Biography

Dr. Rivas is an Associate Professor 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. She is currently serving as the Program Coordinator for Counselor Education.

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 operated a private practice from 2010-2018 working with individuals, couples, and families in addition to providing supervision for individuals seeking licensure. 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. Rivas is currently serving on the Board of Directors, as a Counselor Education member, for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) serving a five year term from 2020-2025. Previously she served as a Board Member, and Chair of the Legislative and Advocacy Committee, for the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC). She has previously held positions at the Colorado Association for Marriage and Family Therapists, Colorado Counseling Association, and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. 

“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change” ~Carl Rogers

Courses Taught

EDC 476: Advanced Skills in Marriage and Family Counseling
EDC 475: Practicum in Counseling
EDC 280: Counseling Skills Lab
EDC 234: Seminar in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling
EDC 233: Substance Use and Addiction
EDC 231: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning
EDC 219: Group Processes in Counseling
EDC 218: Assessment in Counseling
EDC 216: Counseling Theory
EDC 214: Dynamics in Human Development

Education

Ed.D. Counselor Education and Supervision, Argosy University, Denver, Colorado (CACREP Accredited Doctoral Program) 2013 

M.A. Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Argosy University, Denver, Colorado (CACREP Accredited Program) 2009

B.S. Biology (Chemistry Minor), Metropolitan State University of Denver, Denver, Colorado 2007 

Additional Training

Marriage and Family Therapy, The Colorado School for Family Therapy (COAMFTE Aligned), Aurora, Colorado, 2016-2018. Marriage and Family Therapy courses for licensure (LMFT).

Addiction Counseling, The Colorado School for Family Therapy (Colorado Office of Behavioral Health [OBH] Aligned), Aurora, Colorado, 2016-2017. Addiction Counseling courses for licensure (LAC).

NOVA Training, National Organization for Victim Assistance, NOVA Certificate for completion of basic course for Community Crisis Response Team Training, Danbury, Connecticut, 2018. 

Licensure and Certifications

Licenses

California Board of Behavioral Sciences:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT#137446 (California – January 2023-Present)
Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, LPCC#9368 (California – 2021-Present)

Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies:
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, LMFT#1563 (Colorado – August 2018-Present)
Licensed Addiction Counselor, LAC#873 (Colorado – July 2017-Present)
Licensed Professional Counselor, LPC#11298 (Colorado – 2012-Present)

Certifications

The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC): 
Master Addiction Counselor, MAC#511810 (2018-Present)

Center for Credentialing and Education (CCE):
Approved Clinical Supervisor, ACS#2108 (2015-Present)

National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC):
National Certified Counselor, NCC#345260 (2014-Present)

CCE Human Services Board-Certified Practitioner, HS-BCP#5817 (2017-2019)

Publications & Research Interests

Research interests include: group cohesion and community building; substance use disorders; the impact of the opioid epidemic on rural communities, children, and families; drug policy as a means of oppression; training of addiction counseling and counseling self-efficacy; creative practices in counseling and counselor training programs; and bullying/incivility in higher education. 

Published Manuscripts

Refereed Journal Articles:

Migliaccio, T., Rivas, A., Rivas, B., & Stark, R. (2024). Bullying in Academia. Learning, Culture, and Social Interaction. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lcsi.2023.100783

Refereed Book Chapters:

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2020). ‘Causes and implications of the opioid crisis in rural America’ in Greene, C. & Manner, J. (ed) Handbook of Research on Leadership and Advocacy for Children and Families in Rural Poverty. IGI Global Publishing. DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-2787-0.ch003

Edited Book Chapters:

Rivas, B. (2021). ‘Chapter 5: Potential Long Term Consequences for Children Exposed to Alcohol and Substance Use’ in Mahr, M. (ed) Research and Strategies for Counselor Educators: Modern Approach to Substance Abuse and Addiction. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. 

Rivas, B. & Maguire, K. (2021). ‘Chapter 11: Co-Occurring Diagnosis’ in Mahr, M. (ed) Research and Strategies for Counselor Educators: Modern Approach to Substance Abuse and Addiction. Kendall Hunt Publishing Company. 

Edited Volumes:

Rivas, B. (2023). ‘Attachment theory of love’ in Marriage and Divorce in America: Issues, Trends, and Controversies. Two Volume Encyclopedia Set. Jaimee Hartenstein (ed), ABC-CLIO, LLC. 

