports and employs 14 mental health providers serving the local community. In addition to leading her practice, Angel provides counseling and clinical supervision. She also serves as an adjunct instructor at the University of North Texas and is passionate about working with counselors-in-training as they develop professional identity and confidence. Her interests include integrating relational and humanistic approaches into supervision, sustainable leadership in counselor education, and supporting emerging counselors as they navigate the often unspoken expectations of the field while building grounded, authentic professional identities.

Jess Parker, LPC, is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) at the University of the Cumberlands. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor in the State of Texas, where she works with a diverse population of individuals and couples. Her research interests include leadership development in master's level counselors, curriculum development, peer mentorship in counselor education, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Clinically, her research is focused on supportive practices for informal caregivers and advocacy for access to affordable mental health services in communities. She earned her M.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2019. Her professional perspective is shaped by her experiences as a first generation student and immigrant.

Dr. Tiffany M. Darby earned a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling and Human Development Services from Kent State University. She has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with Supervisor Designation in Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania, as well as a Licensed School Counselor in the State of Ohio. Dr. Darby currently serves as the Clinical Coordinator and an Associate Professor at the University of Western States, where she teaches in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and supports counselor education, supervision, and clinical training. Throughout her career, she has worked in diverse settings including partial hospitalization, residential treatment, college counseling, outpatient, school-based, and community-based programs. In addition to her academic role, Dr. Darby owns and operates Darby Counseling & Consulting, LLC, a distance counseling private practice where she works with adults and couples, focusing on personal growth, relationship dynamics, and holistic wellness.

Dr. Roseina Britton, PhD, LPC, NCC, is a counselor educator, clinician, and researcher specializing in trauma-informed care, sexual health, and sexual awareness. She is Clinical Faculty in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Southern New Hampshire University and the founder of Serenity Healing Counseling Center and Cultivating Minds, LLC, where she advances emotionally safe, inclusive, and holistic wellness practices through counseling, education, and consultation.

Dr. Nicola Meade served in a leadership role for the Native American Concerns group within AMCD for 8 years. She first became an ally to Native American Nations over 15 years ago when she worked as a Domestic Violence Advocate in Oregon. Through her master's and doctoral training she strove to increase the visibility of Native American Nations to fellow counselors and her students. After her work in Oregon as a Domestic Violence Advocate she studied at Loyola University Maryland working with elderly clients from inner-city Baltimore diagnosed with congestive heart failure along with experiencing significant mental health concerns. Additionally, she worked with youth from various Maryland government housing projects that had been referred by school counselors for additional mental health services. Much of this work included individuals and families from low SES and urban minority groups, including African-American and Native Americans city dwellers from diverse nations. She then achieved her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Rosemont College, and the founder of Transformative Pivots where she conducts her community-based private practice.

Heather Dawn Hadraba, PhD, LPSC is a Clinical Associate Professor and Program Director of the School Counseling program at Lewis & Clark College’s Graduate School of Education and Counseling. As a counselor educator and program leader, she draws inspiration from the creativity and dynamic energy of her Lewis & Clark graduate community and strives to approach all professional work with humility, authenticity, and a focus on community care. In addition to her academic work, Dr. Hadraba is in substance use recovery and values the connection and solidarity she has found with colleagues who share a recovery identity.

Adrianna is a graduate of Gonzaga Universities masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program and has been a LMHCA in the Washington since June 2024.

Amy VanZandt is a licensed mental health counselor with 15-years of experience working with clients and 4-years of experience as a counselor educator. Her primary caseload is comprised of clients experiencing anxiety and depression. She is a current PhD student at Kansas State University pursuing her studies as a counselor educator and supervisor, and also serves as a graduate teaching assistant. Her research interests are focused on pedagogy/andragogy and employing effective teaching strategies for today’s learners.

Vanessa Center is a professional counselor, business owner, and doctoral candidate at Oregon State University, specializing in person-centered and sex-positive counseling. Vanessa actively works to challenge societal norms and promote sexual health, autonomy, and agency in individuals. She is also passionate about improving education for professional counselors on effectively addressing sexual issues in therapy with clients.

