Online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Katey Baruth, PhD LP (CT), LPHSP (IN), LAC (IN), LMHC (IN)

PhD in Counseling Psychology, New Mexico State University MA in Counseling, University of North Carolina at Charlotte BA in Psychology, Queens University Katey Baruth serves as a core faculty lecturer for the CMHC program. She held a full-time faculty position as a director of a counseling program, where she also served as a core faculty member, for over 13 years before joining OU. She has also worked as a program manager in a rural community mental health clinic, as well as a variety of different treatment settings, including inpatient hospitals and outpatient clinics over the past 20 years. She is a licensed psychologist, licensed professional counselor (LPC), licensed mental health counselor (LMHC), licensed clinical addictions counselor (LCAC), health service provider in psychology (HSPP), and national certified counselor (NCC). Her professional and research interests include social media, resilience, and addictions. She received her Ph.D. in counseling psychology from New Mexico State University, M.A. in counseling with a specialization in addictions from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and B.A. in psychology from Queens University.

READ BIO

Shannon Bert, PhD

Post Doctoral Fellowship – Assistant Research Professorship, Georgetown University, Center on Health and Education, 2005-2007 PhD in Developmental Psychology & Minor in Quantitative Statistics, University of Notre Dame, 2006 MA in Developmental Psychology, University of Notre Dame, 2004 BA in Psychology & Minor in Communication, University of Oklahoma, 2001 Shannon Bert, PhD, is a distinguished leader in developmental science and program administration, serving as the program director for the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program. With expertise in designing and evaluating strategies that foster positive development, she has made substantial contributions to social behavior, family systems, developmental psychology, and abuse prevention and intervention. Dr. Bert’s leadership extends beyond academia through her stewardship of major federally funded research grants at Georgetown University and her sustained success securing NIH and Promoting Healthy Families grants at the University of Notre Dame. She has shaped scholarly discourse as co-editor and contributor to influential books and over 30 journal publications. Her commitment to leadership is evident in her administrative roles at the University of Oklahoma, where she has chaired key committees, including the Executive Committee for Advanced Programs and the Dean’s Advisory Committee on Women’s Issues. She continues to guide academic scholarship through her service on editorial boards for leading journals in youth development and family studies.

READ BIO

Katie Braeuer, PhD, LPC-S, LCDC, NCC

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Texas Tech University MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of North Texas BA in Criminal Justice and Psychology, Friends University, 1998 Katie Braeuer, PhD, is a core faculty lecturer for OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program. She is a nationally certified counselor (NCC), licensed professional counselor-supervisor (LPC-S), and licensed chemical dependency counselor (LCDC) in the state of Texas. She has extensive field experience as a counselor in settings including community mental health clinics, a university counseling center, juvenile probation and detention, and private practice. Most recently, she worked as the behavioral health coordinator for county juvenile corrections and developed numerous programs to serve youth engaged at varying levels of the justice system. She has taught undergraduate and graduate classes part-time before joining the faculty at OU and is passionate about quality counselor education. Her clinical and research interests include adolescent counseling, juvenile justice, telehealth, and addictions. She received her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and psychology from Friends University, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of North Texas, and a doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision from Texas Tech University.

READ BIO

David J. Bright, PhD, LMHC, NCC

PhD in Counselor Education, Pennsylvania State University, 2020 MS in School Counseling, University of Scranton, 2015 BA in History and Philosophy, University of Scranton, 2012 David J. Bright is a core faculty lecturer for OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program. He earned his Master’s in School Counseling from the University of Scranton and his PhD in Counselor Education from the Pennsylvania State University. He has professional experience as a school counselor, career counselor, mental health therapist, and executive functioning coach across the states of New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and Vermont and currently works as a psychotherapist out of New York City. Prior to joining the program, he was an assistant professor of counselor education at SUNY New Paltz. His clinical and research interests include the needs of rural low-income populations, career development, and anxiety management. His latest book, “The Tao of Anxiety,” explores the intersection of eastern and western philosophies and their relevance to anxiety reduction.

