Speakers
Jessica Meléndez Tyler, PhD, LPC-S, BC-TMH, NCC
Jessica Meléndez Tyler is an Associate Professor of the Practice at Vanderbilt University and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) also licensed as a Licensed Counseling Supervisor (LPC-S). She is a humanistic counselor who uses Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) to assist adults in overcoming challenges and traumas. Dr. Tyler's research interests align with her professional work, focusing on suicidal clients, crisis counseling, collegiality, trauma-informed care, women's issues, cultural resilience, perfectionism, healthy social media behaviors, working with veterans and their dependents, and counseling supervision trends. She has presented over 40 peer-reviewed scholarly presentations at the local, state, regional, national, and international levels. Dr. Tyler has won practitioner and supervision awards on the state and national levels. Additionally, she contributes to The Thoughtful Counselor podcast and provides training on Suicide First Aid (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training- ASIST) and healthy social media practices for helpers and community members.
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Jessica Haas, Ph.D.
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Jenny L. Cureton, PhD, LPC, ACS, NCC
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![Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS](https://ucarecdn.com/9eca1083-6cdd-4d19-b562-799c46b1d045/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/ali.jpg)
Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS
Associate Professor
Ali Cunningham Abbott, PhD, LMHC, QS is the Program Director & an Associate Professor in the CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Lynn University in Boca Raton, Florida. In this role she co-leads the admissions committee and has been involved in admission review processes at the doctoral and masters level for the last 10 years. She received her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Florida Atlantic University. Prior to teaching at Lynn, Cunningham held a position as Visiting Assistant Professor at Florida Atlantic University and as Assistant Director for the Center for Autism & Related Disabilities (CARD). She also provides individual counseling for adolescents and adults at the Center for the Treatment of Anxiety & Mood Disorder.
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![Christian D. Chan, PhD, NCC](https://ucarecdn.com/381e2f18-d613-4fc4-ad9c-22600eb58ad0/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/christian.jpg)
Christian D. Chan, PhD, NCC
Assistant Professor
Christian D. Chan (he, him, his), PhD, NCC is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling and Educational Development at The University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a proud Queer Person of Color. His interests revolve around intersectionality and the effects of oppression on career development and access to counseling. Dedicated to mentorship for leaders and scholars, he has actively contributed to over 80 peer-reviewed publications in journals, books, and edited volumes and has conducted over 150 refereed presentations at the national, regional, and state levels. He currently serves as Associate Editor for Teaching and Supervision in Counseling.
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John Nance, PhD, LCMHC-S, NCC, ACS
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Coralis Solomon, PhD
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LaTonya Summers
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![Bernell Elzey, Ph.D, LPC, NCC](https://ucarecdn.com/949e388c-5567-4acc-b4dd-c51bf0b2b7be/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/bernell.jpg)
Bernell Elzey, Ph.D, LPC, NCC
Professonal School Counselor and Adjunct Professor
Dr. Bernell L. Elzey Jr., is a Counselor Educator in New Orleans, LA. He earned his Ph.D. from the University of Holy Cross of New Orleans in Counselor Education and Supervision and his M.A. in Counseling from Xavier University of Louisiana. Currently, Dr. Elzey is a Professional High School Counselor, Adjunct Professor in Counselor Education, and Owner/Practitioner of Conscious Therapy and Wellness, LLC. Before becoming a counselor, Dr. Elzey served as a High School Teacher. Additionally, he is President-Elect of the Louisiana School Counselor Association and a Co-Chair of the Diversity and Social Justice Committee within the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.
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![Isabel Farrell, PhD, LPC, NCC](https://ucarecdn.com/fa5cdbf5-e109-460d-beff-65274fb21864/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/isabel.jpg)
Isabel Farrell, PhD, LPC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Isabel C. Farrell (she/her) is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at Wake Forest University. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Her research agenda focuses on social justice and professional advocacy, and underserved populations, with a focus on Latinx communities.
