Category: Counseling

Simmons 2025 Outstanding Alumni Honored at Awards Ceremony

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Left to right: Julie Sorrels, Sarah Guthery, Cynthia Barajas, Blanca Oliver.
Left to right: Julie Sorrels, Sarah Guthery, Cynthia Barajas, Blanca Oliver.

Seven distinguished alumni were honored during the annual Simmons Outstanding Alumni and Student Awards Ceremony on May 15. Simmons School of Education and Human Development is proud to celebrate and acknowledge the past and current accomplishments of the honorees who serve to better their communities both locally and across the country. Dean Stephanie Knight and Simmons Department Chairs presented the awards.

Canyon Kyle is a distinguished Sport Performance Leadership graduate from the Department of Applied Physiology and Sport Management. He graduated Cum Laude from SMU with a BS SPL and a minor in Sport Management in 2021 and advanced his academic and professional journey by earning a master’s degree in Sport Management from Columbia University.

He now serves as Assistant Baseball Coach and Associate Director of Intercollegiate Athletics and Physical Education at Columbia, where he leads athletic recruitment, manages prospective athlete development, and teaches senior-level undergraduate courses. Canyon’s unwavering commitment to student-athlete growth and leadership through sport directly reflects the values he cultivated at SMU.

Julie Sorrels graduated with a Master of Science in Counseling from SMU in August of 2020. She currently serves as the Mental Healthcare Clinical Manager at Resource Center in Dallas where she provides counseling services to the LGBTQIA+ community. She is  fully licensed both as a Professional Counselor and  Marriage and Family Therapist and is certified by the American Board of Sexology as a Clinical Sexologist.

At Resource Center Dallas, she serves as an internship site supervisor and mentor for current SMU students and is also a member of the SMU Counseling Department Advisory Board. Her service and community impact are the reason she is the recipient of the 2025 Department of Counseling Alumnus of the Year award.

Dr. Greses Perez had an established career as a civil and environmental engineer in her native Puerto Rico before graduating from  the SMU Accelerated School Leadership Master’s Program in 2014.  Greses met the challenge of producing a 30 plus page capstone project, working diligently with supportive faculty to improve her academic writing. She did this while teaching science to elementary school bilingual students.

Greses went on to Stanford where she would graduate in 2021 with a PhD in Engineering and Science Education and Learning Sciences. She is now the McDonnel Family Assistant Professor in Engineering Education at Tufts University. The Education Policy & Leadership Department is proud to have Greses as its 2025 Alumni of the Year.

Blanca Oliver, a migrant from Mexico, developed persistence and a can-do attitude in her childhood that carried her forward into a career as a successful paralegal.

Blanca received a Master’s in Dispute Resolution and Conflict Management in the Department of Human Centered Interdisciplinary Studies in 2021, where she excelled in the experiential learning environment. After graduation, Blanca entered her first political race and won. She is now a Justice of the Peace in Denton County. Blanca believes her time at SMU helped shape her as an effective communicator and leader which benefits her greatly in her position today.

Dr. Sarah Guthery, a PhD in Education, Class of 2017, is an Associate Professor of Educational Administration, Curriculum and Supervision at the University of Oklahoma. A former teacher and school leader, she uses econometric methods to study teacher and leadership pipelines. She has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and has received grant funding in excess of $200,000.

According to her PhD advisors, what most distinguishes Sarah is her inventive teaching and her dedication to mentoring emerging scholars. For example, she uses a statistics escape room and gamification of statistics to help students unlock their passion for research.

Dr. Dawn Woods received her PhD in Education in 2018 from SMU and is now an assistant professor in the School of Education and Human Services at Oakland University. She recently received a five-year, $781,196 CAREER award from the National Science Foundation in support of her research, entitled Sparking Number Talks to Strengthen Mathematical Identities.

Dr. Woods’ research focuses on cultivating and strengthening productive mathematical identities so that students will believe the effort in learning mathematics pays off. Her project has the potential to improve kindergarten to third grade mathematics education for students from persistently marginalized groups. Her research has been published in a variety of prestigious math education and STEM education journals.

Cynthia Barajas,  B.A. in Psychology Class of 2012, is the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Alumni Award from the Teaching and Learning Department. The award recognizes her leadership and impact through SMU’s Alternative Teacher Preparation Program in partnership with Teach for America (TFA). She currently serves as Senior Managing Director of Partnerships for TFA Dallas-Fort Worth.