Rivas, B. (2023). ‘Love, Connection, and Intimacy’ in Marriage and Divorce in America: Issues, Trends, and Controversies. Two Volume Encyclopedia Set. Jaimee Hartenstein (ed), ABC-CLIO, LLC. 

Manuscripts in Submission

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2020). Drug Legislation Policy as a Means of Oppression. Advances in Addiction and Recovery. Submitted for publication.

Manuscripts in Preparation

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2019). Social class bias in the clinical relationship: Does socio-economic status impact treatment? Manuscript in preparation.

Rivas, B. & Currier, E. (2018). The impact of viewing artwork through visual thinking strategies in the group setting: Implications on anxiety, stress, and group cohesion. UCCS IRB #17-094

Rivas, B. & Reyero, T.M. (2018). Art therapy strategies and viewing artwork through use of visual thinking strategies, on anxiety, stress, and group cohesion with a military artistic healing group. UCCS IRB #17-173

Related Scholarly Activity

Dissertation/Thesis:

Thesis Advisor, CSU Sacramento, 2021-2022: Tammy Lin (2022). Involving the Family in Substance Abuse Recovery: Does The Parent-Child Relationship Augment Recovery.

Dissertation Committee, CSU Sacramento, 2020-2021: John Eick (2021). Examining the Role of the Leader in Preparing a School Climate for Disruptive Change. http://www.johneickcsus.com/

Dissertation (2013): The Impact of the Supervisor's Education and License on the Professional Identity and Self-Efficacy of the Post-Graduate, Pre-Licensure Counselor in the Rocky Mountain Region. Argosy University, Denver.

Book Reviews:

Textbook Proposal Reviewer: (2020) Handbook of Consensual Nonmonogamy-Affirming Mental Health Practice. Rowman & Littlefield.  

Chapter Reviewer: (2019) ‘Specialized Educational Leadership for Rural Students Living in Poverty’ in Greene, C. & Manner, J. (ed) Handbook of Research on Leadership and Advocacy for Children and Families in Rural Poverty. IGI Global Publishing.

GRANTS

Fell, B., Rivas, B., & Brock, S. (2023). School mental health certificate program. The CSU Commission on Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE), Accelerator Grants Community of Practice (CoP): 2022-23 CPaCE Accelerator Grants program. Fully Funded: $50,000.

Morris, E., Jensen, M.H., Margoniner, V.E., & Rivas, B. (2022). Comparing student success, team dynamics, and cost in three different active learning formats in undergraduate physics education. National Science Foundation, Award number (FAIN) 2215202. Fully Funded: $299,916.

Rivas, B. (2019). Addiction Think Tank. 2019-2021 the Center at Sierra Health Foundation Mini Grant Award. Fully Funded: $10,000.

Rivas, B. & Lomas, G. (2018). Are mental health professionals ready to testify as a witness in court? 2018-2019 CSU-AAUP Research Grant Award. Fully Funded: $10,000.

Presentations

International

Rivas, B., Teoh, A., Foxx, S., & Bienert, A. (2023, November). Professionalizing Counselling through quality assurance in Counsellor Education. Education session presented at the National Board for Certified Counselors Foundation Mental Health Connections: Advancing Global Health Equity 2023 virtual conference. 

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2019, September). Social class bias in the clinical relationship. Education session pesentation presented at the 60th Annual Conference of the European Branch of the American Counseling. Vienna, Austria.

Rivas, B. & Reyero, T.M. (2016, October). Aesthetics in mental health: An influential model for taping into art appreciation. Education session presented at the European Branch of the American Counseling Association Conference, Geneva, Switzerland.

National

Migliaccio, T., Rivas, A., Rivas, B., Stark, R. (2024) Bullying within Academia: A Cultural and Structural Analysis. Presented at the American Educational Research Association Annual Meeting 2024, Philadelphia, PA.

Rivas, B., & Rivas, A. (2023, October). Bullying in higher education: How to create an inclusive culture. Education session presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 2023 Conference, Denver, CO, United States. 

Migliaccio, T., Rivas, A., Rivas, B., Stark, R. (2023) Bullying within Academia: A Cultural and Structural Analysis. Education session resented at the 2023 Society for the Study of Social Problems 75^th Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA.

