A Comprehensive Guide for Counselor Education

This book prepares doctoral learners and new counselor educators to enter into the profession of counselor education and supervision. The work outlines the total experience of teaching in counselor education by providing a practical guide for navigating higher education using best practices grounded in research and based on the lived experiences of seasoned counselor educator contributors. Using case scenarios, points of reflection, as well as the professional and personal accounts of current educators, this book serves as a soup-to-nuts guide outlining current best practices in counselor education. Written from a social justice perspective with efforts to emphasize diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and belonging, more than 70% of the textbook contributors identify as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC). Additionally, all contributors identify as female with varying sexual identities, physical body sizes, and abilities, thus disrupting the dominant narrative. 

The chapters range in scope and cover topics such as best practices and strategies for teaching praxis, curriculum development, and strategies to develop CACREP specialization programs based on the 2024 CACREP standards and extant research. The book also provides chapters addressing recommendations for navigating higher education such as finding and landing the job, the first year as a counselor educator, the promotion and tenure process, and concludes with a section on personal and professional development for new and experienced counselor educators. A bonus feature of this book is the inclusion of a technological component offering a companion website with a repository of activities, exercises, and resources.

Dr. Devona M. Stalnaker-Shofner, LPC, NCC, MHP, SAP (she/her/hers) is an Associate Professor at Antioch University, School of Counseling, Psychology, and Therapy. She has been a counselor educator for more than 10 years, and in professional practice as a licensed counselor for more than 20 years. Her clinical experience includes providing individual, group, and couples and family counseling to clients presenting with treatment concerns such as depression, anxiety, trauma, as well as substance use, addiction, and recovery. She also provides clinical supervision to counselors-in-training and new counseling professionals. Dr. Stalnaker-Shofner has served in various leadership roles within the counseling and counselor education professions. Her research and scholarship includes numerous presentations at state, regional, national, and international conferences, as well as related publications. As a trainer, she has provided workshops on racial trauma and BIPOC mental health and wellness, and the decolonization of curriculum, teaching praxis, and educational policies to disrupt oppression and promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and access. Additionally, she serves as an educational and organizational consultant advising on implementing antiracist and social justice practices for leaders and organizational policies and culture.

Dr. Tanisha N. Sapp, LPC, CST, NCC, ACS, CPCS (she/her/Dr.) is an Assistant Professor of Counseling at Liberty University in the Department of Counseling and Family Studies. Dr. Sapp is a counselor educator, professional counselor, trainer, and clinical supervisor focused on training the next generation of helping professionals. She is the owner of Tanisha Sapp, LLC where she provides professional development training, clinical supervision services, and individual and couples sex therapy. With over 20 years of experience in the helping profession, Dr. Sapp brings a wealth of experience, insight, and a unique perspective into counselor education.
Dr. Sapp is currently a member of the ACA ethics committee and serves on review panels for CACREP and NBCC where she offers her expertise to the profession in an effort to be the change she desires to see. Dr. Sapp has also served on a number of professional committees and provided leadership service to the profession and her community. Her areas of research, professional identity, and interests include professional counselor identity, Anti-Racism in counseling and counselor education, DEISJBA in counseling and counselor education, BIPOC sexual health and wellness, and professional advocacy in leadership.