Kristel Widner Headley, Ph.D., LPC-MHSP, ACS, RPT-S, BC-TMH

Education and Training

2009-2012 Regent University, Virginia Beach, Virginia

• CACREP-Accredited Doctoral Program in Counselor Education and Supervision
• Dissertation entitled “Predicting Psychological Adjustment of Missionary Kids (MKs) Repatriating to the United States”
• Completed four-year program in three years with a GPA of 3.97
• Ph.D. Merit Award, August 2009 – May 2012

2002-2005 Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia

• M.A. in Professional Counseling

1995-1998 University of Richmond, Richmond, Virginia

• B.A. in English
• University Scholar
• National Merit Scholar

 

Teaching Experience

Johnson University, Knoxville, TN

Professor, July 2019-present

Director, Graduate Counseling Program, January, 2017 – present

CACREP liaison, 2014-present

• Provide counseling instruction through face-to-face and hybrid instruction for assigned graduate and undergraduate courses.
• Provide clinical supervision to 2-5 graduate counseling students per semester in the University Counseling Center.
• Attend university-wide and school-wide faculty meetings.
• Serve on University Strategic Planning Committee (2020-21)

Associate Professor, July 2016 – June, 2019

• Served on curriculum review committee for undergraduate Arts and Sciences and Bible and Theology core (Spring, 2019)
• Panelist for “Holistic Health and Wellness” campus forum (Spring, 2017).
• Served on Intellectual Property committee (2016-2017, 2018-2019)
• Served on English faculty search committee (Spring, 2016) and Assistant Librarian search committee (Spring, 2016- Fall, 2017)
• Serve as faculty representative on Library Committee (Fall, 2015-present).
• Supervised “Wired for Intimacy” chapel group (Spring, 2018; Spring, 2019)
• Led chapel group encouraging young women to examine the intersection between gender, career, and calling (Fall, 2016; Spring, 2017)
• Led chapel group for Third Culture Kids & international students acculturating to the United States (Spring, 2016)
• Co-led chapel group studying A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (Fall 2017)
• Courses taught include graduate-level Social & Cultural Diversity; Theories of Counseling/MFT I; Theories of Counseling/MFT II; Child & Adolescent Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment; Addiction Etiology & Counseling; Counseling Skills & Techniques; Testing & Assessment II; Clinical Practicum; Clinical Internship I.

Assistant Professor, July 2013 – June, 2016

• Panelist for “Gender Roles and the Church” campus forum (Fall, 2015).
• CACREP liaison (2014-present)
• Led chapel group for Third Culture Kids & international students acculturating to the United States (Spring, 2015; Fall, 2015)
• Co-led chapel group for short-term missionaries repatriating to the United States (Fall, 2014)
• Graduate courses taught include Human Development; Social & Cultural Diversity; Theories of Counseling/MFT I; Theories of Counseling/MFT II; Child & Adolescent Diagnosis, Assessment, and Treatment; Addiction Etiology & Counseling; Counseling Skills & Techniques; Testing & Assessment II; Clinical Practicum; Clinical Internship I.
• Undergraduate courses taught include Abnormal Psychology; Parent Education & Guidance; Family & Community Resource Management; Social Science Research & Writing.

Adjunct Instructor, Walden University

May 2013-present

• Provide counseling instruction online for a CACREP-accredited program.
• Courses taught include Counseling Theories, Diagnosis & Assessment, Ethics & Legal Issues, Development Across the Lifespan, Couples and Family Counseling, Counseling Techniques, and Multicultural Counseling.

Adjunct Assistant Professor, Johnson University, Knoxville, TN

January 2013 – June 2013

• Provide counseling instruction through face-to-face and hybrid instruction for assigned graduate and undergraduate courses.
• Provide supervision to first-year counseling students in the University Counseling Center.
• Attend university-wide and school-wide faculty meetings.

Adjunct Instructor, Carson-Newman College, Jefferson City, TN

August 2012 – December 2012

• Provide counseling instruction through face-to-face instruction.
• Graduate counseling courses taught include Crisis Counseling (Fall 2012).

Adjunct Instructor, Montreat College, Asheville, NC

Fall 2012 – Spring 2013

• Provide counseling instruction through an online platform.
• Graduate counseling courses taught include Theories of Counseling (November 2012 through January 2013).
• Course writer for Addictions Counseling course.