Grey-Brooks, E., Rivas, B., & Fernandez, S. (2022, February). Counselor professional identity: Accreditation and advocacy. Webinar presented at Chi Sigma Iota (CSI) Panel Webinar Series.

Milsom, A., Smith, J., Meder, C., Rivas, B., & Fernandez, S. (2021, October). CACREP table talks. Information session presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 2021 Conference, Atlanta, GA, United States. 

Milsom, A., McAdams, R., Rivas, B., & Fernandez, S. (2020, October). CACREP table talks. Information session presented in collaboration with the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision and CACREP for the CACREP Table Talk Series, Online, United States. 

Minton, C.B., Bordonada, T., Feather, K., Patel, S., & Rivas, B. (2021, October 22). Successfully Navigating a Doctoral Program. Panel presention at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 2021 Virtual Roundtable. 

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2020, January). Causes and Implications of the opioid crisis on children and families: Prevention and intervention as a community response. Education session presented at the International Association for Marriage and Family Counseling, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2020, February). Social class bias within the clinical dyad: The negative effects on individuals and family systems. Education session presented at the International Association for Marriage and Family Counseling, New Orleans, Louisiana.

Rivas, B., Rivas, A. & Migliaccio, T. (2019, March). Bullying and incivility in higher education: How do we protect our mental health? Education session presentation presented at the Lilly Conference: Teaching for Active and Engaged Learning, Anaheim, California.

Rivas, B., Rivas, A. & Reyero, T.M. (2017, October). Aesthetics in mental health: An influential model for taping into art appreciation. Roundtable presented at the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Chicago, Illinois.

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2017, September). Social class bias in the clinical relationship: Does socio-economic status impact treatment? Education session presented at the National Association for Addiction Professionals, NAADAC 2017 Annual Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Rivas, B. & Reeck, L.P. (2015, March). Sign language interpreters in a counseling session: Third party assistance or interference? Education session presented at the American Counseling Association Conference, Orlando, Florida.

Regional

Rivas, B. (2022, October). CACREP Table Talks. Information session presented at the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision 2022 Conference, Portland, OR, United States. 

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2020, November 12-14). Everyone's Addicted, Now What? How Training Programs Can Intervene. WACES Conference, Tucson, AZ, United States. (Conference canceled) 

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2017, April). Social class bias in the clinical relationship: Does socio-economic status impact treatment? Education session presented at the 2017 Annual Nebraska Behavioral Health Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Rivas, B. (2014, October). Fostering professional identity and counseling self-efficacy in the classroom and supervision process. Education session presented at the Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Benham, R., Senstock, T., Young, A., & Rivas, B. (2012, October). Supervising future supervisors: Challenges facing educators with supervisors-in-training in clinical training courses. Education session presented at the Rocky Mountain Association of Counselor Education and Supervision Conference, Park City Utah.

State

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2024). Bullying in higher education: How to create an inclusive culture. Education session presented at the South Carolina Counseling Association Conference, Myrtle Beach, SC.  

Migliaccio, T., Rivas, B., Rivas, A., Stark, R. (2022) Incivility and Bullying within Academia. Education session presented at the 2022 Pacific Sociological Association Conference, Sacramento, CA.

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2019, May). Fostering professional identity & counseling self-efficacy in the supervision process. Education session presented at the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, CALPCC 2019 Annual Conference. Northridge, California.

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2019, May). Social class bias in the clinical relationship. Education session presented at the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors, CALPCC 2019 Annual Conference. Northridge, California.

Rivas, B., Field, J., & Bell, D. (2014, March). The ethical way. Education session presented at the Colorado Counseling Association, Denver Tech Center, Colorado.

Young, A. & Rivas, B. (2013, March). Fostering professional identity and counseling self-efficacy in the classroom and supervision process. Education session presented at the Colorado Counseling Association Conference, Denver, Colorado.

Invited Speaker

Rivas, B. (2024). An existential crisis: Meaning making in post-traumatic growth. Center for Health Practice, Policy, & Research (CHPPR) Annual Conference 2024, Sacramento, CA.

Rivas, B. & Rivas, A. (2024). Root to Bloom: Cultivating Mental Health from the Ground Up. Six-part mental health series on Radio Bamdad. https://www.radiobamdad.com/radio-live

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2023, April). Professional Counselor Identity. Invited Speaker for the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors CALPCC Symposium.

