International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling

A Division of the American Counseling Association
 
 

Dr. Levers is Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education and Human Development at Duquesne University in Pennsylvania.  She was the Rev. Francis Philben, C. S. Sp. Endowed Chair in African Studies (2012-2017) and a Fulbright Scholar (University of Botswana, 2003-2004). She has 47 years of counseling treatment experience and 32 years as a Counselor Educator.  She is editor of Trauma Counseling: Theories and Interventions, and has just completed its second edition.  She has been involved in urban and rural outreach in Spain, Australia, Russia, and a number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa.  Dr. Levers emphasizes trauma recovery, the effect of violence on child development, psychiatric rehabilitation, and substance abuse.  She has developed numerous programs and systems-of-care for adults with severe psychiatric disabilities and for children with severe emotional disorders. She has chaired 48 dissertations, and has served as committee member on another 30 dissertations. She has 17 refereed articles, 8 books, and 48 book chapters, 50 national presentations, 81 international presentations.

Dr. Meagan Jones has worked in a teaching capacity for over 6 years, and has taught in both online and in person formats.  She is currently a full time core professor at the Walden University in the online Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program.  She has been practicing for over 14 years, and has worked in a variety of settings from correctional counseling to intensive in-home and community mental health settings to private practice.  She currently practices in a private practice setting offering both in person and online mental health services.  Dr. Jones obtained her Doctor of Philosophy in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University and her Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Columbia International University.  She is a licensed supervisor in the state of North Carolina and licensed in Virginia. She also holds an Approved Clinical Supervisor credential and a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional credential.  Dr. Jones specializes in the areas of supervision, sexual trauma, crisis and trauma, general mental health issues, women’s issues, sexuality, and spirituality counseling.  She has been teaching, writing, and presenting on trauma, sex trafficking, sexuality, sexual healing post-trauma, LGBTQ issues, supervision, and professional development for counselors for the past several years.  
When she is not working she enjoys traveling, cooking, jet skiing, being outside, crafting, and enjoying time with her family. 

Dr. Katharine Sperandio is an Assistant Professor and the coordinator for the Trauma, Addictions, and Recovery concentration for the Community and Trauma Counseling program at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Prior to coming to Jefferson, she completed her PhD in the CACREP-accredited Counselor Education and Supervision program in 2019 at William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Her primary areas of focus in research are addictions/substance abuse counseling, trauma and addictions, families and addiction, and social justice issues in the counseling profession. Dr. Sperandio has over seven years of clinical experience working with diverse clientele living with addiction and substance use issues as well as other co-occurring mental health concerns. She is currently a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Pennsylvania, an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) and a National Certified Counselor. She is an active member in the International Association for Resilience and Trauma Counseling (IARTC), American Counseling Association (ACA), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and Association for Assessment and Research in Counseling (AARC).

Kari Hammer, MNM, is a graduate student pursuing her Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Marshall University. She holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management, a bachelor's degree in Recreation Administration and Coaching and is a Certified Personal Finance Coach. Kari has spent the last 25 years working in the nonprofit sector producing human potential events for disease-related causes. In the field of counseling, Kari has a strong interest in grief, trauma, forgiveness and acceptance with the adult population. Kari is excited to join the Conference Committee to put her long-time event, logistic and people skills to good use with the IARTC.  

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Dr. Springston is an Assistant Professor/ Assistant Program Director at Lindsey Wilson College and a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor in Kentucky.  Dr. Springston has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field working with various populations.  Dr. Springston has taught with Lindsey Wilson College for over 15 years.  Dr. Springston has presented locally and nationally on various topics related to Counselor Education and Clinical Practice.  In practice, Dr. Springston works through a developmental lens and recognizes the tremendous impact trauma and adverse experiences have on mental health and wellbeing.  Dr. Springston incorporates a trauma focus into clinical practice as well as teaching and supervising.  In clinical practice, Dr. Springston works primarily with adolescent and neurodiverse populations.  Dr. Springston has recently begun to explore research related to the lived experiences of Religious Trauma.  Dr. Springston is honored to be a part of IARTC and is excited to witness the growth of the division firsthand. 

Misty Hatch is a graduate of Valparaiso University where she received her Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC) and is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate (LMHC-A) in Indiana and Illinois. Misty is currently a doctoral student at the University of Holy Cross and will be undergoing EMDR training in March. She is also a certified yoga instructor (RYT-200) through Yoga Alliance and has taught vinyasa and trauma-informed yoga for the last 6 years.

Misty has clinical experience in various settings and populations, including, incarcerated adults, crisis intervention, structured outpatient substance use program, and nonprofit. In her practice, Misty uses a diverse approach when working with her clients, often pulling from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Motivational Interviewing, Solution-Focused Therapy, Mindfulness, and trauma-informed modalities.

Misty’s clinical interests/focus areas include adults with substance use disorder, suicidal ideation, anxiety, trauma, and grief.