Adjunct Instructor, Walters State Community College, Morristown, TN

August 2012 – December 2012

• Provide psychology instruction in both online and face-to-face formats. Courses taught include General Psychology (Fall, 2012).

Adjunct Instructor, University of Tennessee – Chattanooga, Chattanooga, TN

Summer 2012

• Provide counseling instruction through a hybrid format (Blackboard).
• Graduate counseling courses taught include Career Counseling (Summer, 2012).

Adjunct Instructor, Regent University – Virginia Beach, VA

May 2012 – May 2016

• Provide counseling instruction through a hybrid format (Blackboard) for a CACREP-accredited program.
• Graduate counseling courses taught include Human Growth & Development, Practicum & Advanced Skills, Psychopathology, Counseling Skills & Techniques, Orientation to the Counseling Profession, Theories of Counseling, Counseling and Christian Thought, and Multicultural Counseling.

Adjunct Instructor, Johnson University, Knoxville, TN

January 2012– December 2013

• Taught one section of undergraduate abnormal psychology in a live classroom format with the support of online platforms (Sakai) during Spring 2012.
• Taught graduate Human Development in a hybrid format during Fall, 2012.

Adjunct Instructor, Grand Canyon University

November 2011-March 2013

• Provide counseling instruction through an online format (LoudCloud).
• Graduate counseling courses taught include Ethics and Professional Orientation, Testing and Assessment, and Research Methods.

Teaching Assistant, Regent University, Virginia Beach, VA

October 2009-May 2012

• Provide support to two professors in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Duties include responding to student discussion board postings, grading papers, and other tasks as assigned by professors.
• During Fall 2011, provided triadic supervision for six master’s level practicum students.

 

Clinical and Consulting Experience

Staff Counselor, Wellsprings Counseling Group, Morristown, TN

June, 2016 – August, 2017

• Provide counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families

Owner, Lifepointe Counseling Services, Jefferson City, TN

July 2015 – present

• Provide counseling services to children, adolescents, adults, and families
• Provide postgraduate licensure supervision to LPC candidates

Clinical Director, Tennessee Community Health Services, Dandridge, TN

March 2012-September 2012

• Oversee daily operations and management of residential treatment, intensive outpatient, and outpatient substance abuse and mental health programs; provide supervision to two associate clinical directors and approximately 50 staff; provide clinical supervision to therapists; supervise treatment teams; maintain documentation and policies/procedures to comply with applicable standards including The Joint Commission, CMS, and private insurance standards. Train staff in clinical approaches to care.  Company closed September 7, 2012.

Regent University Student Health and Wellness

January 2011-April 2011

• Developed, administered, statistically analyzed and presented a multi-level study of the health and wellness practices of students currently enrolled in the university’s online programs of study.

Clinical Director, Peninsula Hospital, Louisville, TN

November 2009-March, 2012

• Oversee daily operations and management of therapy, activities therapy, admissions, and communications; provide supervision to approximately 30 staff; provide clinical supervision to therapists; develop and oversee budgets for service domains; advocate for and improve the workings of multidisciplinary treatment teams; work closely with other disciplines including utilization review, nursing, medicine, and others to ensure patient-centered care; maintain documentation and policies/procedures to comply with applicable standards including The Joint Commission, CMS, and private insurance standards; serve as administrator on-call on a rotating basis. Train staff in clinical approaches to care.
• Provide coverage for therapists and clinical assessors as needed.
• Completed Therapeutic Crisis Intervention training.
• Chair of “We Care” (internal benevolence program).
• Effective March 2011, assumed full responsibility for discharge planning and case management and clinical responsibility for utilization management and admissions departments, in addition to the duties listed above.

Clinical Program Manager, Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City, TN

June 2008-November 2009

• Oversee daily operations and management of inpatient and outpatient therapy, activities therapy, discharge planning, and treatment planning at Woodridge Hospital and Woodridge Outpatient Services; provide supervision to approximately 45 staff; provide clinical supervision to Mountain States’ Employee Assistance Program; develop and oversee budgets for service domains; advocate for and improve the workings of multidisciplinary treatment teams; work closely with other disciplines including utilization review, nursing, medicine, and others to ensure patient-centered care; maintain documentation and policies/procedures to comply with applicable standards including The Joint Commission, CMS, and private insurance standards; serve as administrator on-call on a rotating basis.
• Completed Human Empowerment Leadership Program training.
• Member of the First Judicial District Child Fatality Review Team
• Member of the Northeast Tennessee Commission on Children and Youth.

