SANAR Lab Research Team
Dr. Monique Rodriguez, Ph.D., LPCC, NCC, Lab Director, is an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education program and a Body-Centered Gestalt Therapist and Somatic Movement Educator in Texas and New Mexico. She is excited to lead a research team of graduate students interested in substance use disorders and the study of embodied approaches to counselor education and clinical training. She is particularly interested in creating a culture of embodied awareness in counselor education.
Lindsey Bell, MS, LPC (MO), LMHC (NM), NCC, Doctoral Candidate. Lindsey's passions include working with LGBTQIA+ persons and empowering clients to build their emotional regulation skills through embodied awareness interventions. They are particularly interested in utilizing embodied awareness techniques for LGBTQIA+ persons in recovery from addiction.
Ali Cissey Usman, Doctoral Student. Ali Cissey has a strong passion for research, especially research studies around the interaction between shame, trauma, substance use, school-related problems, reintegration, and aligning treatment plans to meet the needs of diverse ethnic populations. I joined the SANAR Lab because I look forward to deepening my understanding of the scientific research process and collaborating with many people to design and formulate research studies.
MikahlaBeutler, MS, LPCC (NM), NCC, Doctoral Student,currently provides training in the field of mental health for individuals, agencies, schools, and government programs to strengthen trauma-informed approaches and client-centered interventions. At the heart of her practice is self-compassion. She is currently interested in exploring how somatic awareness can increase an individual’s capacity to engage in self-compassion practices. The core ethos of her work (and play!) is to come with curiosity.
Alumni
Shing Yee Bay, MA, LMHC, University of Toledo, Bay has a strong passion for working with international students. He is interested in utilizing embodied awareness interventions for substance use disorders and counselor education.
