Maryland Counselors for Social Justice (MCSJ)
a Division of Maryland Counseling Association (MCA), and a Branch of Counselors for Social Justice (CSJ).
2018-2019 Term
July 1, 2018 - June 30, 2019
Maryland Counselors for Social Justice (MCSJ)- 2019 Conference
A Gathering of Counselors, Allies, & Communities: Social Justice Advocacy in our Current Sociopolitical Climate
MCSJ Inaugural Conference
April 27, 2019
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland
MCSJ Newsletter (2018-2019)
March 1, 2019
Volume 1, Issue 3
Read about MCSJ's preparations for the upcoming Inaugural Conference
Read Here
December 1, 2018
Volume 1, Issue 2
Read about MCSJ's accomplishments in regards to their Professional Development Series and Initiatives
Read Here
September 1, 2018
Volume 1, Issue 1
Read MCSJ first President Dr. Chioma Anah's letter to the MCSJ Community. MCSJ Executive Board member share what social justice means to them.
Read Here:
MCSJ Workshops
(2018-2019) MCSJ Workshop Series
Taking a Stand: Our Journey, and Roles of Counselors as Social Justice Advocates in our Current Political Climate
Date: Sunday, November 4, 2018
Time: 1:15pm- 2:30pm
MCSJ Executive Board Members Present Roundtable Session at the Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) Conference: (November2-4, 2018).
Presenters:
Dr. Chioma Anah, ATR, LCPC, ACS
Evan Velleman, M.S.
Jasmine Templeton, LCPC
Citation:
Anah, C., Velleman, E., & Templeton, J. (November, 2018). Taking a stand: Our journey, & roles of counselors as social justice advocates, in our current political climate. Maryland Counseling Association (MCA) Conference, Roundtable Discussion.
Law Enforcement and Counseling: Courageous Conversations about How Best to Serve the Community & Clients
THIS WORKSHOP IS CLOSED
Saturday, September 22, 2018
10:00am-1:00pm
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Education Building, 2800 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218)
3 CE's
$30: MCSJ Members
$40: Non-MCSJ Members
Examining Intersectionality, Privilege, & Oppression: Strategies for Counselors to Enhance Multicultural & Social Justice Advocacy
THIS WORKSHOP IS CLOSED
Saturday, August 18, 2018
10:00am-1:00pm
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore (Education Building, 2800 N. Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218)
3 CE's
$30: MCSJ Members
$40: Non-MCSJ Members
Presenters:
Kshipra Jain, MA, LPC, NCC
Dr. Chioma Anah, ATR, NCC, LCPC, ACS
MCSJ 2018-2019
Mission
Maryland Counselors for Social Justice (MCSJ)
The mission of Maryland Counselors for Social Justice (MCSJ) is to work to promote social justice advocacy in our society, through confronting oppressive systems of power and privilege that manifest in a lack of equal access, benefits, resources, and opportunities to large segments of our population. We work to address mental health issues caused by social marginalization, and oppressive issues that affect professional counselors, students, and the clients we serve. Our goal is to work to assist in positive change in our society, and call attention to additional ways counselors could be better advocates in their work with diverse, marginalized and disenfranchised clients, through professional development.
Bylaws were completed on 2/26/2018 and send to MCA for membership vote.
5/8/2018 MCA officially approved MCSJ bylaws.
MCSJ Bylaws Adopted- 5/8/2018
Maryland Counselors for Social Justice-MCSJ
P.O. Box 5631
Baltimore, MD 21210
Email: mdcounselorsmcsj@gmail.com
"Keep pushing towards justice."
“In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice…, the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Membership
Benefits of Membership
Professional Networking Opportunities
Continuing Education (CE's) at a Reduced Price
Support and Advocacy for Social Justice Issues in Maryland
Quarterly Newsletter, and opportunities to publish articles, interviews, viewpoints, and advertise your business or trainings
Trainings Specifically Geared to Address Social Justice Advocacy Issues concerning Counselors and the clients they serve
Staying Current with Public Policy Issues and New Laws of Interest to Professional Counselors
To promote Social Justice Advocacy Issues in Professional Counseling to the Public/Community
To Help Further the Field of Social Justice Advocacy in Professional Counseling
Professional Development
MCSJ will be providing trainings, workshops, and a conference that highlight Social Justice Advocacy Issues in counseling. We also support other counseling organizations and local counselors who provide trainings that bring social justice advocacy awareness to our members. If you have a training or event that you would like to promote, please email mdcounselorsMCSJ@gmail.com
Opportunities for Leadership
There are several opportunities for leadership positions in various committees. We are always in need of people to help and volunteer their time to our organization
Membership Type and Fees
Professional/Regular $15
Student $10
Associate $20
Retiree/Veteran $5
Life-time Membership $300
Join us, let's make a difference together, and change the world!
“It may well be that we will have to repent in this generation. Not merely for the vitriolic words and the violent actions of bad people, but for the appalling silence and indifference of the good people who sit around and say, “Wait on time.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
MCSJ Leadership Team
Executive Board Members
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Meet Our MCSJ Leadership Team!
