Meet the Team!
Marcella Rolle, M.Ed., LAPC, NCC
Counselor and Doctoral Student
Walden University, Ashburn, Georgia
Research/Clinical Focus: Trauma-informed care and communities in the rural Southern United States; Microaggressions among Women of Color in Online CES Programs; Trauma-focused counseling; Family Systems Counseling.
Fun Fact: “I played the clarinet from 6th through 12th grade and loved every minute!”
Ashlei Rabess, MA, APC, NCC
Associate Counselor and Doctoral Student
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Research/Clinical Focus: Multiculturalism and Social Justice in Counseling; Intergenerational Trauma in African American Women; Gender and Sexual Minorities; Couple and Family counseling; group work.
Fun Fact: “I jumped out of a plane at 15,000 feet in the air. (I’ve gone skydiving!)”
Keshia D. Ross-Williams, LPC, LSATP, CAADC, CCS
Sr. Therapist and Doctoral Student
Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Research/Clinical Focus: Clinical Supervision: Effective versus Ineffective Supervision; Trauma: “What characteristics or traits aids in someone’s ability to be resilient to trauma, specifically sexual trauma?”
Fun Fact: “I played the violin 6th through 10th grade and artistic abilities run in my family so I can draw a little bit.”
Leo Balseiro, MS, LMHC, NCC
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Doctoral Student
Barry University, Miami Shores, FL
Research/Clinical Focus: Depressive Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Trauma, Family Therapy, Resilience Theory, Leadership, Social Justice and Advocacy.
Fun Fact: “My favorite avenues for self-care involves strength training, playing the guitar, video games, and going for a run while playing Pokemon GO. I also achieved 1st place in a bowling tournament when I was 12 years old (in the 6th division).”
Tameeka Hunter, M.S., LPC, CRC, NCC
Licensed Professional Counselor and Doctoral Student
Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA
Research/Clinical Focus: Resiliency, Social Justice, Advocacy, and Multicultural Issues, with a focus on persons with disabilities, LGBTQI+ populations, people of color, and multiple marginalized populations.
Fun Fact: “I am an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority and a self-proclaimed foodie”
V. Paige Zeiger, M.S., NCC, LPC, BC-TMH, CCFP, CCTP
Licensed Professional Counselor and Doctoral Student
Walden University, Trussville, Alabama
Research/Clinical Focus: Compassion Fatigue, Trauma and Crisis, Trauma-Informed Care, Forward-Facing Therapy, Resiliency, Military Families and Culture, Online/Distance Counselor Education, Counselor Professional Development, Clinical Supervision, Authentic Leadership, Constructivism, and Existentialism.
Fun Fact: “I am a US Navy Veteran with a love for my boxer dog, Shayla (7-years-old), and my 5-year-old daughter named Lilly who is my love and my life and the reason that I push myself to overcome adversity and persevere. I enjoy traveling, going on cruises, playing games, and cooking with my daughter.”
Rebecca Mathews, M.A., LPC-Supervisor, LPA, CBGT
Clinical Therapist and Doctoral Student
Texas A&M University - Commerce, Dallas, Texas
Research/Clinical Focus: Helping counselors to resolve value-based conflicts, the therapeutic relationship, child & adolescent suicidality, strengthening family bonds for LGBTQ+ youth
Fun Fact: “I hope to graduate next year (YAY!) and once auditioned to be an entertainer on a Disney cruise ship. (SPOILER: I didn’t get it.) :)"
Research/Clinical Focus: Experiences of giftedness among Black girls and women; the social, emotional, and academic concerns of high-achieving Black girls and women; learning and achievement within a Ghanaian learning environment; the role of counselors and counselor educators in the Movement for Black Lives; and experiences of Black first-generation doctoral students. Clinically, I identify most as a group counselor and enjoy providing culturally-responsive group services to girls and women of Color.
Fun Fact: “In December 2017, I studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa, and I returned to collect data for my dissertation in Summer 2019!”
We welcome and encourage entries from Counselors, Counseling Students, Counselor Educators, and Supervisors! If you would like to feature your work on the SACES Blogs, please refer to the online form for submissions! All you need is:
● A catchy title!
● 500-800 word blog entry
● Minimum 3 references to support ideas
● Your Name, Credentials, and professional bio (150 words), and
● A professional photo
Here are our upcoming topics to help you get started!
August 2019 “A Day in the Life of…”
1. Counselor Educators
2. Counselors
3. Researchers
4. Supervisors
September 2019 Preparing for Conferences
1. Finding funding options for conferences
2. Crafting a catchy proposal
3. Poster Presentation Development
4. Experiential Ideas for Conferences
October 2019 Where to find licensure information by state
November 2019 Employment
December 2019 Resources for graduate students with the career search
January 2020 “Recently graduated... Now what?”
February 2020 Taking on the role of advocate as counseling student
March 2020 Networking Experiences and Strategies
April 2020 The ‘hidden curriculum’ for graduate students
May 2020 Mental Health Awareness/Suicide Prevention
June 2020 Turning passion into purpose (in research)
Please be sure to submit all blog ideas by the second week of the previous month. For instance, if you want to submit a blog entry for the month of August, you will need to submit proposed entry by the end of the second week of July. Once received, you will get an email from our team letting you know your entry has been received. If your post is accepted or declined, we will contact you within one week of the entry deadline.
Thank you for reading and contributing to our blog. The advancement of graduate students into the field of Counselor Education and Supervision is our utmost priority, and your contribution and time toward our blog is invaluable!
