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2024-2025 PAU University Catalog

Counseling Department Faculty

Susan Branco, PhD

Associate Professor

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

MA Ed in Rehabilitation Counseling, The George Washington University

BA in Human Services, The George Washington University

Area of Emphasis: Transracial adoption and foster care, family counseling, attachment based interventions, culturally responsive mental health practices

Szu-Yu (Darlene) Chen, PhD

Associate Professor

PhD in Counseling, University of North Texas

BMEd in Community Counseling, University of North Texas

BA in Early Childhood Education, Taipei Municipal University of Education

Areas of Emphasis: play therapy, cultural issues in counseling and clinical supervision, stress and trauma in immigrants

Kelly Coker, PhD

Professor

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

MA in Agency Counseling, Appalachian State University

BA in Psychology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro

Areas of Emphasis: research, assessment, accreditation, clinical practice and supervision

Alisha Guthery, PhD

Visiting Professor

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Antioch University

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Antioch University 

BA in Music Performance, University of Nevada

Areas of Emphasis: Somatic transformation, Polyvagal Theory, domestic violence, adolescent dating violence, domestic violence advocacy

Diana Herweck, PsyD

Director of Clinical Training, Counseling

Clinician Educator Assistant Professor

PsyD in Clinical Psychology, United States International University

MA in Clinical Psychology, MFCC emphasis, Pepperdine University

BA, in Psychology and Communication Disorders, University of Redlands

Areas of Emphasis: Grief and Loss, Child Protection, Deaf Studies

Tameeka Hunter, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Counselor Education, and Practice, Georgia State University

MS in Rehabilitation Counseling, Georgia State University

BA Business Administration, Georgia State University

Rachel Jacoby, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Counselor Education, University of Toledo

MA in Mental Health Counseling, Bowling Green State University

BS in Human Development and Family Studies, Bowling Green State University

Areas of Emphasis: Foster care and adoption; child development; motherhood; family studies

Margaret Lamar, PhD

Associate Professor

 PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley

MA in Counseling, University of North Texas

B.F.A. in Musical Theatre, University of North Texas

Areas of Emphasis: maternal mental health, research education, researcher development

Chi Li, PhD

Associate Professor

Ph.D. in Counseling, Old Dominion University

MC in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Arizona State University

MA in Educational Administration, The Ohio State University

BA in Organizational Leadership, Fort Hays State University

Areas of Emphasis: Counselor Education and Supervision, Measurement Development and Validation in Counseling and Supervision, Integrated Behavioral Healthcare

Jorge Rosales Lopez, PhD

Assistant Professor

Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling, Idaho State University

MS in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling, Georgia State University

BA in Psychology, University of California, Riverside

Areas of Emphasis: disability, multicultural sensitivity, rehabilitation counseling, social justice, relational cultural theory

Regina Moro, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Counseling, University of North Carolina at Charlotte 

MS in Community Counseling, Syracuse University

BA in Sociology, University at Albany, SUNY 

Area of Emphasis: Addictions Counseling, Multiculturalism in Counseling, Clinical Supervision

Karen Roller, PhD

Associate Professor

PhD in Clinical Psychology, Santa Barbara Graduate Institute

MA in Counseling Psychology, John F. Kennedy University

BA in Psychology and Spanish Literature, St. Mary’s College of California

Areas of Emphasis: attachment, somatic psychotherapy, trauma and crisis, migrant families, Spanish clinical pedagogy and supervision, Compassion Fatigue prevention

Donna Sheperis, PhD

Professor

PhD in Counselor Education, University of Mississippi

MEd in Community Counseling, Delta State University

BBA in Marketing, University of Mississippi

Areas of Emphasis: Areas of Emphasis: online therapy, online education, assessment, clinical supervision

LaToya Smith, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of North Texas

MEd in Community Counseling, University of North Texas

BA in Criminal Justice, Texas State University

Areas of Emphasis: culture, clinical supervision, crisis, trauma

Megan Speciale, PhD

Associate Professor

PhD in Counselor Education, University of New Mexico

MS in Counseling, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi

BS in Psychology, Texas State University

Areas of Emphasis: equity and social justice, LGBTQIA+ issues, the intersection of sexuality and mental health, and liberatory counselor education

Shreya Vaishnav, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Counseling and Educational Development, The University of North Carolina at Greensboro

MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Arizona State University

BA Psychology, Duquesne University

Areas of Emphasis: racial microaggressions, mentoring, multicultural competencies, and social justice advocacy

Wendy Wade, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Clinical Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute

MA in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, Santa Clara University

BA in Psychology, Stanford University

Areas of Emphasis: addiction and impact on families, CBT, counseling theory

Donya Wallace, PhD

Assistant Professor

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, University of South Carolina

MA in Counseling, Webster University

BS in Experimental Psychology, University of South Carolina

Areas of Emphasis: multicultural counseling, social justice pedagogy

Cristen Wathen, PhD

Associate Professor

PhD in Counselor Education and Counseling, Idaho State University

MS in Education, Community Counseling, Baylor University

BA from Ouachita Baptist University

Areas of Emphasis: counseling skills and supervisor techniques, group counseling, chronic illness