Counseling and Professional Identity: Sexuality Counseling (ePub)

Dr. Murray’s primary research interest relates to the bridging the gap between research and practice in the area of domestic violence. In addition, she has published in the areas of sexuality counseling, counselor education, premarital counseling and the role of resources in couple relationships. Dr. Murray has authored over 45 published or “in press” articles in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. Dr. Murray is the lead author of Responding to Family Violence, a book on conducting psychotherapy with clients impacted by various forms of family violence, which was released in September 2012 by Routledge Mental Health. In addition, Dr. Murray wrote a popular press book, Just engaged: Prepare for your marriage before you say “I do,” which was based on her dissertation research and was published by Adams Media in 2008. She is also the co-founder of the See the Triumph campaign (www.seethetriumph.org), which aims to end the stigma surrounding intimate partner violence.

Amber L. Pope is an Associate Professor and the Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Hodges University in Fort Myers, Florida. Dr. Pope received Ph.D. in Counselor Education and her M.S. in Community Counseling (now Clinical Mental Health Counseling) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. She received her undergraduate degree at UNC Chapel Hill in Psychology. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in North Carolina (currently pursuing licensure as a LMHC in Florida), and a National Certified Counselor (NCC). Dr. Pope stays involved in professional development and leadership as an active member of the ACA, ALGBTIC, ACES, and other professional organizations at the state, regional, and national level. Dr. Pope currently serves as an editorial board member of the Journal of LGBT Issues in Counseling.

Dr. Pope specializes in the areas of couples counseling, sexuality concerns, gender and sexuality development, and LGBTQ-related counseling. She has experience working with transgender persons to support them through the transitioning process and conducting cross-sex hormone and gender-reassignment surgery assessments. She has worked in various clinical mental health settings including private practice, college campus counseling centers, outpatient mental health at community agencies, and hospitals treating a variety of presenting issues. She is trained in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and Dialectical Behavior Therapy, and also utilizes solution-focused, mindfulness training, and interpersonal process techniques in therapy.

Ben T. Willis is an Assistant Professor and co-Program Director of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at the University of Scranton in Pennsylvania.  He regularly teaches and supervises master’s in counseling students in research methods, assessment and diagnosis, group process and practice, professional issues, practicum, and internship.  Dr. Willis received his M.S. with a specialization in Couples and Family Counseling and his Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.  He received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the UNC Chapel Hill.  He is a Licensed Professional Counselor Associate in North Carolina as well as a National Certified Counselor and Approved Clinical Supervisor.  He has experience counseling in community agency, private practice, and college university settings working with a variety of presenting concerns including mood, anxiety, identity, relationship, development and adjustment, sexuality, substance issues, child abuse/neglect, and health concerns.  He has completed an externship in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy and utilizes a developmental and wellness approach in working with clients and students.  His research is focused around how people develop and change their self-conceptualization of specific identities as well as their general sense of self.