Graduate  Student Committee
& Undergraduate Student Committee

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Sara Ellison is a doctoral student in Counselor Education and Supervision at Auburn University. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Mercer University. During her graduate training, Sara worked with survivors of trauma and addiction who were also experiencing homelessness and is passionate about advocating for integrated trauma services for this population. In addition to her roles as a research assistant and instructor at Auburn, she maintains a limited caseload at a private practice in Atlanta. Her research interests include trauma and resilience, disorders of overcontrol, and the experiences of sexual minorities.

Danielle Holly Johnson, MA, LCPC, is a doctoral student in the Counselor Education and Supervision program at Regent University. She completed her master's in clinical mental health counseling and certificate of graduate studies in trauma in 2017 at Regent University. 

Danielle is a telehealth therapist, clinical supervisor, and substance use disorder counselor. She has worked in addiction counseling for 10 years and in the mental health counseling field for over 15 years. Danielle is a Teaching Assistant at Regent University and an intern at Hazelden Betty Ford's Butler Center for Research. Currently, she is collaborating with a research team to help develop a professional code of ethics for the Ukrainian psychological counseling profession. Danielle facilitates trauma healing groups through the Trauma Healing Institute, where she recently became a certified Trauma Healing Group facilitator and trainer. She has led discussions and provided workshops to raise awareness and decrease stigma regarding mental health and substance use treatment. Danielle is passionate about cross-cultural engagement and promoting concepts of holistic wellness, especially within marginalized communities. 

Dr. Ainbinder is Professor of Counseling and Associate Dean at Lynn University in Florida with a specialization in Marriage and Family Counseling, using a scientist/practitioner model of professional development.  She served as Co-Principle Investigator for two prevention-focused research studies. She has been active in the field of counseling since 1985, including private practice and agency settings.  Her research interests include parent interventions to decrease alcohol use and related consequences, and community programs in narcotics overdose prevention.  She is currently working on a Quality Enhacement Plan at Lynn University to integrate local and global research related to the functions of wellness, specifically resilience.

Kashon W. Corley, NCC,LPC-S is a doctoral student at the University of the Cumberlands pursuing her degree in Counseling Education and Supervision.  Kashon has been providing mental health counseling services within her community since 2000. Kashon has worked in various counseling areas: substance abuse, readjustment counseling services for military service members, guidance counseling, adolescent/adult rehabilitation, martial counseling, EAP services, behavioral health case management, and counseling supervision.
Kashon has received specialized training in: Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy  (TF-CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) certified therapist, Parent Management Techniques (PMT), and Prolonged Exposure. 

In addition to serving as a Graduate Student for IARTC, Kashon is also an active member of her local ACA state chapter, LCA, and the Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society Chi Sigma Iota, Chi Psi Omega Chapter.

Cassandra Riedy Rush is thrilled and grateful to be serving IARTC! Cassandra is a doctoral candidate at George Washington University and a lecturer at Belmont University. She has experience working with clients with high level trauma at a substance use facility for women. There she recognized the pervasive and complex impacts of trauma and sought to learn as much as possible about how to serve those who have experienced it. Her quest for understanding has included scholarship in parental substance use and families’ responses to persistent trauma, research and lecturing on the neuroscience of trauma, and developing interventions that increase clients’ sense of safety. Cassandra has had the pleasure of publishing on family systems’ response to trauma, emerging adults’ resilience, and traumatic experiences such as intimate partner violence. Other topics on which she has published include crisis counseling, narrative therapy, and the impact of psychological stress on sexual health.

Lydia Fink is a candidate for a master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Lynn University and graduated Cum Laude from Lynn University with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science. She currently serves as the counseling and psychology intern for the College of Arts and Sciences at Lynn University and is the assistant managing editor with the Journal of Individual Psychology. Lydia also works as a Child and Family Therapy Intern with Women in Distress, helping children and families affected by domestic violence. In addition, Lydia is the founder and president of the Lynn Student Counseling Organization, as well as the Secretary for the IARTC Graduate Student Committee. Outside of her academic endeavors, Lydia is an advocate for animal rights and donates her time volunteering and fostering animals through the Peggy Adams Animal Rescue.

Lauren A Steele is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Master's Certified Addictions Professional (MCAP), National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Qualified Supervisor (QS) for those seeking licensure in mental health in the State of Florida. She received her Bachelor's of Science from the University of Central Florida and her Master's in Counseling (Mental Health and Marriage and Family Therapy) from Palm Beach Atlantic University. Currently, she is a second year doctoral student working on her PhD in Counselor Education at Florida Atlantic University and is also a Graduate Teaching Assistant and a member of Chi Sigma Iota Honor Society. Lauren works full-time for The School District of Palm Beach County as a Mental Health Professional and has a small part-time private practice. Her passion includes working with adolescents, children, and families who have been affected by trauma and her research interests include the self-awareness and self-efficacy of adult mentors providing social-emotional learning and trauma-informed care services in the school settings. 

My name is Lane Madsen. I am a single mom of two living in South Dakota. I love to travel and plan to move to one of the coastal states or abroad during or after completing my doctoral program. I attended Morningside University for my bachelor’s program, studying Counseling Psychology and Religious Studies. I chose to return to my home state to attend graduate school at the University of South Dakota. I delayed a doctoral program and worked in a correction setting for six years. My master’s degree is in School Counseling, and I started my doctoral program with Capella University in January 2021 in Counseling Education and Supervision.

While working in corrections, I earned my addiction license and focused on recovery through cultural programs with Native Americans, methamphetamine intensive programs, and dual-diagnosis programs. I am applying for a plan for supervision for LPC during my practicum next quarter at Capella University. I eventually did return to the school setting working in an elementary suburban Title 1 school for five years. 

Dezarae Toronto is a mother of 5 and is currently pursuing both a Master's in clinical mental health counseling with Walden University and a Master's in military psychology through Adler University while working full time. Upon graduation and licensing, she plans to open an equine-assisted psychotherapy program to help veterans suffering from PTSD, homelessness, and job loss. Dezarae is passionate about helping people cope with and grow from trauma and is excited to be involved with the IARTC graduate committee. Dezarae plans on opening her facility in Texas.