Belinda J. Lopez

Dr. Belinda J. Lopez serves as Interim Department Chair and Associate Professor in the Department of Counseling and Special Populations at Lamar University's College of Education and Human Development. With over 30 years of public education experience including a decade as a PK-12 school counselor, she bridges academic theory with practical application across diverse student populations.

Her educational foundation includes a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Dr. Lopez holds active credentials as a Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPC-S), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and Certified School Counselor (CSC).

Research focuses on mattering (psychological significance in relationships), multicultural counseling, clinical supervision, and online education. Recent scholarship examines supervision effectiveness in digital environments and interventions for marginalized populations, reflecting her commitment to accessible, culturally responsive counseling practices.

Publications demonstrate consistent output with emphasis on supervision methodologies and poverty-related counseling challenges. Collaborative work with the Sheperis research group produces practical applications for school and clinical settings through handbooks and journal articles.

Professional recognition includes:

• Three consecutive Texas Counseling Association Distinguished Service Awards (2014-2016)
• Leadership roles in Association for Humanistic Counseling and Texas Counseling Association
• University service on Faculty Senate and Distance Education Committee

Mentorship emphasizes reflective practice and real-world application through coordinated practicum experiences. As School Counseling Program Coordinator (2013-2015), she developed accreditation-aligned training that prepares students for Texas certification and culturally competent practice.