READ BIO

Jennifer Dohlman, EdD, LPC(S), NCC, ACS, CCAT

EdD in Counselor Education and Supervision, National Louis University, 2024 MS in Community Counseling, 2003 BA in Psychology and English, 2001 Jen Dohlman, EdD, is core faculty within the online clinical mental health counseling program at the University of Oklahoma. She has over 20 years of counseling experience in various settings, including traditional and nature-based outpatient therapy, urban underserved hospital-based crisis intervention, crisis response in rural Appalachia, substance abuse treatment programs, and a geriatric intensive outpatient program. She grew up near Washington, D.C., and later moved to western Maryland, attending high school a mile off the Appalachian Trail. These experiences led to her doctoral research on the challenges of providing ecotherapy in urban areas including environmental justice concerns. Recognizing the unique value that each student possesses, she brings her passion for helping others into the classroom and is committed to fostering academic success and encouraging students to use our unique qualities to connect with clients in meaningful ways. In addition to working with clients and with students, she is involved as a leader within the Oklahoma Counseling Association and the ACES Climate Justice in Counseling Interest Network.

READ BIO

Matthew A. Gonzales, PhD, LAC, NCC

PhD in Counselor Education, Auburn University, 2024 MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Auburn University, 2020 BA in Psychology, Southwestern University, 2018 Matthew A. Gonzales, PhD, is a core faculty lecturer and serves as the clinical coordinator for OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program. As a counselor educator, he values the relationships he creates with his students and strives to create an educational environment in which all students feel safe and empowered in their learning. He has experience practicing in inpatient psychiatric and private practice settings where he works from an existential perspective. His current scholarship focuses on liberation and existentialism in higher education, clinical supervision, and counseling. He currently serves as the Association for Humanistic Counseling (AHC) Executive Board Secretary and provides mentorship through the AHC Emerging Leaders program. In his free time, he loves to play flamenco guitar and spend time with his wife and their cat. He received his bachelor’s degree in psychology from Southwestern University, a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling, and a doctoral degree in counselor education from Auburn University.

READ BIO

Elizabeth A. Hennington, EdD, LPC-S (TX), LPC (OK), CSC, BC-TMH

EdD in Special Education, Texas Tech University 2010 MA in Counseling, Wayland Baptist University 2016 MEd in Special Education, Texas Tech University 2003 BS in Elementary Education, University of Central Arkansas 1994 Beth Hennington, EdD, is a core faculty lecturer in OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program and has been a counselor educator since 2012. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S) in Texas, a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Oklahoma, a Certified School Counselor (CSC), a Board Certified Telemental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and an Educational Diagnostician. She has developed and taught online master’s level coursework in the areas of counseling, special education, human services, and psychology for the past 15 years. Her clinical experience includes counseling at-risk children and adolescents in schools, women’s protective services, the local community counseling center, and outpatient with individuals and groups through her private practice. Her research interests include gatekeeping in counselor education, distance education, counselor self-care, assessment, and expressive arts in the counseling setting.

READ BIO

Chris Hennington, PhD, LPC-S, CSC, NCC

PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, Texas Tech University, 2011 MEd in School and Community Counseling, Texas Tech University, 2005 MEd in Educational Psychology, Texas Tech University, 2003 BA in Psychology, Lubbock Christian University, 2000 Chris Hennington, PhD, is a core faculty lecturer, the program coordinator, and liaison for the online clinical mental health counseling program. Before moving to the online program, Dr. Hennington was a clinical advisor for on-campus graduate students at OU. He teaches counseling courses in the clinical mental health counseling program. His specialization is child and adolescent counseling, assessment, and research. He is a licensed professional counselor–supervisor (LPC-S) in Texas, a nationally certified counselor (NCC), and a certified school counselor (CSS). Prior to coming to OU, he was an associate professor at Lubbock Christian University for 12 years and worked in private practice for 14 years. Before his career in higher education, he was a special education teacher and school counselor.

