Karena Heyward

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

Dr. Karena J. Heyward is a dedicated Counselor Educator with a passion for training and mentoring the next generation of mental health counselors. She has been fortunate to do this work since 2012. As a systemic thinker and holistic practitioner, she integrates perspectives from anti-racism, anti-oppression, racial identity development, relational and sex-positive approaches, somatic psychotherapy, community-oriented advocacy, and liberation psychology into her work, striving to create systemic change in both education and counseling. In addition to her academic role, she runs a private practice where she supports predominantly Black and Queer clients through liberation-focused somatic approaches and supervises future counselors in Virginia. Outside of her professional life, she is a devoted partner and dog mom, certified plant lady, Lego lover, an avid traveler and someone who cherishes the magic of being alive.

Courses Taught

COUN 6100 - Introduction to Mental Health Counseling

Education

PhD, The College of William and Mary

MEd, The College of William and Mary

BS, Virginia Commonwealth University

Awards / Honors

Western Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (WACES) 2023 Publication Award, WACES, 2023

Publications

Holmes, C. M., Tariq, F., Heyward, K., Hall, D. (2023). Training Counselors Using Virtual Reality. Journal of Technology in Counselor Education and Supervision

Austin, V. D., Heyward, K. J., Armstrong, S. (2021). Culturally Responsive Counseling for Clients of Multiracial Descent.

Heyward, K. J., Honderich, E. (2020). The Counselor’s Role in Fostering Emotional and Cognitive Development Across the Life Span.

Hermann-Turner, K., Heyward, K., Bailey, C. (2019). Community Uprising: Counseling interventions, educational strategies, and advocacy tools. The Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision

Lloyd-Hazlett, J., Heyward, K. (2016). The Relationship between Students’ Ego Development and Phenomenological Experiences in Live-Supervision. . VISTAS

Lloyd-Hazlett, J., Honderich, E., Heyward, K. (2016). Fa-MI-ly: Experiential Techniques to Integrate Motivational Interviewing and Family Counseling. The Family Journal

Heyward, K., Benoit, E., Hermann, K. M., Holmes, C. M., Lloyd-Hazlett, J. (2013). Conquering Ambiguity with Creativity: Using Creative Family Counseling Interventions with Military Families. Journal of Military and Government Counseling

LLoyd-Hazlett, J., Heyward, K. (2013). Inter-disciplinary collaboration between professional school counselors and community-based family counselors: A focus group study. . Virginia Counselors Journal

Wyatt, K., Dewell, J., Heyward, K., Osborne, L. A., Norris, K., Lukow, H., Sederquest, K., Newman, B. (2012). Meeting the Mandate for Program Evaluation in CACREP Programs: A Study in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Virginia Counselors Journal

Presentations

Benoit, E., Heyward, K. (2024). Rest and Mindfulness: A Polyvagal Approach to Counselor Well-being.

Armstrong, S., Heyward, K., Honderich, E. (2023). Accountability, Grace, and Policy in Online Education: Lessons on Gatekeeping and Remediation.

Heyward, K. (2023). Polyvagal Theory and Self-Care. Licensed Clinical Counselors of North Carolina

Heyward, K., Welch, M., Benoit, E. (2023). Practice what you teach: Radical rest and self-care for mental health professionals..

Bailey, C. L., Heyward, K. J., Hermann-Turner, K. (2020). Community Uprisings: A Crisis Response and Activism Model.