PhD in Counseling Psychology

You'll gain discipline-specific knowledge in counseling psychology (including vocational psychology, prevention and outreach, and multicultural and international psychology), the psychological sciences, measurement, research methods, and statistics, as well as foundational knowledge in the history and philosophy of counseling psychology, current professional issues and trends, theories and research on normal human development, and major theories and research in vocational psychology, prevention and outreach, and multicultural and international psychology. Throughout all this, there will be an emphasis on how social injustice affects human functioning.

You will engage in independent scholarship on questions important to counseling psychology, and develop and evaluate interventions to promote positive human development. You'll be equipped to practice as a health service psychologist with competencies in research, ethical and legal standards, individual and cultural diversity, professional values and attitudes, communication and interpersonal skills, assessment, intervention, supervision, consultation and inter-professional/interdisciplinary knowledge and skills.

You'll be educated in the scientist-practitioner model, committed to both research and its practical applications, all with social justice and equality in mind. You will display effective communication and interpersonal skills, as well as professional behaviors, and apply the knowledge base of the discipline in a scientifically-based, theoretically-driven, ethical, and culturally-responsive manner.

Click here to access the APA Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data (2024) related to this program.

Loyola's PhD in counseling psychology has been accredited by the American Psychologist Association (APA) since 1984.

Aaron Graham, M.S. (enrolled 2022)

• Hometown: Matteson, IL
• Ethnicity: Black
• Clinical Interests: My clinical interests reside in mindfulness-based therapies and counseling practices, vocational counseling, psychoeducation, mind & body integrative therapy, and general mental health wellness.
• Research interests: My current research interests are in the stigma against mental health in underrepresented communities, community-based participatory research, workplace mental health, and counseling training.
• Contact info: agraham17@luc.edu

Jiwon Lee, M.Ed. (enrolled 2022)

• Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
• Ethnicity: Asian
• Clinical Interests: Trauma-informed therapy, cross-cultural counseling (working with racial/ethnic minorities, LGBT+ population), self-acceptance/self-compassion, social anxiety
• Research interests: Experiences of racism and microaggressions among Asians/Asian Americans, systemic interventions that target racism
• Contact info: jlee122@luc.edu

Claude Louis, M.S. (enrolled 2022)

• Hometown: Norwalk, CT
• Ethnicity: Black/Haitian American
• Clinical Interests: Community based counseling, integration of social justice in counseling for marginalized populations, LGBTQ focused counseling existential, humanistic, and person-centered counseling interventions.
• Research interests: LGBTQ, minority and urban populations; development of humanistic, social justice interventions in community counseling settings to address retention, quality of mental health treatment and other disparities among urban vulnerable populations; counselor education, with a focus on counselor competency working with multicultural, immigrant, and other underserved populations. Counselor identity development and internalized racism.
• Contact info: clouis2@luc.edu

Trayvon Truss, M.A. (enrolled 2022)

• Hometown: Chicago, IL
• Ethnicity: African American
• Clinical and Research Interests: Stigma among mental health in African American men.
• Contact info: ttruss@luc.edu

Kayla Horne, M.A.

• Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
• Ethnicity: African American/ Black
• Clinical Interests: Trauma-informed care, addictions counseling, person-centered interventions, and social justice and multiculturally competent counseling.
• Research Interests: I am excited to research identity development in people who have become bilingual or multilingual after attending an International School. I am interested in understanding how the language(s) have shaped the graduates and how they have integrated the new language and culture into their identity.
• Contact info: khorne2@luc.edu

Katharina Lippert, B.S.

• Hometown: Miami, FL
• Ethnicity: White
• Clinical Interests: My clinical interests focus on mindfulness/ positive psychology intervention techniques, as well as focusing on self-identity and purpose in life.
• Research Interests: My current research interest focuses on how well-being and positive psychology methods can help identity development in youths and adults across cultures. Especially the effectiveness of positive psychology interventions across cultures and social classes.
• Contact info: klippert@luc.edu

Kristin Woodlen, M.A.

• Hometown: Harrisburg, PA
• Ethnicity: Asian, Chinese American
• Clinical Interests: Person-Centered therapy, Cross-cultural counseling (working with racial/ethnic minorities and diverse families), Racial/Ethnic Identity Development.
• Research Interests: Racial/Ethnic identity development and mental health of transracial adoptees.
• Contact info: kwoodlen@luc.edu

The program typically takes four to five years of study, including a full-time pre-doctoral internship. Time for degree completion, including the dissertation is six years.

Continuous Enrollments
Doctoral students in counseling psychology are required to maintain continuous enrollment during their program of studies. This means that during each semester of each academic year (excluding Summer Sessions), each student must enroll in at least one course. A formal leave of absence may be granted upon request and with the approval of the Graduate School’s Associate Dean.

Comprehensive take-home exam is required. Refer to the 2024 CPSY Doctoral Handbook for more information.