Program Director – Children’s Services, Highlands Community Services, Bristol, VA

April 2007-May 2008

• Oversee daily operations and management of Care Coordination, Intensive Child and Family Services, In-Home Family Therapy, Therapeutic Foster Care, Mental Health Supports, and Student Assistance Programs for children and adolescents in Bristol City and Washington County, Virginia; provide supervision to three unit managers and twenty additional staff; identify needs and develop new services within the community; develop and oversee budgets for service domains; build and sustain positive working relationships with key stake holders in the community; participate in multidisciplinary teams and family assessment planning teams; maintain outpatient caseload of six to eight children and adolescents.
• Member of multidisciplinary treatment teams at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Bristol/Washington County, Virginia.

Clinical Program Supervisor, Youth Villages, Johnson City, TN

August 2006-April 2007

• Oversee clinical direction for 150-200 families receiving intensive in-home family therapy throughout Eastern Tennessee and North Carolina; provide clinical development to counselors and supervisors; provide booster trainings quarterly or as needed; ensure adherence to MST model through use of TAM/SAM data; provide coverage for other consultants as needed; provide five day MST orientation trainings; provide individual supervision to clinical supervisors no less than monthly; work under the supervision of a doctoral level MST Services consultant.

Clinical Supervisor, Youth Villages, Johnson City, TN

August 2005-August 2006

• Supervise a team of three to six family counselors, providing group and individual supervision in accordance with the MST model; maintain continuous quality improvement through administration of the Therapist Adherence Measure (TAM) and Supervisor Adherence Measure (SAM); develop relationships with key community stakeholders to maintain children within the home; provide case coverage as needed; contact families and collateral contacts biweekly to monthly to provide additional support; begin mentoring with a Youth Villages Clinical Program Supervisor.
• Participated in case management cross-training events with the Department of Children’s Services and also provided therapy coverage for Therapeutic Foster Care as needed.
• Remained on-call 24/7.

Senior Family Counselor, Youth Villages, Johnson City, TN

March 2005-August 2005

• Continue to maintain a caseload of four to six families while working under decreased supervision and taking on additional leadership responsibilities as designated by supervisor, including training and mentoring newer counselors, implementing marketing strategies with key stakeholders in the community, and taking on a special contract case from the Department of Children’s Services.
• Remained on-call 24/7.

Family Counselor, Youth Villages, Johnson City, TN

June 2004-March 2005

• Provide in-home multisystemic therapy to four to six families of children at risk for out of home placement in Northeast Tennessee; maintain appropriate clinical documentation; provide treatment in accordance with MST principles to maintain children in the home; complete psychosocial assessments; respond to crisis situations 24/7 with rotating weekends and holidays; attend quarterly MST boosters to enhance further clinical skill development.

Adult Case Manager, Johnson County Counseling Center, Mountain City, TN

December 2003-June 2004

• Provide resources and support to improve and enhance activities of daily living for adult clients classified as severely and persistently mentally ill under Tennessee state guidelines; complete case management eligibility assessments; maintain client chart documentation; make staffing decisions in conjunction with the treatment team; provide home-based services one to three times monthly to clients in rural Northeast Tennessee.

Social Worker, Woodside Psychiatric Unit, Roanoke Rapids, NC

July 2003-October 2003

• Maintain an inpatient caseload of up to ten adult psychiatric patients, including responsibility for psychosocial assessments, group, individual, and marital therapy, treatment planning, discharge planning, and utilization review.
• Conduct crisis mental health assessments in the emergency room and identify appropriate placements for these individuals.
• Completed CPI (non-violent crisis intervention).

 

Licensure and Certifications

Licensed Professional Counselor with Mental Health Service Provider Designation

• State of Tennessee, expiration 12/31/2021

Approved Clinical Supervisor, expiration 12/2021

Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor (RPT-S), expiration 11/15/2021

Mandatory Prescreening Agent, State of Tennessee, expiration 12/31/2021

Certified PREPARE/ENRICH facilitator

Completed basic and advanced EMDR training (EMDRIA approved)

Certified PREP facilitator

Completed Emotionally Focused couples therapy externship

 

Publications

Headley, K. (2018). Designing a creative toolkit for working with children/adolescents. In Jordan, J., Perkins, B., & Lee, R. (Eds.) Handbook of experiential teaching in counselor education: A resource guide for counselor educators.Charleston, South Carolina: CreateSpace Independent Publishing.