Arisa May Blanco is a first-generation Filipino American, born and raised in Hawai’i, and a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Shaped by the Hawaiian values of aloha (compassion), kuleana (responsibility), mālama (to care and nurture), she is committed to advancing culturally competent counseling and supervision practices. Her research interests center on mental health disparities among Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and advocates for disaggregating the AAPI label to better address distinct cultural identities, experiences and needs.

Dr. Shreya Vaishnav is an Associate Professor at Palo Alto University and the past President of WACES (2025-2026). Her research centers on the impact of microaggressions on individuals from marginalized identities, with a particular emphasis on multicultural counseling competencies, mentoring practices, and the experiences of immigrants and first-generation Asian Americans. Her scholarship investigates how microaggressions emerge in therapeutic spaces, online learning environments, and higher education, advancing understanding of rupture and repair in clinical relationships. As a leader in counselor education, she mentors doctoral students and directs research initiatives on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging in counseling programs and professional practice.

Gideon Litherland, PhD, LCPC, NCC, CCMHC, BC-TMH, serves as core faculty in the Counseling@Northwestern master’s program at the Family Institute at Northwestern University where he teaches, supervises, and serves on the distributed clinical training team. Gideon earned his PhD in Counseling from Oregon State University and his MA in Counseling Psychology from the Family Institute at Northwestern University. Gideon has served in multiple leadership roles within the Illinois Association for LGBT Issues in Counseling, the Alumni Advisory Board of the Family Institute at Northwestern University, and the Counseling Research and Leadership Lab at Oregon State University. His research interests include clinical supervision, instrumentation, psychometrics, and relational-cultural praxis.

Silvy Hakobyan is a Master’s student at California State University, Sacramento with a concentration in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling. Her research interests center on stigma, cultural identity, and help-seeking behaviors within West Asian diasporic communities, as well as intimate partner violence and coercive control. As an Armenian-American counselor-in-training, Silvy is particularly interested in exploring how collectivist values and intergenerational dynamics shape mental health perceptions and access to care.

MacKenzie Stuart (she/they) is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who works with adults, couples, partners, and families. She is a doctoral student in counselor education and supervision at Palo Alto University. MacKenzie is a member of core faculty at The Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA and leads a group psychotherapy practice in Alameda, CA.

Maggie Tsai is a bilingual (English/Mandarin) Associate Family and Marriage Therapist (AMFT), and Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral student at Palo Alto University.

Andrea Roman is a first-generation graduate student in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of New Mexico (UNM) and is currently a Mental Health Intern at the Mental Health Collaborative (MHC). As a full-time graduate student in good standing, she is completing the academic and clinical requirements for licensure in the state of New Mexico. Andrea’s counseling approach integrates cultural humility, systemic awareness, and a strengths-based perspective. Grounded in person-centered theory and informed by social constructivism and Internal Family Systems, she emphasizes trust, relational safety, and the importance of honoring clients’ intersecting identities and lived experiences. As a Latina and first-generation student, Andrea brings both lived experience and professional insight into the ways culture, family systems, and social context shape identity, resilience, and healing. She is committed to creating a warm, collaborative, and nonjudgmental space where clients feel empowered to explore, grow, and reconnect with their strengths.

Madison Moore, M.Ed.S., is a dedicated School Counselor and Resident in Counseling committed to fostering supportive, student‑centered environments where young people can thrive academically and emotionally. She brings specialized experience working with adolescents navigating stress, identity development, and perfectionism. As a doctoral student, Madison’s research explores the best interventions to help close the gap for adolescents facing mental health challenges and earning a high school education. She is passionate about equity‑driven practices and empowering each student to build confidence, support systems, and healthy coping strategies.

