2022–2023 CCE Training Awards and Scholarships

Leeann Allagas (she/her) – Roanoke, Virginia

Leeann Allagas is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia who has worked within local organizations with a variety of populations and individuals. She currently offers services within private practice and volunteers within a local nonprofit. She received her Bachelor of Science in psychology from Roanoke College in Virginia and a Master of Arts in counseling from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania with a dual concentration in art therapy and clinical mental health counseling. She is a National Certified Counselor and has experience working with addiction, anxiety, co-occurring disorders, crisis intervention, depression, grief, identity issues, life transitions, and traumatic experiences. She currently serves as the Director of Therapeutic Services with Anchored In Faith Together, Inc. (AIFT), where she offers counseling and various creative outlets to individuals impacted by breast cancer in the Roanoke Valley. Her overall goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to give back to the community and encourage other individuals on their path to becoming a therapist within Virginia.

Dr. Michelle Codner (she/her) – Framingham, Massachusetts

Dr. Michelle Codner is a licensed psychologist and National Certified Counselor. She has a BA in psychology from the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. She earned an MA in counseling psychology from American International College in Springfield, Massachusetts. Dr. Codner earned her doctorate in clinical psychology from William James College in Newton, Massachusetts, where her research focused on parentification, caregiving, and acculturation. During her training, Dr. Codner completed her 2-year APA-accredited internship at the Roger Williams University Counseling Center in Bristol, Rhode Island, and a postdoctoral fellowship at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Codner is an attending psychologist in Outpatient Psychiatry Service/Behavioral Neurology at Boston Children’s Hospital and an Instructor of Psychology in the Department of Psychiatry, at Harvard Medical School. Her professional and research interests include adolescent mental health—depression, suicidality, trauma, attachment, and cultural psychology. She enjoys working in a multidisciplinary setting, teaching, mental health advocacy, and working with the underserved immigrant population. Her goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to offer emerging providers cultural and trauma-informed supervision to increase diversity and contribute significantly to addressing the growing mental health needs in the counseling profession.

Dr. Shelly-Ann Collins (she/they) – Long Beach, California

Dr. Shelly-Ann Collins is an experienced and respected licensed psychologist and National Certified Counselor with over 10 years of experience in the field. She holds a PhD in counseling psychology from Northeastern University in Boston, Massachusetts, and completed a nationally accredited doctoral internship at UCLA and a health psychology postdoctoral fellowship at the University of San Francisco in California. She has received advance training in various evidence-based therapeutic approaches and psychological assessments. Dr. Collins specializes in relationships; racial, gender, and sexual minority mental health; increasing cultural competence; and in the promotion of access, equity, and inclusion.

Throughout her career, Dr. Collins has helped individuals overcome mental health challenges and improve their overall well-being. She is well known for her compassionate and empathetic approach, and for delivering effective, evidence-based treatment to her clients. In addition to her clinical work, Dr. Collins is also a researcher and scholar, with several publications and presentations on topics related to mental health and wellness and has been recognized with several awards and honors for her work. Dr. Collins is also a dedicated teacher and mentor and is passionate about training the next generation of mental health professionals. Her goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to advance her current work as a clinical supervisor by promoting a common good that includes the needs of all, engaging differences in a manner that allows learning from diverse perspectives and practices and by providing experiences that engenders holistic development.

Bianca Cummings–Fairfield, Connecticut

Janice D. Davis – Virginia Beach, Virginia

Janice Davis is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and holds a Master of Education in community counseling from Clemson University and an undergraduate degree in forensic psychology from Florida State University. She brings with her over 23 years of service in the mental health and substance abuse field. Her experience includes providing clinical services to individuals, families, couples, and children ages 8 years and older. Davis has a rich knowledge of military culture and has been providing services for veterans, active-duty service members and their families, adolescents, and children for over 15 years. Davis provides ethical decision-making, person-centered therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, trauma-focused therapy, motivational interviewing, and clinical services to individuals and groups of persons who have endured crisis, trauma, abuse, neglect, or encountering mental health, substance abuse, and/or medical concerns (integrated care) that causes an imbalance in their life and makes it difficult to function daily. Davis utilizes the Shared Decision-Making approach (SDM) when working with clients to provide optimal treatment planning, crisis management, problem-solving, conflict resolution, psychoeducation, and skill-building. She always keeps in mind treatment approaches can be adjusted or integrated to meet the needs of the client.

Corinne Eisenhardt (she/her) – Los Angeles, California

Corinne Eisenhardt is a psychotherapist and private practice owner in Los Angeles, California. Corinne is a licensed counselor in California (CA), Colorado (LPC), and Michigan (LPC). She received her MA in counseling from Eastern Michigan University. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and has experience working as a clinical counselor in private practice, community mental health, and in a college counseling setting. Additionally, she has experience working as a career counselor, academic advisor, and hotline crisis counselor. Eisenhardt’s current work focuses on working with young professionals with anxiety, depression, trauma, and grief. She has been a dedicated advocate for the growth of the counseling profession in California. She was on the Board of Directors for the California Association for Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (CALPCC) from July 2019 through July 2022, where she co-chaired the Ethics and Applied Professional Practice Committee. She currently serves as CALPCC's Los Angeles Regional Chair. Her goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to broaden her impact on the profession by supervising and mentoring counselors in training. In addition, it will continue her mission to assist the growth of the counseling profession in California.