Davis, P., Headley, K., Bazemore, T., Cervo, J., Sickinger, P., Windham, M., & Rehfuss, M. (2010).  Evaluating impact of transition seminars on missionary kids’ depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being.  Journal of Psychology and Theology, 38(3), 186-194.

 

Professional Service and Involvement

Member, American Counseling Association (ACA)

Member, Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES)

Member, Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (SACES)

Member, Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC)

Member, Christian Association for Psychological Studies (CAPS)

Member, Association for Play Therapy (APT)

Member, Tennessee Counseling Association (TCA)

• Chair, Research Committee, July 2017- June, 2019
• Participated in Leadership Development Institute, July 2017, July 2010
• Publications Committee, Tennessee Counseling Association, July 2016-June 2017
• Chair, Licensure/Legislative (Mental Health) Committee, July 2010-June 2011

Member, Tennessee Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (TACES)

• Treasurer (July, 2019-present)

Founding member, Conservative Perspectives for Ethical Practices in Counseling (CPEPC)

Member, Chi Sigma Iota, Regent University

Ad hoc reviewer for Journal of Psychology and Theology (Fall, 2014; Fall, 2016)

Proposal reviewer for biannual Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) conference (March, 2019; February, 2017; February, 2015)

Proposal reviewer for biannual Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) conference (March, 2018)

Peer reviewer for American Psychological Association (selected title, December 2019)

 

Presentations and Panel Discussions

Perez, J. and Headley, K. La cultura Hispana: Building multicultural interventions in the Hispanic community (2021, February). Smoky Mountain Counseling Association One-Day Conference. Knoxville, TN.

Saylor, N., Headley, K., and Blackburn, A. (2020, March, accepted and withdrawn subsequent to COVID-19).Weathering the storm: Therapy Practice and Teaching during Personal Crises. Christian Association for Psychological Studies Conference. Atlanta, GA.

Saylor, N., Headley, K., and Perez, P. (2019, March). Use of Disposition Assessment across the Academic Developmental Spectrum. Christian Association for Psychological Studies Conference. Dallas, TX.

Headley, K. (2018, October). If Haidt is Right: Adjusting Counseling Pedagogy to Reflect the Moral Intuitions Model. Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision conference, Myrtle Beach, SC.

Invited panelist. O’Brien, E. and Dailey, S. (2018, April). ASERVIC featured education session: Diverse voices in religion and spirituality. American Counseling Association, Atlanta, GA.

Stanley, J., and Headley, K. (2017, November). Counselor educator forum: Trends, issues, and best practices in counselor education. Tennessee Counseling Association Conference, Nashville, TN.

Headley, K. (2017, August). Basic introduction to sandtray. Tennessee Licensed Professional Counselors’ Association, Knoxville, TN.

Henriksen, R., and Headley, K. (2017, July). Conservative and Traditional Religious Counselors in Relation to ACA, ASERVIC, and the Code of Ethics: A Panel Discussion. Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling Conference. Richmond, VA.

Headley, K., and Ridge, S. (2017, July). Teaching students to practice what we preach: Infusing student wellness in graduate counseling curricula. Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling Conference. Richmond, VA.

Headley, K., and Davis, P. (2017, March). Breaking technology barriers: flipping the counseling classroom to teach skills and content. Christian Association for Psychological Studies Conference. Chicago, IL.

Headley, K. (2016, November). Skills vs. Content: Flipped Classroom Skills for Counselors. Tennessee Counseling Association Conference. Murfreesboro, TN.

Headley, K., and Ridge, S. (2016, October). Teaching students to practice what we preach: Infusing student wellness in graduate counseling curricula. Southern Association of Counselor Education and Supervision Conference. New Orleans, LA.

Headley, K., and Davis, P. (2016, March). Skills vs. Content: Flipping the Counseling Classroom. American Counseling Association Conference. Montreal, Canada.

