Angela Jackson

Biography

Dr. Angela Jackson is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor experienced working in clinical settings (youth and families) and as faculty with diverse populations. A graduate of Virginia Tech, she holds a Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a concentration in Race and Social Policy. She specializes in building rapport with clients and clarifying the basis for their presenting issues. For example, what’s beneath the surface of client’s symptoms for anxiety, depression, faith conflict, or family of origin trauma? Dr. Jackson has gained a unique cultural awareness of the family dynamics and relationships particularly with the African American population. Therefore, she welcomes broader roles beyond therapist (educator, faith advocate, resource person) by providing culturally responsive treatment that includes tailoring her skill set with the clients’ unique needs. She makes herself available to clients including being present when collective societal issues such as systemic racism or marginalization are the presenting issues.

As core faculty of the Masters in Counseling Program in the Townsend Institute for Leadership and Counseling, Dr. Jackson considers empowering students in the classroom and clarifying their “professional counseling identity” as no small task. With the high rewards of becoming a licensed professional counselor coupled with the awesome training of the Townsend character/competence model, students are set up for success.

Lastly, Dr. Jackson’s passion for mental health and cultural competency is also evident as the owner of Culturally Competent Therapy as she has specialized in culturally responsive treatment with clients for over ten years.

Degrees Earned

• Ph.D. Counselor Education, Virginia Tech
• M.Ed. Community Counseling, Kent State
• B.S. Industrial Management, University of Akron

Work Experience

• Culturally Competent Therapy PLLC, Chicago, IL — Owner (May 2020–)
• Urban Balance Counseling, Chicago, IL — Psychotherapist (February 2017–2018)
• Key Counseling, Inc, South Bend, IN — Therapist (January 2016–2017)
• Culturally Competent Counseling, Chicago, IL — President, Mental Health, Diversity Trainer (July 2008–2016)
• Michigan City Area Schools, Michigan City, IN — Consultant and Mental Health Cultural Support Facilitator (October 2008–2010)
• Mental Health Association of the New River Valley, Blacksburg, VA — Clinical Intern (September 2002–December 2002)
• Professor, Core Faculty, Townsend Institute, Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, CA (January 2018–)
• The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL — Adjunct Faculty (September 2014–2015)
• Argosy University, Chicago, IL — Adjunct Faculty (January 2011–August 2012)
• Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN — Assistant Professor (August 2006–2008)
• Indiana University South Bend — Adjunct Professor (August 2006)
• Oklahoma State University — Visiting Assistant Professor (August 2005–June 2006)
• Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA — Assistant Director for Learning Assistance Programs, Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence (January 2005–June 2005)

Courses Taught

• COUN 600 Personal Development Skills Process Groups/Townsend Institute Orientation
• COUN 601 Human Growth and Development
• COUN 602 Theories of Counseling
• COUN 605 Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues
• COUN 606 Foundations and Contextual Dimensions of Mental Health Counseling
• COUN 607 Social and Cultural Foundations
• COUN 609 Theory and Practice of Assessment
• COUN 611 Foundations of Crisis and Trauma Counseling
• COUN 612 Career and Lifestyle Development
• COUN 614 Methods and Practice of Research and Evaluation

Professional Memberships

American Counseling Association, Indiana Counseling Association, NBCC

Specialized Practice Areas

Cultural Competency, Cultural Humility, Advocacy, Racial Identity Development, Depression, Anxiety

Publications

• First author: Sage Encyclopedia Multicultural Counseling Social Justice — Multicultural Counseling Outcome Research Entry (Feb 2024)
• Jackson, A.D. & Stokes, J. Multicultural Counseling Outcome Research. The SAGE Encyclopedia of Multicultural Counseling, Social Justice & Advocacy. Sage Publications.
• Jackson, A. D. (2014). A Survey of the Occupational Stress, Psychological Strain, and Coping Resources of Licensed Professional Counselors. Manuscript in preparation.
• Jackson, A. (2011). The Cultural Awareness Journal: For those new to cultural awareness and those already on the journey. Bloomington, IN: Authorhouse.
• Bodenhorn, N., Jackson, A. D., & Farrell, R. (2006). Increasing personal cultural awareness through discussions with international students. International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 17, 63–68.
• CUI Counseling Department — Mini Mental Health Talk 2024; RAD Conference 2024
• Jackson, A. (2022, August). Attachment: One Step Deeper. Presentation given at the Townsend Institute Counseling Program Kickoff Conference, CUI Irvine, CA.
• Jackson, A. (2022, February). Diversity and Equity Discussion. Townsend Institute, Townsend Virtual Townhall, Irvine CA.
• Gordon, L., Paylo, M., Jackson, A. (2021, October). Online Multicultural Pedagogy: Perspectives and Recommendation. American Counselor Education & Supervision. Virtual Conference, Atlanta, GA.
• Jackson, A. (2021, September). Engaging & Changing: Mental Health Advocacy and Leadership in a Shifting Landscape. Indiana Counseling Association. Virtual Conference, Indianapolis, IN.
• Jackson, A. (2020, September). Systematic Racism. YMCA of Greater Houston. Virtual Freedom Tour, Houston, TX.
• Jackson, A. (2019, February). Empowering the African American client: Demystifying mental health. Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference, New Orleans, LA.
• Paessler-Chesterton, H., & Jackson, A. (2018, August). On being present. Presentation given at the Townsend Institute of School of Professional Studies Kickoff Conference, CUI Irvine, CA.
• Jackson, A.D. (2017, September). Assessing Black Male Trauma. In J. Delong (Chair), Symposium conducted at Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL.
• Jackson, A. D. (2015, December). Self-esteem of African American Males. Symposium conducted at Washington High School, South Bend, IN.
• Jackson, A.D. (2015, September). Empowering the African American Client: Demystifying Mental Health. Symposium conducted at Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL.
• Jackson, A.D. (2008, April). Forty Years Gone: Martin Luther King, and the Many Guises of Prejudices. Symposium conducted at Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, Indiana.
• Jackson, A.D. (2003, November). A Developmental Perspective on the DSM. Symposium conducted at Virginia Counseling Association, Williamsburg, VA.
• Jackson, A.D. (2003, November). Mapping Out Success for Teaching Multicultural Counseling Competence: Book Clubs and International Discussion Groups. Symposium conducted at Virginia Counseling Association, Williamsburg, VA.

