MFP Mental Health Counseling Advisory Council
Dr. Letitia Browne-James, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, LMHC-S - Chair
Dr. Letitia Browne-James is the Founder and Owner of Dr. LBJ, Inc., the parent company of her group counseling practice, Victorious Living Counseling & Consulting, LLC. She is also the Founder and President of LBJ Behavioral Services, a nonprofit offering mental health services to those who can’t afford them. Dr. LBJ has over 20 years of experience working with adults, children, families, and couples in clinical settings as a counselor and administrator. She is an Associate Professor and the Marriage, Couples, and Family Counseling Program Coordinator at Adler Graduate School. Dr. Browne-James earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision with a specialization in counseling and social change from Walden University; her master’s degree in mental health counseling with graduate certificates in marriage and family therapy and play therapy from the University of Central Florida; and her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bethune Cookman University.
Dr. Browne-James is the Advisory Council Chair for the NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program, Chair of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision’s Social Justice and Human Rights Committee and the Florida Counseling Association’s Public Policy and Bylaws committees, Bylaws Committee Chair for the Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development, and a board member for Boys Town of Central Florida. She is also a member of several professional organizations and a recipient of the NBCC Excellence in Clinical Mental Health With Underserved Populations Award, Black Women Handling Business Women in Medicine Award, Bethune-Cookman University 40 Under 40 Outstanding Alumni Award, Chi Sigma Iota-Omega Zeta Chapter Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, Valencia College Bridges to Success Woman of Distinction in Health Award, and Orlando Strong Florida Governor’s Medal of Unity Award.
Stacey Diane Arañez Litam, PhD, NCC, CCMHC, LPCCS - Vice-Chair
Dr. Stacey Litam is an Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Cleveland State University, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor and Supervisor (LPCCS), and a Clinical Sexologist with the American Board of Sexology. Dr. Litam is a member of the Forbes Health Advisory Board and an Advisory Council Member for the NBCCF MFP. In 2023, she was named one of Crain’s Cleveland 40 Under 40. Her speaking, research, and clinical areas of specialization center on topics related to Asian American mental health; anti-Asian discrimination; diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB); intergenerational trauma; sexual well-being; and human sex trafficking. Dr. Litam’s work has been featured in Forbes Health, National Public Radio, SAMHSA, Discover magazine, Psychology Today, The Daily Mail, the National Institutes of Health, and Mental Health Academy, as well as in podcasts, documentaries, and news outlets.
As a speaker and content expert, Dr. Litam has partnered with nationally recognized brands, Fortune 500 companies, global nonprofits, multinational law firms, professional sports teams, and federal organizations and politicians to create cultures of care, compassion, inclusion, and belonging. Her work has resulted in 15 national awards and 11 state awards including 2021 and 2022 APEX Awards for Publication Excellence, the 2022 American Counseling Association Best Practices in Research Award, the 2021 Association for Multicultural Counseling and Development Kitty Cole Human Rights Award, the 2019 NBCC Outstanding Scholar in Research Award, and the 2018 NBCC Outstanding Service to Specialized Populations Award.
Jason Branch, PhD, NCC, ACS, LPC
Dr. Jason Branch has over 20 years of experience in the mental health field and counseling profession. He has worked in higher education, community and agency mental health centers, city government, the corporate sector, and in substance abuse treatment facilities. Dr. Branch is the Founder and CEO of J. Branch and Associates, a virtual clinical group private practice that provides therapy to adults, adolescents, couples, and families in multiple states (GA, NJ, PA).
Dr. Branch is a proud 2016 NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program Fellow, a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC), a consultant, and a counselor educator who engages in professional and scholarly work focused on Black male experiences, mentoring, cultural awareness, and increasing the practice of self-care for helping professionals. Dr. Branch obtained a dual degree in psychology and sociology from the University of West Alabama. He also received a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Auburn University. He currently serves as an Associate Professor at the California School of Professional Psychology.
Kirsis A. Dipre, PhD, NCC, LPC (IL)
Dr. Kirsis A. Dipre is a bilingual AfroLatine immigrant from the Dominican Republic. She is currently an Assistant Professor in the Counselor Education Department at Northeastern Illinois University. Dr. Dipre is an advocate for increased visibility of and access to mental health services for underserved groups, particularly Latine populations. Her work is aimed at improving the mental health outcomes of Latine individuals and families, particularly immigrant and AfroLatine communities. She received a PhD in counselor education and supervision from Syracuse University and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from Northwestern University.
Sonia Gooden-Alexis, EdD, NCC, BC-TMH, CCMHC, ACS, LMHC, LCMHCS, LCAS
Dr. Sonia Gooden-Alexis is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist (LCAS), National Certified Counselor (NCC), Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC), Intensively Trained Dialectical Behavioral Therapist, Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS), Board Certified-TeleMental Health Provider (BC-TMH), and is certified as a Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP) by the International Association of Trauma Professionals. Dr. Gooden-Alexis obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, a master’s degree in mental health counseling from Cambridge College, and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Argosy University. She is a recipient of the 2017 NBCCF MFP Fellowship and actively engages in her commitments within the counseling profession through her roles of leadership, advocacy, education, and mentorship.
