Upcoming Webinars
Moving Beyond the Fifth Force of Counseling: Decolonization, Equity, Healing, and Wellness
As a part of its Innovations in Counseling series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025, from 1–2 pm EST. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
The counseling profession largely mirrors U.S. society in relation to systemic inequities. Despite clear standards regarding the imperative for counselors to engage in culturally responsive practices, social justice actions, and advocacy, inequities persist. In this webinar, we will introduce the Decolonization in Action Model, a comprehensive framework designed to empower counselors and counseling professionals to actively engage in decolonization, equity, healing, and wellness across different levels of the profession. This model provides actionable insights into how practitioners, educators, researchers, and advocates can collectively disrupt systemic inequities and promote a more just and inclusive counseling landscape.
Central to this discussion is the importance of moving beyond the fifth force of counseling—social justice counseling—toward a deeper commitment to decolonization as a guiding principle for the field. Though the fifth force has laid a foundation for addressing inequities, this webinar challenges participants to adopt a more transformative, action-oriented approach to dismantling oppressive systems and promoting equity at systemic and institutional levels. Participants will examine how systemic inequities within the counseling profession mirror those in broader society and consider their impact on client care and professional practice.
After this presentation, participants will be able to:
- define decolonization and its relevance to the counseling profession.
- describe the connection between decolonization, equity, and wellness.
- introduce and apply the Decolonization Framework.
Presenters
Ebony E. White, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC
Dr. Ebony White is a counselor, advocate, activist, speaker, trainer, researcher, and mental health expert. She is an Associate Clinical Professor in the Counseling Education Department at Saint Bonaventure University. She has devoted her career to supporting under-resourced, under-served, culturally rich, and resilient individuals, families, and communities. Growing up in the city of Trenton, New Jersey, and being raised by a village directly influenced her sense of community, pride, and purpose. Her varied personal experiences, extensive education, and expertise in research and practice have uniquely positioned her to counsel, teach, and train in ways that lead to transformation. Using anti-racist pedagogy, current events, humor, and application-based activities, Dr. Ebony’s presentations and trainings are always engaging, energizing, and life-changing. Dr. Ebony’s impact reaches across the globe. As an expert in her field, she has been quoted in numerous news outlets, including Newsweek, Medium, The Philadelphia Inquirer, PopSugar, and The New York Times. She has been a guest expert on CBS News and Fox 29 News in Philadelphia and was featured on TVC News Nigeria. Furthermore, she has done trauma work in Croix des Bouquets, Haiti; provided training to leaders in the health care system in Gombe State, Nigeria; and created a mental health course for students in Tarkwa, Ghana. She was recently selected for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Reciprocal Exchange program by the U.S. Department of State and International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX) to provide mental health training to nurses, doctors, and pharmacists in Nigeria.
She has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and appears in the advocacy focused video from Alexander Street Press titled Helping Counselors and Psychologists as Advocates and Activists: Strength, Solidarity, Strategy and Sustainability. Dr. Ebony also gave a TEDx talk, titled “You Don’t Get to Name Me.” Additionally, she is the host of the EbtheCeleb podcast and has appeared on other podcasts addressing anti-racism in mental health, including The Thoughtful Counselor Podcast, The Voice of Counseling, and Sazon y Corazon Podcast. Dr. Ebony has presented her research at various conferences nationally and internationally, including the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington, D.C. In 2007, Dr. Ebony received the Woman of the Year award from the Mercer County Commission on Women. She also received the Community Service Award from the NJ State Federation of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Carver Youth and Family Center in 2018. In 2021 she was awarded the Dr. Judy Lewis Counselor for Social Justice award from the American Counseling Association. She received the award for Outstanding Service and Advocacy to the Profession of Counseling from the North Atlantic Region of the American Counseling Association. In 2024, Dr. Ebony received the Graduate College Recognition Award from Drexel University for her leadership of the Diversity Advisory Council and her dedication to diversity, equity, and belonging among the graduate community. Currently, Dr. Ebony is a Past-President of Counselors for Social Justice, a national organization, and was appointed to the ACA Anti-Racism Commission. She is community focused and values relationships above all else. More important than her educational achievements and awards are her identities as a daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, godmother, and niece. She lives by Ubuntu, “I am because we are, and because we are, I am.”
Alfonso L. Ferguson, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC, LMHC
Dr. Alfonso Ferguson is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (NY; FL), Licensed Professional Counselor (NJ), Approved Clinical Supervisor, and National Certified Counselor. Dr. Ferguson prides himself on providing counseling services to underserved communities. Dr. Ferguson intentionally teaches all courses through a social justice lens. He earned his Master of Arts in Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling from the University of South Florida and a Doctorate of Philosophy in Counseling from Montclair State University. Dr. Ferguson is a core faculty member at Saybrook University. As a counselor educator, Dr. Ferguson aspires to contribute to the diversity readiness of the counseling field by preparing counselors-in-training to be culturally responsive in their work with intersectionally underserved communities. He believes that if we effectively prepare counselors of tomorrow, we are all more likely to have a better future. Dr. Ferguson has gained a variety of experiences in individual and family counseling services to those who are experiencing psychosocial stressors, family issues, and mood disorders. He has a strong interest to work with LGBTQ+ Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) struggling with mood disorders and psychosocial stressors. His clinical experiences include case management, inpatient therapy, outpatient therapy, private practice owner, supervision, and consultation. Dr. Ferguson owns and operates his own psychotherapy private practice providing culturally responsive care to individuals in Florida, New York, and New Jersey.
