Tammy Totten
Education
Dr. Tammy Totten earned her Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) in Counselor Education & Supervision from Texas Southern University in 2003. Her doctoral dissertation focused on "The Clinical Implications of Critical Incidents for Emergency Care Workers." She also holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University, which she earned in 1991. Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Sociology from Stephen F. Austin State University, completed in May 1989. Most recently, she obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration in General Management from Walden University, completing the degree in December 2022.
Licensure and Certifications
Dr. Totten is a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (KY), a Licensed Professional Counselor (TX), A Licensed Chemical Dependency Counselor (TX), and A National Certified Counselor. She is also a Reality Therapy/Choice Theory Certified Counselor and a William Glasser scholar. With 30 years of clinical experience, she has worked as a licensed substance abuse counselor, a clinical director of a residential children’s facility, a counselor in a university counseling center, a mental health consultant at Job Corps, and as a supervisor for a clinical mental health team treating clients with psychotic disorders. In addition to teaching, she currently sees clients in a private group practice.
Teaching
Walden University
Contributing Faculty 12/07/09 – Present
Minneapolis, MN
TeachingMaster’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling ProgramBachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral Programs in Human ServicesServe as dissertation committee chairServe as second committee member on dissertation committees Develop and execute inventive instructional methods.Guide, direct, and mentor research scholars in their research projects. Assess, supervise, and mentor the academic progress in students.Serves as dissertation chair and second committee member Support and serve for various functional activities conducted by departmental committees.Review, assess, and evaluate the activities and progress of students. Teach undergraduate and graduate students within their field of expertise. Subject Matter Expert (SME)Revise and Develop Program Courses HUMN 3010: Crisis and Positive Intervention SOCW 6336: Crisis, Trauma, and Disaster ResponsePSYC 3001: Addictions Screening and Assessment
Role at Walden University
Dr. Totten has been involved in academic governance and accreditation processes at Walden University. From 2016 to 2019, she actively participated in the BS in Human Services Academic Program Review (APR) Committee for Walden University. Her responsibilities included analyzing program data and presenting trends graphically. This work directly supported the program's evaluation and accreditation efforts. In addition to this, her engagement extended to the university level in Fall 2016, when she served as a reviewer for the Walden University Higher Learning Commission Assurance Argument, contributing to the institution's accreditation documentation.
She was also an appointed member of the School of Social Work and Human Services Curriculum and Academic Policies Committee, playing a role in shaping the academic direction and policies within the School of Social Work and Human Services. She attended the APR meeting in St. Paul in June 2017, where she presented and explained the data she studied and presented in graphic form, which helped the participants understand the information at hand. This provided Dr. Totten with valuable insight into the external review process.
University of the Cumberlands
Adjunct Professor 08/2014 – Present
Williamsburg, KY
Teach graduate-level counseling studentsDevelop syllabiAssess and mentor students’ academic performanceExecute inventive instructional methods.Ensure teaching and assignments support CACREP Standards
Western Kentucky University
Assistant Professor 8/01/05 - 6/30/10
Bowling Green, KY
Syllabi and course developmentSupervised practicum and internship students in a CACREP-accredited programDeveloped and managed Western Kentucky University’s Family Counseling Clinic, including administrative and clinical responsibilities.
Guide, direct, and mentor research scholars in their research projectsTake part in all activities of the department and collegeSupport and serve up for various functional activities conducted by departmental committeesReview, assess, and evaluate the activities and progress of studentsInstruct graduate students within their field of expertise
Lindsey Wilson University
Adjunct Faculty 5/22/09 - 05/31/10
Scottsville, KY
Syllabi and course developmentDevelop and execute inventive instructional methodsAssess, supervise, and mentor the academic progress of students. Instruct graduate students within their field of expertise
Texas Southern University
Instructor 1999 Houston, TX
Taught addiction courses
Prairie View A&M University
Instructor 1996
Prairie View, TX
Taught first-year college experience course
Areas of Research Interests and Subject Matter Expertise
Trauma and disaster response Use of music in therapyUse of neurobiology in counseling and mental health
Work Accomplishments
Dr. Totten is a highly accomplished counselor, educator, and clinical practitioner with over three decades of diverse experience in providing mental health services and crisis intervention. She also has twenty years of experience as a professor.