MCSJ EXECUTIVE BOARD MEMBERS
Dr. Chioma Anah, Ed.D., ATR, LCPC, ACS
President (2018-2019)
Dr. Chioma Anah holds a Doctorate of Education in Counseling Psychology, is a Registered Art Therapist (ATR), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC- Maryland), an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), a Board Approved Supervisor in the state of Maryland, and the Founder & CEO of PerceptA Therapeutic & Training Center, LLC located in Towson, Maryland. She has over 15-years experience in the clinical field working with at-risk adolescents, adults, and families of all races and cultural background. As a registered art therapist, she uses art with clients as part of a healing approach and intervention to treat cultural & racial oppression. Dr. Anah is an Adjunct Faculty at Argosy University, Northern Virginia, and works closely with doctoral students in the dissertation phase of their studies. Her research interests are in multicultural issues in counseling, social justice advocacy, racial microaggressions, psychology of racism, art & creativity as tools for healing, and resiliency and coping interventions for race-related stress and trauma. She has presented in many national and regional conferences, including workshops at the American Art Therapy Association (AATA) Conference. Dr. Anah is an avid reader, writer, and loves to create art. She is also a proud alumna of the Johns Hopkins University School of Education.
Dr. Don Trahan, Jr., Ph.D., LPC, ACS
President-Elect (2018-2019)
Dr. Don Trahan, Jr. is a licensed professional counselor (LPC), national certified counselor (NCC), approved clinical supervisor (ACS), professor of counseling, and international consultant. He is recognized as a global leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion change management, with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education and professional industries. As a research-driven practitioner, Dr. Trahan focuses his scholarly work on advocacy and culturally responsive leadership, which has led to the publication of several peer-reviewed articles, nationwide conference presentations, and international speaking engagements. His research and unique content delivery has enabled him to develop partnerships with organizations such as the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the United States Department of Education, and the United States Department of Justice.
Dr. Trahan is a devoted advocate of social justice and educational equity, and he dedicates a significant amount of time to mentoring and community-based activities. Additionally, he is an active member of the American Counseling Association, the American Psychological Association, and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity,
Incorporated. Dr. Trahan holds a B.A. in Psychology and a M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a M.A. in Educational Leadership and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education from the University of New Mexico, and he is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Management from the University of Maryland University College. Today, he resides in Ewing, New Jersey and serves as the inaugural Director of Diversity and Inclusion at The College of New Jersey.
Evan Velleman
Counselor Representative
Evan is a Middle and Upper School Counselor at the Park School of Baltimore. After almost a decade teaching students and developing teachers in the Chicago Public Schools and Baltimore City Schools, Evan decided to shift his professional trajectory to counseling. Evan is passionate about promoting education as a vehicle for social justice and anti-racism Evan is an avid rock climber
Brett Kirkpatrick, MS, Ed.S.
Secretary
Brett is a doctoral candidate in Counseling Psychology at the University of Kentucky, although he was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY and completed his master’s degree Baltimore, MD. Brett’s clinical experience has included working at a state psychiatric hospital, a state prison, a community mental health agency, and two university counseling centers. Brett is passionate about social justice issues, and believes that all of psychology should recognize, appreciate, and celebrate diversity. In his work, Brett strives to create genuine relationships with his clients by trying to understand how their life experiences inform their beliefs and feelings. Brett’s clinical interests include trauma, resiliency, mindfulness, and depression. His research interests include antiracism and making Whiteness, White culture, and White privilege visible.
Perri Hooper
Treasurer
My name is Perri Hooper and I am currently in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Forensic Psychology duel program at Marymount University. I will be graduating in May of 2019 and I am excited to work in the field. My interests include working with at risk youth and other marginalized populations. My research and advocacy work lies in the realm of law enforcement and community interactions, specifically with populations that face mental health challenges.
Kshipra Jain, MA, LPC, NCC
Student Representative
Kshipra Jain is a doctoral student in Counseling in her dissertation phase at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C. She is a licensed professional counselor (LPC) in the DC metropolitan area, and a board certified counselor (NCC). Kshipra is also a recipient of the 2018 NBCC Minority Fellowship Program-Doctoral award. Kshipra’s research interests revolve around enhancing multicultural sensitivity and cultural humility to better serve minority and underserved members of society, both in clinical and supervisory settings. She is passionate about advocating for those who are further stigmatized due to their marginalized intersectional identities, such as immigrants/refugees/asylum-seekers, LGBTQ+ folx, women, racial/ethnic minorities, and others who endure sociopolitical/socioeconomic disadvantages. Kshipra consistently aims to increase her engagement in social justice and advocacy efforts to empower and give voice to victims of societal and systemic oppression and discrimination.
Jasmine Templeton, MA, LCPC
Veteran Representative
Jasmine Templeton, LCPC, is a former United States Marine Corps Officer who served her country as a Public Affairs Officer in numerous duty stations including Japan, the Philippines, California and Iraq. She specializes in Cognitive Based Therapy (CBT), Emotion Freedom Technique (EFT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI). Jasmine's focus on evidence-based treatments ensure that her clients experience treatments that are proven by research to be effective. Jasmine tirelessly continues to work to improve mental health services for the many Veterans in need.
Your Voice Matters
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Making A Difference
Committees & Chairs
The Relevance of Social Justice Advocacy for Counselors Today
Dr. Chioma Anah
July 2, 2018
"In these days of difficulty, we Americans everywhere must and shall choose the path of social justice..., the path of faith, the path of hope, and the path of love toward our fellow man." -Franklin D. Roosevelt