She has overseen the certification and onboarding of hundreds of TFA corps members, improved certification rates for underrepresented groups, and strengthened district partnerships. Her leadership has helped expand SMU’s partnership with Teach for America across Texas, supporting thousands of aspiring teachers and addressing the state’s teacher shortage.

Simmons 2025 Outstanding Student Awards

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Exceptional scholar leaders were celebrated at the annual Simmons Outstanding Alumni and Student Awards Ceremony on May 15.

The exemplary students were honored at a reception and dinner in Annette Caldwell Simmons Hall. They were each presented with their awards by Dean Stephanie Knight and their Department Chairs.

Ellie LewisEllie Lewis received a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Physiology and Health Management from Applied Physiology and Sport Management. She is described by faculty as a driven scholar, dedicated SMU rowing athlete, and natural leader. As president of the Applied Physiology Club and a multi-semester Anatomy Teaching Assistant, she became a trusted mentor to her peers. Ellie has also completed prestigious internships at Children’s Health and UT Southwestern Medical School demonstrating her strong commitment to academic excellence and professional growth.

Sonja Mugnier is the Counseling Department’s outstanding student. Sonja is currently pursuing her Master of Science in Counseling with concentration in children and adolescents. She is the President of the SMU Department of Counseling Play Therapy Association, Co-Chair of the Mentorship Committee and Secretary for Chi Sigma Iota, Sigma Mu, and is also active in the state and national professional counseling organizations. Her internship involved providing counseling and play therapy services at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Collin County. Upon graduation she plans to pursue the Licensed Professional Counselor and Registered Play Therapist credentials, and her long-term career goals are to pursue a doctorate in counselor education.

​Tim LinleyTim Linley received his Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership. His professors in Education Policy & Leadership describe him as an outstanding scholar and educational leader. They say his intellectual curiosity and thoughtful insights set him apart and make him an exceptional student. Beyond the classroom, Tim took a bold step in founding a company, Cadenza Strategy Group, to provide strategic data management services tailored specifically to fine arts educators. He hopes that with what he has learned at SMU and through his company he will make a strong impact, both locally and at state-wide levels.

Isaac PearsonIsaac Pearson, a member of the SMU Mustangs football team, received his Master of Liberal Studies with a concentration in Organizational Dynamics in the Department of Human Centered Interdisciplinary Studies. A talented athlete, Isaac came to SMU Football from Australia. His faculty advisors say he brings a human-centered perspective to even the most difficult class discussions on complex societal issues. They describe him as a model student-athlete with a thoughtful and balanced countenance. Isaac received his coaching certificate and has been nominated to the Association of Graduate Liberal Studies Programs National Honor Society.

Maricela LeónMaricela León  was named the outstanding student in the  Simmons Ph.D. program and graduates with a Doctor of Philosophy. Her faculty advisors say her research speaks for itself in that she already has five publications, including one first-authored journal article and four co-authored pieces. Aside from that impressive publication record, she authored three dissertation papers she just defended. Maricela is described as an amazing researcher, collaborator, a talented and hardworking educator, a role model to her peers, and a rising star in bilingual education. She will join the University of Texas at Arlington in the Fall as an Assistant Professor of Bilingual STEM Education.

Hannah GalbreathHannah Galbreath was named the Outstanding Student of the Year in the Department of Teaching & Learning. Faculty advisors say Hannah consistently demonstrated leadership, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to excellence by submitting high-quality work ahead of deadlines, always engaging, and posing  thought-provoking questions in class. Hannah’s dedication to implementing research-based science teaching practices and her thoughtful approach to understanding teacher education pathways have made a significant impact on her peers and instructors alike. Hannah now prepares to begin her Ph.D. at SMU and hopes to continue to make meaningful contributions to the field of science education.

 

Celebrating the SMU-Simmons partnership, students and faculty gather for the Simmons Outstanding Alumni and Student Awards ceremony. Left to right: Isaac Pearson, Maricela León, Sonja Mugnier, Hannah Galbreath, Tim Linley.
Left to right: Isaac Pearson, Maricela León, Sonja Mugnier, Hannah Galbreath, Tim Linley.

Five ways to bring quiet into your holiday season

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A person holds a mug of hot chocolate while wrapped in a cozy blanket, with holiday greenery nearby.
Create space for joy, peace, and connection.

The holiday season is a time of celebration, joy, and connecting with what truly matters. But let’s face it – it’s easy for stress to overshadow the magic of the season.

