Janee Steele

Core Faculty
College of Social and Behavioral Health
School of Counseling
M.S. Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Janeé M. Steele is a licensed professional counselor and certified CBT therapist. Dr. Steele has been a professional counselor for 15 years, and currently specializes in the treatment of depression and anxiety. Her certification in CBT includes over 40 hours of post-graduate training from the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavior Therapy, as well as evaluation of her clinical work, earning her the status of Diplomate and Certified CBT Therapist through the Academy of Cognitive and Behavioral Therapies.

As a professional counselor, Dr. Steele utilizes CBT techniques and mindfulness strategies to help clients challenge the negative thoughts that lead to distressing emotions, behaviors, and physiological symptoms. In this work, Dr. Steele consistently seeks to build relationships with clients that are characterized by empathy and unconditional support, understanding that the therapeutic alliance is the most significant factor in empowering clients to overcome the negative views about self, others, and the world that lead to dysfunctional thoughts in daily situations.

In addition to her work as a counselor, Dr. Steele has also served as a counselor educator for the past 10 years. She is currently a member of the core faculty at Walden University. She received her PhD in counselor education and supervision from Western Michigan University and a master's degree in educational psychology from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, where she also received bachelor's degrees in psychology and elementary education. Dr. Steele has published both conceptual and research-based articles and a book chapter in peer-reviewed journals such as Counselor Education and Supervision, the International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling, and the Handbook of Counselor Education. Her favorite publication titled, “A CBT Approach to Internalized Racism Among African Americans” describes cognitive conceptualization and treatment planning using CBT and a proposed cognitive model of internalized racism. Her webinar discussing the proposed cognitive model of internalized racism is one of the American Counseling Association's bestselling products and was featured by the organization as part of its 2022 BIPOC Awareness Month programming. Dr. Steele is also the co-author of the book, Black Lives Are Beautiful: 50 Tools to Heal From Trauma and Promote Positive Racial Identity, and author of the upcoming book, Racism and African American Mental Health: Using Cognitive Behavior Therapy to Empower Healing.

Courses Taught

COUN 6753 - Career Counseling

COUN 6723 - Multicultural Counseling

COUN 6626 - Research Methods and Program Evaluation

COUN 6316 - Counseling Techniques

COUN 6671 - Counseling Practicum

COUN 6682 - Counseling Internship A and B

Education

PhD, Western Michigan University

MEd, Southern Illinois University

BS, Southern Illinois University

BA, Southern Illinois University

Publications

Steele, J. (2008). Preparing counselors to advocate for social justice: A liberation model. Counselor Education and Supervision

Steele, J., Bischof, G. H., Craig, S. E. (2014). Political ideology and perceptions social justice advocacy among members of the American Counseling Association. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling

Steele, J., Rawls, G. J. (2015). Quantitative research attitudes and research training perceptions among master's-level students. Counselor Education and Supervision

Steele, J. M. (2020). A CBT approach to internalized racism among African Americans. International Journal for the Advancement of Counselling

Steele, J., Lee, T. (2021). Counseling regulation, education, and representation in the United States of America. Australian Counselling Research Journal

Steele, J. M., Newton, C. (2022). Culturally adapted cognitive behavioral therapy as a model to address internalized racism among African American clients. Journal of Mental Health Counseling

Steele, J. M., Lee, T. (2022). Recognizing and addressing microaggressions in addiction treatment groups: An integrated approach. The Journal of Addictions & Offender Counseling

Steele, J. M., Newton, C. S. (2023). Black lives are beautiful: 50 tools to heal from trauma and promote positive racial identity.