Debbie Lewis

Dr. Debbie Lewis is an Adjunct Faculty member in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University New England. She brings a multidisciplinary background, holding a PhD in Education with a specialization in Counselor Education and Supervision from Old Dominion University, an MSEd in Counseling from the same institution, and an MSN in Nursing from the University of Pennsylvania.

Educational Background:

• PhD in Education – Counselor Education and Supervision, Old Dominion University
• MSEd in Counseling, Old Dominion University
• MSN in Nursing, University of Pennsylvania

Research Interests:

Dr. Lewis’s research centers on the development of altruism in counseling practicum students, particularly how students make meaning through altruistic experiences. She is also deeply invested in promoting social-emotional support among adolescents and fostering interprofessional collaboration in mental health and educational settings. Her work bridges the gap between counseling theory, clinical practice, and adult learning methodologies.

Her teaching philosophy emphasizes creating a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment that supports diverse learning styles and cultural backgrounds. She integrates principles from adult education theorist Jane Vella and applies the seven elements of effective teaching identified by Royse (2001), including community building, mutual respect, and professional currency.

Courses Taught:

• Practicum and Internship
• Counseling Theories
• Assessment
• Crisis Counseling
• Psychopathology
• Fundamentals in Counseling