Dr. Farnoosh NouriBy embracing simple, intentional practices, you can create a holiday season that feels calmer, more meaningful, and true to your values. Psychotherapist Farnoosh Nouri in the Department of Counseling at SMU suggests these five ways to bring quiet into your holidays and nurture your mental well-being:

Stay Focused on What Matters

The holidays can devolve into a whirlwind of events, gift shopping, and family obligations that leave you drained. Take a step back and ask yourself: What truly matters to me? Whether it’s meaningful connections, honoring your spiritual values, or simply slowing down, channel your energy into what aligns with your priorities. For example, instead of stressing over extravagant gifts, consider heartfelt gestures that bring connection and peace.

Put Your Health First

Don’t let self-care fall to the bottom of your list. Your mental, emotional, and physical well-being are the foundation of a peaceful holiday season. Carve out time to recharge – whether it’s a mindful walk, a warm bath, journaling, or getting enough sleep. Staying active and eating balanced meals (with room for holiday treats, of course) can help you maintain your energy and mood. Remember, caring for yourself is the best gift you can give to others.

Embrace Healthy Connections

Holidays are a time to foster bonds with people who lift you up. Spend time with friends and family who bring positivity into your life. Simple actions like sharing a laugh, giving or receiving a hug, or enjoying a moment of gratitude together can do wonders for your mental well-being. Activities like exercising together, playing a game, or even completing a small task as a team can boost those “feel-good” chemicals in your brain and create lasting memories.

Create Quiet Moments

Amid the noise and activity, prioritize moments of stillness. Quiet reflection – whether through meditation, a cup of tea by the window, or simply sitting in silence – can calm your mind and unlock new perspectives. These moments aren’t just a “break from busy”; they’re a chance to feel grounded and open to the beauty of the season.

Don’t Forget to Have Fun!

Laughter, playfulness, and joy are the ultimate stress-busters. Use this time to try something new—whether it’s tasting a dish you’ve never made, visiting a new place, or starting a playful family tradition. Positive emotions like joy and excitement aren’t just fleeting—they energize and uplift you, helping you step into the new year refreshed and ready.

Department of Counseling welcomes new faculty members

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Dr. LaKaavia Taylor is joining the SMU full-time faculty as Clinical Associate Professor effective Fall 2023. Dr. Taylor earned her Ph.D. in counseling with a specialty in play therapy and psychoeducational assessment at the University of North Texas. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, National Certified Counselor, Registered Play Therapist, Certified Child-Centered Play Therapy Supervisor, and Certified Child-Parent Relationship Therapy Supervisor.

For over a decade, Dr. Taylor has provided counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families in various settings including community agencies, public schools, private practice, and university clinics. Her specialty is multicultural counseling and trauma-informed practices.

Dr. Taylor’s lifelong commitment is to reduce mental health barriers for individuals and families from marginalized and underserved populations. She has delivered numerous presentations at professional conferences, published chapters and research on play therapy, and engaged in social justice advocacy in her leadership positions in national counseling organizations. She is a former 2020 American Counseling Association (ACA) anti-racist task force member. On the task force, she worked with social justice counseling leaders in the field to develop an anti-racist action plan for dissemination to ACA’s membership. Dr. Taylor is a Counselor Educator Trustee for the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling (ACAC). She is the 2022 recipient of the Rho Kappa Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota Outstanding Research Award. She also received the College of Education Outstanding Lecturer Award in 2022 for her teaching excellence.

Dr. Denise M. Walker is joining the SMU full-time faculty as Clinical Assistant Professor effective Fall 2023. Dr. Walker is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Texas and Louisiana, and also a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in Louisiana. Dr. Walker earned her B.S. and M.A. in Marriage and Family Therapy from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. Dr. Walker completed her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision at Texas A&M University-Commerce with a specialization in Student Affairs.

Dr. Walker has clinical experience working with adolescents, adults, couples, and families with varying levels of psychological and relational concerns in numerous settings including higher education, community-based counseling centers, home-based services, juvenile detention centers, and private practice. Dr. Walker is also trained in EMDR (Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Level 1 – Gottman Method Couples Therapy.

Dr. Walker has published research on the delivery of clinical mental health services in home based settings and has provided professional presentations on numerous topics including narrative family counseling, stress management, domestic violence, and supporting Black students at predominately White institutions.

 

Schumann Shares Tips to Reduce Parents’ Stress During The Holidays

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The Guidepost Parent Blog, published by the Montessori network, Higher Ground Education, interviewed Clinical Associate Professor Brandy Schumann for tips on how to avoid toxic holidays, when stress may be high. Schumann takes a look at a variety of roles in families and comments on ways to keep emotions in check.