Shavaughn M. Felder (she/her) – Millsboro, Delaware

Shavaughn Felder is an adolescent and adult field supervisor in Delaware. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in criminal justice and a Master of Science in community counseling from Wilmington University. At present, she is pursuing her bachelor’s and master’s degree in theology at Christian World College in Salisbury, Maryland. She is a National Certified Counselor and a Professional Counselor of Mental Health. Felder has worked with at-risk children, adolescents, adults, and families for over 20 years and has a passion for helping individuals reach their highest level of potential. She has experience with drug and alcohol counseling, trauma, anxiety, depression, career counseling, and treatment of behavioral issues.

Felder utilizes CBT, person-centered, and solution-focused approaches to best support her clients. She is currently the owner of I Care Counseling LLC and employed per diem as a school-based therapist serving and overseeing four school districts. In addition, she has volunteered as a co-facilitator of the Alternative Violence Program (AVP) at Sussex Correctional Institution (SCI) for the past 8 years. She adheres to the belief that giving back to your community is one of the greatest ways to say “thank you.” Her goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to advance her current work as a community and faith leader by mentoring, inspiring, and empowering clinicians to be the change they desire to see. She wants to create an environment so that clinicians will be able to balance career and life with purpose.

Sharon R. Fernandez (she/her) – Lorton, Virginia

Sharon Fernandez is a Licensed Professional Counselor working for a local behavioral health organization. She received her MA in clinical mental health counseling from Liberty University, a Doctor of Ministry from Regent University, and joint master’s degree in divinity and human services counseling from Regent University. She is a National Certified Counselor with extensive experience working with trauma survivors, veterans, and first responders. Her goal is to become a community and faith leader promoting healing and socioemotional skills training to address the underutilization of mental health care services among marginalized populations. Fernandez plans to further connect with local representatives to address barriers to mental health care and promote access to care for underserved low socioeconomic communities.

Nashiya Hodge (she/her) – Albany, Georgia

Nashiya Hodge is a Licensed Professional Counselor at Phoebe Behavioral Health in Albany, Georgia. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Troy University and master’s degree in mental health counseling from Capella University. She is a National Certified Counselor and has worked in the mental health field as a case manager turned therapist for over 13 years. She has extensive experience working with community mental health, where she has served a diverse array of individuals affected by mental health disorders, trauma, substance abuse, foster care systems, homelessness, and physical disorders. She has worked with children ages 5–18 for over half of her career but also serves the adult community. Her plan as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to help new therapists to serve their community and the mental health population according to ethical and moral standards through supervision. She plans to work with supervisees on overcoming their fears of being a therapist by building their confidence through proper supervision and education.

Kelsey Kraemer (she/her) – Palmer, Alaska

Kelsey Kraemer currently works as a high school counselor. She graduated from Capella University with a Master of Science in school counseling and received a graduate certificate in marriage and family therapy. She is currently a doctoral student of the CACREP-accredited counselor education and supervision program at Capella University. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a National Certified School Counselor (NSCS) and has spent a great deal of time working with low-socioeconomic status and underserved populations and focusing her research on Native American/Alaskan Native postvention suicide experiences. Her goal is to teach at the university level for master’s-level graduate students in the field of counseling.

Amy Mentuck – Bend, Oregon

Dr. Erik Messinger (he/him) – Frederick, Maryland

Dr. Erik Messinger is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychology and Counseling at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. He earned his MA in clinical mental health counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and his doctorate in counseling and counselor education from North Carolina State University. He is currently both a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. He has extensive experience in counseling adults and adolescents in outpatient community mental health and substance use treatment settings. Dr. Messinger’s research agenda is focused on teaching and supervision strategies along with meeting the mental health needs of first responders, as he has served as a volunteer firefighter and EMT for 15 years. His goals as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to enhance his teaching and supervision as he continuously supervises practicum and internship students. He also plans to work and supervise students in his program’s NeighborHOOD Counseling Training Center, which provides low-cost mental health services for college students and community members.

Nineshia D. Mont-Reynaud (she/her) – Atlanta, Georgia

Nineshia Mont-Reynaud began working in the mental health field 20 years ago as a college intern working in case management for young adult group homes and addiction recovery programs in Atlanta. She obtained her BA in psychology from Spelman College and her MS in community counseling from Columbus State University. She completed a counseling residency program, became licensed, and provided services in counseling for several settings, which included inpatient and partial hospitalization programs, crisis line support, and community service boards. Mont-Reynaud specializes in work/life balance, depression and anxiety disorders including trauma, providing postpartum support for mothers, marriage counseling, and helping military families and veterans living with PTSD. Currently, she maintains a private practice, Supportive Counseling & Consulting LLC, and provides training, education, clinical supervision, and consultation as a clinical director. Mont-Reynaud has been a National Certified Counselor since 2007, which has afforded her the opportunity to be credentialed with health care entities such as Tricare as a fully licensed therapist in private practice. Upon obtaining the CCE ACS credential, she plans to expand her experience beyond the community level and work with federal and state agencies to provide supervision and facilitate training on her experience in working with military members and their families, while promoting a culture of safety, empowerment, and healing.

Amy Proctor (she/her) – Farmington Hills, Michigan

Amy Proctor is the SASS (Student Athlete Support Services) Coordinator at a community college in the metro Detroit area. She received her Bachelor of Arts in education from Albion College and her Master of Education in school and professional counseling from Wayne State University. Her career has spanned over 30 years in K–12 public education as a teacher and coach, and 23 years as a high school counselor. She began working in higher education after retiring from K–12 nearly four years ago. Proctor completed health and wellness counseling specialization and career development facilitator programs at Oakland University. She recently graduated from Drexel University’s Kline School of Law with a certificate in NCAA Compliance. She is a National Certified Counselor who has extensive experience working with student athletes addressing their mental health, wellness, and academics. Her goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to help counselors in training develop their professional and clinical skills while earning the required hours for licensing. Proctor hopes to ‘pay it forward’ by providing supervision and increasing the number of Licensed Professional Counselors in the state of Michigan.