She earned her Doctor of Education in Counselor Education and Supervision from Texas Southern University in 2003, with a dissertation focused on the clinical implications of critical incidents for emergency care workers. Her academic credentials also include a Master of Business Administration from Walden University, completed in 2022, a master’s in counseling from Stephen F. Austin State University, and a Bachelor’s in Psychology and Sociology from the same institution.
She holds multiple state licenses in Kentucky and Texas, along with national certifications such as the NCC and Certified Clinical Trauma Professional. Dr. Totten has an extensive teaching portfolio, serving as faculty at Walden University, University of the Cumberlands, Western Kentucky University, and Lyndsey Wilson College, mentoring graduate students, developing curriculum, and supervising clinical practice.
Her clinical work spans individual and group therapy, crisis intervention, and disaster mental health response, including her role as a Disaster Mental Health Specialist with the American Red Cross and an independent consultant for R3Continuum. She has contributed significantly to professional organizations, including the American Counseling Association, Kentucky Counseling Association, and the National Board for Certified Counselors, actively participating in committees, publications, and conference presentations. Her scholarly work includes numerous publications, book chapters, and presentations on trauma, crisis response, addiction, and innovative therapeutic techniques.
Dr. Totten is committed to community service, serving on boards such as Phoenix Rising Inc. Phoenix Rising is on a mission to empower youth impacted by human trafficking and exploitation, equipping community members to recognize and respond to domestic sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation of children. Dr. Totten helps Phoenix Rising assist victims in managing their trauma and helping them transition from victims to survivors.
Dr. Totten also engages herself in advocacy and volunteer activities that support youth, military personnel, and disaster survivors. Her career reflects a dedicated pursuit of advancing counseling practice, education, and crisis management on both national and international levels.
Public Service and Community Engagement
American Red Cross 2005-Present
Disaster Mental Health Specialist
Several national deployments
Educator/facilitator for Vet Court
Services to Armed Forces (SAF) Facilitator 2019-Present
Phoenix Rising Inc. 2017- Present
Board of Directors
President 2018-2020
Vice-President 2020-2023 Member 2023-Present
International Foreign Student Exchange Host Parent 2019-Present
Placement Coordinator 2023-Present
National Publications
Shaffer (Totten), T. (2012). Couples counseling and illness: The real deal. In P.A. Robey, R.E. Wubbolding, & J. Carlson, (Eds.). Contemporary issues in couples counseling: A choicetheory and reality therapy approach. Routledge.
Shaffer, T. (2010, Spring) Emergency care workers: A comparison of firefighters and police officers considering the influence of gender and relationship status. Adultspan Journal, 9(1), 36-49.
Publications prior to 2010 not included
International Professional Presentations
Shaffer, T. (2017, May 20). Getting to Early Recollections Through Music: The Then, The Now, The Emotion, The Physiology: Tying it Together. Education session for the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) Annual Conference. Vancouver, BC.
Camacho, D., LaFountain, B., Sauz, S., Shaffer, T., & Watts, R. (2017, May 20). Professor's Forum: What do Mind, Body Heart & Soul Connections with Graduate Students Look & Feel Like? Education session for the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) Annual Conference. Vancouver, BC.
Shaffer, T. (2016, May 13). Music and Early Recollections: Then and Now. Education session for the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) Annual Conference. Minneapolis, MN.
Shaffer, T. (2015, May 30). Using Creative Techniques to Help Clients Grow: Enhancing the Life Tasks through Song. Education session for the North American Society of Adlerian Psychology (NASAP) 63rd Annual Conference. Philadelphia, PA.
National Professional Presentations
Totten, T. (2019, Dec. 13). Use of Songs to Elicit Insight into Clients Basic Needs. Education session for the Association for Creativity in Counseling Conference. Clearwater, FL.
Faix-Wilkinson, K. & Totten, T. Storytelling in the Online Classroom: Opportunities for
Improving Student Engagement. Faculty Development Session, Summer Walden
National Faculty Meeting. Minneapolis, MN.
Shaffer, T. (2016, Sep. 23). Music and Memories: Linking the Past with Today's Feelings,
Functioning and Future Wants. Education session for Education session for the 2015
Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) Conference. Savannah, GA.
