Counselor and Rehabilitation Education Faculty | Health Professions | SIU

I have conducted research and publications in areas of chronic morbidly obese, dialysis and kidney transplant patients, multiculturalism and academic advising in the rehabilitation counseling field. I am interested in developing other research topics such as employment of people with disabilities, mental health crisis management, multiculturalism and program evaluation in the rehabilitation counseling field and related areas. Currently, I am developing the design to conduct two research mixed methods. The first research is analyzing and evaluating the experiences of persons with a kidney transplant that have more than ten years. The second research will evaluate dialysis treatment patients with more than ten years. Also, I am interested in developing research including persons with severe disabilities that have maintained a long-term employment, mentoring, support to first generation of students, minority and non-traditional students.

Dr. Jody Giles is an Associate Professor of Practice specializing in Clinical Mental Health training and supervision.

Specializations: Sequlae of traumatic brain injury, including challenges in communication, decision making, and addictive behaviors.

Dr. Jane Nichols is an Associate Professor in the Rehabilitation Counseling and Administration Program. She received her M.S. from Portland State University and her Ph.D. from Michigan State University in Rehabilitation Counseling. Dr. Nichols has over 20 years of experience in public, private and non-profit settings as a rehabilitation counselor, mental health counselor, and program coordinator. Her dissertation involved the qualitative study of social interactions of persons with acquired brain injury. Dr. Nichols research projects include: the intersect between social skills, mental health and addictive behaviors; interdisciplinary teamwork and military counseling. Dr. Nichols specializes in mental health and substance use counseling and is coordinating the Advanced Training Program in Substance Use Disorders and Addictive Behaviors at the Rehabilitation Institute. She is a licensed clinical counselor and a certified rehabilitation professional.