Holly Sawyer (she/her) – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Dr. Holly Sawyer is a solo private practice practitioner in Pennsylvania, where she specifically helps Black professional women navigate microaggressions in the workplace by helping them find their inner power through assertiveness without using substances to cope. She also provides clinical supervision to new graduates or professionals seeking their LPC licensure. She is a National Certified Counselor and has extensive experience working with diverse underserved communities, including individuals affected by mental health and substance use disorders as well as trauma and other serious issues. She currently serves as the Co-Chair on the Multicultural Addictions Counseling Committee for the International Association of Addictions & Offender Counselors (IAAOC). Her goal as a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor is to further advance her supervision goals and skills by empowering BIPOC therapists. Dr. Sawyer plans to work with these specific populations to help them develop specific individual goals that are in accord with their growth as a therapist, cultural identity, and purpose-filled lives.

Dr. Reyna Smith (she/her) – Cincinnati, Ohio

Dr. Reyna Smith is an Ohio Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor with the supervisor designation, as well as a National Certified Counselor. She earned her PhD from the University of the Cumberlands in 2022, focusing her dissertation on understanding the lived experiences of Black students attending predominantly White institutions who received mental health counseling services within their university’s counseling center. Dr. Smith maintains a solo-private practice, Limitless Counseling and Consulting Services, LLC, alongside teaching master’s-level counseling courses as an adjunct professor.

Additionally, Dr. Smith was a 2021 Doctoral Fellow with NBCC’s Minority Fellowship Program. Focusing her clinical practice on serving underserved and marginalized populations, Dr. Smith has a passion for destigmatizing mental health through culturally competent care and social justice advocacy in counseling to eliminate barriers and increase access to services. As an educator and clinical supervisor, Dr. Smith strives to enhance students’ counseling skills through a lens of social justice and respect for diverse clients. In receiving the CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor Training Award, Dr. Smith hopes to provide access to culturally informed supervision across many states as a means of keeping this field healthy. Bonus points for supervisees who welcome Beyoncé references in supervision.

Justin Smith (he/him) – Bloomfield, Kentucky

Justin Smith is an outpatient clinical counselor for a private group practice serving multiple locations within the Commonwealth of Kentucky. He graduated from Lindsey Wilson College in 2005 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in human services and counseling and then went on to the University of the Cumberlands to earn a Master of Arts degree in professional counseling in 2013. Smith is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor, National Certified Counselor, and a Registered Play Therapist Supervisor. He is also a Certified AutPlay Therapy provider. Smith is most interested in using child-centered play therapy with children who have experienced trauma or exhibit challenging behaviors due to anxiety/life stressors; those with special needs, including autism spectrum disorder; and members of the LGBTQ+ community. He primarily sees clients in the Louisville metro area. He plans to use the CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) credential to continue honing his craft to provide competent services to clinical supervisees and student interns. It is his belief that supervision is a critical part in shaping both a counselor’s professional identity and the likelihood of their clients’ successes, and as such hopes to be able to use the skills he learns with the ACS credential to challenge supervisees to grow into stronger clinicians.

Susan Johnson Bennett (she/her) – Lexington, South Carolina

Susan Johnson Bennett works in Lexington One School District in South Carolina serving as a career specialist at River Bluff High School. She also serves as a personal goal coach and is a certified Global Career Development Facilitator. She received her BS in business administration from Benedict College in Columbia, South Carolina, and her MA in human services in marriage and family counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. Bennett finds great joy in working with high school students and helping them figure out their next steps after high school, whether it’s postsecondary education, military, or industry. She also has a passion for coaching women and helping them to create a purpose driven and fulfilled life they can enjoy. Her goal as a Board Certified Coach is to broaden her reach, equipping students and women with the necessary skills to succeed in their personal development to help them be on the way to winning in life. Her favorite quote is, “Whatever it is, it’s not enough to make you quit!” She is the coach who’s committed to helping others position for increase!

Halley Choy – Gansevoort, New York

Dr. Kwame Frimpong (he/him) – Winder, Georgia

Reverend Dr. Kwame Frimpong is a National Certified Counselor, associate licensed professional counselor, public speaker, and life coach. He has more than 30 years of experience helping people break down barriers to finding love and happiness. He brings a background that makes him uniquely qualified in many areas. He is the founder of “let’s date right,” a dating site that focuses on Christian dating values. He is a trained sex therapist and porn addiction therapist. He earned his PhD in counselor education and supervision at Liberty University in 2022 and his Master of Arts in marriage and family therapy in 2018. His goal as a Board Certified Coach is to advance his current role as a religious leader and to give back to the African diaspora community. Through coaching and serving, he plans to continue impacting the community.

Lisa Gingles (she/her) – APO (Stuttgart, Germany)/Kingsville, Texas

Lisa Gingles is a high school guidance counselor serving the U.S. Armed Forces and Department of Defense civilians assigned to the Stuttgart Army Garrison, United States European Command, Africa Command, and various support groups. During her time at Stuttgart High School, she has focused on delivering a full array of counseling services to her students, with a focus on college and career readiness. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Southeastern Louisiana University. Additionally, she is a National Certified Counselor and holds a College Counseling Certificate from the University of California. Her goal as a Board Certified Coach is to continue to serve the military community and their dependents in order to empower them to capitalize on their resiliency and experience as global citizens and to support a positive transition to college and choice of career. She will be returning to her home state of Texas in the coming years and views coaching as a way to continue to serve the military community.