Dr. Gooden-Alexis has extensive experience working with underserved populations in a variety of clinical and community settings. She specializes in working with individuals who display acute symptoms, are high-risk, have challenges related to substance use, and are complex in presentation. Dr. Gooden-Alexis is a graduate-level professor and clinical supervisor who is passionate about reducing disparities within mental health to improve the well-being of diverse populations. She is active in her involvement by supporting professional organizations and presenting on state, national, and international levels. She is also committed to providing education to increase client care as it relates to supervision, ethics, trauma, barriers to care, and increasing cultural awareness within the United States and internationally.
Latoya Haynes-Thoby, PhD, NCC
Latoya Haynes-Thoby is an Assistant Professor of Counselor Education at the University of Connecticut. Her work explores the benefits of culturally responsive, trauma-informed counseling that promotes resilience and thriving, especially for underserved children, adults, and communities. Dr. Haynes-Thoby’s research agenda is brought forth through applied research methods, including the exploration of culturally specific factors that contribute to resilience and the operationalization of trauma-informed counseling that promotes success. She approaches her work using a trauma-informed lens, and through perspectives that are rooted in Black-feminist and intersectional frameworks.
Using critical frameworks, her research focuses on issues such as individual and community healing from trauma. Her commitment to advocacy, mentorship, and counselor development is evidenced through her scholarship, teaching, and service. Through her research, Dr. Haynes-Thoby aims to honor the clients who trust us with their stories and the community-rooted protective factors that support their well-beingDr. Haynes-Thoby is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) with nearly 20 years of experience working with women, children, and families who have been impacted by intimate partner violence, homelessness, and other sources of trauma. She earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision, as well as her MEd in counselor education with an emphasis in clinical mental health in schools and communities, from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Haynes Thoby is a 2018 NBCCF MFP Fellow.
Dr. Haynes-Thoby is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) in Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) with nearly 20 years of experience working with women, children, and families who have been impacted by intimate partner violence, homelessness, and other sources of trauma. She earned her PhD in counselor education and supervision, as well as her MEd in counselor education with an emphasis in clinical mental health in schools and communities, from Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Haynes Thoby is a 2018 NBCCF MFP Fellow.
Michael Jones, PhD, NCC, BC-TMH, LPC-S
Dr. Jones is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Arkansas, a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a Board Certified-TeleMental Health provider (BC-TMH). His research and clinical interests include telemental health counseling, biracial adult issues, African American mental health, ethics, and the integration of artificial intelligence in counseling.
Dr. Jones has served on the American Counseling Association Ethics Committee and is the Immediate Past President of the Southern Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. He has also been President of the Arkansas Counseling Association and the Arkansas Association for Counselor Education and Supervision. A member of the inaugural group of NBCCF Doctoral Minority Fellows, Dr. Jones speaks at multiple conferences each year and is currently writing a textbook.
Christine M. Park, PhD, NCC, LMHC
Dr. Christine Park is a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a volunteer mentor for the NBCC Foundation, and a 2017 NBCCF Minority Fellowship Program Doctoral Fellow. She is a former Emerging Leader for the Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES), an editorial fellow for the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES), and an ACES Emerging Leader. She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and has been an educator for 15 years. Dr. Park received a bachelor’s degree in special education from Gonzaga University, a master’s degree in counseling psychology from the University of Hawaiʻi, and a doctorate in counselor education and supervision from Walden University. She also earned a certificate in Native and Indigenous Health and Healing.
Dr. Park’s counseling experience has primarily focused on working with at-risk, disadvantaged, diversely abled, and underserved children, adolescents, and adults in school and community settings. Her other professional experience includes teaching in an alternative learning setting for disadvantaged and at-risk adolescents and counseling children and adolescents who have received special education services. Dr. Park is a graduate-level Professor in counselor education and works in her community to assist dislocated and disadvantaged adults with the transition to college or employment. She also serves on a state regional board on mental health, substance use, and addictions to help inform local policies, programs, and practices, and is the President of the Hawaiʻi Counselors Association.
Dr. Maylee Vazquez, PhD, NCC, ACUE
Dr. Maylee Vazquez, a bilingual Latina counselor, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Counseling at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She graduated with a PhD in counselor education and supervision from UNC Charlotte. She also received a master's degree in counselor education from East Carolina University and a bachelor's degree in psychology from UNC Greensboro. Dr. Vazquez is a Licensed Professional School Counselor (K–12) in North Carolina and National Certified Counselor (NCC). She also has a certification in college counseling and student affairs. Dr. Vazquez was recently recognized as a LatinxED Fellow and a Langston University Rehabilitation Research and Capacity Building for Minorities Fellow, and is also a 2019 NBCCF MFP Fellow. Her research interests include equity in education, Latine family functioning and community development, culturally and trauma-responsive cross-cultural counseling, and anti-oppressive and restorative education.