Headley, K. (2015, November). Energy psychology: What’s all the hype about? Tennessee Counseling Association Conference. Murfreesboro, TN.

Headley, K. (2014, November). Connecting with Third Culture Kids (TCKs) in University and Secondary Settings. Tennessee Counseling Association Conference. Murfreesboro, TN.

Headley, K. (2014, July). Play therapy and other techniques for school counselors. Invited presentation for Knox County elementary school counselors. Knoxville, TN.

Headley, K. (2014, February). Lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!: Use of metaphor and other creative techniques in counseling sessions. Presentation for annual Smoky Mountain Counseling Association One-Day Conference.  Jefferson City, TN.

Headley, K. (2013, February).  Getting the most from clinical supervision: Success for internship and practicum.  Presentation for annual Smoky Mountain Counseling Association One-Day Conference.  Jefferson City, TN.

Headley, K., and Davis, P. (2011, November).  Impact of re-entry seminars on MK depression, anxiety, stress, and well-being.  Invited presentation for Mental Health in Missions Conference.  Angola, Indiana.

Headley, K., and Potts, M. (2011, November).  Ethical boundaries in therapeutic and supervisory relationships.  Peninsula Ethics Workshop.  Knoxville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2011, August).  Beginning play therapy skills.  Presentation for outpatient therapists at Peninsula Outpatient Clinic.  Knoxville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2010, October).  Conducting effective inpatient groups.  Presentation for registered nurses and program counselors at Peninsula Hospital.  Louisville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2010, July).  Clinical Assessment Tools for School Counselors.  Invited lecture for school counseling students at Carson-Newman College.  Jefferson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2010, May).  Working with Adolescents in the Inpatient Psychiatric Setting.  Training for Peninsula Hospital staff.  Louisville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2010, January-February).  Parenting with Love and Logic.  Five week course at First Baptist Church.  Dandridge, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2009, December).  Motivational Interviewing.  Training for Peninsula Hospital staff, Louisville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2009, October).  Mental Wellness, Recovery, and Resiliency.  Presentation for the Health Resource Center of Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2009, September).  Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.  Presentation for the Health Resource Center of Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2009, April).  Helping a Loved One Diagnosed with an Eating Disorder.  Presentation for the Johnson City National Eating Disorder Association Walk, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2009, February).  Mental Wellness, Recovery, and Resiliency.  Presentation for the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill, Johnson City chapter, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2009, January).  Crisis Intervention Training.  Three day training for the Johnson City Police Department, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2008, November).  Tips for Effective Parenting.  Presentation for employees of Russell County Medical Center and Norton Community Hospital, Lebanon and Norton, Virginia.

Headley, K. (2008, October).  Mental Wellness, Recovery, and Resiliency.  Presentation for the Health Resource Center of Mountain States Health Alliance, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2007, January).  Basic Skills for MST Supervision.  Quarterly booster training for Youth Villages MST supervisors, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Headley, K. (2007, January).  Making the Paperwork Work for You.  Quarterly booster training for Youth Villages MST counselors, Greensboro, North Carolina.

Headley, K. and Caraway, D. (2006, December).  Counseling 101: Basic Helping Skills.  Training for new Youth Villages MST counselors, Morristown, Tennessee.

Headley, K. and Caraway, D.(2006, September).  MST Basics.  Training for new Youth Villages MST counselors, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. and Caraway, D. (2006, July). Counseling 101: Basic Helping Skills.  Training for new Youth Villages MST counselors, Knoxville, Tennessee.

Headley, K. (2006, February).  Review of ACA Ethics Codes.  Presentation for weekly counselors’ meeting at Youth Villages, Johnson City, Tennessee.

Volunteer History

Completed American Red Cross Mental Health Worker Disaster Training, September, 2017. Eligible for rapid deployment.

Member of Jefferson County Schools Crisis Response Team, 2012-present

Member of Tennessee Ladies’ Chorus, 2011-present.

Member of First Baptist Church, Dandridge, TN, 2010-present.

Member and pianist, Hunter First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, Tennessee.  2003-2010.

Director of Women’s Ministries, Hunter First Baptist Church, Elizabethton, Tennessee, 2006-2010.

Registered disaster relief worker with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, 2008-2010.

Completed Introduction to Red Cross and Shelter and Disaster Education training, American Red Cross, 2005.