Susan Kashubeck-West

Susan Kashubeck-West is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Education Sciences and Professional Programs at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL). She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from Ohio State University (1989) and prior degrees from the University of Michigan (BA, 1984) and Ohio State (MA, 1987). Her research focuses on multicultural issues, stigma, body image, and psychological well-being among marginalized groups, including sexual minorities, racial/ethnic minorities, and women facing socioeconomic challenges. Key areas include microaggressions, intersectional identities, and interventions to address health disparities.

She teaches courses such as Multicultural Counseling, Advanced Multicultural Counseling, and Counseling Sexual and Gender Minorities. Notable awards include the UMSL Trailblazer Award (2014) and multiple Outstanding Faculty Awards from UMSL’s College of Education. Her work extends to editorial roles in journals, APA task forces (e.g., Guidelines for Psychotherapy with LGB Clients), and leadership in UMSL’s Institutional Review Board (2004–2012).

Current projects investigate stigma’s impact on psychological distress, body image among African American women, and academic interventions in high schools. She has secured grants from the University of Missouri Research Board, private companies, and Texas Tech University, focusing on topics like eating disorder measurement and growth mindset initiatives.

Labs/Teams: Coordinates UMSL’s counseling programs and collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on body image, LGBTQ+ resilience, and multicultural training. Her professional affiliations include the American Psychological Association, American Counseling Association, and Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.