La Shaundrea Harris (she/her) – Victoria, Texas

La Shaundrea Harris owns and operates a virtual private practice in Texas, Glory to Glory Counseling, PLLC. She received her Bachelor of Science in criminal justice with a minor in psychology; Master of Arts in interdisciplinary studies: criminal justice and forensic science; and Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling, all from the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas. She is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor Associate, and Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor with primary experience working with clients mandated for mental health and substance abuse treatment by Child Protective Services and Adult Probation. She also recently started group counseling treatment with high acuity adolescent and young adult clients who suffer from various mental health and substance abuse issues.

Harris currently serves on several community boards and committees in Victoria, Texas. Her goal as a Board Certified Coach is to expand the reach of her ability to help others by offering quality coaching services to those in need in addition to counseling. Eventually, she would like to build a nonprofit organization that provides free counseling and coaching services to clients who are low-income, have substance use disorders, and/or have spent significant time in prison or jail with successfully reintegrating back into society. She plans to work specifically with these populations to help them address barriers, gain freedom from addiction, and create meaningful lives filled with hope and purpose.

Maria L. Marcon (she/her) – San Antonio, Texas

Maria L. Marcon is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor with 8 years of behavioral health experience. She holds a master’s degree in psychology from Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. In addition, she earned a certificate in Psychological Services for Spanish Speaking Populations that serves to enhance her cultural competency in working with the Latino and Spanish-speaking populations. Maria is a bilingual psychotherapist, and she is a National Certified Counselor with extensive experience working in a variety of clinical settings, including community mental health, emergency shelters, private practice, and with the military veteran population at a local nonprofit agency. Her goal as a Board Certified Coach is to advance her current work as a bilingual psychotherapist by providing an additional service to the underserved Latino population. Marcon plans to continue her work serving this population to help them reach their personal/life goals and live an abundant and purpose driven life.

Gayle Smith (she/her) – Middletown, New York

Gayle Smith is the CEO and founder of Essentials For Change and a former administrator, education consultant, and adjunct professor. She currently specializes in life coaching services for women. She is a speaker and Christian author with five published titles. Her book Faith Forward, Wellness Tools for Creating Change–A Women’s Three-Point Harmony of Body, Mind, and Spirit Connections received the NAACP-NYCHA Branch’s Just Read Literary Award. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in education from Marymount College in Tarrytown, New York. She received her Master of Science in special education from Lehman College and her Master of Education in administration and supervision from Bank Street College of Education, both in New York City.

Smith’s extensive career demonstrates a passion for advocacy groups, community outreach services and faith-based organizations that promote achievement among women, parents, staffs, administrators, and business owners. Essentials For Change is the edge for clients to build competitive businesses, maintain stronger families, improve relationships, and serve the community with faith-based objectives. Her goal as a Board Certified Coach with a Christian Life Coach specialty, is to partner with women in their pursuit of living fulfilling lives, through spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical growth from the inside out.

Matthew Armes – Berryville, Virginia

Matthew (Matt) Armes is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). He provides counseling from various clinical orientations, including CBT, humanistic, existential, choice, and person-centered. He leans toward a humanistic and existential approach and often incorporates choice theory and person-centered theories. Armes enjoys working with adolescents exploring and navigating social and emotional challenges such as identity, personal loss, and/or parental dynamics. He is also interested in supporting young adults in their 20s and 30s presenting with issues related to trauma, anxiety, grief, or family concerns (relationships, finances, raising children, etc.)

Armes studied counseling psychology and secondary education and has a degree from Marywood University. In 2015, he received the High School Counselor of the Year award in West Virginia. In 2019, he received the Outstanding New Academic Advisor award from the National Academic Advising Association while working at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Pennsylvania. His goal as a Board-Certified TeleMental Health (BC-TMH) Provider is to enhance his current practice of working with clients from those populations, especially teens and young couples, who benefit from having virtual services.

Dr. Ashley Ascherl Pechek (she/her) – Peyton, Colorado

Dr. Ashley Ascherl Pechek is a counselor educator in the online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania – Lock Haven. She has taught in online CACREP-accredited programs for over 8 years and has been a counselor for 15 years. Dr. Pechek is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS). She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology, Master of Arts in community counseling (CACREP-accredited), and Doctor of Philosophy in counselor education and supervision (CACREP-accredited) from Adams State University. In addition to being a counselor educator, Dr. Pechek also works part-time providing supervision and telemental health services to those in her community. Her clinical experience has primarily been with children, adolescents, and military families in a variety of settings (e.g., residential treatment, outpatient, inpatient, and public schools). Her goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider is to improve the quality and accessibility of telemental health services available to those in her community. In addition, she hopes to incorporate best practices in telemental health counseling into her role as a counselor educator and supervisor.

John Beninato (he/him) – New York, New York

John Beninato is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) who owns and operates an outpatient psychotherapy practice in New York. He is also a part-time instructor at New York University in the Department of Applied Psychology and teaches foundational courses for future counselors-in-training. He also works for Rutgers University assisting with disability and employment–related research. Additionally, he has worked as an expert consultant with businesses and organizations seeking to develop employee mental health wellness workshops and trainings. Beninato began his career working in substance use research at the University of Kentucky after completing his bachelor’s in psychology at the University of Connecticut. His experience includes a range of settings, including clinical and research-based, and he has worked with a diverse range of people with disabilities and backgrounds. While completing his master’s degree, he worked with people with disabilities (including physical, mental health, and developmental diagnoses) living in supportive housing across New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania.