Trainings Received

• 6/9/23 to 6/10/23 Indiana Counseling Association, Evolution of Counseling, Indianapolis, IN — 18 CEUs
• 3/30/23 to 4/1/23 CAPS Int’l Conference, EMERGE Post-traumatic growth in self and others, Louisville, KY — 18 CEUs
• 4/14/21 to 3/9/22 Townsend Leadership Program, Training via Zoom
• 4/4/21/20 Renewed Vision Counseling Services, Telemental Health Counseling & Supervision Certification — 15 CEUs
• 2/17/21 Counseling CE, LLC and North Shore Wellness Services Ltd., Clinical Supervision Training — 18 CEUs
• 8/23/19 to 4/21 Vision Mission Vocation II, Colloquium in Ministry via Zoom, Concordia University Irvine, Irvine, CA
• 2/22/19 NBCC Law and Ethics in Counseling Conference, New Orleans, LA — 14 CEUs
• 4/24/15 NBCC Foundation — Preparing Counselor of Color — 1.0 CEU
• 5/15/15 NBCC Foundation — Multicultural Counseling Competencies — 1.0 CEU
• 5/30/15 NBCC Foundation Symposium, Greensboro, NC — 13.5 CEUs
• 4/5/16 Certificate of Completion Standard CPR/AED (Adult, Child, Infant) Automated External Defibrillator
• 9/4/16 ACA online — Supervision Ethics and Ethics & Social Media — 2.0 CEUs
• 6/15/17 Inner Voice Psychotherapy & Consultation, Chicago, IL — “Obsessed and Exposed: Practical Applications of ERP for OCD Treatment” — 3 CE hrs.
• 7/15-16 Illinois Mental Health Counselors Academy, Lisle, IL — Effective Treatment Planning — 12.0 CE hrs.
• 9/28/17 Prairie State College, Chicago Heights, IL — Increasing awareness of the complexities of mental health illness and reducing the stigmas — 5 CEU hrs.
• 1/24/18 Eating Disorder Hope & Addiction Hope, Chicago, IL — Drugs Change the Brain and Create Dual Disorders NBCC CE

Community Involvement

• Community Group Church Engagement, Elkhart, IN (Spring 2023–Current)
• International Faith Conference, Virtual Conference, Forest Park, IL (Sept. 2022)
• International Faith Conference, Virtual Conference, Forest Park, IL (Sept. 2021)
• American Counselor Education & Supervision Diversity & Inclusion Panel Virtual Event (Oct. 2021)
• Retention Committee: Mental Health, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2019)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Chairperson, Townsend Institute, Master’s Counseling Program, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2019–Present)
• Educational Effectiveness Committee, Academic Program Improvement, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2018)
• Subject Matter Expertise, Social & Cultural Foundations, Career Development, Townsend Institute, Master’s Counseling Program, Concordia University Irvine, CA (2018–Present)
• Expert Panel Member, Fourth Mental Health Conference, Prairie State College, Chicago Hts, IL (2017)
• Expert Panel Member, STAND UP! Change Teen Statistics, Michigan City High School, Michigan City, IN (2013)
• Presenter, Chancellor Leadership Seminar, Purdue North Central, Westville, IN (2013)
• Mentor, Safe Harbor Mentoring Program, IN (2008–2012)
• Presenter, Indiana Youth Institute, Webinar: The Culturally Aware Youth Worker (2011)
• Guest Speaker, Hammond Rotary Club, Purdue University, Hammond, IN (2011)
• Facilitator, Study Circles on Race, Merriville School Corporation (2010)