Donna Washburn

Biography

Dr. Washburn is a 1998 graduate of Evangel University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work. She went on to receive her master’s degree in Social Work from Missouri State University in 1999 and her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Regent University in 2015. Her professional experience includes working with the adolescent population in areas such as school social work and as a therapist for teens in residential treatment, providing clinical supervision and consultation for social workers and counselors. Her areas of interest and past research include issues of abuse and neglect with children, negative behavioral functioning of adolescents, clinical supervision and social advocacy in the mental health field. Dr. Washburn has worked in Christian Higher Education for 20 years and has enjoyed many roles including teaching, administration, research and supervision. She is passionate about leading the CUI Townsend Institute Counseling Program and assisting the next generation of counselors in reaching the hurting world with excellence in clinical practice.

Degrees Earned

• Ph.D., Counselor Education and Supervision: Regent University
• M.S.W. – Master’s of Social Work: Missouri State University
• B.S.W. – Bachelor’s of Social Work: Evangel University
• LCSW – Licensed Clinical Social Worker – Missouri

Work Experience

University Administrative Experience

• Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, CA — Assistant Dean (December 2023–Present)
• Townsend Institute at Concordia University Irvine, CA — Program Director and Core Faculty (May 2020–December 2023)
• Evangel University, Springfield, Missouri — Director, Center for Compassion (May 2018–June 2020)
• Evangel University — Chairperson, Institutional Review Board (IRB) (August 2018–May 2020)
• Evangel University — Department Chair, Behavioral and Social Sciences (August 2009–May 2018)

Teaching Experience

• Concordia University Irvine — Professor of Counseling (May 2020–Present)
• Evangel University — Adjunct Professor (May 2020–Present)
• Evangel University — Professor of Social Work and Counseling (Tenured 2008) (August 2001–May 2020)
• Evangel University — Research Coordinator, Social Work Program (August 2014–Fall 2019)
• Evangel University — Field Coordinator (August 2001–August 2015)
• Grace College — Adjunct Online Instructor, Grace College Counseling Program (August 2017–Fall 2019)
• Liberty University — Adjunct Online Instructor, Social Work Program (June 2016–Present)
• Consultant/Supervisor (May 2003–Present)
• Clinical Social Worker/Therapist — Private Practice (August 2001–May 2003)
• Boys and Girls Town of Missouri, Springfield, MO — Clinical Social Worker/Therapist (November 1999–August 2001)
• Lakeland Regional Hospital, Springfield, MO — Social Worker/Clinical Case Manager (June 1999–November 1999)

Courses Taught

• COUN 600 Personal Development Skills Process Groups/Townsend Institute Orientation
• COUN 605 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues
• COUN 606 Foundations and Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling
• CES 700 Doctoral Studies Orientation in Counselor Education and Supervision
• CES 704 Counselor Supervision: Theories, Techniques, and Technology
• CES 740 Counselor Education and Supervision Practicum

Professional Memberships

• American Counseling Association (ACA)
• Association of Counselor Educators and Supervisors (ACES)
• American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC)

Specialized Practice Areas

Supervision, Administration in Counselor Education, Ethics and Professional Practice

Awards and Honors

• Academic Honors — Tenure and Promotions
• Awarded as one of Springfield Business Journal’s “Most Influential Women” (October 2017)
• Promoted to Full Professor, Evangel University, Springfield, MO (August 2018)
• Awarded the Orville Mills Young Faculty Award, Evangel University (May 2011)
• Awarded Tenure, Evangel University (August 2008)

Publications

• Washburn, D. (2016). Assessing perceptions of clinical supervisory best practice [ProQuest Information & Learning]. In Dissertation Abstracts International: Section B: The Sciences and Engineering (Vol. 76, Issue 9–B(E)).
• Dailey, F.R., Underwood, L.A., Crump, Y., Williams, C., Newmeyer, M., Washburn, D.M., Washington, A., & Pool, L.A. (2016). Treatment Effectiveness of the Louisiana Sexual Behavior Problem Treatment. International Journal of Psychology and Psychoanalysis, 2(4).
• Washburn, D.M. (2016). Safe and Sound: Responding to the Ugly issue of Child Abuse. In Vital Magazine.
• Washburn, D.M. (2015). Assessing perceptions of clinical supervisory best practice (Order No. 3700867).
• Washburn, D.M. (2003). Issues Related to Child Abuse and Neglect. In Cirtin, R (Ed.), Church Safety and Security: A Practical Guide (pp. 43-68). Lima, OH: CSS Publishing.

Unpublished Manuscript

Boley, F., Gaiduk, J., Jones, M., Phillips, S., Slater, L., & Washburn, D.M. (2011). The Relationship of Collectivism and Individualism, on Attitudes and Behaviors of Undergraduate Students to Academic Integrity: A Comparison between Eastern European and North American Students. (In process.)

Trainings Received

• May 2023: Smart Step Family Training (16 hours of CEUs)
• Feb. 2024: Navigating Neurodiversity: Ethical and Competency Standards in Mental Health Practice
• Feb. 2024: Prevention, Intervention, Postvention: 3 Considerations When Addressing Suicide

Community Involvement

Community Service and Board Positions

• Governor’s appointed: Child Abuse and Neglect Review Board, State of Missouri (May 2016–Present)
• COMPACT Family Services: Executive Board Member (Oct. 2015–Present) — Hot Springs, AR
• Great Circle Regional Council: Council Member (Sept. 2016–Present) — Springfield, MO