Rivas, B. (2022, October). BIPOC Panel. Invited panelist for the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Portland, Oregon.

Rivas, B. & Lardy, C. (2022). Trauma Informed Teaching. Invited Speaker to Single Subject Seminar (EDSS Seminar 366A/C) combined sections. Hinde Auditorium, Sacramento, CA.

Rivas, B. & Lardy, C. (2021). Trauma Informed Teaching. Invited Speaker to Single Subject Seminar (EDSS Seminar 366A/C) combined sections. Online. Sacramento, CA.

Rivas, A. & Rivas, B. (2020, July). Social Class Bias and the Negative Impact Client Treatment Outcomes. Invited Speakers for the National Association for Addiction Professionals, NAADAC Cultural Humility Online Training Series via Webinar.

Rivas, B. & Lardy, C. (2020). Trauma Informed Teaching. Invited Speaker to Single Subject Seminar (EDSS Seminar 366). Online. Sacramento, CA.

Scarton, C. & Rivas, B. (2019, November). Narrative Therapy. Invited Speakers for the Migrant Education Advisor Program (MEAP) Butte County Office of Education, California State University Sacramento, Sacramento, CA.

Rivas, B. & Lardy, C. (2019). Trauma Informed Teaching. Invited Speaker to Single Subject Seminar (EDSS Seminar 366). Sacramento, CA.

Rivas, B. (2016, November). Bridging the gap: Tri-Lakes culture and LPSD. Invited Speaker for Lewis Palmer School District Administration, Monument, Colorado.

Rivas, B. (2016, September). Conflict & Resolution. Invited Speaker for Lewis Palmer School District Counseling Professional Development, Monument, Colorado.

Rivas, B. (2014, May). Balancing a family: Hearing loss, sibling needs, relationships, and self-esteem. Invited Speaker at the Spring Parent Education Workshop for the Listen Foundation, Littleton, Colorado.

Rivas, B. (2013, September). Local professional organizations and the importance of professional involvement. Guest speaker at the Chi Sigma Iota, Chi Upsilon Sigma at University of Colorado Colorado Springs.

Rivas, B. (2012, July). Trauma, grief and loss. Presented at the Community College of Aurora, CentreTech Campus. Campus Information Session Post-Shooting. 

Rivas, B. (2012, July). Trauma, grief and loss. Community College of Aurora, Lowry Campus. Campus Information Session Post-Shooting.

Awards

• California State University Sacramento, Office of Faculty Advancement & Faculty Senate, Outstanding Faculty Award for University Service in the College of Education (2024).
• Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision, Innovative Counselor Education Program Award (2021)
• American Counseling Association, Ethics Committee, Faculty Advisor for Ethics Competition Honorable Mention (2015)
• Chi Sigma Iota, Recognition of Service Chapter Faculty Advisor (2015)
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs, Department of Counseling and Human Services, Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award (2015)
• University of Colorado, Recognition of Service, Chair of Budget Committee and Faculty Council Member (2015)
• Argosy University, Outstanding Student Award (2013)
• Colorado Counseling Association, Certificate of Recognition, Events Co-Chair (2013)
• Excelsior Youth Center, Employee of the Month (2009)

Professional Service & Volunteer Activities

CACREP Board of Directors, July 2020-June 2025
Counselor Educator Member of the Board of Directors for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), term: July 2020-June 2025. Participation in the following additional activities and committees: External Relations Committee (ERC) 2020-2021, International Registry of Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP) Council 2021-2025, CSI Essay Reader 2020 prompt, mid-cycle report review subcommittee 2020-2022, and Grievance Committee 2022-2025. Chair of International Registry of Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP) Council 2021-24 & Chair of the Grievance Committee 2023-2024. 

Partnership with the Center at Sierra Health Foundation, March 2019-2021
In partnership with the Center at Sierra Health Foundation, we have been working on identifying gaps in treatment and prevention of substance use disorders in Sacramento County. Our inaugural symposium, sponsored by the Center at Sierra Health, and in collaboration with our Center for Health Practice, Policy, and Research and our Counselor Education program (postponed from spring 2020) and with the additional of the UC Davis Integrated Care Team in 2020, the symposium was offered virtually in February 2021.

