Heather Trepal

Dr. Heather Trepal is a Professor in the Department of Counseling and Associate Dean for Academic Programs and Student Success at the University of Texas at San Antonio's College of Education and Human Development. She is a licensed professional counselor and board-approved supervisor in Texas.

• Ph.D. in Counseling and Human Development Services, Kent State University (2003)
• M.Ed. in Community Counseling, Cleveland State University (1998)
• B.A. in English, The Ohio State University (1994)

Research Interests: Dr. Trepal's work focuses on behavioral health workforce development, culturally responsive counseling practices, trauma, and supervision training. Her grant-funded projects (PITCH and PEP) aim to enhance mental health service delivery in underserved communities through interprofessional education and culturally tailored interventions. She has pioneered supervision strategies for bilingual counselors and explored intersections of gender, ethnicity, and counselor education.

Article Trends: Her publications span counseling education, trauma, self-injury, and multicultural competence. Recent work emphasizes integrated care models, competency assessment tools, and photovoice methodologies for resilience-building. Earlier studies address counselor wellness, self-injurious behaviors, and cross-cultural supervision challenges.

• Scientific Awards:
  • Outstanding Graduate Advisor of Record Year Award (2022)
  • President’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Innovation and Impact (2019)
  • CORE Outstanding Outcome Research Award (2016)
  • ACA Presidential Award (2016)
  • Thelma Duffey Vision and Innovation Award (2015)
  • Dwight D. Arnold Outstanding Alumnus Award (2014)

Advising & Grants: Dr. Trepal has mentored numerous doctoral and master's students in counselor education. She has secured over $2.4 million in grants, including PITCH ($804,748) and PEP ($1,659,088), both HRSA-funded initiatives to train counselors in integrated healthcare settings.