Julia G. Katawazi is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Oregon State University. She is a bilingual Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) in California and serves as a Primary Care Mental Health Integration clinician at the VA San Diego Healthcare System, where she works with veterans in integrated behavioral health and substance use settings. Julia earned her Master’s in Counseling from the University of San Diego in 2018. She also serves as a doctoral supervisor within the Oregon Integrated Behavioral Health Training Initiative (OIBHTI), mentoring master’s-level clinicians in integrated care and community-based settings. Her clinical and supervisory work is grounded in trauma-informed, multicultural, and relational frameworks, with particular attention to power, identity, and systemic inequities in mental health systems. Her scholarship explores the intersection of culture, voice, trauma, and technology, including computational analyses of Latina women’s narratives and autoethnographic inquiry into the evolving role of artificial intelligence in counselor education and clinical practice. As an immigrant, queer woman, parent, and veteran mental health provider, Julia’s work centers presence, equity, and reclaiming voice—both in the therapy room and in leadership spaces.

Roni K. White, NCC, LCPC, ACS, is the founder and psychotherapist of Apricity Wellness Counseling, as well as an author, presenter, advocate, and mentor. She has co-developed the podcast, “Women of Wisdom” in 2024 which focuses on the epidemic and mental health challenges of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls. Ms. White is a member of the American Counseling Association and served as co-vice president on the Native American Concerns group of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development for six years. She served as the chairperson on the Advocacy Committee for the Maryland Counseling Association for six years.

Jung (June) H. Hyun (she/her), Ph.D., LPC (GA), LMHC (WA), ACS, NCC is an associate professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at St. Bonaventure University. Entering her 17th year of teaching in counselor education programs, Dr. Hyun's primary courses include basic counseling skills, counseling theories, multicultural counseling, and systems theories. She also supervises practicum and internship students. Dr. Hyun's scholarly work focuses on multicultural counseling and social justice issues, counselor supervision, school-family-community (SFC) partnerships, and promoting resiliency among Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islanders. Professionally, she has been actively involved in the American Counseling Association, the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, and the Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling, serving in various leadership roles and presenting at conferences. Her clinical experience includes providing mental health counseling to children and adolescents in community-based and school-based settings using play therapy and conducting workshops for Asian immigrant parents and caregivers.

Daniela Amoroso is a PhD student in Counselor Education and Supervision at the University of Nevada, Reno, and a licensed school counselor in the state of Nevada. Her professional background includes K–12 school counseling, TRIO programs, early childhood education, and counselor training across both undergraduate and graduate settings. Daniela has served as an instructor of record and graduate teaching assistant, supporting courses in school counseling, family science, and counseling theories. Her research interests focus on school-based mental health, peer mentorship in counselor education, professional identity development, and equity-focused practices in schools, with particular attention to international and cross-cultural contexts. She is actively involved in Chi Sigma Iota leadership and is committed to bridging practice, research, and advocacy in counselor education.

Dr. Rivas is an Assistant Professor and Fieldwork Coordinator in the Counselor Education program at CSU Sacramento, specializing in rehabilitation, addiction, marriage and family, and clinical mental health counseling. He is currently serving as the Fieldwork Coordinator for the Counselor Education program. Dr. Rivas began his career in academia at the director level in academic advising, student retention, student disability services, and student conduct before moving on to teaching at both the community college, baccalaureate, and graduate levels. Prior to coming to CSUS, he taught at the undergraduate and graduate level at MSU Denver and prior to that, at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs in the Department of Counseling and Human Services at the graduate level. At UCCS, he taught: clinical mental health counseling, substance abuse counseling, student development theory, educational psychology, educational leadership, and within the Air Force Officer Commanding (AOC) Leadership program. This program teaches US Air Force Academy Officers: counseling, human growth/ lifespan/ student development, leadership, and higher education administration specific material. Dr. Rivas has clinical experience providing mental health & substance abuse counseling in both private practice and community mental health, working with court-mandated offenders, first responders, couples, military members and their families, health care professionals, and supervision for CAC/LAC. Dr. Rivas holds clinical licensure in Colorado as both a Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC) and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) with national credentials of Master Addiction Counselor (MAC) and Substance Abuse Professional (SAP, US DOT credential). His research interests focus on student development of 1st generation students and the effect of socio-economic-status on clinical relationships, diagnosis, and prognosis. Dr. Rivas currently serves on the Board of Directors for California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) and on the CALPCC Legislative and Advocacy Committee.

Celia Ferrer, is a Counselor Education and Supervision (CES) doctoral student and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor whose clinical work focuses on community mental health in both outpatient and school-based settings. She provides bilingual (English/Spanish) clinical supervision and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and families. Her approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, with a primary focus on serving Latinx communities.