Counseling Department’s Clinical Associate Professor Brandy Schumann

In the article, Schumann says, “Our family has certain developmental roles, and we are expected to fit into those roles. I’m a daughter still, even though in my everyday life I am no longer the daughter,” she explained. “It’s comparable to the stress we might feel towards a high school reunion, where we have changed, but everyone still expects you to be the same.”

For more on her suggestions, read the article here.

NBC5 Interviews Greta Davis about the Psychology of Disbelief during COVID-19

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In an NBC5 interview about why people are not grasping the current number of pandemic deaths in Texas, which are at a peak of 10,000, Clinical Associate Professor Greta Davis discussed the psychology  involved.

She explained the concepts of confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, and people’s stress response to COVID-19.

Dr. Davis chairs the Department of Dispute Resolution and Counseling at SMU Simmons.

For more, see story below.

 

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/coronavirus/perspective-on-what-10000-covid-related-deaths-in-texas-looks-like/2429684/

 

Faculty Promotions in Simmons

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With the conclusion of the spring semester the Simmons School is happy to announce the following faculty promotions:

Congratulations to Michael Harris (Education Policy and Leadership) who was promoted to Full Professor, and to Sushmita Purkayastha (Applied Physiology and Wellness) and Meredith Richards (Education Policy and Leadership) who received tenure and were promoted to Associate Professors.

Clinical faculty promotions include four who moved from Clinical Assistant to Clinical Associate status:  Roxanne Burleson (Education Policy and Leadership), Greta Davis (Dispute Resolution and Counseling), Amy Ferrell (Teaching and Learning), and Diane Gifford (Teaching and Learning).  Three faculty were promoted from Clinical Associate to Clinical Full: Margaret Jacome (Dispute Resolution and Counseling), Misty Solt (Dispute Resolution and Counseling, and Ashley Tull (Education Policy and Leadership). Plaudits to them.

Center for Family Counseling in Simmons Provides Free Telehealth Services

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SMU’s Center for Family Counseling in Simmons is now offering free telehealth counseling to anyone who needs it during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What started as a work-around to help the community during this period of mandatory social distancing has proved to be so successful that the center will continue offering remote counseling even after the staff returns to seeing patients in-person.

The clinic, associated with SMU’s Master’s in Counseling program, provides a variety of counseling services to adults, adolescents and children who are dealing with anxiety, depression, behavior difficulties, grief and loss, stress and parenting. Like many other businesses and clinics in Dallas, SMU’s Center for Family Counseling has temporarily closed its offices to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Clinic staff recognized, however, that because they were forced to close the clinic’s doors, there might be more people in need of mental health services related to isolation and other stay-at-home issues, said Clinic Director Terra Wagner.

“So we moved to offering services via Zoom,” Wagner said. “However, we plan to continue offering telehealth services, even when we return to seeing clients in person,” she said, explaining that they discovered they can serve more clients using a combination of telehealth and in-person appointments.

The Center for Family Counseling normally operates on a sliding scale fee system to accommodate low-income clients, with charges ranging from $5 to a maximum of $45 per session. All services will be free until further notice, Wagner said.

In addition to the telehealth counseling, five new remote support groups are also open for registration, free of charge: Adult Mindfulness Group, Adolescent Support Group, LGBTQ+ Parenting/Caregiver Support Group, LGBTQ+ Adolescent Support Group and LGBTQ+ Adult Support Group. These support groups started will meet via Zoom. Registration for all groups will remain open until groups end on May 7.

Counselors at the center are graduate students in the Master’s in Counseling program offered by SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development. They have completed most of their coursework as well as clinical skills classes to prepare to work with clients under faculty supervision. The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs.

The clinic helps address the national shortage of mental health professionals by training counselors and providing affordable services. According to a spring 2019 report by Mental Health Dallas, the state of Texas is home to the second highest number of areas in the United States with a mental health professional shortage.

Earlier this year, SMU relocated the Center for Family Counseling from Plano to a new Dallas location in Expressway Tower, 6116 N. Central Expressway, Suite 410. Services are offered Monday through Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To schedule an appointment, please call 214-768-6789. If the Center for Family Counseling can’t meet your needs, you will be referred to another provider.

 

Tips for Leading and Managing Stay-at-Home Groups

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The COVID-19 global pandemic has disrupted every aspect of our lives. Educational institutions, companies, non-profit organizations, government agencies have implemented social distancing policies and mandated telecommuting. Schools have closed and children are engaging in at-home learning alongside parents who may be remotely working for the very first time. What can managers do to lead effectively?

