As another academic year comes to a close, I find myself reflecting on the many moments that have defined this season in our department: moments of growth, connection, challenge, and celebration. From commencement and Chi Sigma Iota events to research presentations, clinical training, and community engagement, this semester has been filled with reminders of the meaningful work happening throughout our Counselor Education community.

One of the greatest privileges of this profession is witnessing the ways people grow into their identities as counselors, advocates, scholars, and leaders. In this issue of The Listening Hat, you’ll read stories that reflect that growth in action: students building community through experiential learning, alumni stepping into professional practice, faculty engaging in scholarship and mentorship, and our department continuing to strengthen its impact both on campus and beyond.

As summer begins, many of our students are stepping into practicum, internship, and new professional opportunities. Others are continuing coursework, pursuing research, or preparing for the next stage of their journey. No matter where this season finds you, I hope this issue serves as a reminder that you are part of a deeply connected community committed to compassion, curiosity, and care.

Thank you for being part of the work we do together. We are grateful for the students, alumni, faculty, site supervisors, and community partners who continue to shape the future of counseling alongside us.

With appreciation,

Bradley McKibben
Chair, Department of Counselor Education

For Anna Grace, the path to counseling has been shaped by curiosity, connection, and a desire to better understand the human experience.

Before joining Stetson’s Department of Counselor Education, Anna Grace earned a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Central Florida, where she worked as a research assistant under Dr. Valerie Sims and Dr. Matthew Chin. Her undergraduate research explored theatre for very young audiences through a developmental psychology lens, an experience that deepened her interest in human behavior and interpersonal connection. She was drawn to Stetson after hearing positive experiences from alumni and counseling professionals who emphasized the program’s supportive and hands-on learning environment.

One of the most meaningful experiences during her time at Stetson came during Dr. Timothy Eng’s Family Systems course. What began as a group project unexpectedly became a source of connection and belonging within the program. “It became more than just a project,” she shared. “We grew into a small family unit that began checking in and learning from each other.” The relationships formed during that experience continue to shape her sense of community within the program today.

Through her coursework and training experiences, Anna Grace says she has developed a deeper appreciation for adaptability and lifelong learning as essential qualities for effective counselors. She believes continued growth and self-education are vital to providing clients with the highest level of care.

Outside the classroom, Anna Grace stays grounded through journaling, hiking with her dog and spending time playing video games with her boyfriend. She describes journaling as a long-standing practice that helps her remain present and balanced amid the demands of graduate school and daily life.

For incoming students, her advice is simple: approach the experience with openness and perspective. “Graduate school can feel daunting when you first start and at times can be overwhelming,” she said. “But that is life and you have an end goal. Buckle in and enjoy the ride.”

The Center for Optimal Health Across the Lifespan brings together community leaders, students, and professionals to address isolation and build connection...

Attendees gained hands-on clinical skills and nationally recognized certification through an intensive training led by dementia expert Dr. Joshua Freitas...

Bradley McKibben, PhD, shares guidance on legal, ethical, and practical strategies for supervising counselors in virtual settings...

Dr. Laura Cunningham brings a depth of clinical experience, creative energy, and a strong commitment to student development to her work in Stetson University’s Department of Counselor Education.

A Florida native, Dr. Cunningham has built her academic and professional career within the state, noting, “I am a Florida baby, and I haven't left yet!” She earned undergraduate degrees in Psychology and in Women’s Studies and Gender Research from the University of Florida, followed by a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Rollins College. She completed her doctorate in Counselor Education at the University of Central Florida in 2010.

Over the course of her career, she has taught at a range of institutions, including Full Sail University, Ringling College of Art and Design, the University of Central Florida, and the University of South Florida. In addition to her teaching, she maintains a clinical practice with Wellness Psychological Services based in Tampa.

Dr. Cunningham is particularly inspired by the opportunity to bring her real-world experience into the classroom and to witness the transformation that occurs as students develop into counselors. She values the process of growth that unfolds across the program, as students refine both their clinical skills and professional identities.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Cunningham is actively involved in student leadership development through her role as co-chair of Steton’s Alpha Omicron chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society for professional counseling. In this role, she works closely with students to cultivate leadership skills and create meaningful programming that engages the Stetson community.

Outside of her professional work, Dr. Cunningham maintains a strong connection to the arts. She plays guitar, sings, and creates mixed-media art, and she facilitates workshops based on The Artist’s Way, a practice that supports creativity and personal reflection. This creative engagement informs her approach to counseling and teaching, encouraging openness and exploration.

Her work is guided by a foundational principle drawn from Carl Rogers: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.” That perspective continues to shape her approach to both counseling and counselor education, emphasizing self-awareness as a pathway to growth.

Read more about Dr. Cunningham on her faculty profile »

Members of Stetson’s Alpha Omicron chapter of Chi Sigma Iota enjoyed a social outing to Blue Spring State Park, spending time connecting, relaxing, and building community outside the classroom.

Timothy Eng, PhD, brings expertise in teaching, research, and global engagement to Stetson’s Counselor Education faculty...

For Counselor Education alumna, Christine Young, the transition into counseling has been a natural extension of a lifelong passion for storytelling and human connection.

Now serving as a registered mental health counselor intern at Simmons Counseling Services, she is building her clinical caseload while drawing from both her counseling training and more than a decade of experience in communications. The practice serves clients across several Central Florida locations, including Orlando, Maitland, Longwood and Sanford.

Before entering the counseling profession, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Flagler College and spent more than 10 years working in communications. 

That background continues to shape her approach to counseling today. “A storyteller at heart, I have enjoyed the challenge of expanding and transferring my communication skills to a career that helps others narrate and navigate the most challenging chapters of their lives,” she shared.

She entered Stetson’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program with an open mind about the populations and specialties she might pursue. Through coursework and internship experiences, she developed a clearer understanding of the theories and counseling approaches that resonated most deeply with her. During her internship with Stetson’s Student Counseling Services, she discovered a passion for working with emerging adults while also developing a counseling style grounded in authenticity and relationship-building.

In her current role, her work has expanded to include children, adolescents, and older adults. What she enjoys most, however, remains the process of helping clients explore and make sense of their stories. “I’m meeting so many new people with stories to tell, thoughts to untangle, and emotions to explore,” she said. “I deeply enjoy helping people make sense of it all through curiosity and encouragement.”

Reflecting on her time at Stetson, she credits the program’s experiential learning opportunities and close peer relationships as some of the most meaningful aspects of her graduate experience. She also described one of her biggest takeaways from the program as learning the importance of self-exploration in clinical work. “I can only take my clients as far as I’ve explored my own emotional and psychological world,” she explained.

For current students and recent graduates, she encourages the development of intentional transition rituals that help counselors shift into and out of therapist mode. Whether through a quiet cup of coffee before sessions, taking time to decompress after work, or creating moments of intentional self-care, she believes these practices are essential for sustaining both personal well-being and professional presence.

Starting internship and clinical work can feel exciting, intimidating, and deeply meaningful all at once. Remember that you are entering this experience as a student, not as an expert, that is exactly where you are supposed to be. Stay connected to your support systems, your peers, supervisors, and the parts of yourself outside of your counselor identity. Prioritize self-care, reflection, and humility. Some of the most important growth comes not from having all the answers, but from being open, present, curious, and willing to learn. Wear the “student hat” proudly, trust the process, and allow yourself room to grow into the clinician you are becoming.

- Professor Sarah Brow Corrigan