CALPCC Board of Directors, July 2019-June 2020
Board of Directors for the California Association of Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC). Chaired the Legislative and Advocacy Committee & Co-Chaired the 2020 Conference. 

On-Site Registration Chair, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), May 2016-October 2017
Helped support the 2017 ACES Annual Conference, held in Chicago. Served as the on-site registration chair, coordinated all conference related registration tasks, coordinated volunteers, and welcomed registrants at the desk in concert with the conference chair and committee. 

California State University Sacramento:

• Counselor Education: MS Counseling Program Coordinator, 2021-Present.
• Counselor Education: Tenure-Track MCFC Hiring Committee, 2023-2024.
• Counselor Education: Lead Coordinator, 2020-2021.
• Faculty Senate, College of Education Representative, 2019-Present.
• College of Education: Curriculum, Assessment, Technology, and Teaching Excellence (CATTE) Committee, Chair 2021-Present, member 2018-Present.
• Faculty Senate, Curriculum Subcommittee, 2022-2025.
• Faculty Senate, Graduate Studies Policies Committee, 2022-2024.
• Faculty Senate, Alcohol Advisory Committee, 2022-2023.
• Faculty Senate, Faculty Policies Committee, 2020-2023.
• College of Health and Human Services, Center for Health Practice, Policy, and Research (CHPPR) Advisory Committee, 2019-2021.
• Faculty Senate, Academic Policies Committee, Faculty Representative, 2019-2020.
• Counselor Education: Program Liaison to the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), 2018-2021.
• College of Education, Graduate and Professional Studies in Education, Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services (CCDS) Users Group Committee, 2018-2020.
• Faculty Senate, College of Education Representative Alternate, Spring 2019.
• College of Education Post-Tenure RTP Ad Hoc Committee, Spring 2019.
• Counselor Education Program Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Taskforce Committee Lead, 2018-2019.
• Faculty Scholarship Community (FSC): Translational Health-Related Research, 2018-2019.
• Counselor Education Program Student Dispositions Taskforce, Fall 2018.

Professional Associations & Activities

• American Counseling Association (ACA), Professional Member 2008-Present
  • ACA Mentor 2013-2015
  • *Colorado Counseling Association (CCA), Member 2009-2014
    • CCA Conference Committee for the 2014 Conference
    • CCA Sponsor Coordinator, 2013-2014
    • CCA, Events Co-Chair, 2012-2014
    • CCA, Speakers Bureau Chair, 2012-2013
    • CCA ACES Ad Hoc Committee, 2012-2013
    • CCA, Nomination Selection Committee, 2012
    • CCA, Co-Founder of the Speakers Bureau, 2012
  • *Connecticut Counseling Association (CCA), 2018-2019
  • *California Counseling Association (CCA), Member, 2019-2020
  • *European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA), Member 2019-Present
  • *International Association of Marriage and Family Counselors (IAMFC), 2019-Present
• American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy (AAMFT), Clinical Fellow 2014-2020
  • *Colorado Association for Marriage & Family Therapy (COAMFT), Member 2014-2018
    • COAMFT Elections Committee, 2014-2017
    • COAMFT Elections Committee Chair, 2017
      
      
• Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), 2013-Present
  • ACES 2017 Conference Registration Chair, 2017
  • ACES Program Proposal Reviewer, 2013
  • *Rocky Mountain Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (RMACES), Member 2013-2018
    • RMACES Interstate Licensing Committee, 2014-2016
    • RMACES Conference On-Site Coordinator & Program Co-Organizer, 2012
  • *North Atlantic Region Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (NARACES), Member 2018
  • *Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES), Member 2019-Present
    
    
• California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (CALPCC), Member 2019-2021
  • CALPCC Board Member, 2019-2020
  • CALPCC Chair of the Legislation and Advocacy Committee, 2019-2020
  • CALPCC Member of the Conference 2020 Committee, 2019-2020
    
    
• Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), Member 2012-Present
  • Member & Secretary for Argosy Omega Sigma Phi Chapter, 2012-2013
  • Chapter Faculty Advisor for UCCS Chi Upsilon Sigma Chapter 2014-2015
  • Chapter Faculty Advisor for the WCSU Zeta Omega Eta Chapter 2018
  • Chi Sigma Iota International & CACREP Leadership Essay Contest Reviewer, 2020-2021
     
• Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) Board of Directors, Counselor Education Position (2020-2025)
  • International Registry for Counselor Education Programs (IRCEP) Council, Chair 2021-Present.
  • Grievance Committee, member 2021-Present, Chair 2023-Present.
  • External Relations Committee, member 2020-2021.
  • CSI Essay Reader 2020 & 2021 prompt
• The Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), Professional Member 2016-Present
  • Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), 2018-Present

Academic & Related Professional Experience

ACADEMIC EXPERIENCE:

Assistant Professor of Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling, California State University Sacramento (August 2018-Present)       

            Teach 3-4 courses in the counseling program within the Department of Graduate and Professional Studies in Education. Including: Group Processes in Counseling; Diagnosis and Treatment Planning; Assessment in Counseling; Dynamics in Human Development; Counseling Theory; Practicum in Communication; Substance Abuse and Addiction; Practicum in Counseling; Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling Practicum; and Seminar in Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling.         

            MS Counseling Program Coordinator: 2021-Present. As the program coordinator, this role works closely with the department chair for workload, including oversight of part-time faculty hire, assignments, and part-time faculty evaluations. The program coordinator will work with the department chair for hire of faculty; and will work with EDC faculty for scheduling. The program coordinator works with all the other coordinators in a support role for the functionality of the entirety of the MS Counseling program, including all concentrations, to ensure compliance across the program including fieldwork and accreditation/assessment related needs and standards. This includes curriculum development and maintenance with input from the Accreditation and Assessment Coordinator and EDC faculty.

            The program coordinator leads program meetings as well as coordinator meetings and supports the Center for Counseling and Diagnostic Services (CCDS) as our shared training center. The MS Counseling program coordinator works to support all four concentrations under our program, including career, marriage couple family, rehabilitation, and school counseling. As program coordinator, I hire and oversee our student workers who serve to support the program under my direction. In addition, this role has oversight of admissions, including supervising our student Ambassadors in their work meeting with prospective students. This role coordinates and facilitates all admission related tasks culminating in the Interview Day and recommendations for the Office of Graduate Studies (OGS). This position will oversee the Student Ambassadors and work closely with the CCDS director.

            Community outreach and marketing is included, as well as oversight of the website, social media, events, community training programs, and workshops. Finally, this position will lead all meeting and coordinate with faculty advisors for the student counseling society club, Chi Sigma Iota honor society, student advisory committee, and the larger student leadership team meetings for overall student leadership within the department. All programmatic deadlines fall under the purview of the program coordinator: ATC, OGS communication, textbooks, bookstore communication, culminating experience, and petitions to graduate. Finally, the program coordinator will mentor and train all coordinators and create a historical document, including policies and procedures handbook, for succession planning. The handbook updating, along with program forms and processes, are coordinated and lead by the program coordinator. The program coordinator will be responsible for all student conduct, depositions, student success/remediation processes with the support of the coordinators, chair, and larger EDC faculty.

            Lead Coordinator, Fieldwork Coordinator, and Liaison for CACREP accreditation: 2020-2021: Completed and submitted self-study for accreditation in January 2019, Addendum in November 2019, and secondary Addendum in May 2020. As liaison, will oversee all aspects of the Fall 2020 Virtual Site Visit and coordinates with the CACREP site visit team, the counselor education program, and the COE/CSUS administration. The CACREP liaison serves as the primary point of contact between CACREP and the institutions accredited program(s).

            As Lead Coordinator, developed a strategic plan and initiated a new assessment plan, to include Key Performance Indicators, to meet the 2016 CACREP standards; have integrated an organizational chart, workflow, and ongoing canvas shell to streamline communication and duties; and developed a formal process of policies and procedures for Counseling. This role coordinated all specialization specific coordinator work for each of the four specializations, it served as oversight to ensure compliance and coordination across shared responsibilities. The fieldwork coordinator was a newly created role. As fieldwork coordinator, have developed a master site list, organizational chart and workflow to monitor sites and meet CACREP standards related to fieldwork oversight.  

Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Western Connecticut State University, Danbury, CT (2018)

            Teach four courses in the clinical mental health (CMHC) and school counseling (SC) program within the Department of Education and Educational Psychology. Including Advanced Group Counseling Skills for School Counselors, Advanced Group Counseling Skills for Clinical Mental Health Counselors, and Interviewing and Consultation across the Lifespan.