In addition to his LMHC, Beninato is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and is passionate about helping people navigate difficulties in their lives, including mental illnesses, trauma, and anxiety. The BC-TMH credential will allow him to provide quality telemental health services to diverse clients. He hopes the increased usage of telemental health due to the COVID-19 pandemic will allow more people to have access to quality services. He also hopes to reach a wider range of clients and to continue growing his practice and expertise while providing quality and effective services. He specializes in working with men, young professionals, people exploring their racial/cultural identities, and LGBTQ+ clients.

Dr. Janelle M. Cox (she/her) – Pasadena, Maryland

Dr. Janelle Cox is an assistant professor and program coordinator in the mental health counseling program at Bowie State University. She is also a National Certified Counselor (NCC), CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), and Board Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of Maryland. Dr. Cox is the CEO/Owner of Journey Counseling & Consulting, a practice focused on serving Black clients through telehealth mental health services. Dr. Cox has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults with a myriad of diagnoses such as bipolar, depression, anxiety, ODD, and ADHD. Dr. Cox has worked in a variety of settings such as schools, in homes, clinics, and within the community. Her research interests include home-based counseling, social justice/advocacy, clinical supervision, public policy/legislation, Black maternity, community mental health, Black women’s issues, and qualitative research methods.

Christina Olka Crain (she/her) – Grove City, Ohio

Christina Olka Crain is a practicing counselor and supervisor and founder of Crain Counseling, a private practice serving clients in Florida, Ohio, Missouri, South Carolina, and Minnesota, where she holds licenses to practice as a licensed professional counselor or a licensed mental health counselor. She received her Bachelor of Science in counseling, Bachelor of Science in Bible , and her Master of Science in counseling from Clarks Summit University in Clarks Summit, Pennsylvania. Crain has completed her Training for Adoption Competency Certificate through the center for adoption support and education. She is a National Certified Counselor and Certified Mental Health Counselor with experience working in diverse settings such as inpatient hospitals, partial hospitals, prevention programs, domestic violence shelters, in-home intensive family services, adoption agencies, and outpatient practices.

Crain founded Live My Freedom, a community support program to promote mental health and sober living in a spiritually accepting community. As an active foster parent, she has supported foster families, adoptive families, and birth families across the country in her clinical work. Crain currently teaches in the School of Behavior Sciences at Clarks Summit University, training counseling students on their journey in the helping profession. She is also a Qualified Supervisor in Florida and a Certified Telehealth Professional in Florida, where she has been able to impact the next generation of counselors serving people in need. Her goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider is to advance her current work with students and clients alike and to reach individuals and families who have limited access to counseling services, faith affirming services, or foster/adoptive/birth family services. Crain plans to further expand her role in the telemental health field and to provide a high standard of telemental health services that are both client-centered and accessible.

Dr. Jessica Danielson (she/her) – Fargo, North Dakota

Dr. Jessica Danielson is an assistant professor and clinic director at North Dakota State University. She is also a practicing licensed professional clinical counselor in North Dakota. She has experience providing counseling services to children, adolescents, and adults in a multitude of settings, including inpatient, outpatient, and college campus. Presently, she provides telemental health services across the state as an independent contractor. Dr. Danielson’s goal as a BC-TMH Provider is to foster an advanced knowledge, understanding, and application of telemental health services in counseling. With this enhanced competency, she plans to open an online private practice.

Dr. Kellie Forziat-Pytel (she/her) – Williamsport, Pennsylvania

Dr. Kellie Forziat-Pytel holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision from the Pennsylvania State University. She currently works as an assistant professor/core faculty at Commonwealth of PA-Lock Haven University. Dr. Forziat-Pytel is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), CCE Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), and a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania. She has 9 years of experience in the professional counseling field in a variety of settings, including a state correctional institution, a private outpatient mental health counseling office, a college counseling training clinic, a career services center, a trauma outpatient counseling office, and a telemental health platform.

She is also a consultant with the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State University, which is partnered with the Department of Defense, on projects that work to improve program processes related to children and adults facing abuse. Dr. Forziat-Pytel’s specialty area consists of military populations, trauma, grief, and loss, and their impacts on individuals, families, and the community. Her goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider is to advance her current work as a counselor educator, supervisor, and counselor. Telemental health client needs are growing, and she wants to be better prepared to train students for work in this area. In addition, with this modality, she will be able to reach the military population to provide them with counseling services.

Charity Gordon (she/her) – Houston, Mississippi

Charity Gordon is a second career licensed professional counselor at a group private practice in Mississippi, where she works both in person and online. She received her bachelor’s degree in English and Bible at Welch College in Nashville, Tennessee; her master’s degree in English/Teaching English as a Second Language from Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green; and a master’s degree in clinical counseling from the University of Mississippi in Oxford. She is a National Certified Counselor and has experience working with children, adolescents, and adults affected by trauma, poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse. Her goal is to use her board certification in telemental health as a means to provide quality counseling to those who live too far away or must manage other physical restrictions that make attending regular in-office therapy sessions impractical. Gordon plans to use this certification to reduce barriers to mental health support in the rural area in which she lives.

Naziat Hassan (she/her) – Queens Village, New York

Naziat Hassan is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor at the Counseling Center of Queensborough Community College in Bayside, New York. She is also a Licensed Professional Counselor in New Jersey. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Queens College of the City University of New York and Master of Science in Education in mental health counseling from Hunter College at the City University of New York. She is a National Certified Counselor and has extensive experience working with diverse, underserved populations, especially families, adolescents, and young adults affected by trauma, abuse, substance abuse, and various other issues. She currently supervises mental health counseling interns at Footprints in the Bronx, New York. She also volunteers for the Bengali Mental Health Movement by being a part of monthly podcasts featuring various issues around mental health in the Bengali-speaking community. Her goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider is to increase knowledge and obtain skills in providing telehealth services. She hopes to remove barriers to receiving quality mental health services for single, working parents who are also pursuing their education through telehealth. She is grateful that this credential will make her bilingual therapeutic services more accessible to the Bengali-speaking community.

