Lisa Vinson | SIU

As a Counselor Educator, my educational background has empowered me to conduct impactful research, present at prestigious national and local conferences, and publish influential works.

My focus areas include mental health and addictions, racism-related stress, racial trauma, anti-oppressive frameworks, and health disparities and inequalities. I am also keen on exploring other crucial areas, such as shame and guilt, intercultural competency among healthcare providers, and cultural competency within clinical supervision. My presentations and published works have effectively addressed ineffective behaviors, habits, and beliefs around education, substance use, and mental health in Black/African American communities.

As a faculty member, my primary goal is to instill a strong professional counseling identity in my students. I encourage them to question, think critically, and uphold ethical standards in their journey to becoming counseling professionals. My extensive work experiences in various settings, including human service organizations, residential social service agencies, Chicago Public schools, and higher education (student affairs and faculty), equip me to bring innovative classroom instructions for both traditional and non-traditional students. I firmly believe that respect, active listening, mutual understanding, and clear student/instructor expectations are the pillars of creating safe and inclusive learning spaces, whether it's in the classroom, online, or on campus.