Ashley Ackerman

Ashley M. Ackerman, Ph.D., LPC, is a dedicated mental health professional with extensive experience in counseling, higher education, and program development. Ashley completed her doctoral work at The University of Cincinnati. She is an Assistant Professor in the Counseling and Psychology programs and a Contributing Faculty Member at Walden University.

With ten years of experience in various settings as a Professional Counselor, Ashley’s expertise spans meaningful work, existential theories of work, professional identity development, interpersonal victimization, crisis counseling, disaster mental health, and burnout. Her doctoral studies included a multiculturalism and social justice cognate, focusing on Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (WGSS). Ashley has worked as a Director of Programs at a local County Mental Health Board and taught in the counseling program at the University of Cincinnati as an adjunct for seven years.

Beyond her academic and clinical work, Ashley is actively engaged in advancing the counseling profession. She serves on the Editorial Board of the Journal of Counselor Practice (JCP) and is a Past President of The Miami Valley Counseling Association (MVCA). Her dissertation, An Existential Study of Burnout in a Sample of Disaster Mental Health Practitioners, reflects her commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges faced by mental health professionals.

Education

PhD, The University of Cincinnati

MS, Wright State University

Public Service

The American Red Cross, Volunteer -

Miami Valley Counseling Association , President - Dayton

Awards / Honors

Doctoral Leadership Fellow, Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society , 2018

Outstanding Practitioner Award, Chi Sigma Iota (CSI), 2017

Outstanding Woman Scholar Award, The University of Akron, 2010

Publications

Ackerman, A. An existential study of burnout in a sample of disaster mental health practitioners .

Ackerman, A. (2017). An integrated model for counselor social justice advocacy in child welfare. . The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families.

Ackerman, A., Wantz, R. A., Firmin, M. W., Poindexter, D. C., Pujara, A. L. (2014). Mental health service providers: College student perceptions of helper effectiveness. . The Professional Counselor: Research and Practice

Presentations

Ackerman, A. M. (2023). An existential study of burnout in a sample of disaster mental health practitioners .

Ackerman, A. (2019). Mind and body: The psychological and physiological impact of sexual trauma. . COMPASS Rape Crisis Center

Ackerman, A. (2015). Vicarious traumatization and secondary traumatic stress: Reducing risk for foster parent caregivers. . Family Services Association

LaGuardia, A. C., Ackerman, A., Emelianchick-Key, K. (2018). Adolescent self-directed violence: Prevention and intervention strategies. . American Counseling Association