Shaffer, T. (2016, May 27). Using Candy to Increase Med-Adherence. Education
session for the Second Annual National Board of Certified Counselors Foundation
Symposium. Washington D.C.
Shaffer, T. (2015, April 10). The Great Candy Experiment: Using Candy to teach students
how to teach clients about medication adherence. Education session for the 2015
Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC) Conference. San Antonio, TX.
Shaffer, T., Downs, L, Cooper, C. & Roney, C. (2014, July 11). You can be a classroom
star: Using video to enhance student learning and comfort in the classroom. Faculty
Development Session, Walden Winter University Faculty Meeting. National Harbor,
MD.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2014, March 24). (Mis) Understanding Plagiarism:
Definitions in the Gray Area. Webinar Presentation for Walden University.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2014, March 17). (Mis) Understanding Plagiarism:
Definitions in the Gray Area. Webinar Presentation for Walden University
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2014, March 11). Ready, Set, Grade! Webinar
Presentation for Walden University.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2014, March 3). Ready, Set, Grade! Webinar
Presentation for Walden University.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2014, January 10). (Mis) Understanding
Plagiarism: Definitions in the Gray Area. Faculty Development Session, Walden
Winter University Faculty Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2014, January 10). Ready, Set, Grade! Walden
Winter University Faculty Meeting. Orlando, FL.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (September 16 & 23). Ready, Set, Grade! Webinar
Presentation for Walden University.
Shaffer, T., Grammer, R., & Downs, L. (2013, August 16). Grade A Tools: Prioritizing
Instruction and Minimizing Ranting. Faculty Development Session, Walden Summer
University Faculty Meeting. Minneapolis, MN.
Shaffer, T. (2011, October). The Use of Candy in Teaching Students how to Teach Clients
and Their Families about Medication Adherence. Education session for the Annual
Meeting of the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision (ACES) Annual
Conference.
Shaffer, T. (2009, March). Diagnosing Bipolar Disorder in Children. Education session for
the ACA Annual Conference. Charlotte, NC.
Priddy, C.J., Light, G., Kindsvatter, A., Onedera, J.D., & Shaffer, T. (2008, March).
Warming up to finals: A pinch of prevention and a spoonful of wellness help make a
great cup of cocoa. Poster session for the ACA Annual Conference. Honolulu, HI.
Duba, J., Minatrea, N. & Shaffer, T. (2008, March). Religion in counseling. Education
session for the ACA Annual Conference. (Honolulu, HI).
STATE PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS
Totten, T. (2023, Nov. 9). Therapist and Professor Overcoming Crisis: Personal vs
Professional. Education session for the 2023 Kentucky Counseling Association 66th
Annual Conference. Louisville, KY.
Totten, T., Cinnamon, J. & Lewis, D. (2021, Nov. 16). Things You Need to Know but
Probably Didn’t Learn in School to Deal with Real-Life Counseling. Education session
for the 2021 Kentucky Counseling Association Annual Conference. Louisville, KY.
Totten, T. (2019, Nov.14). The Impact of Stress and Crisis on Resilience and How to Help
Clients Navigate it. Education session for the 2019 Kentucky Counseling Association
Annual Conference Louisville, KY.
Shaffer, T. (2012, October.). Using Reality Therapy & Music to Help Couples/Families
Deal with Chronic Illness. Education session for the 55th Annual Kentucky Counseling
Association Conference.
Presentations prior to 2010 not included
Employment Related to Research Interests and Subject Matter Expertise
Dr. Totten serves as a Disruptive Event Management Consultant (DEMC) with R3Continuum, specializing in supporting individuals and organizations in recovery from the distress caused by disruptive workplace incidents, such as employee deaths or accidents, bank robberies, and bomb threats, whether onsite or offsite. She offers tailored support to both leadership and staff, working collaboratively to develop response plans that are culturally sensitive and industry-specific. Her primary focus is on enhancing employees’ innate resilience and facilitating the recovery process for individuals and teams by helping them normalize common behavioral and psychological reactions to traumatic events. Her overarching goal is to help organizations and their people remain resilient and thrive even in the face of the unthinkable. This work aligns closely with her professional interests in trauma response and crisis intervention.
Education
EdD, Texas Southern University
MBA, Walden University
MEd, Stephen F. Austin State University
BA, Stephen F. Austin State University