Kiri Horsey (she/her) – Salem, Oregon

Kiri Horsey is a licensed child and family counselor for Marion County Health and Human Services and a clinical supervisor in private practice. She received her MS in counseling at Oregon State University in 2007 and is a doctoral candidate for clinical supervision and counselor education at Oregon State University. She is a National Certified Counselor and plans to use this award to improve the quality of telehealth care and to maintain best telehealth practices. She uses the telehealth format for children, families, adults, and clinical supervisees.

Jose De Jesus Iniguez Aldana (he/him/El) – Chicago, Illinois

Dr. Jose Iniguez practices from the perspective that humans have the capacity to change by processing and understanding the everyday challenges that can lead to center themselves to make better life decisions. Love, respect, acknowledgment, and openness are some key words to support each individual during their process to develop a healthy lifestyle. He further believes that everyone should take over their own process with the support of a therapist who will provide the love, space, and challenge to offer a healthy way to change. Dr. Iniguez is a bilingual/bicultural (Spanish/English) psychotherapist who provides interventions from a person-center approach and trauma-informed perspective. He is an experienced clinician with 14 years of working with children, adolescents, and adults through individual/family/couples/ and group psychotherapy. He endorses working with the LGBTQ+ community and received a Graduate Certificate in LGBT Studies from Northern Illinois University.

His goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH) is to advance his current work as a diverse community leader by serving, providing, and empowering individuals via telemental health who have been ostracized and stigmatized around the United States. Dr. Iniguez plans to work with these specific populations to help them address barriers and live abundant and purpose-filled lives. Dr. Iniguez has completed his Bachelor of Science in family social services and Master of Science in education from Northern Illinois University (DeKalb), a Master of Education from Loyola University at Chicago, and a PhD in community psychology and a Master of Business Administration from National-Louis University. He is also a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and has a Counseling Grief Clients Certification (CGCC). He is also completing a master’s in social work from the University of Illinois at Chicago Jane Addams College of Social Work.

Kertina L. Kimbrough (she/her) – Ypsilanti, Michigan

Kertina Kimbrough is a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Michigan. She earned her master’s degree from the University of Detroit Mercy. She is a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and is endorsed by the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health (MI-AIMH). Kimbrough is someone who advocates for infants, children, families, and all clients who she works with. She has experience in helping clients with attachment and parenting issues, and infant and early childhood mental health concerns. She has experience working with diverse populations struggling with serious mental illness and serious emotional disturbances in crisis situations, partial hospitalization programs, and intensive home-based treatment. Kimbrough’s goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider is to advance her work in connecting with clients in the telemental health format by making evidence-based interventions more accessible for those struggling with mental health concerns. It is her hope that this method of delivering services to clients in need will further decrease the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Diane Reid Lyon (she/her) – Monroe, North Carolina

Diane Reid Lyon is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in private practice in Matthews, North Carolina. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from the University of Rochester in New York in 1989. She obtained her master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Lesley College in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1993. Lyon has had experience working in a variety of settings, including secure residential treatment, group homes, schools, and private practice. She is a National Certified Counselor and works with all ages, specializing in ADHD and learning disabilities, adjustment disorders, anxiety, depression, grief, and trauma. Through using telemental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, Lyon came to experience the benefits of telemental health counseling. Her goal as a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider is to advance her knowledge in providing telemental health to those who are less likely to seek mental health services or to those who don’t have access to such services in their communities.

David L. Means (he/him) – Colorado Springs, Colorado

David Means is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Oregon and Colorado, serving as the assistant clinical director for North Albany Wellness Center in Oregon, where he also provides telehealth services to clients and supervisees. He completed his Bachelor of Arts in ministry at Boise Bible College in Idaho in 1997. Means received his first master’s degree from Lincoln Christian College and Seminary (LCCS), Lincoln, Illinois, in 2000 and his second master’s degree from LCCS in counseling in 2003. He is currently pursuing his PhD in counselor education and supervision. Means is a National Certified Counselor who has worked in a variety of mental health settings, both private and public. His current work has focused on providing therapy to couples and individuals dealing with a variety of issues including conflict, diminished emotional intimacy, mood disorders, anxiety, grief, and challenging life transitions. He is also developing a private practice in Southern Colorado and is hoping to reach underserved rural populations by utilizing telehealth delivery.

Katie Morris – Mandan, North Dakota

Katie Morris began counseling in rural areas and strives to include the rural population in counseling through telehealth services. Morris attended Minnesota State University Moorhead for her counseling degree and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Behavioral Health from Cummings Graduate Institute. Morris is a National Certified Counselor, dedicated to trauma-informed counseling. Telehealth provides a platform for survivors of trauma to receive psychoeducation to help alleviate mental health symptoms. Morris is honored to work with all her patients and learn from them and also is a supervisor, enjoying giving back to new graduates and interns during their beginning counseling work.

