Deb Leggett

Debra G. Leggett, Ph.D., LMHC, CETP, CSOTP, NCC, is experienced in teaching, supervision, research, and clinical practice. She has been a Counselor Educator for the past 19 years. This was after moving from teaching high school into counseling. This experience has prepared her for her teaching role as Core Faculty in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Dr. Leggett is a clinical supervisor for mental health, school, trauma, and sexual issue counseling. She has supervised both master and doctoral level interns extensively. Dr. Leggett has researched the use of case-based learning across the counseling curriculum to determine whether counselors in training have better conceptualization skills as a result. This research led to her contributions to using theoretical case conceptualizations to teach counseling theories. She has conducted both quantitative and qualitative research in marital happiness, social interest, and conflict. Most recently she has explored resiliency in trauma survivors as part of a research team conducting a scoping review. Dr. Leggett also has many years of experience working with assessment of student learning and CACREP accreditation. As a program chair and leader of CACREP committees, she has helped organize and write many self-studies for accreditation reviews. Dr. Leggett achieved the rank of Professor of Counseling earlier in her career and continues serving at Walden as a core faculty to train counselors.

Dr. Leggett had a private practice in Florida where she is still licensed, providing counseling services to individuals, couples, and families. She is an Approved Clinical Supervisor and certified in telemental-health. She was previously licensed in Indiana and Mississippi. She utilizes an Adlerian orientation that incorporates a holistic view of an individual. Realizing that health is multifaceted and psychological symptoms may be linked to medical or spiritual issues, Dr. Leggett enjoys collaborating on client care with other healthcare professionals. She has served as a member of the Florida Crisis Response Team. She specializes in trauma-focused work and treating victims and perpetrators of sexual abuse, in professional presentations, clinical practice, teaching and supervision. She has been trained to work with the military and other populations with PTSD and traumatic brain injury. Specialty trainings include clinical hypnosis, brief therapy, prolonged exposure therapy, grief and loss treatment, breathwork, and Gottman couples therapy.

Education

PhD, Mississippi State University

Postbaccalaureate Certificate, Mississippi State University

MS, Mississippi State University

BS, University of South Alabama