READ BIO

Kirsten Kram, PhD, LPC, RPT, CCPT-S, CPRT-S

PhD in Counseling, University of North Texas, 2019 MS in Counseling and Development, Texas Woman’s University, 2015 BA in Psychology, University of North Texas, 2012 Kirsten Kram, PhD, core faculty lecturer for OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program, is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), registered play therapist (RPT), and supervisor for the Child Centered Play Therapy and Child Parent Relationship Therapy certifications (CCPT-S, CPRT-S). Her specializations are play therapy, working with clients across the lifespan who have experienced complex trauma, and supervision. She also has experience as a clinical director at a domestic violence and sexual assault nonprofit.

READ BIO

Carrie Mitran, PhD, LCMHC (NC) LPCC-S (CA), NCC

PhD in Counselor Education, Education Leadership, and Human Development, North Carolina State University, 2021 MEd in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, North Carolina State University, 2019 BA in Human Resource Management and Business, William Peace University, 2008 Carrie Mitran, Ph.D., is a core faculty lecturer for OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program, bringing clinical and academic experience to her role. She received her PhD in counseling education, educational leadership, and human development from North Carolina State University, MEd in clinical mental health counseling from North Carolina State University, and BA in human resource management from William Peace University. Her counseling experience spans community college wellness centers, community mental health clinics, career counseling, inpatient settings, and private practice. She currently maintains a private practice in downtown San Francisco, specializing in serving neurodivergent individuals and couples. Her academic career has included lecture appointments at Saint Mary’s College of California, San Francisco State University, Oregon State University, and California Institute of Integral Studies before joining OU’s online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She holds licenses as a Clinical Mental Health Counselor and Supervisor in California (LPCC-S), Licensed Clinical Mental Health Counselor in North Carolina (LCMHC), and is a National Certified Counselor (NCC). She is passionate about developing universal design principles for classroom settings with a focus on critical thinking and inquiry-based learning and has authored and co-authored multiple journal publications. Additionally, she has international experience working in International Baccalaureate (IB) schools, further enriching her global perspective on education and mental health.

READ BIO

Jane E. Rheineck, PhD, LPC, NCC

PhD in Counselor Education, University of Arkansas MS in Counseling, University of Arkansas BSE in Communication Disorders, University of Arkansas Jane Rheineck, PhD, is a core faculty lecturer in OU’s online clinical mental health counseling program. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in Wisconsin. She has been a counselor educator since 2005 and has taught both master’s and doctoral-level courses that focus on a broad range of topics. She is the author or co-author of several articles and numerous book chapters. She has been a CACREP liaison, has served on university committees, and has served the American Counseling Association, SAIGE, and AADA. Her experience includes inpatient residential treatment, outpatient counseling, and counseling as a school-based mental health counselor, with experience in higher education/student affairs with an emphasis on student development and counseling. She received her bachelor’s degree in communication disorders, a master’s degree in counseling, and a doctoral degree in counselor education from the University of Arkansas.

READ BIO

Jordan Rogers, PhD, LPC-S (TX), LPC (CO)

PhD in Counseling, University of North Texas, 2020 MS in Counseling and Development, Texas Woman’s University, 2015 BA in Psychology, University of North Texas, 2012 Jordan Rogers, PhD, is a Core Faculty Lecturer in the online Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at the University of Oklahoma. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor (LPC-S) in Texas and a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Colorado. She has worked with individuals and groups across the lifespan in a variety of mental health settings. She approaches counseling and counselor education from an existential humanistic perspective, integrating reflective and experiential methods to enrich the learning process. Her professional interests include clinical supervision, career development, group counseling, professional identity formation, child-centered play therapy, child-parent relationship training (CPRT), and the integration of expressive arts in counseling and supervision.

READ BIO