Dr. Karena J. Heyward is a Professor in the Department of Sport & Performance Psychology at the University of Western States. A Black and Queer educator with over 13 years of experience, she specializes in counselor education, clinical supervision, and anti-oppression frameworks. Her work bridges somatic-centered practice, trauma-informed care, and liberation psychology, emphasizing systemic approaches to mental health. She holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from The College of William & Mary (2012), an M.Ed. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (2009), and a B.S. in Psychology from Virginia Commonwealth University (2006). Dr. Heyward’s research focuses on multicultural counseling, virtual reality applications in education, and community-based advocacy. Her scholarship addresses multiracial identity development, family systems theory, and counselor training methodologies. She has contributed to peer-reviewed journals like Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision and The Family Journal , with a body of work emphasizing social justice and systemic healing. As a Licensed Professional Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Virginia, she balances academic leadership with clinical practice. Her mentorship philosophy centers radical compassion and transformative growth, having trained numerous mental health professionals. She is also actively involved with the Virginia Telemental Health Institute as a clinical supervisor.
