NBCC MFP-MHC Advisory Council

Charmaine Conner, PhD, NCC, LPC

Chair

Dr. Charmaine Conner recently earned her PhD in counseling from the University of North Texas. Her dissertation focused on the experiences of Black transracially adoptive families. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology from Arkansas State University and a Master of Science degree in counseling with a concentration in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Memphis.

Dr. Conner is a Licensed Professional Counselor and National Certified Counselor, with experience providing mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults in a variety of settings, including residential, private practice, and non-profit agencies. She specializes in play therapy, servicing children who are transracially adopted, children who have experienced trauma, and children who have demonstrated academic and behavioral concerns. Her clinical experiences have afforded her with the knowledge and skills to provide diverse examples when teaching and supervising students. Dr. Conner was selected as a 2018–2019 Doctoral Fellow with the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Program. Her commitment to serving minority populations and infusing social justice practices into the counseling profession has continued through her scholarly publications, presentations at professional conferences, and mentorship with former students and supervisees.

Clark D. Ausloos, PhD, NCC, LPC, LPSC

Vice Chair

Dr. Clark D. Ausloos currently works at a private practice in Perrysburg, Ohio, treating youth, adolescents, and young adults, many of whom identify as LGBTGEQIAP+. In the past year, Dr. Ausloos has received The University of Toledo’s Counselor Education Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, the Chi Sigma Iota Outstanding Practitioner Award, and the OACES Professional Integrity and Leadership Award. Additionally, he is the recipient of the National Board for Certified Counselors Minority Fellowship Award and was selected to serve as an item writer and content expert for the National Counselor Examination.

Dr. Ausloos is currently receiving training to be certified under the World Professional Association for Transgender Health’s Global Education Initiative. He has seven publications published/in press in peer-reviewed journals, two manuscripts under review, and nine current research projects, including a book chapter. Dr. Ausloos is also a contributor to the SAGE Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice, and Advocacy, to be released in 2021. He hopes to continue to work in a congruent way, through education, scholarship, and service, focusing on social justice and advocacy for underserved, marginalized populations.

Jahaan Abdullah, EdD, NCC, LPC

Dr. Jahaan Abdullah is a professor of counselor education and supervision at Chicago State University. She is an award-winning social and restorative justice advocate, a morally and ethically engaged researcher and leader, and both a National Certified Counselor and Licensed Professional Counselor. Her scholarship focuses on social justice; restorative justice; multicultural counseling; women’s issues; advocacy; and issues impacting race, ethnic equality, gender equality, and vulnerable groups. Dr. Abdullah has significant direct mental health experience and in addition to being in the professoriate, she remains in direct practice working largely with marginalized groups in various community settings. Dr. Abdullah has published and presented nationally and internationally on social justice issues, issues impacting women, marginalized groups, counseling marginalized populations, disparities in mental health diagnosis and treatment of people of color, and other topics relating to and impacting mental health.

Latasha Y. Hicks Becton, PhD, NCC, LCMHC, LCAS, CCS

Dr. Latasha Y. Hicks Becton is an assistant professor of counselor education at North Carolina Central University. She earned a Master of Arts degree in counseling from Wake Forest University, a certificate in substance abuse counseling from East Carolina University, and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in counseling and counselor education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Dr. Becton has over a decade of direct clinical practice experience and specializes in the treatment of substance use disorders from initial experiences with abstinence to long-term recovery management. She is dually licensed as a mental health counselor and addictions specialist and has worked with mandated/criminal justice populations in an abstinence-based program and in an opioid maintenance treatment program, and she has provided counseling for university students. While her primary role is counselor educator, Dr. Becton continues to engage in direct practice in multiple community treatment settings. She currently serves as a professional member of the American Counseling Association Professional Standards Committee and is an active member of the International Association for Addictions and Offender Counselors and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.

Asha Dickerson, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC, CPCS

Dr. Asha Dickerson is a National Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor, and Certified Professional Counselor Supervisor in Georgia. She is the owner and operator of AD Advantage Counseling & Education Services, LLC and a faculty member at Adler Graduate School. Although she’s made her home in Georgia, Dr. Dickerson provides workshops, training, and other services throughout the U.S. and in other countries. She is very active in several community, state, and national organizations, recently finishing her term as the Southern Region Representative of the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development (AMCD) and currently serving as the Council Chair for the American Counseling Association of Georgia.

Dr. Dickerson has received numerous awards, including the 2019 NBCC Trailblazer for Counselor Workforce Development Award and 2018 University of Alabama-Birmingham Rising Star Award. She has also served as a speaker for multiple national media outlets and large corporations. Dr. Dickerson’s clinical and academic specialties include social and cultural diversity, addictions, and blended family issues. Her goal is to educate, encourage, and enrich the lives of her clients, students, and the community through her commitment to advocacy, mental health, family wellness, and leadership.

Shana D. Lewis, PhD, NCC, LPC

Dr. Shana D. Lewis is a Licensed Professional Counselor and a National Certified Counselor. She has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, a master’s degree in counseling psychology, and a PhD in counselor education. She is the owner and clinical director of Living Well Professional Counseling Services, PLLC, a private practice counseling agency in Bellaire, Texas, where she specializes in treating women and adolescent girls. Additionally, she is an adjunct faculty member at Sam Houston State University, Lamar University, and The University of St. Thomas. Because of her passion for helping women, Dr. Lewis founded Her VOICE, a 501c3 organization dedicated to empowering survivors of domestic violence to live healthy lives through mentorship and education. Collectively, Dr. Lewis has over 21 years of experience working in the mental health field.

Dr. Lewis is a sought-after keynote and motivational speaker, author, trainer, and leader in the quest against intimate partner violence and other women’s issues. She delivers powerful, high-energy keynotes to audiences across the country about a variety of issues, including domestic violence, women’s issues, spiritual issues, mental health issues, and transformation. As a result of her expertise in these areas, Dr. Lewis has been featured on several local media outlets, including Great Day Houston and Houston Life.

Christine M. Park, PhD, NCC, LMHC

Dr. Christine Park is a National Certified Counselor, a volunteer mentor for the NBCC Foundation, and a 2017 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program Doctoral Fellow. She is a former Emerging Leader for the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES), editorial fellow for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and ACES Emerging Leader. She is a licensed mental health counselor and has been an educator for 14 years. Dr. Park received a bachelor’s in special education from Gonzaga University, a master's of counseling psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi, and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Walden University.

Additionally, she is currently working toward a certificate in Native and Indigenous Health and Healing. Her counseling experience has primarily focused on working with at-risk, disadvantaged, diversely abled, and marginalized children, adolescents, and adults in school and community settings. Her other professional experience includes teaching in an alternative learning setting for disadvantaged and at-risk adolescents and counseling children and adolescents who received special education services. Dr. Park is a graduate-level professor in counselor education and works in her community to assist dislocated and disadvantaged adults with a transition to college or employment. She also serves on a state regional board on mental health, substance use, and addictions to help inform local policies, programs, and practices. Overall, her passion lies in supporting and advocating for others, particularly underserved, disadvantaged, and marginalized populations.