معرفی
Michele Pinellas serves as Teaching Professor in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at Antioch University New England, holding multiple professional certifications including National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Georgia, and Certified Trauma Professional (CTP). Her clinical work spans school settings, homes, and virtual environments with a trauma-informed approach.
Her educational background includes:
- Doctor of Education in Counselor Education & Supervision (CACREP), National Louis University, 2020
- Masters of Education in Counselor Education (Mental Health Counseling), Florida A&M University, 2016
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, Florida A&M University, 2013 (Cum Laude)
Dr. Pinellas specializes in trauma interventions for youth, with research emphasizing resilience building in minority populations and holistic therapeutic approaches. Her clinical expertise covers substance abuse, suicide risk assessment, and grief counseling, particularly focusing on child and adolescent social-emotional development through innovative methods like mindful yoga. She actively promotes school counselor advocacy and ethical practices in crisis situations.
Her publication portfolio demonstrates consistent focus on school counseling challenges, trauma-responsive interventions, and ethical decision-making. Key trends include examining gender dynamics in counseling professions, developing culturally responsive trauma interventions for adolescents, and adapting ethical frameworks for pandemic-era practice. These works bridge clinical innovation with practical applications for underserved youth populations.
Her professional recognition includes:
- ASGW Peg Carroll Scholarship (2019-2020)
- Chi Sigma Iota Leadership Fellow (2019-2020)
- Chi Sigma Iota/CACREP Leadership Essay Contest First Place (2019)
As Co-Investigator on USF-funded research about male school counselors, Dr. Pinellas secures competitive grants while mentoring future clinicians through courses including Crisis Intervention, Child & Adolescent Counseling, and Diagnosis/Treatment of Mental Disorders. She actively shapes the profession through leadership roles including Black Mental Health Symposium planning and Florida Counseling Association convention coordination.
Dr. Pinellas maintains active involvement in national professional organizations including International Association for Trauma & Resilience Counseling (IATRC), Association for Counselor Education & Supervision (ACES), and American Counseling Association (ACA), frequently presenting at conferences on topics from disability advocacy to trauma-informed yoga interventions.
