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Meet CMHC Faculty

Core Counselor Education Faculty

Program Director
Assistant Professor

[email protected]

Dr. Bland holds her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Waynesburg University. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Waynesburg University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fairmont State University. Dr. Bland has had a variety of clinical experiences including: substance abuse, outpatient services, foster care and adoption, and college and career counseling. The majority of her clinical work has been focused on forensic populations; she spent several years providing intake, crisis, and individual counseling services to incarcerated men. Dr. Bland is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC). Dr. Bland has published on substance abuse treatment within the correctional system, sexual wellness and autonomy, and marginalized religious groups. She is an avid presenter and has presented on Appalachian culture and mental health, marginalized religious groups, narrative approaches to counseling, and mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals.

Coordinator of Clinical and Field Experiences
Assistant Professor

[email protected]

Dr. Sara Pickett teaches courses covering advocacy, internship/practicum, private practice, and theories in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Spalding. In addition to teaching, Dr. Pickett is the Clinical and Professional Experiences Coordinator for the program and is responsible for all student site placements. She also sees clients through her online private practice, and she is currently licensed to practice in four states. Dr. Pickett’s most recent research focused on incarceration, mental health, and romantic relationships. Prior to Spalding, Dr. Pickett worked as an adjunct professor at Cincinnati State and Jefferson Community and Technical College, and she worked with clients ages 10-65 through various community mental health organizations and private practices. Outside of her work at Spalding, Dr. Pickett regularly attends and presents at such conferences as ACA and AMHCA. She received the Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship in 2021 and the Graduate Student Government Research Fellowship Award in 2020 from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Pickett holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master of Arts from New York University and a Master of Education from the University of Louisville.

Affiliate Faculty

Program Affiliate Faculty
[email protected]

Dr. Hudson is currently an Assistant Professor at Spalding University and a therapist in private practice. Rick’s background includes serving diverse client populations as the Clinical Director for the Kentucky Autism Training Center, a Rehabilitation Counselor with the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and completing his doctoral internship at Gallaudet University. He has worked in community mental health and university counseling center settings. Rick’s research areas include emotional and self-esteem aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, the use of talent and strengths assessments in counseling and Tabletop Role Playing Games as group therapy modality.

Core Counselor Education Faculty

Program Director
Assistant Professor

[email protected]

Dr. Bland holds her PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from Waynesburg University. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Waynesburg University and her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fairmont State University. Dr. Bland has had a variety of clinical experiences including: substance abuse, outpatient services, foster care and adoption, and college and career counseling. The majority of her clinical work has been focused on forensic populations; she spent several years providing intake, crisis, and individual counseling services to incarcerated men. Dr. Bland is a member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and Association for Spiritual, Ethical, and Religious Values in Counseling (ASERVIC). Dr. Bland has published on substance abuse treatment within the correctional system, sexual wellness and autonomy, and marginalized religious groups. She is an avid presenter and has presented on Appalachian culture and mental health, marginalized religious groups, narrative approaches to counseling, and mental health treatment for incarcerated individuals.

Coordinator of Clinical and Field Experiences
Assistant Professor

[email protected]

Dr. Sara Pickett teaches courses covering advocacy, internship/practicum, private practice, and theories in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program at Spalding. In addition to teaching, Dr. Pickett is the Clinical and Professional Experiences Coordinator for the program and is responsible for all student site placements. She also sees clients through her online private practice, and she is currently licensed to practice in four states. Dr. Pickett’s most recent research focused on incarceration, mental health, and romantic relationships. Prior to Spalding, Dr. Pickett worked as an adjunct professor at Cincinnati State and Jefferson Community and Technical College, and she worked with clients ages 10-65 through various community mental health organizations and private practices. Outside of her work at Spalding, Dr. Pickett regularly attends and presents at such conferences as ACA and AMHCA. She received the Dean’s Dissertation Completion Fellowship in 2021 and the Graduate Student Government Research Fellowship Award in 2020 from the University of Cincinnati. Dr. Pickett holds a PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision from the University of Cincinnati, as well as a Master of Arts from New York University and a Master of Education from the University of Louisville.

Affiliate Faculty

Program Affiliate Faculty
[email protected]

Dr. Hudson is currently an Assistant Professor at Spalding University and a therapist in private practice. Rick’s background includes serving diverse client populations as the Clinical Director for the Kentucky Autism Training Center, a Rehabilitation Counselor with the Kentucky Department of Vocational Rehabilitation and completing his doctoral internship at Gallaudet University. He has worked in community mental health and university counseling center settings. Rick’s research areas include emotional and self-esteem aspects of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in adults, Rejection Sensitive Dysphoria, the use of talent and strengths assessments in counseling and Tabletop Role Playing Games as group therapy modality.