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Sara Ellison, MS, LPC, NCC
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Michelle R. Ghoston, Ph.D., LCMHC-QS (NC), LPC (VA), ACS
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![Natalie Ricciutti, PhD., LPCC, NCC, Counseling Program, UNC Charlotte](https://ucarecdn.com/75255b37-1e88-46cc-a287-af80ab495984/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/natalie.jpg)
Natalie Ricciutti, PhD., LPCC, NCC, Counseling Program, UNC Charlotte
Assistant Professor
Dr. Natalie Ricciutti is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at UNC Charlotte. She received her Ph.D. from Kent State University and her Master’s degree from Youngstown State University. Dr. Ricciutti’s research and teaching expertise are in addictions counseling and addictions education. She is an advocate for providing counseling students with the necessary information and education about substance use disorders, process/behavioral disorders, and the treatment of both. Dr. Ricciutti also researches the impact of stigma in treatment of addictions and readiness to decrease substance use across communities. She enjoys teaching addictions courses and many other Master’s courses.
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![Noelle St. Germain-Sehr, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, ACMHP](https://ucarecdn.com/eebae908-242d-441e-97d5-e3b5babc55af/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/noelle.jpg)
Noelle St. Germain-Sehr, Ph.D., LPC-S, NCC, ACMHP
Clinical Associate Professor & Counseling Clinical Experience Director
Noelle St. Germain-Sehr is a Clinical Associate Professor and Counseling Clinical Experience Director at William & Mary. She has over 30 years of clinical experience, is a LPC-Supervisor in Texas, a National Certified Counselor, and an ACISTE Certified Mental Health Professional trained to assist individuals with integrating spiritually transformative experiences. She has advanced training in transpersonal counseling, including Induced After-Death Communication (IADC), is the Executive Director of The Center for Grief and Traumatic Loss and The International IADC Board, and an IADC Trainer. She holds membership in 16 professional organizations, has served on three editorial boards, and is the current SACES Secretary. Her research focuses on improving mental health providers’ effectiveness in addressing transpersonal issues and includes multiple publications and over 65 professional presentations including many addressing transpersonal issues.
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![W. Bradley McKibben, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH](https://ucarecdn.com/8ebb168b-363c-4a50-b74c-987d01ae179e/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/bradley.jpg)
W. Bradley McKibben, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH
Associate Professor
W. Bradley McKibben (he/him/his), PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, is an Associate Professor in the Department of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Jacksonville University. His research interests focus on the supervisory relationship, influences of attachment strategies, counselor development, multicultural considerations in clinical supervision, and clinical outcomes in emotionally focused therapy.
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![Tamara L. Tisdale, Ph.D., LPC, CSC, NCC](https://ucarecdn.com/b28114a1-a23e-4f25-bd96-e8bd2d8c9218/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/tamara.jpg)
Tamara L. Tisdale, Ph.D., LPC, CSC, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Tamara L. Tisdale is a Counselor Educator in Houston, Texas. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Holy Cross New Orleans in Counselor Education and Supervision and two Master’s from Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas- an M.A. in Counseling & an M.Ed in Educational Administration. For nearly two decades, Tamara served as an educator, counselor, and advocate in the Texas public school system. Dr. Tisdale is an Counselor Educator and psychotherapist/ owner of Matters of the Heart Counseling Services PLLC. Additionally, she serves as a Co-Chair of the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee within the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision.
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Jennifer E. Randall Reyes, Ph.D. (CES), ALPS, LPC, AADC
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![Sarah Tucker, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT, CCPT-S](https://ucarecdn.com/e2b98307-36a7-44fd-85ec-8f9a46ed068f/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/sarah.jpg)
Sarah Tucker, PhD, LPC, NCC, RPT, CCPT-S
Clinical Assistant Professor
Dr. Sarah Tucker is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Online Counseling Program at William & Mary. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Texas, a National Certified Counselor, a Registered Play Therapist, and a Certified Child-Centered Play Therapy Supervisor. Dr. Tucker has experience providing clinical services in a wide variety of settings, including community agencies, in-patient hospitals, public schools, and private practice. Dr. Tucker’s clinical and research interests include neurodivergent populations, clients in poverty, play therapy, and person-centered approaches.