 Embrace Technology: Get out of your comfort zone to lead in new ways using technology.

  • Take advantage of online trainings to learn how leverage existing and new technologies to connect virtually with employees.
  • Model effective online meeting behaviors by utilizing features such as polling and chats.

 Nurture Relationships: At this time of physical distancing, your people need to know you care about them.

  • Through existing or new technologies, take time to visit with them to find out about their situation and how they are handling the disruption.
  • Provide them with resources to support their emotional and physical well-being.
  • Encourage your people and praise them for their work efforts and flexibility.

Establish New Norms: Let your people know you will be reaching out to them more often and why.

  • Your people need to understand that increased communication and monitoring does not mean you are trying to micromanage their work. You no longer have the luxury of walking down the hall to check in.
  • Get comfortable with real life being part of your communication. Relax your expectations regarding formal communication via phone and other technologies. Children, pets, and partners may suddenly walk into the room in a video call.
  • Shifting to a 100% remote workforce means that social norms of communication and interaction have to evolve. Clarify with your team about how information will be shared and the best ways to communicate for urgent and non-urgent messaging.

Reassess Priorities: What was important two weeks ago may no longer be as urgent or relevant.

  • Adjust goals and expectations to determine where to focus time and attention. Communicate these changes to your team. Take time to help your people think through the rationale for the adjustments.
  • Monitoring of key performance indicators may need to be altered and new metrics may need to be developed.

Update Procedures: It’s no longer business as usual.

  • Determine how processes need to change and invite your employees to generate solutions that meet the demands of your environment.
  • Ensure people understand the critical junctures and decision-points of key procedures.

Greta Davis, Ph.D., specializes in career counseling and serves as department chair and clinical faculty member of SMU  Simmons’ Dispute Resolution and Counseling program.

 

Reassuring Children during COVID-19

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As families shelter at home, many may experience a disruption of daily routines and feel challenged by a lack of predictability. During this time, children need to feel safe. Dr. Brandy Schumann, clinical associate professor of counseling at SMU’s Simmons School of Education and Human Development, says kids will be seeking additional reassurance from their caregivers to soothe their perception of chaos. Here are some of Schumann’s tips to help.

  • Talk about what is going on. It is important for kids to have developmentally appropriate information about why life has changed so much. This story/ coloring book from LSU is a great bibliotherapy resource. Reading it aloud to your child will help explain things in a developmentally appropriate level.
  • Acknowledge feelings. Validating your child’s feelings about changes can enhance connection and ease worries and anxiety. Kids may also be experiencing sadness and disappointment about missing out on extracurricular activities, birthday parties, and playdates. You may experience your child as hypersensitive at this time, seeming to overreact to the small things. Try to respond with patience, understanding the reaction is less about the specific moment and more about a reaction to the state of our environment. Remember, when it seems like your child might need a time out, probably it is a need for a time in with you.
  • A 30 second burst of quality attention from you, assuring your child that you are available to them when they need you, is usually all that is needed to help them re-regulate.
  • Kids play–it is their natural mode of communication. As things change in their lives and they become more aware of why, you will find that it will emerge in their play. This will help them gain a sense of control over what feels so out of control. For example, at dinner, my 4-7- and 12-year old children were eating flour tortillas and shaping them into medical masks that they laid across their faces. My 7-year-old laughed hysterically and said, “Hey mom, if they do run out of masks, they can just use tortillas!” This is them “playing” out their world just as we adults talk out ours.
  • Schedule tech-free time. Tech-free family time can create opportunities for greater connection. Imagine one year from now, what memories to you want your child to have from this time. Use this opportunity together to build your relationship. Many of us are overscheduled. This may be the first time in a while that they and you have “free” time. Get creative. Have fun.
  • Allow your kids to use technology to connect with their friends. Social distancing does not have to mean that we can no longer connect with each other. Help your kids brainstorm creative ways to connect with their friends.
  • Take care of yourself. It can feel overwhelming as a parent to have to take on the role of teacher as well as continue full-time work. This time will be stressful. It is important for parents to engage in self-care.  For example, stick to child bedtime routines to ensure “adult time.”
  • Call a counselor. Many are available via telehealth for individual sessions or parent consultation.

Brandy Schumann, Ph.D., specializes in play therapy and serves as a clinical faculty member for SMU Simmon’s Counseling program and the Center for Family Counseling.  She co-wrote these tips with SMU counseling alumna, Vivian Murcia,’ 17, M.S.