Cian Brown

Cian Brown, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Professional Counseling at the University of Oklahoma’s Jeannine Rainbolt College of Education. He holds licenses as a Licensed Professional Counselor and Supervisor (LPC-S) in Oklahoma and Arkansas, along with certifications such as Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Adventure Therapist (CCAT), and Board Certified in Neurofeedback (BCN-Fellow). His research focuses on adventure therapy, neurobiological approaches to trauma, and innovative counseling methodologies, particularly in outdoor and wilderness settings. Dr. Brown has extensive clinical experience across community agencies, hospitals, and schools, and is a Wilderness First Responder (WFR).

Dr. Brown earned his Ph.D. in Counselor Education & Supervision from the University of Arkansas, specializing in Adventure Therapy. He also holds an M.S. in Statistics and Analytics (University of Arkansas), an M.S. in Counseling (University of North Texas), and a B.S. in Psychology (Texas A&M University). His expertise in quantitative methods, including single-case research designs and psychometrics, complements his clinical work.

His research explores the efficacy of adventure therapy in addressing anxiety, social-emotional learning, and resiliency in youth, with a focus on marginalized populations such as Native American students and first-generation college attendees. He advocates for nature-based interventions and has developed frameworks like the AT-EcoWellness model to integrate ecological principles into counseling. Dr. Brown also emphasizes methodological rigor in counseling research, contributing to standards for data analysis and graph construction.

Publications highlight his work on trauma-informed care, mindfulness combined with neurofeedback, and the role of adventure therapy in leadership development. His interdisciplinary approach bridges education, psychology, and environmental science, aiming to improve mental health outcomes through experiential and outdoor programs.