Sailume Walo-Roberts, PhD, LPC
Dr. Sailume Walo-Roberts is a is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in the State of New Jersey, and owner and therapist in private practice at Sankofa Counseling Services LLC. She is an Instructor at New York University and has taught at Montclair State University, Drexel University, and Fairleigh Dickinson University. Her research interests and areas of expertise are violence against women, gender equity, trauma, refugees and the impact of acculturation, multicultural counseling, and the experiences of people of color in higher education. Before earning her PhD in Counselor Education at Montclair State University, Dr. Walo-Roberts served as the director of a countywide rape crisis center for 10 years where she provided counseling, advocacy, and other support services to survivors of sexual violence. She also worked with community partners to create trainings and other strategies to prevent sexual violence. She is proud to have been a member of the New Jersey Attorney General’s Committee, which created the Standards for how sexual assault survivors are treated in the state.
Navigating Ethics and Crisis Management in Telemental Health
As a part of its Building Professional Excellence series, the NBCC Foundation invites you to a free webinar on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025, from 1–2 pm EST. Live webinars are available at no cost, and documentation of 1 clock hour of continuing education is available for registrants who attend the full webinar.
Telemental health has transformed the counseling profession, offering new opportunities and unique challenges. This webinar, presented by Dr. Michael Jones, will explore the critical intersections of professional ethics and crisis management in telemental health, highlighting their relevance to the Board Certified-Telemental Health (BC-TMH) certification.
Participants will gain insights into ethical decision-making frameworks tailored for telemental health settings, with an emphasis on upholding professional standards while navigating issues such as informed consent, confidentiality, and dual relationships. Dr. Jones will also provide strategies for effectively managing crises in virtual environments, including assessing risk, establishing safety protocols, and leveraging community resources to support clients in distress.
Drawing on his expertise as an NBCC Minority Fellowship Program Fellow and seasoned telemental health practitioner, Dr. Jones will illustrate how these principles can be applied to foster equity, accessibility, and ethical excellence in telemental health care. This webinar is ideal for mental health professionals looking to expand their telemental health expertise while meeting continuing education requirements.
- analyze the ethical challenges unique to telemental health, including issues related to confidentiality.
- apply best practices for managing client crises in a virtual setting, including identifying risk factors, implementing safety protocols, and engaging emergency resources.
- evaluate how the BC-TMH certification prepares counselors to address ethical and crisis-related challenges in telemental health practice.
Presenters
Michael Jones, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, LPC-S
Dr. Michael Jones is a prominent counselor educator, clinician, and leader in the mental health counseling profession. With over a decade of higher education experience, he is a Professor of Counseling and Director of Continued Education at the University of the Cumberlands, where he teaches graduate-level courses, mentors future counselors, and leads programs aligned with CACREP standards.
Dr. Jones earned his PhD in counselor education and supervision from Regent University, with a dissertation titled Cultural Homelessness: Analyzing Self-Esteem Between Biracial and Monoracial Adults. He also holds an EdS in professional counseling from Harding University, an MA in clinical pastoral counseling from Ashland Theological Seminary, and a BS in child development and family studies from Freed-Hardeman University.
An expert in telemental health, Dr. Jones provides the nationally recognized Board Certified-Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH) training, which has equipped more than 8,000 clinicians to integrate technology into mental health practice. His research interests include African American mental health, ethical practice in counseling, telemental health, and artificial intelligence applications in clinical settings.
Dr. Jones is a prolific author, contributing to peer-reviewed articles, book chapters, and newsletters on topics such as cultural dynamics in supervision, ethical considerations in private practice, and digital storytelling in counselor education. His upcoming co-edited book, Mental Health and the Black Man: A Mixtape Experience of Hardship and Harmony (summer 2025), examines the intersection of culture and mental health. A leader in the profession, Dr. Jones is the immediate past President of the Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES) and a member of the NBCC Foundation Minority Fellowship Advisory Council. His work has earned numerous accolades, including the ArCA Blair Olson Distinguished Professional Service Award and the ArACES Rosenthal Award for Counselor Educator of the Year. Dr. Jones is a sought-after speaker, presenting nationally and internationally on topics such as telemental health, cultural inclusivity, and innovative uses of AI in education. His dedication to mentorship, advocacy, and advancing the counseling field underscores his lasting impact on the profession.
NBCC Foundation has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 805. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. NBCC Foundation is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs.
Each state sets its own requirements for licensure, including continuing education requirements to maintain licensure. Questions about CE requirements for state licensure should be directed to your state board. You can find their contact information on our state board directory.