            Served as the Clinical Mental Health Coordinator and Chapter Faculty Advisor for the WCSU branch of CSI, Zeta Omega Eta Chapter. Reactivated the Zeta Omega Chapter and started chapter activities including our Induction Ceremony.

            Applied for and received a CSU grant of $10,000 for a study to survey counselors experience and training in court ordered testimony.

Senior Instructor, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2013-2018)

            Taught four courses each semester in all of the following graduate programs: clinical mental health counseling (CMHC), school counseling (SC), and air office command (AOC) (in partnership with USAFA), as well as the human services minor undergraduate courses. Including: CMHC Practicum, CMHC Internship, Laboratory in Individual Counseling, Human Growth & Development, Measurement & Appraisal, Ethics, Interviewing & Mediation, Intracultural Socialization Patterns, Culturally Informed Treatment, Introduction to the Counseling Profession, Roles and Function of the Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and Clinical Supervision I & II. 

            Served on department, campus, and systems committees. Specifically, COE Curriculum Committee, COE Accreditation Committee, COE Awards Committee, UCCS Faculty Assembly Secretary, UCCS Library Committee, Chair of CU Systems Budget Committee, and CU Systems Faculty Council, CFA for our chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, Coordinator of the Human Services Minor, Coordinator of the Addictions program, advising of undergraduate and graduate students. ACA Ethics Competition Faculty Advisor. Developed online supervision training modules for UCCS fieldwork site supervisors.

            Developed a proposal for an undergraduate major, Bachelor of Arts in Human Services. The proposal for a major was reviewed by the campus in November 2017 in its campus review process, prior to making it through the system, and finally to the Board of Regents in spring of 2018. In addition to the undergraduate proposal, worked in collaboration with Colorado State University faculty on a program called Campus Connections. Campus Connections is a mentoring program, linking undergraduate students with at risk youth in the community. Graduate students will be overseeing the process and working with at risk students that need more support or counseling. Created an undergraduate human services club and serving in the position of faculty advisor. Created full undergraduate addiction certification program and helped expand the addiction counselor graduate emphasis to a licensing program (Colorado OBH aligned). Instructor 2013-2015, Senior Instructor 2015-2018.

Teaching Assistant, Argosy University, Denver, CO (2011-2013)

            Taught 2-3 classes a term in clinical mental health counseling (CMHC) program: Practicum for CMHC, two sections of Internship for CMHC, Counseling Skills I and II, and Special Topics in Counseling (CACREP). As well as three sections of practicum for the marriage and family therapy (MFT) program (COAMFTE).                 

Academic Department Assistant, Argosy University, Denver, CO (2012)

            Assist the Counseling Faculty in the coordination of the RMACES conference held in Park City Utah in 2012. Calculate proposal reviews, organize conference programs, assist with student advising/orientation/special projects, help with preparation of materials and course activities, data management, and assist with correspondence and reports.           

Adjunct Psychology Faculty, Community College of Aurora, Aurora, Colorado (2010- 2013)

            Taught 3-5 classes each semester to include several sections of Introductory Psychology 101 and 102, Human Growth & Development, and Child Development.

RELATED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:        

Professional Counselor, Private Practice, Alchemy of Healing Counseling LLC, Denver & Colorado Springs, CO (2010-2018)

           Worked with adults, couples, and adolescents in the areas of bereavement, trauma, life and family transitions, dissociative disorders, anxiety, depression, and grief and loss related to hearing loss and cochlear implants. Provided post-graduate supervision to counselors-in-training working toward Colorado licensure for LPC/CAC/LAC.

Pro-Bono Therapist, Maria Droste Counseling Center, Denver, CO (2011)

           Provided pro bono and low fee therapy for individuals and adolescents at MDS Counseling Center for the Options Program.

Counselor, NCTI, Denver, CO (2009-2010)

           Facilitating court ordered classes for juvenile offenders such as petty theft and conflict management.

Milieu Counselor, Excelsior Youth Center, Aurora, CO (2008-2010)

           Worked with adolescent female clients between the ages of 11-21 placed at EYC through either court ordered or state/agency placements from throughout the United States. The client population consists of those with behavioral issues including diagnoses of, chronic mental illness, dual diagnosis, and poly-substance abuse.