Akyla Joseph is a licensed mental health counselor in Massachusetts and is pursuing a PhD in Counseling and Supervision at James Madison University. Akyla has experience working in inpatient psychiatry, college counseling, and a non-profit organization supporting people with experience in commercial sex exploitation. She continues to support people impacted by commercial sex through her involvement in the Human Trafficking Research Hub at William James College. Akyla has also worked in community mental health settings, providing trauma-informed in-home therapy to families throughout the greater Boston area. She currently maintains a private practice, along with working at a trauma center for adult survivors of childhood complex trauma.

Ana R. Reséndiz is a doctoral student at Oregon State University in the counselor education and supervision program. She is a bilingual school-based mental health professional and an associate professional clinical counselor in California. She earned her Master’s in Counseling (Dual concentration in School Counseling and Professional Counseling) and a Pupil Personnel Services (School Counseling) credential from California State University, San Bernardino.

Dr. Sano was born and raised in Japan and moved to Washington State to pursue her career as a counseling professional. She earned MA in CMHC and Ph.D. in CES programs from a CACREP-accredited institution, and she currently teaches at Antioch University Seattle in Masters and Ph.D. programs. Dr. Sano actively engages with professional counseling organizations including Chi Sigma Iota as a Chapter Faculty Advisor and a Chair of the Chapter Faculty Advisor Committee, Chair of the International Committee of the American Counseling Association, and an Administration Support of Network for Antiracism Teaching in Counseling. Dr. Sano's primary research interest includes international matters in counseling and counselor education, as well as the diversity of counselors, counselor educators, and supervisors in deconstructing Eurocentric counseling and counselor education approaches.

Melanie is a California Community College Academic Counselor, and has worked in the field for over 20 years. She is currently a PhD CES student at Palo Alto University, and her research interests are focused on understanding the experiences of first-generation counseling professionals.

Angelica Castillo, PhD (she/her/ella) is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) in Idaho, and an Idaho board-approved supervisor. Dr. Castillo is a graduate of Idaho State University with a PhD in Counselor Education and Counseling and a Master's degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She strives to serve individuals with marginalized identities by providing accessible, quality, compassionate, trauma-informed care. She is passionate about working with the Latine, Spanish-speaking community and individuals with disabilities. Her research interests include social justice, multicultural continuing education post-graduation, and bilingual counseling training and supervision. She maintains a small private practice in Nampa, where she works with community members across the lifespan and provide Spanish-English bilingual counseling services. She is a former NBCC Doctoral Minority Fellow and the former ACES Bilingual Interest Network Co-Chair.

Jorge Rosales Lopez (he/him/el) is a Scholar Educator Professor in the Counseling Department at Palo Alto University. He is a bilingual (English and Spanish) licensed professional counselor in Idaho, a national certified counselor (NCC), and nationally certified rehabilitation counselor (CRC). With a specialization in clinical rehabilitation and clinical mental health counseling, he has rendered bilingual counseling services to historically underserved individuals in private and community settings.Growing up in a predominately Latine community, he witnessed first-hand the need for accessible and culturally sensitive helping services offered to marginalized groups. A hope of his is to continue to serve the Latine community through collaborative efforts and comunidad. Through his experience community or, comunidad, efforts have proven to be such a great way of both connecting and serving the Latine population. His professional interests seek to continue expanding the availability of culturally sensitive resources and services to marginalized populations. His research interests include exploring multicultural sensitivity, serving the Latin(a/o/e) population, liberation oriented research, Relational Cultural Theory, social justice, & disability. He currently strives to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts within the counseling profession through serving on the Western Association of Counselor Education & Supervision’s DEI committee. He previously has earned a scholarship from the US Department of Education’s Rehabilitation Services Administration Scholarship Program and was selected as a 2022-23 NBCC Doctoral Minority Fellow for the National Board for Certified Counselors and Affiliates. As a MFP doctoral fellow, his professional aspirations seek to continue expanding and advocating for the availability of resources to overlooked and underserved communities. Se Feliz