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![Chantrelle D. Varnado-Johnson, PhD, LPC-S (LA), BC-TMH, RPT, NCC](https://ucarecdn.com/5c9a7735-ef96-4a03-9624-83a9fd238de6/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/chantrelle.jpg)
Chantrelle D. Varnado-Johnson, PhD, LPC-S (LA), BC-TMH, RPT, NCC
Assistant Professor
Dr. Chantrelle Varnado-Johnson, PhD, LPC-S, RPT, BC-TMH, NCC is an Assistant
Professor of Counseling and School Counseling Specialization Coordinator at Nicholls State University. Dr. Varnado-Johnson possesses six years of experience teaching at the counselor preparation program and 18+ years of clinical practice. Dr. Varnado-Johnson teaches a variety of courses and her scholarly interests include strategies to increase BIPOC graduate students’ social justice competence within mentoring relationships, promoting anti-racism principles in k-12 settings, and conducting trauma-informed supervision utilizing creativity and play therapy amongst socially ascribed groups. Furthermore, she has been actively involved in the profession as evidenced by serving in leadership roles and presenting at conferences while holding membership in ACA, Association for Creativity in Counseling, ASCA, ACES, ACCSW, AMCD, EB-ACA, Louisiana Counseling Association, NAACP, and SACES, where she presently serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity and Social Justice Committee.
Professor of Counseling and School Counseling Specialization Coordinator at Nicholls State University. Dr. Varnado-Johnson possesses six years of experience teaching at the counselor preparation program and 18+ years of clinical practice. Dr. Varnado-Johnson teaches a variety of courses and her scholarly interests include strategies to increase BIPOC graduate students’ social justice competence within mentoring relationships, promoting anti-racism principles in k-12 settings, and conducting trauma-informed supervision utilizing creativity and play therapy amongst socially ascribed groups. Furthermore, she has been actively involved in the profession as evidenced by serving in leadership roles and presenting at conferences while holding membership in ACA, Association for Creativity in Counseling, ASCA, ACES, ACCSW, AMCD, EB-ACA, Louisiana Counseling Association, NAACP, and SACES, where she presently serves as Co-Chair of the Diversity and Social Justice Committee.
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Nouna Jalilzadeh, M.S., Ph.D., LMHC, NCC
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![Anita Martin PhD, LPC-S (AR), RPT-S, MAC, SAP, ACS, CST](https://ucarecdn.com/fee14b42-5afd-4616-a29c-269933cca2ad/-/format/jpeg/-/progressive/yes/-/scale_crop/168x168/center/anita.jpg)
Anita Martin PhD, LPC-S (AR), RPT-S, MAC, SAP, ACS, CST
Assistant Professor
Dr. Anita Martin earned a Ph.D. from Capella University in Counselor Education and Supervision and holds two master's degrees from Webster University in St. Louis, Missouri- a M.A. in Counseling & a M.A. in Human Resource Development. She has been a psychotherapist and advocate in counseling for nearly two decades. Dr. Martin is an assistant professor at John Brown University and owner and psychotherapist at Martin Counseling Services. She is the current President of the Arkansas Military and Government Division. She served eight years in the Army Reserves and provides counseling services to other veterans and their families.
Additionally, she serves as a Co-Chair of the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee within the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Martin is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She has a small private practice in Central Arkansas and provides counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults.
Additionally, she serves as a Co-Chair of the Accessibility and Inclusion Committee within the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision. Dr. Martin is a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor, Certified EMDR Therapist, EMDRIA Approved Consultant, and an AASECT Certified Sex Therapist. She has a small private practice in Central Arkansas and provides counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults.
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Amy Banko, MS, CPRP
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Bentley Eskridge, MA, LPC, ACS, NCC
Bentley Eskridge, MA, LPC, ACS, NCC is a third-year doctoral students at Adams State University. She is dually licensed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Bentley maintains a small private practice that works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, and racial stress and trauma. In addition to her private practice, Bentley is the Director Child First at PHMC, located in Philadelphia, PA and an adjunct professor at Adams State University. Her interests are perinatal mental health care, racial stress and trauma, and culturally competent clinical supervision.