Joanna O’Neill – Hamilton, New Jersey

Dr. Shama Panjwani (she/her) – Tucker, Georgia

Dr. Shama Panjwani holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision with a specialization in cross-cultural psychology and leadership. She is a National Certified Counselor, a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and a Licensed Professional Counselor as well as an Approved Clinical Supervisor in the state of Georgia. Her research interests include reducing mental health stigma while creating awareness; addressing immigration, acculturation, social justice and advocacy issues; fostering cultural humility and sensitivity in counseling and supervision; pedagogical approaches used to increase cross-cultural awareness and leadership skills; and introducing mindfulness meditation techniques along with promoting of wellness among underserved populations and students.

Dr. Panjwani has been working in the mental health field for more than 7 years and has worked in crisis, inpatient, emergency room, outpatient, substance abuse, case management, and private practice settings. She is currently a remote clinical mental health counseling faculty and runs her own virtual private practice, where she services clients and supervisees. Her goal as a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider is to be better equipped in serving her clients and supervisees virtually. She also plans to educate her students on ethical ways of serving clients virtually and become more comfortable using technological platforms that are HIPAA compliant.

Michella Rahming (she/her) – Madison, Alabama

Michella Rahming is a licensed professional counselor in Alabama and Georgia and a telemental health therapist. She received her bachelor’s in psychology from Florida A & M University of Tallahassee and her Master of Business Administration and Master of Arts in clinical mental health counseling from Argosy University in Atlanta, Georgia. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Military Resilience from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, and certification as an Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselor in Alabama. She is a National Certified Counselor and has extensive experience working with diverse underserved communities, including individuals affected by spirituality, anxiety, depression, substance abuse, military, trauma, and other mental health issues as well as individuals who are a part of the LGBT community. Her work revolves around identifying and healing past trauma with the objective to redefine one’s perspective to the present moment. Her goal as a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider is to increase competence and confidence by utilizing evidence-based practices, while expanding her brand and knowledge of her wheelhouse.

Dr. Dustin Herbert Reed (he/him) – Metairie, Louisiana

Dr. Dustin Herbert Reed holds a PhD in counselor education and supervision (CACREP-accredited) from The University of Holy Cross, New Orleans’ Department of Counseling and Behavioral Sciences. As part of Dr. Reed’s multicultural curriculum, he has studied in Italy and in France. Dr. Reed holds a Master of Health Sciences concentrated in rehabilitation counseling from Louisiana State University’s Health Sciences Center’s Department of Rehabilitation and Counseling (CACREP and CORE accredited) in New Orleans and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Orleans, Louisiana.

Dr. Reed is a Licensed Independent Mental Health Practitioner (LIMHP) in Nebraska, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the state of Louisiana, a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). He is also a certified instructor of Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate (ALICE) active shooter preparedness training. He has experience in rehabilitation counseling, clinical mental health counseling, and school counseling. Dr. Reed has lived and taught in four different states, and he has taught students in the specialty areas of clinical mental health, school counseling, academic affairs, and marriage and family counseling.

He is the current Mid-Western representative for the American Rehabilitation Counseling Association, a past-associate editor for NBCC’s The Professional Counselor, and a past-president of the Louisiana Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling, a division of the Louisiana Counseling Association. He has presented on and taught about telemental health since 2017 at the state and national levels, as well as trained students in programs he taught in related to this area. Dr. Reed’s goals for becoming a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider are to continue to educate professionals in the field and students on the subject area and importance of telemental health, how it impacts the counseling relationship, and the possibilities for both clients and counselors. Dr. Reed plans to open a telehealth practice in the future.

Lilian Rodriguez-Brown (she/her) – Richmond, Virginia

Lilian Rodriguez-Brown is a behavioral health utilization manager and care coordinator for a managed care organization in Virginia, where she is a licensed professional counselor and has maintained her part-time private practice. Rodriguez-Brown received her Bachelor of Arts from City University of New York Queens College in Queens, New York, and her Master of Science in Education in clinical mental health counseling from St. John’s University in Queens, New York. Rodriguez-Brown is a National Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor, and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional with extensive experience working with individuals with various mental health disorders, including substance abuse and severely mentally ill populations in incarcerated settings, the community, as well as in inpatient settings. Her goal is to expand working with more individuals who need support as a result of different struggles/stressors to gain self-care habits and improve resilience.

Becky Romero (she/her) – Orlando, Florida

Becky Romero is a National Certified Counselor, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a Qualified Supervisor. She is currently pursuing her certification as an Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Certified Therapist through the EMDR International Association (EMDRIA) and will become certified by April 2023. She has 10 years of experience working in the mental health field and specializes in depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and other trauma- and stress-related issues. She earned her Master of Science in mental health counseling at Nova Southeastern University in 2013 and since then has provided services in both an inpatient and outpatient setting.

Romero works full-time as a behavioral health therapist with HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, where she collaborates with the emergency department, behavioral health unit, medical floor units, and psychiatrists to ensure an appropriate transition for behavioral health patients while also providing crisis intervention to patients who arrive to the intake department for stabilization and further mental health treatment. She previously worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), where she provided emotional support to families as well as provided them with resources needed to help cope with the transition of having an infant in the NICU. It was in this role that she gained hands-on experience with grief and loss, which further solidified her desire to work with individuals and help them process and work through their trauma. In June 2022, she began her private practice journey offering both telehealth and in-office services on a part-time basis. Her goal as a Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider is to share her knowledge with future Registered Mental Health Counselor Interns and transition to private practice on a full-time basis.

