Michelle Ghoston

Michelle Ghoston is an Associate Professor at Wake Forest University since July 2017, specializing in Counseling. She coordinates the Health & Human Services Minor and serves on multiple committees, including the Online Scholarship Committee and AMHCA Neuroscience Task Force.

• Ph.D. in Counseling Education and Supervision, Virginia Tech, 2012
• M.Ed. in Community Counseling, Lynchburg College, 2005
• B.A. in Sociology, University of Virginia, 1994

Her research focuses on Social Justice & Equity, Cultural Competency, Neuroscience in Counseling, Threat Assessment, and Broaching techniques. She integrates neuro-informed practices into counseling frameworks for maternal and adolescent mental health, while addressing systemic inequities in counselor training and licensure.

Her scholarship spans maternal mental health, social justice competencies, and neuroscience applications in counseling. Recent work explores pandemic impacts on Arabic mothers and the intersection of existential crises with syndemic polycrisis frameworks.

• 2022 Leadership Award in Neuroscience (AMHCA)
• 2013 & 2012 Emerging Leader Awards (ACCA)

Ghoston has served as an editorial board member, reviewer, and faculty advisor. She maintains active clinical licensure across multiple states and contributes to national counseling organizations. Her teaching includes Cultures and Counseling, Addictions, and Theories of Counseling.