Jessicca Shumard – Jasper, Missouri

Cristyn Ruth Smith (she/her) – Colorado Springs, Colorado

Cristyn Smith is an individual counselor in private practice at Hope Tree Counseling in Colorado, where she is licensed as a professional counselor. She received her Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, and her Master of Arts in professional counseling from Amberton University in Garland, Texas. Currently, she is pursuing her certification as an Advanced Grief Counseling Specialist. She is a National Certified Counselor and has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, and adults, along with their families in group and individual settings. She has also served in the local community in an inpatient and outpatient setting to help those struggling with substance abuse. Her goal as a Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider is to continue advancing her work through telemental health services and be able to reach out to those who find it more comforting to talk with someone from the safety of their own environment and to better reach individuals in smaller towns who may not have as many resources for counseling services. Smith plans to work with individuals to help them address any barriers that may prevent them from living the abundant lives they desire and to find the hope that is rooted within them.

Emily Spencer (she/her) – Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Emily Spencer is a psychotherapist and counselor supervisor at the Postpartum Stress Center, where she exclusively provides virtual services to her clients and supervisees. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2010 and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling in 2013 from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania. She is currently licensed as a professional counselor in Pennsylvania (LPC) and Maryland (LCPC), is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and is certified in perinatal mental health (PMH-C). Additionally, she is trained in The Art of Holding Perinatal Women in Distress™ and EMDR. Spencer has over a decade of experience providing psychotherapy to a diverse range of clients in various clinical settings. Her clinical interests include perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, EMDR, telemental health, and the professional development and supervision of counselors.

Since 2020, Spencer has witnessed the positive impacts telemental health has had on her perinatal clients’ access to care. Virtual sessions have more easily allowed her clients to navigate the barriers of treatment, including time constraints, travel/commuting, and childcare. The telemental health training and the BC-TMH credential will demonstrate her commitment to providing high quality and ethical virtual services to her clients and supervisees. Spencer’s goals are to continue to provide high quality telemental health treatment to perinatal clients and clinical supervision virtually to supervisees. Because she has experienced the positive impact telemental health has had on her work with clients, she will continue to advocate for it to be available to all who prefer it. Additionally, she plans to share the knowledge gained from this training with colleagues and supervisees, to help guide their best practices in the use of teletherapy.

Shadoe A. Underwood (she/her) – Rocky Ford, Colorado

Shadoe Underwood received her Bachelor of Science in psychology at Colorado State University-Pueblo and her Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling at Capella University, graduating with honors in both programs. She is a National Certified Counselor and a Licensed Professional Counselor in the state of Colorado. Underwood grew up and is currently residing in a rural community located in the southeastern region of Colorado. By recognizing the great demand for services in this region, she set out to help serve this area and its people. She currently works at a community mental health clinic in La Junta, where she has experience working with children, families, and adults presenting with many mental health challenges, including, ADHD, behavioral issues, depression, anxiety, trauma, phase of life adjustments, and grief and loss.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Underwood first experienced what it was like to offer telemental health services and realized the wider network of individuals that she could connect with using this platform. Since then, she has transitioned to providing therapy services exclusively via telehealth and enjoys this very much. With the BC-TMH credential, she wishes to continue progressing her career by utilizing the training, knowledge, and credibility that the process of acquiring this credential can provide her. This training and knowledge will not only help her navigate this type of service delivery with the highest legal and ethical standards, but it will also help her continue to offer the safe, effective care that the individuals that she works with deserve.

Dr. Vanessa Villafane Gregory (she/her) – San Juan, Puerto Rico

A native of Puerto Rico, an Army brat, and a polyglot (Spanish, English, and French), Dr. Vanessa Villafane Gregory is a psychologist, mediator, and consultant. She received her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College, a Master of Arts from Teachers College, Columbia University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Fordham University, in New York City. In addition, Dr. Villafane received several post-doctoral degrees: counseling (MA); marriage and family therapy (MS); public health (MPH); and gerontology (Graduate Certificate). She received the last two from the University of Puerto Rico, Graduate School of Public Health, at the Medical Sciences Campus in Rio Piedras. She holds the following certifications: Human Services-Board Certified Practitioner (HS-BCP), Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE), and Master Addiction Counselor (MAC). In addition, she is a National Certified Counselor and Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) and is dual licensed in Puerto Rico and Florida (as an LMHC and LMFT).

For the past 17 years, she has worked as a Military and Family Life Counselor with Magellan Health providing counseling services to the military community. Dr. Villafane has volunteered with the American Red Cross, Service to the Armed Forces since 2012. A workshop presenter on Stress Management, Effective Communication, and Mind-Body Connection topics, she received this organization’s award as Facilitator of the Year in 2022. She has extensive experience in several disciplines, including academia (teaching at the University of Puerto Rico and Interamerican University), research, counseling, and mediation. She recently completed an innovative treatment modality, CBT and hypnosis for cancer pain, sponsored by the American Psychological Association and the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York. Her goal as a BC-TMH provider is to make her psychotherapeutic services more readily available to individuals, particularly women who have experienced trauma, are undergoing life span transitions, and are currently receiving treatment for cancer. To this end, she plans to collaborate with local agencies, including the American Cancer Society.

Lisa Wenninger (she/her) – Mill Valley, California

Lisa Wenninger is a clinical counselor in California providing social justice counseling via telehealth to individuals who are working toward freedom from suffering. She is a doctoral student and Social Justice Fellow at Antioch University with a focus on antiracism, decolonization, and liberation. Her clinical practice includes clients of all identities, especially BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and lower income and focuses on the intersectionalities of these lived experiences. Wenninger was trained in telehealth starting in early 2019 in her master’s in clinical mental health counseling program at Northwestern University and is pursuing her BC-TMH credential to further expand her telehealth training and knowledge base. She has an MBA from Columbia and extensive experience in technology from a 20-year career in software development before becoming a therapist. She is a National Certified Counselor, and her orientation is psychodynamic and attachment focused. Her clinical website is theworkiswithin.com.